Maverick Helicopters is a Las Vegas-based air tour company that runs tours to Grand Canyon West and the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Recently I had the pleasure of flying them to Grand Canyon West from Vegas. Here is a review of my journey:
Maverick is a top quality supplier of chopper trips. They pride themselves on quality and customer care. I looked into them on several highly regarded travel forums. Travelers had only good words to say about their flights. Definitely a good sign.
Maverick has many terrific trips to choose from, including canyon sunset flights and river-rafting packages to glass walkway tickets and Valley of Fire flyovers. I booked an all-inclusive tour called the Wind Dancer. It flies to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
One thing that differentiates Maverick from the pack is the site of its terminal. It's conveniently found on the south end of the Las Vegas strip. Transport from hotel to the heliport usually takes minutes. Additionally, by virtue of its location, all Maverick flights include flying over the Las Vegas Strip.
The business's fleet of helicopters is made up completely of EcoStar 130 aircraft. The EcoStar's cabin is 25 % larger than the average chopper's. The additional space results in theater-style seats and plenty of leg-and-elbow room. It also sports a 180-degree wrap-around windscreen and a Fenestron tail rotor that minimizes noise. Travellers receive their own headsets. This lets you connect to the digital communication system and tune in to a trip narration or chat with the pilot and the other passengers.
The trip over was outstanding. Grand Canyon West is a 45-minute flight from Maverick Helicopter's terminal. The flight plan takes you directly above Lake Mead, the Hoover Dam, and the brand new Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge. Choppers fly at a lower altitude than airplanes so the bird's eye view you will enjoy of the Dam is magnificent.
Our West Rim approach was stunning. I could see the Grand Canyon glass walkway gleaming under the desert sun. The 4,000-foot descent takes you through three cycles of geological time before touching down. Maverick's dirt helipad was near to the well-known Colorado River. It's humbling to think that this river single-handedly created the Grand Canyon. I got out of my reverie and joined the rest of the group for a Champagne picnic.
Our pilot offered to guide us around the base (we were also able to explore by ourselves). I chose to head out with him. I'm happy I did. If not I would have had my head stuck in my guide book. Maverick also offers a helicopter tour that lets you prolong a bottom landing with a smooth-water float trip along the Colorado.
The flight back is fantastic. We re-visited Lake Mead and Hoover Dam and then veered northward and strafed the Valley of Fire. This area is made up of vibrant orange sandstone. It's a unique place and I've never quite seen anything like it. One passenger said it reminded him of Moab, UT.
Our return took us over the Las Vegas Strip. This is one more of those Maverick benefits. We hovered above the sky line. To my left, I saw the Wynn, Planet Hollywood, Paris, the MGM Grand, and more. On the ground, I opted to buy my tour on DVD. The quality is great and definitely makes the perfect memento.
Choose Maverick Helicopters if you are searching for a high quality Grand Canyon helicopter tour from Las Vegas. The customer service is five-star. The aircraft are state-of-the-art. And the quality of the tour is without peer. Cut costs by booking their tours on-line. I did and I know for a fact that I nipped off 20%. A Vegas vacation is not complete without a Grand Canyon West helicopter tour. So do it in style. Do it with Maverick.
Maverick is a top quality supplier of chopper trips. They pride themselves on quality and customer care. I looked into them on several highly regarded travel forums. Travelers had only good words to say about their flights. Definitely a good sign.
Maverick has many terrific trips to choose from, including canyon sunset flights and river-rafting packages to glass walkway tickets and Valley of Fire flyovers. I booked an all-inclusive tour called the Wind Dancer. It flies to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
One thing that differentiates Maverick from the pack is the site of its terminal. It's conveniently found on the south end of the Las Vegas strip. Transport from hotel to the heliport usually takes minutes. Additionally, by virtue of its location, all Maverick flights include flying over the Las Vegas Strip.
The business's fleet of helicopters is made up completely of EcoStar 130 aircraft. The EcoStar's cabin is 25 % larger than the average chopper's. The additional space results in theater-style seats and plenty of leg-and-elbow room. It also sports a 180-degree wrap-around windscreen and a Fenestron tail rotor that minimizes noise. Travellers receive their own headsets. This lets you connect to the digital communication system and tune in to a trip narration or chat with the pilot and the other passengers.
The trip over was outstanding. Grand Canyon West is a 45-minute flight from Maverick Helicopter's terminal. The flight plan takes you directly above Lake Mead, the Hoover Dam, and the brand new Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge. Choppers fly at a lower altitude than airplanes so the bird's eye view you will enjoy of the Dam is magnificent.
Our West Rim approach was stunning. I could see the Grand Canyon glass walkway gleaming under the desert sun. The 4,000-foot descent takes you through three cycles of geological time before touching down. Maverick's dirt helipad was near to the well-known Colorado River. It's humbling to think that this river single-handedly created the Grand Canyon. I got out of my reverie and joined the rest of the group for a Champagne picnic.
Our pilot offered to guide us around the base (we were also able to explore by ourselves). I chose to head out with him. I'm happy I did. If not I would have had my head stuck in my guide book. Maverick also offers a helicopter tour that lets you prolong a bottom landing with a smooth-water float trip along the Colorado.
The flight back is fantastic. We re-visited Lake Mead and Hoover Dam and then veered northward and strafed the Valley of Fire. This area is made up of vibrant orange sandstone. It's a unique place and I've never quite seen anything like it. One passenger said it reminded him of Moab, UT.
Our return took us over the Las Vegas Strip. This is one more of those Maverick benefits. We hovered above the sky line. To my left, I saw the Wynn, Planet Hollywood, Paris, the MGM Grand, and more. On the ground, I opted to buy my tour on DVD. The quality is great and definitely makes the perfect memento.
Choose Maverick Helicopters if you are searching for a high quality Grand Canyon helicopter tour from Las Vegas. The customer service is five-star. The aircraft are state-of-the-art. And the quality of the tour is without peer. Cut costs by booking their tours on-line. I did and I know for a fact that I nipped off 20%. A Vegas vacation is not complete without a Grand Canyon West helicopter tour. So do it in style. Do it with Maverick.