Last Updated on September 20, 2020
The Grand Canyon is one of the most incredible places on earth. Its beauty is jaw-dropping and visiting at least once is at the top of many bucket lists. If you’re planning an excursion to Las Vegas, it just might be the perfect time to take in the sights with a Grand Canyon tour from Las Vegas.
There are many types to choose from, from bus and helicopter tours to more rustic mule tours of the Grand Canyon. Here are the top tours the city has to offer, along with what makes them so great.
| BEST GRAND CANYON TOUR | WINNER |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | Comedy on Deck Tours |
| Best Heli Tour | 5 Star Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours |
| Best Jeep Tour | Pink Jeep Tours |
| Best Mule Tour | Xanterra |
| Best Hiking Tour | Wildland Trekking |
| Best Rafting Tour | Grand Canyon White Water Rafting |
Grand Canyon Bus Tours
Best Overall Grand Canyon Tour
Comedy on Deck Tours
Comedy on Deck Tours has a long history of escorting eager sightseers through all the natural beauty of the Grand Canyon. The company started in 2003 and has become one of the most stand-out Grand Canyon bus tours from Las Vegas.
At Grand Canyon Bus Tours, you’re getting more than an amazing tour from Vegas to the Canyon. You’re also going to be entertained by interactive tour guides that keep the energy high and make sure everyone is included in the fun – all while filling your ear with the history and geography of the area.
Comedy on Deck Tours offers two main tours, both of which are family-friendly. These include the Grand Canyon West Ultimate Tour and the Hoover Dam Ultimate VIP Tour.
With their popular Grand Canyon West Ultimate Tour, attendees receive perks like hotel pick up and drop off, hot, sit-down breakfast to keep your energy level fueled, a knowledgeable guide, and a tour with destination points that include the Joshua Tree Forest, the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge, Eagle Point, Indian Village, Guano Point, and of course a hop-on shuttle at the Canyon.
Adventure seekers will be given the opportunity to experience the Skywalk or add a helicopter ride to the tour. All entrance fees are included, and to top it all off, you get to enjoy a lunch at the Canyon Rim.
Prices are reasonable, especially if you can find a great Groupon Deal. Normally fees hover around or just under $200 for a 10-hour tour. Finding a discount deal can slash that by about a third.
Best Variety of Grand Canyon Bus Tours
Grand Canyon Tour and Travel
If you’re looking to experience something outside of the typical tour of the Canyon, Grand Canyon Tour and Travel is sure to provide it. With more than 25 tours to choose from, you can opt for a tour of the Grand Canyon, or one that includes the Hoover Dam and the sights of the Vegas Strip.
Grand Canyon Tour and Travel offers bus tours, along with helicopter tours and biking along the Grand Canyon, among other types of adventures.
You can register for the Grand Canyon West Rim Tour, which includes premium transportation, complimentary light morning snacks, beverages, a tour over the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge, multiple stops that include Eagle Point and Indian Village, and a Hoover Dam photo op.
The entire length of the tour lasts a little over 11 hours and starts bright and early at 7:30 AM. The Standard price for this tour is about $200 a person, with special deals frequently available.
Best Grand Canyon Tour for Groups
Grand Canyon Destinations
Grand Canyon Destinations provides affordable Grand Canyon South Rim Tours that are perfect for both individuals and small groups. The tour of the South Rim includes a visit to the Grand Canyon Caverns, where you’ll be given nearly an hour to explore the caverns before enjoying lunch.
Grand Canyon Destinations often runs special deals where you can book a South Rim Canyon Tour for just over $100 per person. They also offer a South Rim Tour that is specially designed for small groups. The price of this tour is a little more but worth it. You’ll ride in style to your destination in a Mercedes Benz Sprinter that includes a stop at Starbucks on the way out of town.
The Cavern tour is a nice addition that makes Grand Canyon Destinations stand out for an unforgettable group tour experience.
Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours
Best Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour
5 Star Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours
5 Star Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours is voted one of the best tours for their incredible aerial views that capture that very essence of the picturesque Grand Canyon area. 5 Star Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours are also known for their luxurious VIP treatment that makes their guests feel like true royalty.
5 Star Tours offers their guests several different options to choose from, ensuring that there’s something for everyone – whether you want to view it all from the air, land on the Canyon floor, or take an express trip to the Skywalk.
