Our Southwest Circle Helicopter Adventure starts ends in Phoenix, AZ and visits five destinations along the way: Sedona, Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Monument Valley, and Flagstaff.
Lodging is provided within walking distance of activity areas. We provide all transportation from the airport where the helicopter lands to the hotel/activity area and back the next day.
At each destination, passengers have at least one scheduled tour or other activity. The rest of the day, they’re on their own. We do our best to schedule travel time and activity time adjacent to each other to maximize passenger time on their own on the ground. We never want our passengers to feel rushed or herded, like they might on a typical bus tour.
On this page, you’ll find a detailed summary of a sample itinerary. This is just an example. Each itinerary is customized for our passengers using their preferences. This sample is provided to give you an idea of what you might expect when you join us for a Southwest Circle Helicopter Adventure. (Note: You can also download an actual itinerary from a recent excursion in the format we provide to our guests: 042609SWCircle.pdf)
Day 1: Phoenix to Sedona
Your Southwest Circle Helicopter Adventure begins at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (or any Phoenix area general aviation airport), where you’ll meet your helicopter pilot and climb aboard Flying M Air’s Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter.
You’ll make the 60-minute flight to Sedona, AZ, crossing over metropolitan Phoenix and beautiful Lake Pleasant, climbing through Black Canyon, and dropping into the Verde Valley. From there, you’ll head through Oak Creek to Sedona for your first stop at “America’s most scenic airport.”
Take a 10-minute ride to Uptown Sedona for a Jeep tour among Sedona’s famous red rocks, shopping, and lunch or dinner on your own.
Then settle into your Oak Creek view room at the Orchard Inn, where you can sit on your private patio and watch the sun illuminate the red rocks before you.
Included Activities & Accommodations:
- 1-hour scenic helicopter flight from Phoenix area to Sedona.
- 2-hour red rock Jeep tour with Earth Wisdom Jeep Tours among Sedona’s red rocks.
- Red rock view room with private patio at the Orchard Inn.
Suggestions for Activities on Your Own:
- Shopping in Uptown Sedona and/or the Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village.
- Lunch and/or dinner in Sedona or at the Sedona Airport Restaurant.
- Swimming at Slide Rock State Park or in the Orchard Inn pool.
Day 2: Sedona to Grand Canyon
The next day, return to the helicopter for the one-hour flight to the Grand Canyon.
We’ll start with a red rock tour just west of Sedona before climbing over the Mogollon Rim and crossing the high desert to Grand Canyon Airport. Keep a sharp lookout below for antelope and elk.
You’ll start your visit to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim with a 45-minute helicopter tour over the Canyon with one of the park’s licensed tour operators. At the end of the tour, take a 15-minute ride into Grand Canyon National Park.
Enjoy a walk along the Rim, browse through the gift shops and museum displays, have lunch, take a bus along West Rim Drive for a variety of canyon views. You can even take a short hike into the canyon itself.
In the afternoon, you’ll check into your room at one of the park’s South Rim accommodations, walking distance to the Rim and its incredible views.
Included Activities & Accommodations:
- 1-hour scenic helicopter flight from Sedona to Grand Canyon Airport, including a red rock tour of Sedona.
- 45-minute helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon with Maverick Helicopters.
- Room at Bright Angel Lodge, Thunderbird Lodge, Kachina Lodge, or Maswik Lodge on Grand Canyon South Rim. (On some dates, room has full or partial view into canyon.)
Suggestions for Activities on Your Own:
- Hike along Grand Canyon South Rim or partway down Bright Angel Trail. (It is not possible to hike all the way into the canyon and back in the time available to you.)
- Take the free shuttle along the canyon’s West Rim Road, with stops at various lookout points.
- Take the free shuttle to the Visitor Information Center for interpretive displays, ranger activities, and bookstore.
- Enjoy lunch and dinner in one of the five restaurants in Grand Canyon Village (on the rim).
- Spend time shopping in gift and book stores in Grand Canyon Village or the Visitor’s Center.
- Participate in interpretive Ranger-led programs, including evening programs.
Day 3: Grand Canyon to Lake Powell
After a leisurely breakfast, return to the airport where the helicopter waits.
