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Old 4 Aug 22, 05:14 PM  
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Aearin
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Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour

Hi Guys

Can people give me their opinions about the best companies for helicopter tours over the Grand Canyon please? From research the two main companies are Papillon and Maverick?

I went with Papillon about 10 years ago which included a landing in the canyon but the price has about doubled since then! For me I’ve done it once and didn’t plan on doing it again but my girlfriend has it on her bucket list and insists on doing it.

Looking at about the $1000 range for two so wanted to get it right! I have a car if there’s a saving to be made on the shuttle but I think you have to pay car entry so it doesn’t work out much cheaper

Is the sunset tour worth the extra money and also not bothered about a LV strip flyover

Edited at 05:15 PM.
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Old 4 Aug 22, 05:27 PM  
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AlexE
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Wow that's a lot of $s . We did this around 7 years ago and it was amazing but so is the Skywalk over the canyon which we are doing this month by driving from Las Vegas, also the Canyon can be accessed by the train from Williams which we are also doing. There is also a bus tour from Vegas which takes in the Hoover Dam on route to the skywalk - it's a very long day though with an early start.

It depends if the helicopter is the attraction or the canyon itself.
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Old 4 Aug 22, 06:00 PM  
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Aearin
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Getting Excited
 
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Yeah it’s not ideal! I paid $264 back in 2011 and it’s around $475-500 for the same tour now!

For her it’s the helicopter experience as she’s never been in one and it’s the ultimate way to experience the Grand Canyon.

I have looked at the skywalk but that’s very expensive in itself for what it is
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Old 4 Aug 22, 06:19 PM  
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danisleigh
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We are driving to the south rim and staying overnight at bright angel lodge. I am scared of going in a helicopter and the price put my tight DH off anyway and this way we get more time and can see the sunset and the sunrise.
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Old 4 Aug 22, 06:49 PM  
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Aearin
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I really want to visit the south rim but it’s quite the trek. I plan on doing that along with monument valley on a future Route 66 trip
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Old 4 Aug 22, 07:18 PM  
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anji
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We did a Papillon flight about 16 years ago. We landed in the Canyon and went to a ranch for a cowboy breakfast, followed by horse riding (walking) along a trail. We flew over Hoover Dam too and it was a wonderful trip. Sorry, I can't remember the cost.
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Old 4 Aug 22, 09:32 PM  
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cornishfrogboy
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Originally Posted by danisleigh View Post
We are driving to the south rim and staying overnight at bright angel lodge. I am scared of going in a helicopter and the price put my tight DH off anyway and this way we get more time and can see the sunset and the sunrise.
Exactly what we are doing, but staying at Yavapai Lodge in order to see Sunset and Sunrise before moving on.

Having been a Helicopter Technician for 12 years and flown at least once a week for pretty much all the last 9 years of it, I can think of better ways to spend $1000. Everything has a value or in my case for this one.. or otherwise. I will spend the $1000 wisely and elsewhere.

AERIN.. We are driving, driving from SL Obispo, overnighting Barstow, 2 nights Vegas, 1 night Yavapai, then on down the 566, cutting at Winslow down to Tucson. We are incorporating the Hoover Dam and Canyon, rather than doing a return journey from anywhere.
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Edited at 09:36 PM.
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Old 4 Aug 22, 10:56 PM  
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cheekydeeky
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We did the tour with papillon in 2016 and it was undoubtedly the highlight (other than our wedding ). We landed for a picnic then flew back over the canyon as the sun was setting - spectacular! I think we paid around £400 each but it’s something we’ll never forget.
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Old 5 Aug 22, 11:54 AM  
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jvm32
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I've went with both Papillon and Maverick in the past 5 years or so and both as good as each other, wouldn't have a preference one over the other.
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