Visiting the Grand Canyon has been a dream of mine and I'm so glad to have been able to check that off my bucket list. The magnificent Canyon is rightfully called a wonder of the natural world and is one of the most interesting erosions in the world. The serene Colorado River carves through the depths of the Grand Canyon and is a breathtaking sight to witness.
We booked the Grand Canyon Air and Land Tour, which is basically a day trip from Las Vegas to the canyon (There are a ton of companies offering day trips from Vegas so you can have your pick).
Although the West Rim of Grand Canyon is closer to Vegas, the South Rim is supposedly prettier and considered to be the 'true Grand Canyon', so we decided to go there. The whole trip took about 8 hours and was one of the most surreal experiences of my life. We were also lucky in that the places we went to in the South Rim weren't very crowded and felt very peaceful.
The tour began with a 40-minute flight to the Grand Canyon South Rim and our aircraft was the smallest one I've ever been on. The flight didn't seem as long because of the gorgeous views and the fact that each passenger was invited to check out the cockpit and speak with the pilots.
Once we reached, we got ready to go on a half-hour long helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon, where we got to see the mighty Colorado River, the Tower of Ra and Kaibab National Forest. The first view of the Grand Canyon is just like you'd imagine it to be - breathtaking, awe-inspiring and just something else. The ride seemed really short though and I wish it lasted a little longer.
After that, we drove through the Grand Canyon National Park, where we were excited to spot some wildlife from our bus. The bus took us to the Bright Angel Trailhead, which offers an amazing panoramic view of the canyon. We were served lunch here and it was incredible dining with the view of the majestic canyon.
We then spent an hour walking down the rim trail upto the Hopi House, viewing the canyon from different points, each better than the other. The vastness of the Grand Canyon is so overwhelming and makes you feel really miniscule. I honestly think you need more than just a few hours to absorb the magnificence of the Grand Canyon and wish we could have spent more more time.
For people who are interested in history, the Hopi House is a great landmark to check out. It's so interesting to see the Native American architecture of the building and this place is well worth a visit.
The only downside of our trip was the weather - the heat was deadly. If you're planning a trip to Grand Canyon, be sure to stay hydrated and carry some sunscreen with you!
Pictures really don't do justice to the beautiful Grand Canyon and you really have to experience it for yourself. It's a feeling that doesn't compare to anything else and I really hope I can go back some day, and next time for longer than just one day.
If you're visiting Grand Canyon from Vegas, be sure to check out my list of Top 10 Things to do in Las Vegas. To check out more photos and videos from my vacation, follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Trip first published on Blog of the Things
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