Though less famous and not as heavily trafficked as the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, the West Rim of the Grand Canyon is still a special place full of numerous natural delights. The primary way most people experience this remarkable area is by visiting Grand Canyon West, a multifaceted attraction owned and operated by the Hualapai Tribe. For those individuals or families who want to enjoy Grand Canyon West from the air, there’s the Maverick Helicopters’ Grand Canyon Discovery Tour. This 45-minute helicopter ride takes you on an unforgettable tour through the Grand Canyon, landing on a bluff just above the Colorado River, some 3,500 feet below the rim.
Grand Canyon Discovery Tour Details
Departing from Grand Canyon West Airport, the Maverick Helicopters’ Grand Canyon Discovery Tour lasts approximately 45 minutes. Guests will be expected to arrive at Grand Canyon West on their own, which is located about three-and-a-half hours from the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. In order to go on the Grand Canyon Discovery Tour, participants will first need to purchase a separate general admission ticket to Grand Canyon West. The Grand Canyon Discovery Tour consists of a 12-minute ride through the majestic canyon aboard Maverick’s high-end, EcoStar-recognized helicopter. The centerpiece of the experience occurs when your pilot descends some 3,500 feet into the heart of the canyon and sets the craft down on a private landing site just above the Colorado River. Here you’ll have 20 minutes to savor the moment, snap some pictures, and bask in the unbelievable setting. A 12-minute return flight concludes the tour.
The Grand Canyon Discovery Tour typically costs about $270 per person. During peak months, it usually departs on the hour every hour between 10:00am and 2:00pm; summertime tours, more often than not, will sell out well in advance. During the offseason, tours may run less frequently. For the latest information, check out the Grand Canyon Discovery Tour page on the Maverick Helicopters’ official website.
Grand Canyon Discovery Tour Highlights
West Rim, Grand Canyon: When most visitors think of the Grand Canyon, they picture Grand Canyon National Park and its very popular South Rim. The most accessible portions of the Grand Canyon’s West Rim, however, are located on the historic lands of the Hualapai Tribe. There you’ll find unique views, beautiful landscapes, and a less-crowded section of this world-famous natural wonder.
Colorado River: You’ll have 20 unforgettable minutes during the tour where your pilot sets the helicopter down on a landing site and you can disembark. With the rim of the Grand Canyon 3,500 feet above you, and the rushing waters of the Colorado River 300 feet below you, you’ll be spoiled for magnificent photo opportunities.
Grand Canyon West: Once the Grand Canyon Discovery Tour is over, you can explore the many charms of the Hualapai Tribe’s Grand Canyon West. Popular attractions found within Grand Canyon West include the spectacular viewing platform at Guano Point; the shopping, hiking, and zip lining found at Hualapai Point; and the iconic Skywalk at Eagle Point, where you can walk on a glass bridge 70 feet out and over the edge of the Grand Canyon.
Is Maverick Helicopters Grand Canyon Discovery Tour for You?
There are pros and cons to Maverick Helicopters’ Grand Canyon Discovery Tour. On one hand, as far as helicopter tours are concerned, the Grand Canyon Discovery Tour is one of the more affordable options on the market today; its price is half what many other canyon tours cost. Factor in that the Grand Canyon Discovery Tour actually lands you and your fellow tour members on a private bluff several thousand feet below the canyon’s rim and you’ve got the makings of a pretty special experience. On the other hand, in order to even go on this tour, you’ll need to get yourself to Grand Canyon West—which is roughly three to four hours from the more famous South Rim of the Grand Canyon, and two hours from Las Vegas—where you’ll have to purchase (at least) a general admission ticket for entry. The cost of this Grand Canyon West ticket is not included in the cost of your Grand Canyon Discovery Tour ticket.
Note that you have to purchase this tour online before going to Grand Canyon West. Maverick does not have the ability to take payment there. You will also need to get yourself to Grand Canyon West, either by Tour Bus or by car.
