Grand Canyon Airline's Grand Voyager Expedition is the most robust West Rim air tour you can buy. Unlike any other plane trip, this package combines air, land and water. Do this adventure and you can honestly tell the folks back home that you've seen the Grand Canyon from the ground up!

The Grand Voyager departs every day of the year including all major U.S. holidays. It flies from various Las Vegas metro airstrips and the Boulder City Municipal, which is located 30 minutes from the Strip.

En route to the West Rim, the flight goes over some fascinating landmarks, including Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, Fortification Hill, the Colorado River and more before landing at Grand Canyon West Airport.

You'll deplane and transfer to a shuttle bus that will take you to the heliport where your helicopter awaits. In most cases, you'll board an EcoStar 130, which is best in its class. It features stadium style seating and a 180-degree wraparound windshield for phenomenal views.

4,500 Feet to the Bottom

The descent is an event you'll remember for a lifetime. In all, you chopper down 4,500 feet to the bottom. Total time is between 10 and 15 minutes. You'll alight on a makeshift helipad, exit the aircraft, and meet up with your fellow passengers under an Indian Ramada.

Then it's off to the boat dock, which is about 700 feet away on the banks of the legendary Colorado River. It's a gentle, well-maintained path that anyone in average physical condition can navigate. You'll know your there when you exit through a mini-tunnel of Salt Cedar trees.

The watercraft you'll take is an adventure-grade steel pontoon boat. Capacity is about a dozen people. A member of the Hualapai Indian tribe will help you get on the boat. Your boat pilot is from the tribe as well. Bow or stern, nearly anywhere you sit on the boat is great for views and pictures.

The boat tour churns its way upstream for about 15 minutes. The guide will then turn the boat downstream, cut the engines, and let the boat drift blissfully down the river. Feel free to ask your guide questions about the river, the canyon or the tribe. These guys know their stuff.

Dry Land!

Back on dry land you'll head up the trail and re-enter the helicopter. There might be an opportunity to sit in the front. It's not always available but it's worth inquiring about. Just like the descent, the ascent is breathtaking as you bob and weave past giant spires, cliffs and buttes to the top.

You'll transfers from the helicopter to a shuttle van that will now take you to the Grand Canyon Skywalk. Referred to as the glass bridge, this structure is utterly fantastic. Made out of glass, the walkway lets you walk some 70 feet past the edge of the rim! You're also standing 4,000 feet above the canyon floor. If you're looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, you've come to the right place.

The Grand Voyager includes several hours at the top of the rim for exploration, which I encourage you to do. The Tribe runs a free shuttle service on the rim that connects Eagle Point to Guano Point. Do it. If you choose, you can walk back from Guano to Eagle. But be careful - there are no guardrails.

Mock Gun Fights

Other points of interest include the Indian Cultural Center, which re-creates a Hualapai Village, and Hualapai Ranch, which is a fictitious Old West town where mock gun battles are held (great for kids!). There's also the outdoor amphitheater where the Hualapai perform native songs and dances. It's usually during this final segment of the trip that you'll eat lunch at either Guano Pt. or Hualapai Ranch.

Total tour time: 7 hours.

All-inclusive package. Comes with free door-to-door shuttle service, lunch, bottled water, and guide service.

The Plane

I often get asked if the planes used on the Grand Expedition are small, private-pilot Cessnas. No, they aren't. These aircraft are customized twin-engine deHavillands. In fact, they've been so modernized that they've been re-branded as Vistaliners.

These planes comfortably seat up to 19 people and come with recliner-style seats, oversized viewing windows, spacious cabins, personal headsets and a robust climate-control system. Two pilots man each flight, and each aircraft is stocked with the latest FAA navigational equipment. All in all, you're in good hands.

The West Rim

Grand Canyon West is the other name for this rim, which is only 120 miles east of Las Vegas. The area rests entirely on the Hualapai Indian Reservation, and comprises more than a million acres of Mojave Desert. The Hualapai Tribe also owns and operates the Grand Canyon Skywalk. Future expansion plans include building a hotel, several restaurants, a deluxe traveler lounge and a tram that goes from Guano Point to the bottom. Stay tuned.

What to Wear & Bring

The West Rim is a place of extremes. During summer, expect temperatures to be over 100 degrees. I suggest wearing a hat, sunglasses, a long-sleeved shirt and a pair of running shoes. Bring plenty of sunscreen and water. Winter is like what you get in Vegas except your more exposed to the elements. Often, there's a chance of light snow. Here I recommend wearing a beanie, gloves, long pants, long shirt, a medium-weight jacket and a windbreaker. Bring ChapStick, water and sunscreen as well.

Getting a Great Deal

It's not as hard as everyone makes it out to be if you follow these two steps. First, reserve your trip in advance. I'm talking 3 days minimum. It's even better if you can book a week out from your desired departure date. By getting seats ahead of time, you'll nearly guarantee that you and your group will be flying on the day and time (preferably morning) that's most convenient for you.

Next, book this airplane tour on the Internet. I can't overstate this. Why? Because the best deals are online. In fact, they are on the tour operator's website! I know it sounds kind of about-face but it's true. I personally purchase all my flights this way as it saves me up to 35% off the retail rate, which is what they'll give you if you book over the phone or through the hotel concierge etc. Please, if one thing I say resonates, complete your booking online. These are online fares and they must be purchased on the website.

Click Here for Grand Voyager Availability & Pricing

Have a GRAND day,