We booked a private Ecostar Imperial helicopter tour for 6 people (the 40-50 minute flight from Grand Canyon airport in Tusayan) and we are all in agreement that this was by far the highlight of our entire trip! We checked in 30 minutes before our flight and were all weighed to distribute our weight in the helicopter evenly. We all had a good view from the big windows in the Ecostar, even the two who were in the back/middle (2 people sit next to the pilot up front, and 4 in the back), although this was probably easier because we were a family group without issues leaning over each other or asking each people closer to a window to take a photo. The weather was perfect, with little cloud cover - we chose a morning flight because we heard the light is nice and there are fewer updrafts from the hot canyon floor, making for a smoother ride, and both points were true. The pilot was excellent (Tim) and told us about various sites as we passed them and answered our questions. It was magical flying over the Kaibab forest and hitting the rim of the canyon. This was my 4th trip to the Grand Canyon but my first helicopter trip, and it was definitely an experience entirely different from walking along both rims and hiking to the base of the canyon, with panoramic views above inaccessible viewpoints. We loved seeing the full range of the Colorado River, the confluence of the Little and main Colorado River, with the color change of the water, Imperial Point at the North Rim, the view of the canyon of the North Rim without the 4.5 hour drive from the South Rim, and the Dragon Corridor. It was certainly a pricey experience, but all of us felt that it was worth every penny and we would do it again if we ever returned to the Grand Canyon!
Одговор домаћина
Jun 2019
Flying over the Kaibab Forest and into the Grand Canyon is a truly magical experience! Thank you for choosing us to take your there. We would to fly with you again if your travels bring you back to the Desert Southwest.
Sincerely,
Papillon Management