With their VIP treatment, your adventure begins by being picked up in a luxury Mercedes Benz Shuttle, and then you get to tour the Grand Canyon from the sky in a luxury helicopter. Visit just the Canyon itself, or experience the beautiful landmarks like the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead.
5 Star Grand Canyon Tours is a gorgeous, elegant adventure in Las Vegas that is also perfect for newlyweds or other special occasions.
Prices for Grand Canyon air-only tours are some of the cheapest Grand Canyon helicopter tours, starting at $299. Prices go up to $499 for tours that include a stop on the Canyon floor, the Valley of Fire Floor Landing Champagne Tour, along with other premium experience packages.
Best Romantic Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour
Serenity Helicopters
Are you looking for a way to impress a special someone, celebrate an anniversary, or perhaps ask someone to be your partner in life? Serenity Helicopters offers Grand Canyon helicopter tours that are hands down, some of the most beautiful, memorable, and romantic in all of Las Vegas.
Guests can choose between breath-taking sunset tours over the Grand Canyon, or landing at Serenity Helicopter’s private spot. They also offer sunset dinner tours of the Grand Canyon and special engagement and elopement packages.
Like other premium helicopter tour services, you get VIP service, including shuttle service to and from the tour and refreshments. Special packages with Serenity Helicopters can cost in the range of $400-$500 for up to two hours.
Grand Canyon Jeep Tours
Pink Jeep Tours
Sometimes, taking a guided tour of what’s considered a tourist destination can feel a little impersonal. If you’re not into a large crowd and favor a more intimate experience, a Grand Canyon Jeep tour is the way to go. Of the companies that offer vehicle tours, Pink Jeep Tours is one of the best.
Known for their signature pink Jeeps, this company offers several Grand Canyon tour options that are economical, and great for families with small children (they even provide car seats). Each vehicle will accommodate 6-9 people and reservations for private tours are available.
Your Pink Jeep Grand Canyon Tour will last about 2-3 hours, depending on the tour you choose. Options include a sunset tour, desert view canyon tour, and a walking tour, among others.
Unlike some other Grand Canyon Tours, there isn’t much hiking or walking involved, unless you choose the trail tour. This is ideal for individuals with limited mobility who want an up-close view of the gorgeous Canyon. Keep in mind that the tours can be a bit rugged, so there will be a little bouncing around.
Jeep tours of the Grand Canyon start at just over $100 per person, with reduced rates for children.
Grand Canyon Mule Tours
Xanterra
Xanterra is the premier name in bucket-list worth travel adventures. When it comes to touring the Grand Canyon, you can bet they don’t disappoint. Looking for a fun, unique experience that will provide stunning Canyon views? Check out Xanterra’s Grand Canyon Mule Tours.
Those who embark on a Grand Canyon mule tour should have a bit of a sense of adventure. The trails get a little narrow, and the terrain a bit rugged but these mules have led more than half a million visitors safely through the incredible sights of the Grand Canyon.
Mule tours run about 3 hours and cover 4 miles of Grand Canyon trails. Xanterra also offers an overnight mule tour that runs from the south rim to the canyon floor, with accommodations that include meals and a cabin to rest your head for the night.
There are weight limits for these Grand Canyon mule tours. Shorter tours have an upper weight limit of 225lbs fully dressed. The overnight tour has a slightly lower upper weight limit of 200lbs. Xanterra mule tours tend to book up fast, so make sure you reserve yours as early as possible.
Grand Canyon Hiking Tours
Wildland Trekking
Wildland Trekking will take you on a once in a lifetime adventure of a Grand Canyon hiking tour. This is the ideal choice for nature lovers, who want to see the beauty of the natural world up close and personal. It’s also best suited for those that have a reasonable physical capacity to navigate the Grand Canyon trails, although previous hiking experience isn’t necessary.
Each hiking tour is led by a knowledgeable, trained tour guide that will fill you in on the rich history and culture of the Grand Canyon. There are different tours available, such as multiple options for day-hiking tours, backpacking trips, and inn-based tours that last several days and include all accommodations.
Wildland Trekking encourages you to contact them to discuss previous hiking experience and fitness level. They rate their Grand Canyon hiking tours on a difficulty scale from 1-5, making it easier to choose one that fits your personal level of experience and comfort.
