25-min Grand Canyon South Rim EcoStar Helicopter Tour with Optional Hummer
4.2
25-min Grand Canyon South Rim EcoStar Helicopter Tour with Optional Hummer
By Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters
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About
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 2-99, max of 15 per group
Duration: 30m
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Audio guide: German, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, English, Italian, French, Spanish, Dutch
More
Highlights
- 25-minute (approx.) flight in a state-of-the-art helicopter
- In-flight narration available in multiple languages
- 2-hour guided Hummer tour (if option selected)
What's not included- Gratuities
- Food and drink
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- 2-hour Hummer tour (unless option selected)
- Start:
- Papillon Helicopters - Grand Canyon, 3568 Airport Rd, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, USACome to the Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters terminal at Grand Canyon Airport. Be sure to arrive 30 minutes prior to the activity start time that you chose to check in for your tour.
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
- Infants must sit on laps
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 6613P4- Most travellers can participate
- Infant children are considered a lap child if they are under the age of two and have proof of age, such as a passport or a copy of their birth certificate
- All passengers 18 years of age and older must present government-issued photo ID
- For comfort and weight/balance of the aircraft, passengers weighing 300 lbs or greater will be required to purchase an additional seat. This is payable directly to the tour operator on the day of the tour
- You must arrive 30 minutes prior to your departure time to check in for your tour.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 6613P4
From
AU$533.41
per adult
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Itinerary
- 3568 Airport Rd, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, USACome to the Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters terminal at Grand Canyon Airport. Be sure to arrive 30 minutes prior to the activity start time that you chose to check in for your tour.
- Pass byGrand Canyon National ParkKaibab National Forest
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- cliffr1910 contributionsExcellent experienceViews spectacular. Very professional staff. Well organised and were willing to change our flight to the next day due to poor weatherWritten 19 March 2025
- Schell19880 contributionsGreat way to view the spectacular Grand CanyonOur family of 4 took this flight. Martin our pilot knew one of our daughters was a bit nervous and really did a great job talking to her and did his best for a very smooth ride. We had amazing views and he pointed landmarks out and told us some things to watch for. I was able get some great pictures and videos!!!Written 13 March 2025
- laurieaU1024GF0 contributionsGreat dayIf you are driving do not rely on Google maps for directions it will take you to the old tarmac. Ask them for proper directions. The day was windy but the flight experience was fun. Was kind of hoping to go down into canyon but maybe that's a different tour. I only booked 30 minutes but wished I booked an hour. Good job by Pilot Justin and co pilot.Written 9 March 2025
- Stay412814410730 contributionsA Once in a Lifetime Breathtaking ExperienceOur tour of the Grand Canyon by helicopter was breathtaking, spectacular and amazing. It was on our bucket list and we are SO glad we did it and can say we did it! We flew with the Excellent Albert on a beautiful sunny day. The accompanying playlist playing in the background was appropriate and thoughtful. The narration was helpful lots of information. Once in a lifetime maybe but we would do it again tomorrow!Written 9 March 2025
- 113garye0 contributionsGrand Canyon tripWe booked a helicopter flight to the GC that morning! It was an amazing trip and a great pilot(Steve) we flew via hoover dam then landed in the canyon complimentary lunch and some fizzy wine. Great views and amazing experienceWritten 6 February 2025
- jasonmB1571KL0 contributionsQuick trip; Fastest way to see Grand CanyonWith limited time, the helicopter ride was the quickest way to see the canyon. The staff were professional and courteous. Just prior to the ride, noticed in the national park area (What appeared to us anyways) to be windy conditions. The pilot "Kat" was exceptional in seamlessly giving us a smooth ride without a hitch. Thanks!Written 22 January 2025
- Winnipeg_CanadaKeith0 contributionsBreathtakingThe whole experience was amazing. The organization is very professional and competent. Our pilot was an awesome guide.Written 18 January 2025
