las vegas trips

[paulh]

we are planing a few nights in vegas while there we plan on doing a water trip.Been looking at several ie flight+heli+raft+heli+tour+flight there are outhers but with less involved.Has anyone done anything similar.Did you book trip before you went or when you were in vegas
Paulh

 

[kristieuk]

We did a helicopter / picnic tour out to the Canyon in February. I did look at a few before we went, but we didn't book anything. We booked through the hotel, and paid a bit less than $400 inc tax each for the trip, which included hotel pick up to airport, all helicopter tour of LV, Hoover Dam and Canyon, plus getting off in Canyon with champagne picnic. This was a little more expensive than I had seen online, but I can't say for definite that the tours were identical.

It's a bit cheaper to take a coach tour out to an airstrip closer to the Canyon, and then take a helicopter from there, but this adds hours of travel time to the trip.

The only real advice I would offer is check the tour company is properly authorised because they aren't all allowed to go right down into the Canyon. Check out the companies online - I should imagine it's better value doing it this way, and you will also have a better choice of time slots - they seem to get fairly booked up, especially at busy times - and with all the conventions there these days, that's quite often.

There are a lot of different tours listed here:-
http://shop.vegas.com/tours/tours.jsp?loc=grand

 

[Frances999]

Just subscribing to this thread as we are planning a trip to Las Vegas next August and I would be interested in the replies

 

[misskrystal]

When we went we took a flight over the Canyon, had lunch on a real working ranch and had a horse tour around the edge of the Canyon. It was fantastic and, as we booked there, we saved some money and even got a free night flight over the strip.

Unfortunately, as we were booking the tours with almost no notice, this was the only one available (we wanted to do something similar to the one you want to do and couldn't).

If there's something you really want to do and can't miss, either book in advance, or contact one of the tour operators to find out how quickly they book up.

 

[Pootle]

My friend took a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon when we were there in November and she was quite happy with it although door to door (they collect you at your hotel) took less than 3.5 hours. If you do a search you should come up with a few companies offering various tours which you can book online.

The Unofficial Guide to Las Vegas 2006 does say though "If you want to get a real feel for the Grand Canyon particularly, go with one of the air/ground excursions. The Grand Canyon is many times more impressive from the ground than from the air."

I've been to the Grand Canyon (and am going again shortly) and I have to say that I would want to have the time to watch the lighting conditions change over the Canyon, and so would go for much time on the ground as possible.

The Guide also says that discount coupons are available in 'What's On' and 'Today in Las Vegas' distributed free in most hotels.

 

[disneyholic family]

Just subscribing to this thread as we are planning a trip to Las Vegas next August and I would be interested in the replies

the person who posted about the helicopter trip to the canyon took it in february - you're going in august....a HUGE difference in tempature...
to get an idea of what the temperature is like in the summer in that area, turn your oven on to high, open the door, get inside.......

it's hotter than you can possibly imagine....most people can barely stand to walk across the street, let alone go touring....

 

[Miffy2003]

Just moving this across to Community

Frances, you are used to Florida heat in August, aren't you? At least you won't have to deal with the humidity though I know LV is even hotter than Florida then

I wouldn't let it deter me from doing any touring personally

 

[PigSoldier]

I did a tour last year which involved a plane to the grand canyon, a helicopter to the bottom, a boat trip along the Colorado river, and then a bus tour, with a few stops to get out and have a stroll around the edge, and a buffet lunch at the end. I'll try and track down the name of the company we went with for you.

I think it was well worth going on a tour that involved the boat and bus rides, my family had their own private boat trip, and I think the most memorable part was actually being able to stand on the edge and look down into the canyon.

I went in April, and found it to be slightly chilly at the bottom of the canyon, so I wouldn't imagine the heat would be a huge problem.

 

[disneyholic family]

Just moving this across to Community

Frances, you are used to Florida heat in August, aren't you? At least you won't have to deal with the humidity though I know LV is even hotter than Florida then

I wouldn't let it deter me from doing any touring personally

Orlando is the arctic in comparison to summer heat in LV. It is quite literally 108 in the shade. As i said, you cannot walk a block in the middle of the day without risking passing out.

 

[Pootle]

I agree with Karen and wouldn't worry about the temperatures when touring, especially in the Grand Canyon area. We went in September a few years ago and whilst it was over 100 in Phoenix and high 90's in Las Vegas (and the dry heat is much easier to cope with than the humidity of a Florida summer IMHO) in the Grand Canyon area it was in the low 70's daytime and you needed a jacket for the 'sunrise experience' - brrrrr .......

 

[paulh]

thanks for the repys we have been looking at www.looktours.com has anyone used them
Paulh

 

[Pootle]

Hi Paul, this wasn't the one my friend used, but to be honest, I suspect they all operate in much the same way and the web site link you provided looks very good. You should find something you like from their menu. Where are you staying in Las Vegas? I stayed in Paris last visit (I've been to quite a few of the big hotels and I like the centre strip location best) and my surprise highlight was the Celine Dion show at Caesars Palace. It was a surprise because I only went along to keep my friend happy but I thought it was fabulous. I love Las Vegas, I hope you enjoy your trip.

 

[paulh]

we are planning on staying at mandalay bay only reason is that the wave pool looks good and wave pool at Typhoon lagoon is one of our faves .We are going end may staying disney for 4 nights then vages 4 nights .Back to california doing 2 nights at knots bery hotel then back to disney hotel for 4 nights.Just tring it out for when they build that rumered DVC resort potle.Also the new southern california ticket from april drops knots bery but adds universal so makes it better for us as when we stay at knots its free entry to park one day,then free entry to waterpark next
Paulh

 

[CharleyUK]

Hi

We did the grand canyon heli tour with papillon helicopters, booked on line from home. Great service. I wouldn't hessitate to go with them again.

It will be hot in Vegas but remember everywhere is air conditioned to the max and you can hop along a good part of the strip from hotel to hotel.

If you like exciting rides don't miss to Stratosphere hotel. It has three rides at the top of the tower. The big shot is not to be missed!!!

Have fun

 

[Pootle]

Sounds like a great trip Paul, but definitely not for a wuss like me Just in case you have a little 'flutter' I thought the gambling was best on The Strip at Casino Royale, opposite Mirage. They seemed to have the 'loosest slots'. The other feature hotels along the Strip don't have to try so hard to get people through the doors.

Do go and take a look at the new Wynn hotel opposite the Fashion Square shopping Mall (think that is what it is called). Steve Wynn was the guy responsible for The Mirage and Bellagio (with its fountains). It's just fabulous. Agree that Mandalay Bay seems like a good choice for you and it looks lovely. Enjoy.

 

[Merylj]

We did the helicopter trip to the Grand Canyon with Maverick, they were great!
They were the most recommended on a LV site I visited and we thought they were well worth the money. It sounds like the same tour KristieUK did and although dearer than other tours Maverick were the only tour company allowed to land inside the canyon.

 

[CharleyUK]

Hi

Papillon land in the canyon too. Just check though, I had a friend who went recently (mid Nov) and she was told they were stopping all companies landing before the end of 2005. Not sure if this is true but i'd check before i set my heart on a trip.

Hope you have a great time