Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour from Las Vegas with Papillon

My wife and I took a wonderful helicopter ride from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon this weekend with Papillon Helicopter Tours.  We had an awesome time, and the operation was first-class all around, well worth the price and was quite romantic having a champagne picnic inside the canyon.

The actual trip takes a half hour of flight to the picnic area, a half hour picnic and a half hour flight back and when you add in the drive to Boulder City, weigh-in, safety video, pictures and all, it takes about 4 hours from start to finish.

I thought all of their helicopters were white with a multi-color emblem, but we rode in a red EC-130 helicopter, 3 seats in front, 4 seats in back.  Jim was our skilled, friendly pilot, tour guide, chef and photographer, which is more than a few hats to wear and he was excellent in every aspect, so we made sure to tip him at the end of the trip.

The temperature inside the canyon is pretty much the same as Las Vegas so dress appropriately.  If it's hot in Las Vegas, it's going to be hot inside the canyon and best to schedule an early flight.  The aircraft has air conditioning and individual headsets so you can talk directly to the pilot but we all just listened to the pilot/tour guide and took pictures on the way out, nobody talked.

On the flight to the canyon, there are excellent views of Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam whereas the return flight is more direct over the desert and not as scenic but breathtaking nonetheless.

The helicopter is very stable and the ride is very similar to what you experience when a commercial airplane is in the landing pattern, which is a little bumpy at times, but not bad and the flight is only a half hour.  At the picnic area, helicopters kept coming until there were maybe 6 or 7 groups that all gathered together inside the picnic area.  And 1/2 hour is not much time to eat, meet the other passengers and take pictures, so make sure you take the time to get the photos you want first.  In my opinion, a picture with the helicopter and river in the background really captures the moment.