There are a lot of tours to choose from when you want to visit the Grand Canyon when you're in Vegas. One of the best tours though is one that flies below the rim and lands you on the canyon floor.

Here are a few basic facts to know. Las Vegas is only 120 miles from the West Rim of the canyon and it only takes 45 minutes for Las Vegas helicopters to reach it.

Hoover Dam Flyover

Pretty views abound as you fly above the Colorado River, the Hoover Dam, and Lake Mead. As you get near the rim, your chopper begins its descent to the canyon floor in a ride that takes about 15 minutes to drop 4500 feet.

What most people like is that once you have landed you get to spend 30 minutes at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. You can walk along the edge of the Colorado River and even enjoy a nice Champagne brunch that comes with the flight.

For those who are particularly fascinated with aircraft, this scenic trip takes place in the EcoStar 130, which is the best in the business. These Las Vegas helicopters are 25% bigger than other models and the seats are arranged stadium style so you get a fantastic view.

Departure Points

This is one of the places where things get really exciting and not too many people know about this. You get to choose between two different airfields. One of them is smack dab on the Vegas Strip and the other is located in Boulder City at the Municipal Airport.

The Boulder City tours cost less, so that is a good choice if you want to save money. The drawback is it is a half hour away from Vegas and you need to schedule a shuttle to drive you there from your hotel. However, the savings compared to your other option will be significant.

The other choice is leaving from Vegas. It is about ten minutes away from most of the resorts. These tours even come with complimentary transport service in a limo. The tours might be more expensive, but they are quite popular and tend to sell out fast.

Raft Ride

Since the landing tour takes you down by the Colorado River, you might be wondering if you can take a ride in one of the boats. That makes sense since these air tours do take you down to the bottom of the Canyon. Yes, your tour package can include a fun boat ride, and you can even add passes to the Skywalk on top of the rim.

Taking a raft ride and walking on the Skywalk is a popular combination of activities for a Grand Canyon landing tour. Those who have never experienced the glass bridge, it is a sight to behold. Here, you have the chance to walk an incredible 70 feet beyond the edge of the canyon and you are an incredible 4,000 feet above the bottom of the canyon.

And if that's not enough excitement, this tour comes with 2 1/2 hours of free time to explore the rim. High points to visit are Eagle Point, Guano Point, and the Hualapai Ranch. The Indian Cultural Center is worth a visit as well.

Wrapping Up

When you go to Vegas, don't miss the chance to take this fun chopper tour of the Grand Canyon. Book your seats one week in advance though because this landing tour is very popular. Try to book the tour that departs from the Strip if you can afford it. While it will cost a little more, the convenience and limo ride will be well worth it.