A phenomenal trip of a lifetime. (Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters (Grand Canyon, USA))

Member Name: garymarsh6

Product:	Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters (Grand Canyon, USA)
Date:	27/08/09 (117 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A once in a lifetime visit to a natural wonder of the world.

Disadvantages: Having to return home.

Papillon Helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas.

When we visited Las Vegas we wanted to do a trip to the Grand Canyon. Having searched the internet for various options the most striking trip was one by helicopter from McCarran international airport which landed on the Canyon floor after descending 4000 feet deep into the Canyon.

There are various permutations available when visiting the Canyon including:-

Fly over the Canyon by plane.
Fly out by plane then take helicopter into the Canyon.
Drive out by coach take a plane or helicopter
Fly out by plane, river cruise, back by coach.
Fly out by helicopter landing on the floor of the Canyon.

There were so many options available taking from 3 hours to 12 hours in total and of course the various options came with a price. No matter what your budget is it is a fantastic opportunity to do a trip while you are in that part of the USA.

Having never flown in a helicopter I was quite excited by the prospect of a trip into the Grand Canyon when I was in Las Vegas. I had booked the trip prior to leaving the UK and they emailed back the arrangements to pick us up at the hotel and take us to the Heli port at McCarran international airport in Las Vegas.

Although the trip was expensive it was worth every penny. IT cost approximately £200 but that included an evening helicopter trip up the Las Vegas strip on another day.


The day of the trip. We had got up early and had breakfast and at the allotted time made our way to the hotel entrance. On cue the minibus turned up with another two couples in it and we headed off to the airport. The driver was very friendly and while on the bus a small presentation was shown about safety aspects of the trip. The video showed you how to use the seat belts and how to evacuate the helicopter in an emergency. Whilst watching that it lasted approximately 7 minutes and before we knew it we had arrived at the heliport.

We went into the reception area and checked in. We presented our email confirmation and then we were asked to stand directly in front of the lady checking us in. Unknown to us we were actually being weighed. The weight of the passengers determines where you are likely to be sitting in the helicopter the heavier you are the further back you sit. If you have a window seat you are more or less guaranteed a phenomenal view especially if you are sitting in the front. If you are of a slightly larger size and sitting in the back of the helicopter then the views are a bit more restricted due to the two passengers in the front and if you are sat in the middle without leaning over the person sitting next to you the view is very restricted. So if travelling as a couple you can always change places on the return trip.

The helicopter took 7 passengers and the pilot.

Whilst drinking a glass of champagne we watched the safety presentation again and how to approach the helicopter. There were strict instructions about not approaching the helicopter until told to do so. Safety appeared to be a priority which pleased us.
We watched our helicopter arrive and the occupants alighted we were waiting just inside the security door. All of a sudden the guy opened the door and said follow me staying strictly in the painted walkway approaching the helicopter.


The guy opened the doors and we all got in our respective places donned the seat belts and a pair of ear phones so that you could hear the pilot. He introduced himself and told us how the helicopter would take off and what it would feel like. The whirring of the blades increased and slowly the helicopter rose off the ground lurched forward and increased its speed rising up into the sky in a pre determined flight path. We flew over the South end of the strip and headed out towards the desert in the direction of the Grand Canyon 120 miles to the east of Las Vegas.

We passed right over the Hoover damn and observed the boats on lake Mead and the massive structure of the dam. Down below you could see the Colorado River spewing out at the base of the dam.

Passing over more dessert and undulating hills and rock formations and then we began to see sight of the Grand Canyon and the west rim. The helicopter flew over the edge of the rim and descended 4000 feet to the canyon floor beside a slow flowing river. Once we had landed we got down from the Helicopter and we were able to take lots of photos and to admire the peace and tranquillity of the Grand Canyon. It was amazingly quite there and not a sound could be heard. While we were checking out the sights the pilot had poured us all a glass of champagne which was really nice and cold. It was very noticeably much hotter there.

While we were admiring the views again the pilot set up a small lunch of sandwiches, crisps and cookies and much to our pleasure none of the others would drink their champagne so between the two of us we had a whole bottle between us. It seemed rude not to oblige! We then had a last look at the bottom of the canyon while the pilot collected all the leftovers from the Picnic lunch ensuring not a scrap of rubbish was left behind. We then got back into the helicopter for our return trip to Las Vegas.


The engines were started and the rotor blades started to turn getting faster and faster then finally we gently lifted off the ground and flew forward and then shot off gradually ascending the four thousand feet to the rim of the canyon. The helicopter appeared to be very close to the sides of the canyon and looked like it was going to smash right into some of the rocks that stood out but we safely got above the rim and headed towards a landing stage for refuelling.
While the helicopter was being refuelled we had the opportunity for some more photos and in all it took about 20 minutes.


The area that we visited is not part of the Grand Canyon National park but is owned by the Hualapai Indians and is part of the Hualapai Indian reservation. Each time the helicopters go out to the Grand Canyon they have to pay landing fees to the Indians and also part of their contract to land there is to buy their fuel from them. They had a couple of stalls selling ethnic Indian trinkets such as dream catchers, bracelets and necklaces. They also own the glass sky walk which you can walk over the edge of the Grand Canyon on a circular glass floored walkway which looks right down to the base of the canyon. It is miles from anywhere and takes quite some time to get out to see it.

Back on board the helicopter we headed off towards Las Vegas. We could see quite a few helicopters making their way either out to the canyon or back to Las Vegas not to mention the ones flying up and down the strip. They look like swarming bees buzzing round in the sky taking off every two or three minute. The helicopter appeared to be flying quite slowly but we were infact flying about 120km an hour and got back to Las Vegas in super fast time or so it seemed and was over so quickly.


I really enjoyed our trip out to the Grand Canyon and was worth every penny. It is something you would probably do once in a lifetime so it was well worth it and certainly a memorable way to remember the trip to another natural wonder of the world. The trip only lasted about 3 hours in total and yet I would have loved to have spent more time in the Canyon and longer time flying. ( There is no pleasing some people eh)! No in all seriousness it was a wonderful trip and We thoroughly enjoyed it. Whatever you do when you go out please try and do a trip it is one you wont regret.

We flew with Papillon Grand Canyon helicopter tours and their website can be found as follows:-

http://www.papillon.com/


I would definitely recommend them as they have an excellent safety record to date. They do not just fly in Las Vegas they also fly in Hawaii. We also booked up a night flight with them over the Las Vegas strip and were given a discount for booking both flights.

Although it was expensive it worked out at about £176 for the trip to the Canyon they do offer discounts and special offers especially if you are booking different tours with them. I think that at the time we got the night flight for about £25 as we had already booked the canyon trip. Well worth it if you can afford it although it is a bit steep.

Summary: A once in a lifetime trip that will stun and leave you speechless.