- publius3580 contributionsTwo Part Tour - Awesome Views and Heartfelt HistoryMy father and I booked this two-part tour. The Papillon GC helicopter tour was fantastic! I would recommend a rotary aerial tour of the GC, esp. if time permits. This was my second time visiting the GC, and an aerial tour provides a new perspective and access and views of areas that a driving tour just along the South Rim (or North Rim) does not offer. From the air, we could see so much - the scale from the air highlights just how immense the GC is, and even though you're flying at a high speed, the size of everything makes it feel as if you're not. Even though the flight is "only" 45 minutes long, the sheer grandness makes it feel longer. The aerial views also help show some contrasts between the two rims. For our flight, we could see the snow along the North Rim that the South Rim didn't have. As a bonus, we were fortunate to catch a glimpse of the elusive bison herd found only on the North Rim. I can't find the names of the two pilots (one was training), but I would recommend them. If I'm so fortunate to visit the GC a third time, I will book one of Papillon's fixed-wing tours. The second part of our tour was a sunset hummer tour of the South Rim by Buck Wild. Our guide and driver was Jerry. Our tour was able to start a little early because all of the families in our party were able to show up ahead of time. Jerry was an excellent driver and a great story-teller. He provided a superb narration from the Native American viewpoint and offered a fascinating lesson on local history and current events.Written 25 December 2024
- christinesF7299ZC0 contributionsAmazing!!This was the most amazing experience! It was literally breathtaking witnessing the Grand Canyon in a helicopter. The pilot was awesome and informative. I recommend this to anyone in the area!Written 27 November 2024
- MN_Mimi130 contributionsDisappointingThe view of the Grand Canyon was thrilling, of course. I was disappointed, though, that the pilot made no effort to tell us what part of the canyon we were at or point out any landmarks. He said he didn’t really know.Written 25 November 2024
- DebbieDHill0 contributionsWorth the money!It was so much fun! The views were beyond incredible! The employees were very helpful and the captain made the trip so smooth and enjoyable!Written 9 November 2024
- 114patriciad0 contributionsA great experience - not great customer serviceThe actual experience was great. Our pilot was lovely, and for me it was absolutely worth the money. We took the 45 minutes flight and it was absolutely breathtaking! As we flew over the trees and came over the ridge to see the whole canyon, I cried - it was so beautiful. While the actual experience was great, the company I am not happy with. We were told to arrive 45 minutes early to "allow plenty of time for check-in". Check in took 5 minutes at the desk (where they find your reservation and weigh you) and a 5 minutes safety video. When we arrived at 10.15 for our 11am flight were told there was a delay of "up to 30 minutes". After waiting for 45 minutes past the original time, I went to enquire and was told our helicopter was due to land at 12.13! The delay itself is not the problem (I mean it is, we were short on time as it is), but the customer service is very poor. If they had told us the actual delay, we could have left to visit the Visitor Center or go for a coffee. I recommend calling them a couple hours before your flight time to check! A few things to note: - The pilot doesn't point much out, they mostly play a track with music and some narration - The helicopter has A/C so no need to wear layers (it was cold outside on the day and I wore tights under my trousers - big mistake!) - The views from the front are great, we were lucky to be assigned those seats automatically. The people behind us were gushing, I don't think they had a bad experience because they were not at the front, but if that is important to you consider upgrading.Written 7 November 2024
- Lmlopezg0 contributionsBreathlessWorth any penny. You won’t regret it. I left me breathless and amazed to see the Grand Canyon from the helicopter. Once in a lifetime experienceWritten 6 November 2024
- christineeQ1770LS0 contributionsSAVE YOUR MONEY!!! NOT a wow experience!SAVE YOUR MONEY! NOT a WOW experience that I anticipated for $1,060 for 2 people on the 45 minute imperial flight. The pilot was a dud! He didn’t point out anything! We understood the flight was narrated; the recording had music & history. It would have been very interesting and helpful to know when we were over the north and east rims. The pilot kept yawning!! The communication from the staff after we arrived was disappointing; the flight was delayed over 1 hour. I didn’t have a problem with it being delayed; it was the lack of communication! I had to ask the front desk about it. They didn’t allow us to take pictures near the helicopter. I purchased their photo for $25 & told the person that the pilot didn’t point out anything; she was surprised and told me who her favorite pilot to fly with was! Very disappointed in our experience.Written 2 November 2024
- 132alexandrosd0 contributionsDont let them ruin your holidays!!!One star because we had a very nice pilot and she gave us very nice views of the west rim. We requested for front seats but they didnt give us so we were watching mainly the back of others heads during the flight. We were on our honeymoon and they completely ruined it. We begged to change to other flights but the stuff was totally rude and they just told us that cost is non refundable. They only want your money. We also had 30 minutes delay on the flight. Other than that it was a nice experience but I don't recommend them for your trip. Try with other better companies.Written 31 October 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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4.2
152 reviews
Excellent
109
Very good
9
Average
9
Poor
5
Terrible
20
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
ckmia
Miami, FL10 contributions
Oct 2024 • Family
This a a very professionally run operation. I was hesitant to try a helicopter, but as I watched the coptors take off and land with exact precision, I became more comfortable. It is not an exaggeration to say that this was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I would highly recommend that anyone visiting the Grand Canyon include this tremendous adventure.
