Indian Territory by Maverick Helicopters

Indian Territory is Maverick Helicopters' flagship Grand Canyon West flight out of Las Vegas. Unlike the many air-only helicopter tours, it puts you on the ground twice: a private landing thousands of feet below the rim beside the Colorado River, and a second stop at Grand Canyon West itself. Counting the hotel shuttle at each end, the whole outing runs about seven hours.

After lifting off from Maverick's Strip terminal, the flight passes Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and the extinct volcano at Fortification Hill before dropping into the canyon. At the floor landing you get roughly half an hour with champagne and light refreshments; the second landing gives about two and a half hours to explore Guano Point and Eagle Point on foot, with the glass Skywalk available as an optional add-on.

It is an expensive, full-day commitment — tickets start around $759 — and the "refreshments" are a snack, not a meal. Summer heat at the canyon floor can be brutal, seasonal haze can flatten the long-range views, and seats are assigned by weight so a window is not guaranteed. But for travelers who want to actually set foot in the Grand Canyon rather than just photograph it from the air, it is one of the most complete day trips available from Las Vegas — book a clear, cooler day to get the most from it.