The Grand Canyon belongs to the most majestic places in the world. Yearly, over 5 million people visit it. Most will see it from the edge or from one of the famous lookouts. Indeed, it's an incredible sight. But you're selling yourself short. The very best views are from the air. And nothing gets you nearer to the magic than experiencing the Grand Canyon by helicopter.

There are two places in the canyon where one can go on a helicopter ride: The West Rim and the South Rim. For Vegas travelers, the West Rim is your best choice. There are no helicopter flights from Vegas to the South Rim - it's too far. To do it, you will need to take an airplane flight or a bus ride and switch to a helicopter.If you are driving up from Northern Arizona (Phoenix, Sedona, Flagstaff), I recommend you to hire a car and drive to the South Rim for this air tour.

The West Rim

The West Rim, also known as Grand Canyon West, is 120 miles from Vegas. Helicopters can do the trip in under an hour. This rim is popular for its things to do and the Grand Canyon Glass Bridge. It's here where helis are allowed to fly 4,000 feet to the bottom and land. These trips include a Champagne picnic and come with ample time to check out the canyon's ancient foundation. Deluxe versions of this trip include a smooth water float trip down the Colorado.

The Grand Canyon Glass Walkway has been a winner with travelers since opening in 2007. Made of glass panels that cost $200,000 each, the bridge lets you wander some 70 feet beyond the edge of the West Rim. Equally exhilarating is knowing you are standing 4,000 feet over the Colorado River. FYI: No cameras or smart phones are allowed. This is to shield the glass panels from getting cracked.

The West Rim offers guests unrestricted free shuttle bus service. Use it to visit Guano Point and Eagle Point, two of the rim's finest lookouts. Definitely spend time at Indian Village. This is a faithful re-creation of an Indian village replete with tee pees, amphitheater, outdoor kitchen, living quarters, and more. Enter it and you'll be instantly taken back to a time when the rim hosted a thriving civilization.

South Rim (National Park)

The South Rim is is the place to go for scenery. Purists refer to it as the "real" Grand Canyon. It's the most photogenic rim and it's most likely that any pictures you've seen of the canyon were captured here. Grand Canyon tours by helicopter start from Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan, a village situated just 10 minutes from the front gates of the National Park.

The heliport in particular is a active place. Three Grand Canyon helicopter tour companies operate here. The rim's airspace is rigorously managed. This means that all choppers follow the same flight plan. The only variable for canyon air tours is upgrading to a deluxe chopper. The route is positively beautiful. Departure is over the lush Kaibab National Forest before leaving the rim behind and entering the Dragoon Corridor, the broadest, deepest part of the canyon. Turn back is at the North Rim. Total flight time is half an hour.

I mentioned earlier that Vegas travelers to the South Rim can pick to get here by airplane or coach. I strongly recommend the former. The airplane flight is just 45-minutes and follows the Colorado River east to airport in Tusayan. Once you land at Tusayan, you'll have seen 50 % of the canyon. The return portion of this trip is a sunset flight. Plus you'll be back on The Strip in time for your evening reservations.

Locking Down a Great Deal

Never ever pay full retail price. Search the Internet. Tour providers and agents offer you the best specials online. I've seen rates slashed up to 35 %. Steer clear of using a website's customer service number. The individual on the other end of the phone is a commissioned sales rep and it's their business to upsell you into a more-expensive package. If you must call, get the details you need and then complete your purchase online.

Let's Visit the Friendly Skies

Viewing the Grand Canyon by helicopter is a wonderful way to discover as much of the canyon in a day. Tours go to the West Rim and the South Rim. The former is most widely known for its things to do and the Grand Canyon Glass Walk Way. The later is famous for its awesome scenery and offers you the chance to fly into the most amazing section of the gorge. Vegas travellers who want to experience the South Rim should strongly consider the airplane flight over. For affordable prices on air tours, search the Internet. Now you're ready to go online and book the chopper tour that best meets your needs.