Written 13 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kinda Invisible
Seattle, WA296 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
What a great tour and company! Without going into great detail, let me just say that the weather caused a little glitch with our tour and the way the company handled it was beyond our expectations on every level. Everyone who works there is professional, accommodating, and personable.
The views you get from a helicopter can't compare to what you see on the rim. We bit the bullet with our budget for this once in a lifetime experience and would encourage you to do the same. So happy we did!
The views you get from a helicopter can't compare to what you see on the rim. We bit the bullet with our budget for this once in a lifetime experience and would encourage you to do the same. So happy we did!
Written 26 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cristina M
Occhiobello, Italy64 contributions
June 2024 • Family
Unforgettable experience, though perhaps too short! (we took the 30 minute tour) The staff is very helpful (we requested a change due to uncertain weather) and the boarding and security procedures are absolutely impeccable. In the helicopter we could hear an explanation in Italian, while below we admired the wonder and vastness of the canyon. There are more or less new helicopters with different views on the side windows. Ours was perhaps not the best, but equally the view did not disappoint. The cost is very high, but it is worth it!
Automatically translated
Written 9 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jayne L
1 contribution
June 2024 • Family
Worst customer service! The manager and the entire staff would not speak up so that you could hear them, they all acted like we were a burden. We arrived early, waited an hour, and then they canceled our flight due to weather. However, we saw helicopters flying all evening. We rebooked for 8:45am the next morning and were not given any kind of receipt for the cancellation or rebooking. Nothing was written down, text, or emailed to us showing our new flight itinerary. Showed up the next morning on time and again waited and waited and waited. Rep would not speak up, they told us we were late and canceled our flight again. We asked for a refund. They told us it would take 10 business days to refund our $1000.00. And did not offer any kind of receipt. We had to drive back there and request a receipt. My son left their airport crying. Don’t spend your money with this company.
Written 22 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Putput1
119 contributions
I had a bad experience. I booked a helicopter flight 30 minutes over the Grand Canyon with Papillon. It was extremely windy on the day of the flight. The flight still took place. When I got to the terminal and started checking in, everything was handled very quickly and completely without empathy. With 4 other passengers we went to an old, rusty helicopter that had a very young female, inexperienced pilot sitting in the cockpit. Unfortunately, the uneasy feeling lasted throughout the flight. The helicopter was torn from side to side. The passengers clung to everything. There was a need for gasoline throughout the entire flight. In addition, the doors at the back were not properly locked. There was a big gap at the top of the door and it was so windy and freezing cold in the guest room.
The young pilot hardly spoke to the audience, only gave short and concise instructions, as if she had to concentrate hard on the wobbly flight the whole time in order to bring the guests safely back to the ground. The drama of the flight spoiled the enjoyment of the view. At no time did I feel safe during the flight. I've done a number of helicopter flights, but I've never experienced anything like this. Other companies would probably have canceled the flight due to the wind. I think the provider only cares about making a profit and not about the safety of the passengers.
The young pilot hardly spoke to the audience, only gave short and concise instructions, as if she had to concentrate hard on the wobbly flight the whole time in order to bring the guests safely back to the ground. The drama of the flight spoiled the enjoyment of the view. At no time did I feel safe during the flight. I've done a number of helicopter flights, but I've never experienced anything like this. Other companies would probably have canceled the flight due to the wind. I think the provider only cares about making a profit and not about the safety of the passengers.
