The Grand Canyon is a deep and steep-sided gorge cut out from the earth by the Colorado River. It is 277 miles long, four to 18 miles wide and more than a mile deep. This geological phenomenon is considered one of the more popular natural wonders of the world and attracts approximately 5 million tourists every year. There are generally three ways to experience the Grand Canyon outdoor--by air, land or water.
West Rim Combo Tour
The air route is the shortest trip and will only take less than a day. Service providers will either offer small airplane or helicopter rides. The deluxe tour package is quite notable as it offers a combination of both rides with an additional boat ride. The starting point is Las Vegas, where you will be taken by airplane to the Grand Canyon, and then descend into the gorge via helicopter. Once below the rim, a 20-minute cruise is taken down the Colorado River on a pontoon riverboat. Finally ascension back to the rim is made by helicopter or plane.
Grand Canyon Hiking Tour
If you really want to get Grand Canyon dirt under your fingernails, the best way is to hike the length of this spectacular landscape from below the rim. The Wildland Trekking Co. is one of many service providers that offer such a hiking tour package of the Grand Canyon. They have several scheduled tours led by professional guides and range from easy one-day hikes to more challenging ones that take up to seven days. Accommodations can also be made for those desiring a private trip with a customized itinerary. Basic equipment such as backpacks, tents, sleeping bags and cooking gear as well as meals will be provided.
Wildland Trekking Company (Arizona Office)
3127 N. Park Drive
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Tel: (Local & International) (928) 607-8510 or (970) 903-3719
Toll Free: (800) 715-4453 (HIKE)
Fax: (928) 222-0199
wildlandtrekking.com/index.htm
Motorized Raft Tour
The water route will naturally take you along the Colorado River, which runs the length of the gorge. Grand Canyon Expeditions Company is one such service provider of river tour packages. Basic eight-day expeditions on motorized rafts and more in-depth 14- to 16-day journeys on wooden rowboats are both available. Special interest expeditions, those which have a more educational bent that focus on the archaeology, ecology, geology and history of the Grand Canyon, also are offered. Chartering for private river trips is available as well.
Grand Canyon Expeditions Co.
P.O. Box 0
Kanab, UT 84741
Tel: (435) 644-2691
Toll Free: (800) 544-2691
Email: gcec@xpressweb.com
gcex.com/
About The Author
LaTasha Favors has been writing professionally since July 2008. She has written for various companies, but contributes regularly to Demand Studios. Favors is also a contributor to sites such as Trails.com, Golflinks.com and eHow.
