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| - I'll always remember Saturday March 26, 2016, the day I took the Grand Canyon Sunset Tour. I was on a five day vacation in Las Vegas and knew even before I got there I'd devote one day to seeing the Grand Canyon. I know Vegas is fun but how could you be that close to the Grand Canyon without wanting to see it?
If you're going, I recommend reserving your spot on the tour at least a week in advance because they keep the tour groups small. I was lucky they had one spot remaining for the Saturday Sunset Tour. It cost exactly $160.
Grand-Adventures does tours to both the West and South Rims of the canyon. My particular tour was to the South Rim but in the past I've been to the West Rim, albeit with a different tour company. Most people visiting Vegas choose the West Rim tour (even though its $185) for these reasons: It is closer (only a little over two hours drive) and the Skywalk (a see-thru glass balcony that extends over the edge of the canyon) is there. The South Rim is about a four hour drive, but in my opinion the South Rim has the better views.
I was staying at the Casino Royale, so all I had to do was walk across the street to the Mirage Hotel where the tour van was already waiting to pick me up. The van is white with the words Grand-Adventures written on the sides. It made two more stops to pick the rest of the people going. A little after 7:45am everyone was boarded and our all-day adventure began.
Our group was 10 people (including the driver/tour guide) and diverse, There was a cute woman from Dubai, an Asian American family from California, some people from Hong Kong who were visiting the States, myself, and the driver/tour guide named Chad. Chad is an energetic, wiry white male who appears to be in his 30s, has a ready smile and a true passion for his job. He knows everything you'd want to ask about Las Vegas, Grand Canyon and points in between. He did a great job of getting us all familiar and comfortable with each other despite our varying backgrounds.
Our first tour stop was to a McDonald's in the suburbs for breakfast. We could order whatever we wanted and it was paid for by Grand-Adventures. We were given time to eat inside and use the restroom. Important note: The restroom at this McDonald's is going to be the cleanest one you see all day. The other restrooms you come across at various gas stations/convenient stores going to the Grand Canyon, at the actual Grand Canyon and coming back from it are the kind you'll want to go in, do your business, and exit as soon as possible. This is not Grand-Adventures fault though.
We then made a stop for a few minutes at the Hoover Dam. We were at the back part of it but still got good views of it and the Pat Tillman Bridge. Chad made sure we all had time to take pictures and even took photos of us with our own cameras.
From there we were on our way to Route 66 (Seligman, AZ in particular). I want to take to time to stress the scenery from the time we left suburban Vegas to Arizona and back again. It is serene; both mountainous and desert combined.
When Grand-Adventures said Route 66 was part of our tour, I didn't think it would be anything impressive. I thought it was just going to be a Route 66 sign and that's it. I couldn't have been more wrong. Seligman, AZ is the dusty but charming small town that inspired the animated movie Cars. It resembles what you'd expect a 1950s small southwestern town to look like, with one main street and a collection of antique cars outside most of the mom & pop restaurants/souvenir shops. The town is barely surviving but the people are proud and friendly. Even the folks in the antique shop that had the Rebel flag flying outside were nice.
Now we were off to the Grand Canyon. There was a huge traffic jam right outside Grand Canyon National Park but after we entered the crowd spread out. Chad served us the sandwiches we had ordered along with grapes and Girl Scout cookies. After eating we walked a trail and saw elk grazing as we approached an even better view of the most beautiful site on earth: The one & only Grand Canyon!
Nothing quite prepares you for what it's like to see it in person. The view is intimidatingly gorgeous. As far as the eyes can see, there is nothing but the Grand Canyon. Chad, with his rock climbing background had no qualms about standing right on the edge of the canyon. His enthusiasm was so great that before long all of us took turns standing near the edge as he took photos of each of us individually. We were there until the sun majestically set and the weather instantly cooled.
We made it back to Vegas a little after 11pm. As we were coming down the valley we saw a spectacular view of Vegas all lit up and waiting for us. I felt sad the tour had ended because I know I may never see those people I spent the whole day with again. I'm not exaggerating when I say this was one of the best days of my life.
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