Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour – Was it worth the price?

A helicopter tour above the Grand Canyon is one of the best ways to take in the jaw-dropping views this natural wonder has to offer. However, with most tours well above the $300 mark, some people wonder if this tourist excursion is truly worth it. This blog offers my personal experiences and answer to the question, “Was the Grand Canyon Helicopter tour worth the price?” The short answer is yes!

My Helicopter Tour Logistics

• Tour Company: Papillon Tours
• Package: Grand Celebration Tour
• Price: $369 
• Duration: 70 minutes (30 minutes for landing)
• Views: Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and Grand Canyon West, Colorado River
• Features:
  • Canyon landing 4,000 feet below the rim with time to explore
  • Complimentary champagne toast and light picnic lunch
  • Modern helicopter with wide-angle windows
  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off from Las Vegas

My Opinion

My family picked this tour and thought it was the best price for the features it included. The primary reason we chose this specific package was that it landed within the canyon. I believe it was absolutely worth the extra money to enjoy the canyon from a private landing spot 4,000 feet below the canyon rim. The scenery was breath-taking and it was very relaxing to take in the miraculous landscape over a glass of champagne and picnic lunch. The ~40 min flight to and from the canyon was a perfect duration to see everything the gorgeous landmark had to offer. To top it off, the Papillon staff were very friendly and helpful, making for a very pleasant and worthwhile adventure. This trip was definitely one of my bucket list items and it was worth the price. 

Why The Trip Was Worth It?

Everything was included – This tour was perfect for a half-day excursion. It conveniently included hotel pick-up and drop-off, lunch, and a champagne toast. 

Canyon landing was amazing – In my opinion, landing within the canyon is worth the extra $100 compared to the other flight options without the landing. This was by far the highlight of the trip. Besides enduring a strenuous hike or rafting in the Colorado River, a helicopter tour with landing is the only way to see the floor of the Grand Canyon.

Flight duration was sufficient – 70 minutes is just enough to take in the surroundings while not feeling rushed. I would be cautious about booking a helicopter tour that lasts less than 30 minutes because that is not enough time to enjoy the experience.

Helicopter was semi-private – Because the helicopter only fits 7 passengers, the helicopter is nearly private if you have a larger group. I traveled with my family of four and there were only two other people on the tour with us. This made the entire experience feel intimate and personal. 

Weather was perfect – We visited the canyon in late November for Thanksgiving break when the weather was beginning to cool down, making the 60-degree weather very enjoyable. If possible, the recommended times to visit are March through May and September through November. In the other months, it is advised to take the early morning or late afternoon flight because the temperatures can be brutally hot.

Flight was during sunset – We didn’t realize until we landed, that our return trip was during sunset. The sunset made for a lovely blend of pastel colors over the canyon rock that was truly breath-taking. 

Things You Should Know

• Only two companies are authorized to land within the canyon: Papillon & Maverick
  
• The best tour packages depart from Las Vegas: If you are planning to stay around the Grand Canyon area and want to take a helicopter tour from there, keep in mind your options might be limited.
  
• You can pay $50 to guarantee a front seat of the helicopter: The views are amazing from the front and window seats, so if you value taking great pictures and videos, you might consider paying extra.
  
• Many other companies have helicopter tours that fly high above the canyon, but do not go below the rim: The highlight of our tour was not only getting to admire the natural wonder from above but flying right through the canyon and landing at the bottom. For tours without the landing, check to see if you actually fly below the canyon rim and through the walls.
  

My Overall Review

The Grand Canyon is a stunning sight to see. None of my family had been on a helicopter before, so saving this moment to view this natural wonder was definitely a “bucket list” item. Throughout our trip, we walked through the Grand Canyon National Park and hiked to various viewpoints, but those did not compare to the exhilarating feeling of riding a helicopter through the canyon. I can honestly say, this tour was one of my favorite excursions to date!

Comment below with your bucket list travel experiences!