So it finally arrived! The day that I had been hoping for since I decided that Las Vegas was going to be the first stop on this adventure. A Helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon & Las Vegas Strip.
I was really apprehensive about it. Not so much the flying part, but the ‘would I be able to see anything?’ part. When I booked with the money that my Dad and sister gave me for my birthday and Christmas (and some of my own), I realised that there are two seats on the aircraft that don’t get their own window view. I opted to pay the extra $50 and request a front seat upgrade, but it’s only granted (and you only pay) once everyone is checked in and they have weighed everyone to see where the weight balance needs to be on the helicopter.
I waited nervously, but at the last minute the receptionist called me over to pay and let me know that I had got my seat!! Yay!! A bus came and took the 6 other passengers and myself across the airfield to the helicopter, where the awesome and very friendly pilot was waiting. I didn’t catch her name, but she really knew her stuff and made me feel very safe. As it turns out, I got what I think was the best seat in the helicopter, in the front and by the door so I got a clear view from both the front and the side.
There was only a moment of freaking out, and that was on take off when I realised that my camera was set to Pop Art (blurry photos) and it took me a couple of minutes to realise that the top setting had flicked to Art in my handbag, facepalm! Once I got it back to normal, I was happy just to enjoy the ride.
To put it briefly, it was amazing!! We flew out over a gated community and over Boulder City before doing an S bend over the Hoover Dam and out to the Grand Canyon. The way the canyon looks is just stunning. It’s really hard to put into words, except that part of it reminded me of the movie “Cars”. I took about 300 photos and some video. (I don’t know how to edit the video yet, so I’ll save it for another time, but I’m so glad I took some as it still feels so strange to have happened.
If you’re ever planning a trip to Vegas, or want to see the Grand Canyon I can highly recommend this. You are in the air for around 1.5 hours and cover so much distance. My tour included flying over the strip, which was cool, but the real beauty is the canyon.
I’ve added just some of my favourite photos here, but I’m also adding more to my Flickr account if you’d like to have a look there.
This looks like so much fun and the views are spectacular! Especially with your seat up the front. :D
It was awesome, Teresa! I couldn’t believe how fun it was! :)
What an amazing experience! The upgrade was definitely worth it!
It really was the best $50 I think I ever spent! :)
What company did you use? :)
Papillon (papillon.com) it was awesome and sooo worth it! The pick up up in a limo too! x
Stunning photos Dannielle – the colours are just amazing, such deep red and blue! So glad you loved it!
We had a misty, rainy day for our flight which made everything look very soft and pretty and a bit eerie. It was great but seeing these shots makes me want to go again on a clear blue sky day (though I’m not sure my nerves would handle it!).
Thanks Emily! I wondered what kind of day it was when you went! I remember that you also went in January. I think I was really lucky with the weather!
You should do it again, if your nerves can handle it. I was surprisingly not as nervous as I thought I might be. :)
What breathtaking views … must have been awesome from your perspective! Thanks for sharing :o)
You’re welcome, Sandra. It was an amazing experience! Thanks for taking a look :)
I had no idea you could do that from Vegas! Amazing!
Oh yeah! They organise you limo transfers to the airfield too! It was a really special experience. :) Will tell you more about it in a couple of weeks x
AMAZING! And that smile on your face is what makes me most happy. What a great adventure. x
Thank you lovely Cat!! It was just amazing!! xx
Awesome! I took a train to the Grand Canyon when I visited a friend who lived in AZ. It’s amazing! I remember standing on one side of the canyon and watching a thunderstorm on the other side. It’s a beautiful place, and I bet it was really crazy to see from a helicopter!
Wow! That would have been amazing! The train sounds fantastic! :)