Booked a tour with SWEETours, Inc. for me and my wife. We were picked up at our hotel promptly by Bill (our driver) who then grabbed another couple at another hotel and then off to the SWEETours main terminal to transfer to a motor coach. We were informed that we were going to travel in the smaller coach that picked us up at the hotel due to size of our group heading to the west rim. Continental breakfast was provided which consisted of grabbing coffee outside the SWEETours building and using the bathroom in a portable bathroom. You grab your continental breakfast (banana, muffin and Belvita crackers) as you get back on the smaller van. Off we go.
It is about a 3 plus hour trip to the West Rim as we made a short stop at Hoover Dam (which is quite impressive). On your journey, you also make a some pit stops for bathroom breaks (remember we did not take a motor coach which has a bathroom on board). The pit stops are at gas stations. The ride to the West Rim was one of the bumpiest rides you will ever take. The roads are in poor condition and when you are riding in a smaller van/bus you feel every bump. This lasts almost the entire time. Once you get closer to the West Rim you drive through a Joshua Tree forest which is quite impressive and scenic. Then to the Grand Canyon. You get dropped off at the main airport terminal (they have helicopter and plane tours) where you transfer to another shuttle bus that is ran by the operators of the West Rim. First stop is Eagle Point/Skywalk. Upon leaving the bus and walking up to the rim at this location (mind you that there are no fences), you pretty much gasp at the wonder of this geological marvel. I am afraid of heights so you can imagine my nervousness as people stood steps away from the rim. BUT WHAT A VIEW, Next stop is Guano Point. If you thought the views could not get better, well they do at Guano Point. From here you can walk a trail and also see the Colorado River. My wife suggested that we have lunch at Guano Point (outside seating). This was a great choice as the food (chicken, mashed potatoes, corn) was quite good and you could enjoy the views while eating. The third stop is the Hualapai Ranch. There are no views of the Grand Canyon here and this location offers the only inside dining option. However, the ranch in my opinion is a tourist trap as there are some smaller shops to buy that last minute souvenir or pay to ride the mechanical bull or buy tokens to use at the shooting arcade. Quite honestly I would skip this location if this is a couples trip. Might be ok for a family with kids but in my opinion the purpose of going to the Grand Canyon is to marvel at this natural wonder. We headed back to the "base" station and hopped back on our ride back to Vegas. The ride back is quicker but still rather bumpy.
Overall, great trip. Just get pass some of the bumps in the road!!!