Take a grand drive to the South Rim

It’s called the “Grand” Canyon for a reason – and with a guided driving trip to the South Rim you’ll find out exactly why.

Many tourists fly to the Grand Canyon because driving can be a lengthy trip. It’s about 300 miles there and back from Las Vegas – but it’s a moment of a lifetime, so it’s worth every minute.

While it’s true that a plane or helicopter tour gets you to the canyon a lot faster, you won’t get the full experience that you gain from a drive. That’s what makes this the ideal road trip. With a guided bus tour you won’t have to worry about getting lost or following a map.

“Lots of times when you drive out on your own maps aren’t always accurate,” said Phil Mumm, a tour guide for Casino Travel and Tours. “It’s better to do a tour than just drive out on your own.”

The ultimate road trip

Casino Travel and Tours’ “A Grand Canyon South Rim Adventure” tour begins with a bus picking you up at your hotel. While you’re driving you’ll be served a continental breakfast with a muffin, fruit, crackers and juice. On your way to the Grand Canyon an experienced tour guide shares a bundle of facts on the South Rim’s history and geological features. You’ll get an in-depth description of one of the world’s natural wonders – one of the few ones that is visible from space.

During the bus ride, you’ll watch documentaries on the Grand Canyon and Colorado River. In addition to these movies, you’ll learn even more.

“You’ ll hear sidebar information you won’t catch in a documentary, something new and interesting that you may have not found out otherwise,” Mumm noted.

Your tour guide will share information about all of the unique plants, trees and mountains on the way to the Grand Canyon. Mumm has quite the background with the Grand Canyon. To date, he has visited the site approximately 700 times, with his first trip being in 1971.

You’ll drive by Seligman, one of the inspirations for Radiator Springs, the town depicted in the Disney Pixar movie “Cars.” Your tour guide will also share funny, yet informative stories, like why you shouldn’t feed any of the wild animals.

Right before arriving at your destination, the tour stops at a nearby hotel for a buffet lunch.

Different points of the Canyon

This trip includes several stops, which makes it even more convenient if you’re not comfortable with driving out to the Grand Canyon on your own. Plus, you’ll visit more of the remote, desolate areas that don’t have a lot of tourist traffic. One of these points includes Desert View.

Las Vegas Industry - Are There Grand Canyon Bus Tours from Vegas ...

Knowledgeable travelers are aware that Grand Canyon bus trips from Vegas are the most inexpensive way to check this out majestic natural wonder. Prices start at per person and packages can be expanded to include some terrific side-trips. If you have made it all this way to Vegas, be sure you don’t leave without a motorcoach ride to the National Park.

From Vegas, there’s two main locations that coaches go to in the canyon: Grand Canyon West and the South Rim. Tours start in the early morning and take from a complete day to 15 hours (South Rim). These all-inclusive tours come with complimentary hotel pick up and drop off at all major Vegas Strip hotels, a lite breakfast and a box lunch. Hands down, the South Rim bus tour is the most popular, so let’s start off on that one.

South Rim Bus Tours And Travel

Yes the trip is lengthy but it’s worthwhile. The Grand Canyon South Rim is the real thing. This is the place with the best scenery and the most amazing viewing points. You’ll get up to 3 hours to look around the Park. Most guided trips take you to Mather Point, Yaki Point, and Yavapai Observation Station. Grand Canyon Village will be your ultimate stop. It’s here where you’ll happen upon the best souvenir shops, dining establishments, museums and free galleries..

If you are feeling really daring, I strongly propose you expand your tour to incorporate a helicopter flight. This trip leaves from Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan (a tiny town just away from the gates of the National Park) and makes a beeline for the Dragoon Corridor. This is actually the widest and deepest section of the Grand Canyon. It’s here where you’ll really get sense of the canyon’s magnitude. The trip turns back at the stoic cliffs of the North Rim.

Grand Canyon West Rim Charter Bus And Tours

The bus tour from Las Vegas to the West Rim is 2.5 hours. The commute is trouble-free and before long you’re standing at the edge of the rim. There’s a free shuttle service. Use it to visit Guano Point and Eagle Point. Price of admission comes with entry to the Hualapai Indian Village. It’s an amazing re-creation of an Indian pueblo and includes tee pees, homes, and an open-air amphitheater.

Many bus travelers add a heli ride to their package and do 4,000-foot descent to the bottom of the canyon. This includes a Champagne picnic. Once down here, why don’t you add a Grand Canyon river-rafting trip to the mix? The big pontoon boats are only a brief stroll upstream. Be sure you bring ample sun block and water and also a brimmed hat – it gets hot on the bottom.

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