When the glitz, the bright lights, the cacophony of bells and buzzers all just becomes too much, the Grand canyon, where the world opens up and nature reigns supreme, is the perfect antidote.
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
If you thought Las Vegas was the embodiment of humankind’s domination as a species, you haven’t seen what nature’s capable of at the Grand Canyon yet. It puts all of our constructs to shame. The Grand Canyon’s best viewpoints are from the North Rim and the South Rim. It’s possible to visit the latter on a full-day bus tour from Las Vegas, while Grand Canyon West, which is on the Hualapai Reservation, is less than half the distance from Sin City. Here are four excellent Grand Canyon bus tours from Vegas.
Grand Canyon National Park South Rim Bus Tour from Las Vegas
As long as you’re comfortable with the idea of spending nine hours of a day in a bus, then the South Rim is the only real option you should be considering for your Grand Canyon experience. Open throughout the year, it is the most developed thanks to its spectacular canyon views from sites along the southern rim, such as Mather Point, where the Grand Canyon Visitor Center is located, and Hopi House in Grand Canyon Village. In all, you’ll get around five hours to explore the vistas and wilderness. From $84 per person.
(Photo: Viator.com)
Las Vegas to Grand Canyon West Tour
For a much shorter travel time, and therefore a less intense day of travel, there’s Grand Canyon West. Although not considered the best of the Grand Canyon, the views are still spectacular to any mere mortal, particularly from Eagle Point, where you can walk right up to the canyon’s edge. Over at Guano Point, the views are completely different and there is a hiking trail down to the old guano mines, as well as a vista including the Colorado River below. This tour runs daily and lasts around 12 hours. From $109 per person.
Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim Full-Day Bus Trip
While the trip to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is rather long from Las Vegas, it’s the best way to appreciate the Grand Canyon’s most dramatic vistas. Once at the South Rim, there is a chance to spend time at two separate scenic sites, as well as visiting the National Geographic Visitor’s Centre, where it’s possible to watch a half-hour film about the Grand Canyon in the on-site IMAX theatre. As with all tours on this list, please be sure to wear sturdy footwear and confirm your Las Vegas pickup location the day before. From $119 per person.
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
Roundtrip Flight to Grand Canyon & Hummer Tour from Las Vegas
If you’ve won big, either at Vegas or on the money wheel of life, you don’t need to worry about lengthy bus tours at all. Nothing beats the aerial vistas of the sprawling geological wonder that is the Grand Canyon provided from the seat of a small plane. This tour brings you the best of both worlds: the hour-long flight from Las Vegas makes your journey the whole point of the trip. Meanwhile, you’ll spend three hours exploring the Grand Canyon’s South Rim highlights, such as Mather Point and Bright Angel Lodge. And if you thought that might be dull after a plane-ride, it’s worth noting it takes place in an open-air Hummer. Only in America! From $619 per person.