The Grand Canyon can be visited by going to the West, South, and North rims. Hiking to bottom can be done at all three. But if you would like take a helicopter ride to the bottom, you've got to visit the West Rim.

Helicopter operators such as Papillon, Maverick, and Sundance, depart daily from Las Vegas for the West Rim and can complete the 120-mile trip in about 45 minutes, making this tour ideal for travelers on a schedule.

This trip's preferred operators are Papillon, Maverick, and Grand Canyon Helicopters. For what you get, the purchase price is a bargain. Papillon's Grand Celebration tour, for instance, costs $270 per person (retail is $399) if purchased on the Internet; prices drop further if you book a group of 10 or more at the website.

The great thing about the West Rim tour are the upgrades, which include the Grand Canyon Skywalk, a rafting trip on the Colorado River, and a flight over the Las Vegas Strip. Of these, the Skywalk is the most popular. It's a glass bridge that extends 70 feet beyond the edge of the Rim and suspends you 4,000 feet over the river.

The South Rim offers a helicopter tour, but it is banned from landing on the bottom and flies a strictly controlled airspace. That said, the 20-minute tour is magnificent and is a "must-do" if you are headed that way. Upgrades at this Rim are minimal, but do include a fantastic raft ride.

The Papillon trip includes pick up and drop off at your Las Vegas hotel. En route, you'll get a bird's eye view of Lake Mead and Hoover Dam. The Skywalk upgrade entitles you to VIP access. The helicopter lands at the operator's private landing site, where you can toast your journey with Champagne. A light lunch is served under an authentic Indian Ramada.

The ride to the bottom is spellbinding. This 15-minute descent would take you at least six hours on foot. As you slowly lower into the Canyon, you'll come face to face with millions of years of geology: Sheer cliffs, solitary buttes, undisturbed ravines, red sandstone, plus much more.

Buckle up because the ride to the top is equally spectacular. Ascending, you'll get great views of the Rim's most famous landmarks, like Guano and Eagle Points. A lot of credit goes to Papillon's customized helicopters - each one features wraparound glass windows and stadium-style windows, making these aircraft the ultimate sightseeing machines. These helis also include a state-of-the-art communications system that lets you talk with your pilot and fellow passengers. You also have the option of listening to a pre-recorded narration of the tour that's available in 11 languages.

If you want to fly a Grand Canyon helicopter to the bottom, you will need to take a West Rim helicopter tour from Las Vegas. It's the perfect tour for families and travelers who want a quick, comprehensive half-day trip, like Papillon's Grand Celebration Tour, which comes with plenty of upgrades (Grand Canyon Skywalk, pontoon boat rides, among other things). If you are looking for instant adventure and a ride to quite literally the center of the Earth, this tour package is for you.