Prices range depending on the tour but day-hiking tours cost an average of $145-$200 per person.
Grand Canyon Rafting Tours
Grand Canyon White Water Rafting
Grand Canyon Whitewater Rafting operates with the mission of providing others with the opportunity to experience the splendor of the Grand Canyon by rafting the waters of the Colorado River. Experienced, trustworthy guides take you on an unforgettable white water rafting adventure.
With this Grand Canyon rafting tour, you’re provided with everything you need, including transportation to and from your hotel and a boxed lunch to fuel your energy for the tour.
Along this tour, guests not only raft down the mighty Colorado River but they also get the chance to hike to the beautiful Travertine Falls and enjoy all the natural wonder on the road trip to the destination.
Rafts hold a maximum of 8 passengers, which makes this a fun activity for small groups. The only prerequisites are that you not be afraid to get a little wet, a little dirty, and feel reasonably comfortable on the water. Your experienced, entertaining tour guides will take care of the rest. Prices start at about $650 for this tour.
What To Look For In a Grand Canyon Tour
Tour Guides
Your Grand Canyon tour guide can either make or break your experience. When you’re looking at reviews, the quality of the tour guides should be top on your list.
If the Grand Canyon tour you’re taking involves operating equipment like a helicopter or bus, you want to ensure that the company only employs licensed professionals. It’s ok to contact the tour company and ask them about their tour guide qualifications.
Your tour guide should also be knowledgeable of the Canyon area, know enough random facts that you come out learning something new, and have a contagious enthusiasm for their job.
Location
Tours of the Grand Canyon are typically broken down into two options – west rim or south rim tours.
The west rim is a bit quieter and less developed than the south rim. It’s a trip to the south rim where you can experience Hualapai culture and visit the famous Skywalk. If you have younger guests along your tour, you might prefer a trip to the south rim, which has more tourist attractions, although it’s a little further from Las Vegas.
The south rim is ideal if you’re looking for more hands-on experience, like taking a hiking or mule riding tour through the canyon. Still, at the end of the day, both are beautiful and you can’t really go wrong.
Tourist Sites Outside of the Grand Canyon
It’s a good idea to decide if you want to be a Grand Canyon “purist” on your tour and spend the entire time viewing and exploring the beauty of the Canyon only, or if you’re also interested in seeing some of the other sites and attractions in the surrounding areas.
Many of the Grand Canyon tour companies we’ve mentioned offer options that include just the Grand Canyon or other destinations like the Hoover Dam, Joshua Tree forest. and others.
Transportation To and From the Tour
It’s rare to find a Grand Canyon tour company that doesn’t offer some type of shuttle service to and from the starting or take off point of the tour. Still, it’s always a good idea to inquire about this and find out if transportation is included or if it costs extra.
There are also some variances in the type of shuttle transportation. Some companies offer simple, basic transportation while others provide luxury shuttles, complete with refreshments.
FAQs
How much is a tour of the Grand Canyon?
The cost of a Grand Canyon tour depends on a few different factors, such as the type of tour, the time of year, and whether you can find any great deals on Groupon or other sites.
Generally speaking, you’re going to pay anywhere from $100-$500 per person for a Grand Canyon tour. This is quite a range, with helicopter tours topping out the list as the most expensive.
What is the best month to visit the Grand Canyon?
Peak temperatures in the Grand Canyon can be scorching. Most people agree that visiting the Grand Canyon in the slightly cooler months between March and May or September and October is best.
How much time should I plan for a Grand Canyon tour?
This depends on the type of tour. For example, an aerial only helicopter tour of just the Grand Canyon will last 1-2 hours. You’ll also need to take into consideration travel time, as well as time to become acquainted with your tour guides, go through the basic rules, and answer questions.
Bus tours are generally an all-day affair, lasting in the ballpark of 10-11 hours. This includes travel to the Grand Canyon by bus, along with plenty of time to explore the area and enjoy a couple of meals in an incredible, picturesque setting.
Bottom Line
Grand Canyon tours from Las Vegas are a way of making your trip more memorable than you could have ever imagined. The beauty of the Grand Canyon is incredible, whether this is your first time seeing it or you’ve been visiting for years. During your next trip to Vegas, see the Grand Canyon in a completely new way with one of these best tours.
