Papillon Raft Day, Boxed Lunch

A 10-hour Papillon day that pairs a Grand Canyon helicopter flight with a smooth-water float through Black Canyon on the Colorado.

Overview

This Papillon Helicopters day trip pairs a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon West Rim with a motorized raft run down the Colorado River, all in one long day from Las Vegas. The full tour runs about 10 hours, with hotel pickup from most Strip and Downtown properties and transport out to the operator's terminal in Boulder City, roughly 30 minutes from the city. From there the flight heads over Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and Black Canyon before crossing Hualapai land and the Skywalk, then descends about 4,000 feet to the canyon floor.

On the bank of the Colorado River there is time to explore, with a glass of champagne and a light meal served under a traditional Hualapai shelter. The return flight is followed by a short drive to the base of Hoover Dam, where the rafting leg begins. The raft covers 11 miles through Black Canyon over about 2.5 hours, with a beach stop for a boxed lunch before the takeout at Willow Beach Marina. Ground transport then returns everyone to Las Vegas.

The trip suits travellers who want both aerial and river perspectives of the canyon system in a single outing and who are comfortable with a full day away from the Strip. The raft is motorized, so there is no paddling involved. Note the winter schedule: from the start of December through the end of February, the rafting portion runs only on Wednesdays and Saturdays unless a group of 25 or more books together.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickupPickup is available from most Las Vegas Strip and Downtown hotels, arranged at booking or by calling the local supplier. Check-in at the terminal is required 45 minutes before departure.
2. Helicopter flightA narrated flight of approximately 90 minutes total covers Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Black Canyon and Grand Canyon West, passing over Hualapai land and the Skywalk before descending to the canyon floor.
3. Canyon floor stopAbout 30 minutes at the Grand Canyon West Rim, with time for photos and a champagne toast with a light meal under a Hualapai shelter.
4. Return flightA scenic flight back to the terminal in Boulder City.
5. Drive to Hoover DamA short ground transfer to the base of Hoover Dam, where the rafting portion begins.
6. Colorado River raftingA guided 2.5-hour, 11-mile motorized raft trip through Black Canyon, with a beach stop for a boxed lunch, ending at Willow Beach Marina.
7. Return to Las VegasGround transportation returns travellers to their drop-off point on the Strip or Downtown.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will shape the day, from the fuel surcharge at check-in to what the boxed lunch actually involves.

• Extra at check-in. A fuel surcharge of $30 per person is payable at check-in. Pilot tip is not included either. One reviewer also suggested paying early for the front helicopter seats, which cost extra.
• Sun protection. One reviewer recommends taking sunscreen, a hat and bathers for the rafting leg. The raft portion lasts 2.5 hours.
• Food and drink. A boxed lunch and a glass of champagne are included. Reviews are mixed on the food: some found the meals lovely, while one called the lunch package plastic and inedible.
• Pace and structure. The day is long, around 10 hours door to door. Time at the canyon floor is about 30 minutes, and one reviewer wished the helicopter spent longer flying over the Grand Canyon itself, so set expectations accordingly.
• IDs and paperwork. Everyone 18 and older needs a government-issued photo ID. Children under 2 can travel as lap children with proof of age, such as a passport or birth certificate copy.
• Weight and seating. Passengers weighing 300 pounds or more must purchase an additional seat, payable directly to the operator on the day. This is for aircraft weight and balance.

Common issues. A $30 per person fuel surcharge is payable at check-in, and the pilot tip is not included. One reviewer found the rafting leg a slow chug with pointless stops and was harsh about the boxed lunch, while another wanted more time flying over the Grand Canyon itself. The winter schedule is a real constraint: from December through February the rafting runs only on Wednesdays and Saturdays unless a group of 25 or more books. Hotel transfers are limited to most Strip and Downtown hotels, so anyone staying elsewhere needs to arrange their own way in.

Before You Book A Raft