Written 27 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cyrille A
30 contributions
Attention Reservation and Payment!
We had booked in October 2023 for a stay in August 2024
For the imperial tour with a seat in front
It is well specified on the site that depending on the weather conditions the tours can be cancelled
All right.
On D-Day, complicated climatic conditions, they offer us to go around shorter by refunding us the difference, we accept .
we had chosen a seat at the front of the helicopter charged $60 and to be paid the same day , they made us believe that it offered us this extra as a commercial gesture , but not at all , they just deducted this sum from the reimbursement to be made to us
No customer considerations
Either we do with their condition or we leave, anyway there are 10 people waiting without resa so ....
Pr against the pilot was very well and very reassuring
The little tour is not very interesting
C'est sure the vision of canyon d upstairs is beautiful but not exceptional
The little trick is not worth the 1500€ spent
To do again I would try my luck on the waiting list the same day of the visit because it is really interesting to go down in the canyon by helicopter
We had booked in October 2023 for a stay in August 2024
For the imperial tour with a seat in front
It is well specified on the site that depending on the weather conditions the tours can be cancelled
All right.
On D-Day, complicated climatic conditions, they offer us to go around shorter by refunding us the difference, we accept .
we had chosen a seat at the front of the helicopter charged $60 and to be paid the same day , they made us believe that it offered us this extra as a commercial gesture , but not at all , they just deducted this sum from the reimbursement to be made to us
No customer considerations
Either we do with their condition or we leave, anyway there are 10 people waiting without resa so ....
Pr against the pilot was very well and very reassuring
The little tour is not very interesting
C'est sure the vision of canyon d upstairs is beautiful but not exceptional
The little trick is not worth the 1500€ spent
To do again I would try my luck on the waiting list the same day of the visit because it is really interesting to go down in the canyon by helicopter
Automatically translated
Written 25 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveller
The Hague, The Netherlands26 contributions
Unfortunately, the original helicopter was broken so we had to wait for another helicopter, which unfortunately disrupted our other planning.
Helicopter flight through the woods was beautiful, but it was a shame about the long German and French audio for our fellow passengers. Booking a front seat upgrade is recommended, you will see a lot less in the back.
Helicopter flight through the woods was beautiful, but it was a shame about the long German and French audio for our fellow passengers. Booking a front seat upgrade is recommended, you will see a lot less in the back.

Written 3 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rob W
3 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Papillon cancelled our much anticipated helicopter flight the day before - they gave differing reasons - "pilot call out" and "maintenance". They could not offer a replacement helicopter ride for the 2 days we were at the Grand Canyon but did offer to book us onto a cheaper plane ride (another company) which we accepted. However they then effectively overcharged us for that and it was only when I raised this/chased that I got the proper refund.
Written 2 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Benjamin L
4 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
We booked this flight because of the possibility to have the chance of a frontseat for our son. As we read the comment that this cannot be guaranteed we called them about the options. In this call they said even though they have to look for the weight and balance there will be a solution. The final solution was - the kid was sitting in back on the middle with no possibility of seeing something. We talked to a supervisor who was really nice and friendly. Fun fact was, we could have a flight 30 minutes later with the kid in the front seat. The kid didn’t want anymore. We got 172 back but still paid 299 which is a lot. We did a lot of flights in countries with stronger laws and we never had problems like this.
Written 14 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rob T
Santiago, Chile5 contributions
June 2024 • Couples
Booked for my 60th birthday. Got cancelled the day of flight so we booked a hotel and stayed the night to get the next morning flight. Rocked up and the. When they weighed me I was 6lb over. My wife was 120lb under. Nope, too bad. Pay an extra $175 or cancel and lose half. Never again with these people. I reckon it was a set up due to cancellations and so they either recoup by charging me more or keep the $150 for me canceling and the. They put my wife on a different chopper. . No compassion, no f#@k$ given. Just take your $ and smile.
Written 30 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Does everyone get a window seat on the flight?
Written 20 December 2018
Hoe laat is de eerste middagvucht van de 45 minuten vlucht? Ik hoor graag van u!
Written 13 May 2018
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.