River Rafting in the Grand Canyon

Rafting through the Grand Canyon is the experience of a lifetime. Viewing the canyon from along the rim is a stunning experience on its own, but it pales in comparison to the adventure of riding the river through it. Several river recreation outfitters offer guided rafting tours through the Grand Canyon.

The Grand Canyon was formed over several million years. An ancestral version of what is now the Colorado River slowly eroded the earth, creating this breathtaking formation. The Grand Canyon is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The canyon is over 250 miles long and is over a mile deep in some parts.

Grand Canyon river rafting is one of the most fascinating experiences available. Grand Canyon river rafting tours usually run several days and many last more than a week. These tours often include side trips to areas at the bottom of the canyon where travelers near the river. Visitors often stop and examine Native American ruins and fascinating geological formations.

At one time, people who navigated the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon did so at serious risk to their lives. Now that technology and expertise have evolved, it is a safe expedition undertaken by relative novices. There are a variety of options for travelers who want to navigate the Colorado River through the canyon. Some outfitters offer motorized rafts for people who want to see the canyon but who may not be willing or able to paddle a boat through the rapids. Some tours offer Dory tours. Dories are boats similar to those that early Grand Canyon explorers used. These trips take much longer than the motorized raft tours because it takes longer to travel and because they are often more in depth. Truly adventurous souls can experience Grand Canyon
river rafting the old fashioned way and go on guided paddle raft tours.

Grand Canyon river rafting is a one of a kind experience. Rafters can examine some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world while navigating one of the continent's greatest rivers.

Source by Kristy Annely

Flightseeing Tour – Grand Canyon Vacation Packages

Grand Canyon is huge, so it is a good way to see this area by a helicopter. I luckily had a chance to have such an exciting tour. I began my tour at the Grand Canyon National Airport, which is located in Tusayan.

When I got into my helicopter, I was given a safety briefing, and got a small life vest pack and headset. And then I sat on my seat and the helicopter was ready to fly. As this was my first time flying on a helicopter, I was a little bit worried. But when it took off, I realized it was very safe and felt relaxed.

My helicopter was ECO-star. Because of its wraparound glass, tourist can have a full vision of the whole area. I sat in a leather seat, and I had to say that it was really comfortable. The helicopter flew quietly and it did not have any shaking, so I can concentrate on the dramatic beauty. It seemed that I was taking a bird's-eye view from a bubble above the canyon.

There were two kinds of tours, one is Canyon Dancer tour takes and another one is The Canyon Spirit trip. The former one will take you flying over Kalibab National Forest, the Colorado River and the North Rim. But I think the later one is more interesting. Tourist can experience the formations and the depth of the Canyon. I finally knew how deep the Canyon is. I spent 45 minutes to finish this great trip.

Our pilot was also our tour guide, and he was informative. He answered our questions and guide us to see formations. I was surprised to see that some trees were turning golden under the sunlight, and the red earth made the Canyon an amazing place. I kept on taking photos, and I wanted to memorize the beautiful scenery forever.

After I landed, I bought the DVD of our flight and a photo of our group. They witnessed my whole tour. Furthermore, there were many souvenirs with Grand Canyon Logo, such as sweatshirts, hats and t-shirts. I bought a hat and intended to send it to my father. This short trip was very great.

Source by Marcia Brown

Make Thanksgiving Exciting With A Bus Tour From Las Vegas To The Grand Canyon

Thanksgiving may be your last chance for a relaxing and fun getaway before the hectic holiday season sets in, so now's the time to make plans. Vegas is a great place to celebrate, and it is also a fantastic place to begin a Grand Canyon tour, such as an affordable and scenic bus tour that goes from Vegas straight to the Canyon.

Vegas has a lot of Canyon tours on offer, and the best part is you can find a tour that goes to the West Rim and tours that go to the South Rim. The West Rim is a little over 100 miles from Vegas, and it is the closest rim. The South Rim is located in Arizona, and the bus ride takes around 5 and a half hours. All the buses from Vegas, whether they go to the South Rim or the West Rim go right past the Hoover Dam, and your bus will make a quick stop so you can take some photos.

West Rim Bus Tours

A day at the West Rim will be filled with fun and special memories. The standard tour is one that drives you to the Canyon and then brings you home later in the day. However, you can upgrade your tour to a package that includes exciting events according to your budget and interests.

One thing you should try is the VIP passes to the Skywalk. These passes give you priority access to the world-famous transparent viewing platform that is suspended over the Canyon. You'll be able to stand 70 feet past the edge of the Canyon and peer all the way to the Canyon floor 4000 feet below. It is a thrilling experience like no other, and when you get the VIP pass, you do not have to wait in a long line.

You can even upgrade your bus tour to include a helicopter flight over the Canyon or a flight that descends into the Canyon and lands on the bottom near the Colorado River. Flying to the Canyon floor is a good option because you'll be able to take a boat ride on the Colorado River as it wends its way along the base of the Canyon walls.

Bus Tours To The South Rim

West Rim tours are the most popular, but a South Rim tour is an excellent choice too if you are more interested in scenic sightseeing and you do not mind the long ride to the rim. The standard bus tour to the South Rim includes lunch, a guide, and about three hours to explore the area once your bus gets to the South Rim. You'll see beautiful vistas from scenic lookouts and you'll also see many of the highlights at the South Rim, so if you love to take photos, you'll have plenty of opportunities on this tour.

The South Rim bus tour can also be upgraded to include a helicopter tour. This flight gives you 30 minutes of air time over the rim between the South and North Rims. This tour even includes a jaunt over the deepest and widest trench in the Canyon.

Holiday Tours Sell Out Fast

Be sure to book your tour in advance because tours will fill up fast over the Thanksgiving holiday. Go ahead and book your tour after you book your hotel in Vegas, or at the very least, try to get your seats locked in 72 hours in advance. Buying your tour online gets you the lowest rate possible and when you buy your tour using your credit card, your seats are paid for and confirmed.

Get Ready For A Unique Thanksgiving Experience

Do not spend Thanksgiving sleeping on the couch, make memories your family will remember by touring the Canyon instead. There are so many fun upgrades to add to your bus tour like the helicopter flyover at the South Rim or the VIP Skywalk experience at the West Rim, that it's easy to create a tour package that's sure to please everyone in your group while keeping your budget happy too.

Source by Keith Kravitz