Helicopter, Kayak Or Raft Option

A Las Vegas day trip that combines a 90-minute helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon with a Colorado River float below Hoover Dam (or an Emerald Cave kayak option), with round-trip van transport and a boxed lunch.

Overview

This day trip from Las Vegas pairs a round-trip helicopter flight with time on the Colorado River, and you pick one of two river options when booking: a raft float or a kayak paddle to Emerald Cave. The whole outing runs about 11 hours. A deluxe van handles hotel pickup, and the day starts from the meeting point at 5596 Haven St in Las Vegas at 07:00.

The flight itself lasts roughly 90 minutes round trip in a helicopter the operator describes as state of the art, with aerial views of Hoover Dam along the way. Reviewers frequently single out the pilots as knowledgeable and entertaining, with several describing flights that dip into the canyon itself. On the ground, the river portion runs about three hours. The raft option puts in below Hoover Dam and floats the Colorado through Grand Canyon West, while the kayak option starts from Willow Beach instead and does not view the dam from the water.

Bottled water and a boxed lunch are included with the raft option, though the listing notes lunch is not included if you pick the kayak. Gratuities are not covered. The trip suits travellers with moderate fitness, and the operator caps each departure at 24 people. It is not wheelchair accessible, and minimum age is 2.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickup and briefingRound-trip transportation by deluxe van is included, with hotel pickup as detailed at booking. The day starts at the meeting point at 5596 Haven St, Las Vegas, at 07:00.
2. Colorado River timeAbout 3 hours on the river, admission included. Grand Canyon West is passed by. In the raft option this includes views of Hoover Dam from Lake Mead if that option is chosen; the kayak option starts from Willow Beach and does not see the dam from the river.
3. Hoover Dam Lodge and Casino stopA stop of about 2 hours with admission ticket included.
4. Willow BeachAbout 3 hours at Willow Beach with admission included, the launch point for the kayak option.
5. Return to Las VegasThe van brings the group back, and the activity ends at the original meeting point.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will shape the day, from seating in the aircraft to which river option you pick.

• Bring sun gear. The listing recommends sunglasses, sunscreen, towels and hats for this outing.
• Seating by weight. That reviewer, seated in the back, reported severe leg cramps by landing.
• Choose your river option. The raft starts below the dam and includes a boxed lunch. The kayak starts from Willow Beach, includes no lunch, and skips the dam views from the water. Pick based on whether you want the dam from the river or a paddle.
• Fitness and limits. The listing asks for moderate physical fitness and does not recommend the trip for travellers with back problems or pregnancies. Minimum age is 2, and the day is not wheelchair accessible.
• Identification required. A valid government ID matching the ticket names is required to board, and the listing warns that using a fraudulent ID on an FAA-approved carrier is a federal crime.
• Morning timing. The 07:00 start makes for a long day at roughly 11 hours. Plan accordingly, since the full outing covers flight, river time and transfers.

Common issues. One reviewer seated in the back middle reported trouble taking photos and leg cramps, since seating is assigned by body weight. The tour needs a minimum number of travellers and can be cancelled if that minimum is not met, and one reviewer noted a six-passenger threshold before running. Weather can also force cancellation, with a different date or a full refund offered in that case. Passengers over 250 lbs (112 kg) must buy an additional seat, payable to the operator on the day, and gratuities are extra.

Before You Book A Raft