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| - Awesome! I booked the "All American Grand Canyon Helicopter Flight & Canyon Landing" via www.looktours.com and saved about $100. I don't know why it's cheaper to book tours that way, but you can always compare prices with Sundance's site. I booked over the phone one day in advance and there was a fee for that, but limo from hotel to the airport was free. Additional fuel fee of $40 and tips to pilot and driver cannot be avoided.
I was in a group with a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids) and another single male. Our excellently awesome pilot Marc suggested the seating arrangements, so everyone got a chance to have a window view. Therefore, on the way back I was seating in the front and didn't feel like an idiot who spent several hundred dollars but got squeezed somewhere in the back just because he's not of certain age anymore. Anyway, there's not much room on either seat (2 seat in the front, 4 in the back, and it's tight), pilot tells you a few things here and there, but mostly a pre-recorded narration and music snippets are on. However, that only works until someone starts yammering into the microphone (please don't be that someone). Avoid bringing large backpacks and annoying little children. Though in my case, the group was awesome!
The flight was smooth, but that obviously depends on weather, especially its wind part. The flight was early, at 6 am, but it's better to get to the Canyon before noon because the colors are much better than when sun is at zenith. Breakfast consisted of a fruit, croissant, jam, champagne and probably something else, not sure; I was busy admiring the view. And I must say the view is totally worth it! In 4 hours you get to see a lot, experience a helicopter ride, walk inside the canyon... if you're in Vegas on business - don't even think about it; just do it! It's awesome!
The airport is near, almost across, from Mandalay Bay, so on the way back I asked the limo driver to drop me off there and enjoyed a lazy Sun morning walk all the way back to Bellagio. Awesome!
Marc highly recommended to book in advance, because in season all of Sundance twenty helicopters are full, zig-zagging back and forth non-stop. ...And don't ever ever ever ever touch the door handle. Ever!
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