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| - I traveled on my own on 11/30 to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on your Deluxe Tour which included the RT plane ride and 1/2 hr helicopter tour. I was slightly nervous based on the reviews but I was pleasantly surprised that there was not one hitch along the way.
I was picked up at 520 AM from the Mandalay Hotel. I was picked up on time at the appointed location at the bus and tour pick-up area. I was the last pick-up so we started our 45 minute trip in the dark of the morning to the Boulder airport. At the Boulder Airport, I checked in with the others from my shuttle, weighed, given a sticker to indicate which tour I was on and told to wait until approximately 630 for my flight on Grand Canyon Airlines.
At 615, I was called and my flight lined up after being given boarding passes. There were approximately 15 people on my flight. At about 625, we were taken to the plane (after photos were taken with the pilot) and we boarded. The plane had headphones and there was music and a narration describing where we were flying over during the 70 minute flight. The flight was in the early morning so there was a lot of sun and it was incredible. I took tons of pictures. We did fly over the Hoover Dam and lake Mead which was really nice.
After landing, we were taken for a 5 minute shuttle ride to the helicopter area and given numbers as to which helicopter and seat we would have. The helicopters are Bell helicopters and 5 people were in my helicopter. 2 people are seated backwards and 3 are seated forwards. Each passenger took a picture in front of the helicopter and the pictures were available for purchase after the flight for $20. I never buy these pictures but bought mine because it truly is a once in a lifetime experience.
The flight was incredible! To my recollection, there was no narration but none is needed. 20 minutes of the ride is pure Grand Canyon scenery.
After the helicopter flight, we went back into the Papillon heliport and soon thereafter boarded a rather large mini-bus for a trip into the Grand Canyon Natl Park. We arrived at the Bright Angel Lodge at about 9 AM and had until 10 AM to explore the views of the rim, the gift shop and El Tovar Lodge. As we got off the bus, we were given a boxed breakfast that included a granola bar, cheese, orange juice, mixed fruit cup, yogurt, huge banana nut muffin and fork/spoon/napkin.
Do not miss going to El Tovar Lodge if you have the chance. It is a short 5 minute walk along the rim walkway from the Bright Angel gift shop. The Lodge is incredible. Also, take a peak at the Hopi House next to the Lodge.
At 10AM, we were missing two passengers and the tour guide was nice enough to wait for the 2 passengers who arrived 30 minutes later! (Normally, the guides do not wait for missing passengers as there is a strict itinerary/time schedule). Had they been on time, we might have been able to see one other view of the Grand Canyon! I thought those 2 passengers were quite selfish but that was not the fault of the tour guide.
The plane was held for us as all 15 on the plane were on the mini-bus and we took off at about 11. The flight back was even more gorgeous than the flight over because the sun was not directly on my side of the plane. Gorgeous views of Lake Mead!
Arrived back at about 1215 and I asked to be dropped off at Planet Hollywood so I could explore The Bellagio. No problem! Our shuttle bus departed about 10 minutes after arriving at Boulder and we drove the 45 minutes back to Las Vegas. The group was split up in Las Vegas so we would all not have to waste time going to each others hotels.
My group of 7 (me and 6 other friends who toured together) got very lucky and they put us in a limo to get back to Planet Hollywood! At about 115, I was dropped at Planet Hollywood with a huge smile on my face. I had not one complaint about this trip and would highly recommend it to anyone.
Suggestions: call and ask for a AAA rate. You get 10% off the retail rate. The first tour is cheaper than the others and I would highly recommend going as early as possible as there were NO crowds and the sun was gorgeous against the Grand Canyon.
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