Grand Canyon South Rim Helicopter Flight & Hiking Tour from Scottsdale

Tour Highlights

• Grand Canyon South Rim: Experience the awe-inspiring scale of the Grand Canyon from the most scenic viewpoints along the South Rim.
• Expert Pilots: FAA-certified helicopter pilots with extensive local knowledge and perfect safety records.
• Bucket-List Aerial & Backcountry Adventure: Combine an unforgettable, private low-level helicopter flight across Arizona's wild transition zones with a world-class, guided hike below the Grand Canyon rim led by a medically certified interpretive guide who meets you planeside.

Tour Itinerary

Take off from Scottsdale on a thrilling, low-level helicopter flight, soaring above the rugged Sonoran Desert, the dramatic red rock ridges of the Verde Valley, and the towering pine forests of the Mogollon Rim. This extraordinary flight delivers panoramic, front-row aerial perspectives of northern Arizona's transition landscapes before touching down directly at the Grand Canyon South Rim airport.

The moment you land, your medically certified, professional interpretive hiking guide greets you planeside, handling all gear and escorting you via private ground transport past park gates directly to the trailhead.

Immerse yourself in one of the world's great natural wonders on a customized guided hike below the rim. Descend historic trails through millions of years of exposed rock strata, ancient marine fossils, and iconic canyon vantage points. Whether you complete a continuous 1 to 3-hour backcountry descent or pair a shorter trail hike with a scenic rim viewpoint tour, you enjoy up to 4 full hours of dedicated ground time inside the park. Along the trail, savor a gourmet picnic lunch accompanied by chilled spring water and trail-ready snacks.

After an incredible day exploring beneath the rim, your guide escorts you back to the airfield for your exhilarating return helicopter flight back to Scottsdale, taking in golden-hour aerial views across the canyon and desert floor.

Pricing

1-2 guests: $11,529 per group
3-4 guests: $11,739 per group
5 guests: $11,949 per group
Pilot gratuity is not included.

All reservations include a required pilot and aircraft stand-by fee of $780 ($195/hour x 4 hours), ensuring your dedicated helicopter and pilot remain on-site at the South Rim airfield throughout your entire ground excursion.

Requirements

• Minimum Age: 12 years old (all minors must be accompanied by an adult).
• Mobility & Physical Fitness: This is a physically demanding adventure excursion. Guests must be in good physical health and capable of hiking 1 to 3 hours on steep, uneven, rocky, and unpaved canyon trails below the rim. Guests must also possess the physical mobility to step into and out of aircraft and transport vehicles unaided by guides. Any ground time not spent descending trails will be dedicated to guided rim walks and scenic viewpoint touring (up to 4 hours total on the ground).

What's Included

• Round-trip helicopter flight between Scottsdale and the Grand Canyon South Rim
• 4 hours of dedicated aircraft and pilot stand-by time at the Grand Canyon airfield
• Direct ground transportation between the airport and Grand Canyon National Park
• Medically certified, professional interpretive hiking guide
• Guided hike below the rim and scenic rim tour (up to 4 hours total ground time)
• Gourmet picnic-style trail lunch (Vegan, Vegetarian, and Gluten-Free options available upon request)
• Bottled spring water, electrolyte beverages, and trail snacks throughout the day
• Grand Canyon National Park entrance fees (subject to non-US resident policy)
• Trekking poles and daypacks for trail use

What's Not Included

• Pilot gratuity (not included and warmly appreciated)
• Hiking guide gratuity
• Personal gear, souvenirs, and discretionary park purchases
• Non-US Citizen/Resident National Park Entry Fee Surcharge ($100 per person age 16+, if applicable)

What to Bring

• Sturdy Footwear: Broken-in hiking boots or trail running shoes with aggressive lugged tread (smooth-soled fashion sneakers, sandals, and open-toe shoes are strictly prohibited on trail descents).
• Layered Apparel: Moisture-wicking technical base layers, a warm mid-layer, and a wind/rain shell. Check the Grand Canyon Weather Forecast prior to departure, as South Rim conditions differ sharply from the Phoenix valley.
• Sun & Wind Protection: Polarized sunglasses, a wide-brim hat or cap, and broad-spectrum sunscreen.
• Identification: Government-issued photo ID (mandatory for flight manifest check-in and park entry).
• Camera: Small camera or fully charged smartphone for aerial and trail photography.

Season & Departure Times

Tours operate year-round. Typical departure times are 7:00 AM during warmer months (May through September) to maximize cooler morning trail temperatures, and between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM from October through April. Schedule flexibility may be accommodated upon request.

Important Notes

Reservations Required: Advance booking is mandatory to secure pilot and guide availability. Helicopter flights are weather-dependent and subject to pilot discretion regarding wind and visibility. Please note that this is an active, physically demanding backcountry hiking tour; any portion of the 4 hours of total ground time not spent hiking below the rim is seamlessly transitioned into an interpretive South Rim viewpoint tour.

Non-US Citizen Policy

Starting January 1, 2026, a $100 per person Non-US Citizen/Resident National Park Entry Fee Surcharge applies for guests ages 16 and older unless they have purchased an America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass. Click here for more details:  https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/commercial-tours-and-nonresident-fees.htm

Cancellation Policy

This tour has a 6-day cancellation policy. Please read your confirmation email for details.