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Helicopter through Grand Canyon - Incredibly beautiful
May 18, 2018 11:59:44 #
We are in Las Vegas. The Bellagio recommended Maverick Helicopter Tours located right by the airport. Very well known and reliable. They have a few tours you can choose. We took the one that went over Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and a champaign snack landing and return. About 3 hours total. A challenge shooting through the helicopter window especially flying into the sun but in post some of the hazing can be eliminated. My 24-70 lens was all I used. The tour is just under $500 each. Hope that helps. I can just tell you for me it was totally worth it.
ecar wrote:
So how much are these tours, and where did you take off/ purchase it from?
May 18, 2018 12:24:18 #
Very nice shots Rob. I agree that photos, no matter how exceptional, can't do it justice. It's a place that needs to be experienced.
May 18, 2018 12:38:42 #
Rob47 wrote:
We are in Las Vegas. The Bellagio recommended Mave... (show quote)
Thanks,
Pic's were Phenomenal! I've often thought of doing that. Did they fly you over the "Skywalk", and where Nic Wallenda crossed it on a tightrope? 3 hrs of flight time down there in Nevada/Arizona is really great, and worth the money!
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May 18, 2018 16:09:53 #
May 18, 2018 16:10:58 #
Thanks Dan. An experience everyone should try and see.
Dan Downie wrote:
What a wonderful opportunity! The scenery and pictures are beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
May 18, 2018 16:12:15 #
Thank you. We were so lucky to have great weather. Not east to shoot through a helicopter window but I was pleased with the results.
vicksart wrote:
Very nice shots Rob. I agree that photos, no matter how exceptional, can't do it justice. It's a place that needs to be experienced.
May 18, 2018 16:16:03 #
Thanks Yes. We did fly past the skywalk. One optional tour included the skywalk. However, we chose not to go there as you are not allowed cameras on the walk itself. This was by far a better tour. The helicopter only held six of us so it was very close to a private tour. We also flew over Hoover Dam.
Pic's were Phenomenal! I've often thought of doing that. Did they fly you over the "Skywalk", and where Nic Wallenda crossed it on a tightrope? 3 hrs of flight time down there in Nevada/Arizona is really great, and worth the money![/quote]
Pic's were Phenomenal! I've often thought of doing that. Did they fly you over the "Skywalk", and where Nic Wallenda crossed it on a tightrope? 3 hrs of flight time down there in Nevada/Arizona is really great, and worth the money![/quote]
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May 18, 2018 16:17:52 #
Thanks Angler, wonderful tour. Breathtaking spot on this earth. Can't recommend it highly enough.
angler wrote:
Great set Rob.
May 18, 2018 16:20:35 #
Thanks. Glad you liked them. Fixed wing planes cannot fly under a certain altitude so for photography it's not an option. My wife was concerned about a bumpy ride but it was very smooth. If you're ever there, it's a must tour.
Blaster34 wrote:
Great, really beautiful pictures of the Canyon, glad you enjoyed it...I'd prefer a fixed wing but you apparently had a great time. 
May 18, 2018 16:23:37 #
Thanks. You may be right however where we flew and landed there was no one around. The only other people we saw were in another helicopter. It was all beautiful and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
loosecanon wrote:
I agree about the beauty; however, unfortunately the constant loud noise of all those choppers echoing through the canyon can really damage the beauty of the experience for those on the ground--esp. inside the canyon. I know it's a complex issue.
May 18, 2018 16:26:00 #
Thanks for the compliment. The price now is just under $500 but so worth it. We also had a young pilot (male) who had been flying for 7 years. Very informative as we flew over various area. We saw no snakes. Whew!!!
JohnMilleker wrote:
Great shots!
We took one of these rides about 15 years ago out of Vegas. Was relatively cheap back then, around $300 a person, not sure what current prices were. The pilot was a young girl that was in her early 20's if that. She was an amazing pilot. Dropped into the canyon for the champagne brunch, had a few minutes to walk around. Saw a bunch of snakes.
We took one of these rides about 15 years ago out of Vegas. Was relatively cheap back then, around $300 a person, not sure what current prices were. The pilot was a young girl that was in her early 20's if that. She was an amazing pilot. Dropped into the canyon for the champagne brunch, had a few minutes to walk around. Saw a bunch of snakes.
May 18, 2018 16:27:55 #
Thanks very much David. Such an amazing experience and highly recommend the tour. I hope you get a chance at some point.
David in Dallas wrote:
You did well. I've ridden a helicopter over the Canyon, but it didn't actually go into it.
May 18, 2018 16:33:49 #
Thanks Jose. We took the tour out of Las Vegas. The Bellagio Hotel highly recommended this tour operator. Maverick Helicopter Tours (you can Google it) The flight went over Hoover Dam and then to the canyon. We landed and spent about 45 minutes on the ground. Most of these shots are from the air. The whole tour was about 3 hours. Our tour was just under $500 each. Well worth it. I hope that helps.
Base_fiddle wrote:
Excellent shots. We are considering the Grand Canyon next year. Where did you get on the chopper, how long was the photo shoot and (if I might) how much did the operator charge?
Jose
Jose
May 18, 2018 16:39:33 #
Thanks. We were in Las Vegas. Tour picks you up at hotel and takes to heliport by the airport. The tour prices vary depending on a few factors. We chose this one as it had a landing in the canyon. ($500 pp) There are a few a little less expensive but no landing. It might be slightly more than other tour operators but I highly recommend Maverick Helicopter Tours (Google it) Hope that helps.
ecar wrote:
So how much are these tours, and where did you take off/ purchase it from?
May 18, 2018 16:42:09 #
dancers wrote:
I did this trip....at the IMAX theatre.it was amazing!
Not sure Imax would be quite the same. We really enjoy this tour.
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