Grand Canyon Tours Offers Summer Activities Everyone Can Enjoy

Online, July 19, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Grand Canyon National Park is one of America's top destinations for summer travel. A driving factor behind this is the variety of activities, which range from camping and hiking to airplane and helicopter flights.

"There's quite literally something to do for every age group," said Keith Kravitz, owner of Grand Canyon Tours. "There are mule rides, Junior Ranger programs, walking photography workshops and more. The Park has it all."

In addition to Park-organized activities, there are a host of exciting commercially run tours.

"During summer, air tours are in very high demand," said Kravitz. "Reports are coming in that helicopter rides specifically are selling out on a regular basis."

Helicopter tours depart daily from Las Vegas, NV, and Tusayan, AZ (South Rim). Vegas flights service the West Rim of the National Park while Tusayan rides cover the South Rim.

"There are no helicopter rides from Las Vegas to the South Rim," noted Kravitz. "To get to that destination, one must book an airplane flight.

"Additionally, Vegas helicopters are the only ones that are cleared to fly below the rim and land. Such flights are banned at the South Rim."

South Rim helicopters depart daily, too. There are two kinds: Thirty-minute flights and 50-minute ones.

"The longer tour is the way to go," Kravitz advised. "By the time the chopper touches down, it's flown over 75 percent of the National Park. No other mode of transportation can do that."

Airplane tours give helicopters a run for the money. "Indeed, plane rides cover a lot of ground, but it's done a higher altitude," Kravitz noted.

Plane trips are available from Las Vegas and the South Rim. Aerial trips are available at both destinations, with landing tours only available from Vegas to the West Rim.

"The best Vegas plane ride is one that lands at the top and comes with a helicopter ride to the bottom," Kravitz said. "As for South Rim, go with the deluxe aerial tour."

The most economical guided tour is by bus.

"Coach trips are the cheapest way to experience the National Park," said Kravitz. "Departures are daily from Las Vegas and go to the West and South Rim. Packages are all-inclusive and come with lunch and guide service."

Rafting trips are offered from April through November. The 1-day adventures have proven a hit with families, groups and active seniors.

"Smooth-water rafting has really taken off," Kravitz noted. "The Vegas package includes a helicopter to the bottom followed by an 11-mile float to Willow Beach.

"South Rim rafting trips, which depart from the Tusayan airport complex, start at the base of Glen Canyon Dam and conclude at Lee's Ferry.

"The great thing about river rafting is that trips are open to children as young as four years old."

For more about Grand Canyon tours, copy and paste this link into your browser:

http://grandcanyon123.com