From Grand Canyon Airport, it’s a 75-minute flight to Page on Lake Powell. The flight takes you over incredible desert scenery with glimpses of Grand Canyon’s eastern end, remote Navajo homesteads, and the rock formations of the Echo and Vermillion Cliffs. Keep a lookout for wild horses and herds of sheep tended only by dogs in the high desert plains below us.
You’ll start your area activities at Page with a Navajo-led tour of Antelope Canyon — an incredible slot canyon carved through the sandstone — at the best time of day for photography. In the afternoon, board a tour boat on Lake Powell for a fascinating look at the lake.
You’ll spend the night in a lake-view room at the Wahweap Lodge, where you can stroll along the water’s edge at sunset.
Included Activities & Accommodations:
- 1-1/4-hour scenic helicopter flight from Grand Canyon to Page, including overflight of Little Colorado River Gorge and Horseshoe Bend.
- 1-1/2-hour tour of Upper Antelope Canyon.
- 3-hour Navajo Tapestry cruise on Lake Powell.
- Lake view room with private patio at Lake Powell Resort’s Wahweap Lodge.
Suggestions for Activities on Your Own:
- Tour of Glen Canyon Dam.
- Swimming at one of the Wahweap Lodge’s two pools.
- Lunch and dinner at the Wahweap Marina’s restaurants.
Day 4: Lake Powell to Monument Valley
In the morning, return to the airport and helicopter for the next leg of your trip, a 75-minute flight along the southern shore of Lake Powell to Monument Valley. You’ll see views of Lake Powell and its San Juan River arm that few area visitors ever see.
Approach Monument Valley from the west, past little-known, magnificent buttes. You’ll land at the airstrip at Goulding’s Lodge, a historic trading post with restaurant and motel overlooking Monument Valley’s most famous rock formations.
After lunch on your own, you’ll take a 3-1/2 hour tour of Monument Valley, driving among the famous sandstone buttes with Navajo guides.
Afterwards, settle into your room at Goulding’s, with a private balcony overlooking the valley.
Included Activities & Accommodations:
- 1-1/4-hour scenic helicopter flight from Page to Monument Valley, including views of Rainbow Bridge and Monument Valley from the air.
- 3-1/2-hour Navajo-led tour of Monument Valley.
- Goulding’s Earth Spirit Show
- Monument Valley view room at Goulding’s Lodge.
Suggestions for Activities on Your Own:
- Stroll through historic Goulding’s Museum and Trading Post.
- Swim in indoor heated pool.
- Lunch and dinner Goulding’s Lodge Stagecoach Restaurant.
Day 5: Monument Valley to Flagstaff
The longest flying day of the trip begins Monument Valley and heads southeast, crossing the Navajo Reservation over the Painted Desert.
Your 90-minute flight will overfly the Grand Falls of the Little Colorado River and incredible Meteor Crater before heading west to Flagstaff.
On the ground in the Flagstaff area, take a short hike among the ruins at Walnut Canyon, take a tour of Lowell Observatory, or visit the Museum of Northern Arizona.
Later, you’ll unwind at a bed & breakfast, within walking distance of shops and restaurants.
Included Activities & Accommodations:
- 2-hour scenic helicopter flight from Monument Valley to Flagstaff, including overflight of Grand Falls of the Little Colorado and Meteor Crater.
- Walnut Canyon visit with optional hike.
- Overnight lodging at the Inn at 410, a B&B near downtown Flagstaff.
Suggestions for Activities on Your Own:
- Shopping and dining in historic downtown Flagstaff.
- Nighttime tour of Lowell Observatory. (Availability varies depending on day of week.)
- Chair lift to top of Snow Bowl (if open).
- 1-1/4-hour scenic helicopter flight from Flagstaff to Phoenix area.
Day 6: Flagstaff to Phoenix
The last day of your adventure begins with an hour-long helicopter flight from Flagstaff though Oak Creek Canyon, past Sedona, and down the Verde River’s winding canyon to the Phoenix area.
We’ll land at Sky Harbor airport (or another valley airport of your choosing) where you’ll say goodbye to your pilot and head home.
Included Activities:
