The Grand Canyon is instantly recognizable as one of the most iconic sights not only of the United States but on the planet. The sheer size has been creating awe, wonder and amazement for visitors for decades who can’t believe its size – this is one attraction that has to be seen to be believed, no matter what view we may have from the television or movies.

What once was the realm of the high flying eagles that soar above this cavernous gash in the earth has been made accessible to anyone through Grand Canyon helicopter tours.

The size of the Grand Canyon is staggering. Can you visualise something that is up to a mile deep, 277 miles long and up to 18 miles wide? Hard to imagine and put into context isn’t it? Not when you can see it from a bird’s eye view on Grand Canyon helicopter tours.  From the helicopter not only do you get to see the scale of the canyon but it’s the chance to get close.

Choose a helicopter tour company that has big picture windows for optimum viewing, you‘ll really be able to see the majesty of the canyon. The Colorado River has cut through the earth making all the rock layers clearly visible. The rock layers are truly fascinating: some of the oldest are thought to be 400 million years old. Grand Canyon helicopter tours are a chance to really see Mother Nature in action as the natural erosion by wind and water continues and the landscape slowly changes.

Grand Canyon helicopter tours happen in excellent purpose-built machines.  Most of the helicopters are environmentally friendly. They include stadium type seating ensuring easy viewing through the oversize windows. Some operators offer multi-lingual audio commentary.

Don’t think a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon is a simple flyover of the ravine. Whilst a simple flight is enough to qualify as a trip of a lifetime, there are plenty of options that make for enduring memories. It might be as simple as a stop at the Grand Canyon Skywalk, a unique glass viewing platform that spans the canyon with incredible 360 degree views or you might fancy a dip down into the depths of the ravine for a champagne picnic.

A Grand Canyon tour is also the chance to see some amazing wildlife. The Grand Canyon National Park is home to a wide range of mammals, reptiles and amphibians. You might see Native American tribes people and wonder how they manage to exist in this incredible wilderness.

Grand Canyon helicopter tours can be combined with a ceremony to make an unforgettable wedding and active couples might like to spend their honeymoon hiking or horse riding through the canyon. Combine a helicopter tour with a boat ride on the Colorado River to see the canyon from its two extremes or simply camp out on the canyon rim for the amazingly intense experience of the Canyon National Park at night.

Most Grand Canyon helicopter tours depart from Las Vegas airport so it’s the perfect opportunity to see two of America’s greatest attractions in one vacation.