Southwest Circle Helicopter Adventure 
Join us for a 6-day, 5-night adventure that includes 5 popular destinations with over 8 hours helicopter flight time, overnight accommodations, tours, and more!
Day 1: Phoenix to Sedona
Your Southwest Circle 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 2005 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.” You’ll 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 its back up to Airport Mesa where you’ll check into your red rock view room at Sedona Sky Ranch. Sit on your room’s deck and watch the sun set over the town.
Day 1 Included Activities & Accommodations:
- 1-hour scenic helicopter flight from Phoenix area to Sedona.
- 1-1/2-hour Jeep Tour with Earth Wisdom Jeep Tours among Sedona’s red rocks.
- Red Rock view room with private patio at Sedona Sky Ranch Lodge.
Day 1 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 Sky Ranch Lodge pool.
For more information about Sedona, visit the Sedona Chamber of Commerce Web site.
Day 2: Sedona to Grand Canyon
The next day, return to the helicopter for the 45-minute 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. You’ll start your visit to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim with a 25-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.
Day 2 Included Activities & Accommodations:
- 1-hour scenic helicopter flight from Sedona to Grand Canyon Airport, including a red rock tour of Sedona.
- 25-minute helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon with Maverick Helicopters.
- Room at Bright Angel Lodge, Thunderbird Lodge, or Kachina Lodge on Grand Canyon South Rim. (On most dates, room has full or partial view into canyon.)
Day 2 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.
- Lunch and dinner in one of the five restaurants in Grand Canyon Village (on the rim). (If you’d like to have dinner at historic El Tovar, please let us know when booking this excursion so we can reserve a table for you.)
- Shopping in gift and book stores in Grand Canyon Village.
For more information about the Grand Canyon, visit the Grand Canyon National Park Web site.
Day 3: Grand Canyon to Lake Powell and Page
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, the Little Colorado River Gorge, remote Navajo homesteads, and the rock formations of the Echo and Vermillion Cliffs.
You’ll start your area activities 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.
Day 3 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 with Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours.
- 3-hour Navajo Tapestry cruise on Lake Powell.
- Lake view room with private patio at Lake Powell Resort’s Wahweap Lodge.
Day 3 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.
For more information about the Lake Powell area, visit the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Web site.
Day 4: Page 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.
Day 4 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.
- Earth Spirit Show
- Monument Valley view room at Goulding’s Lodge.
Day 4 Suggestions for Activities on Your Own
- Stroll through historic Goulding’s Museum and Trading Post.
- Swimming in indoor heated pool.
- Lunch and dinner Goulding’s Lodge Stagecoach Restaurant.
For more information about Goulding’s Lodge, visit the Goulding’s Lodge Web site.
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 hour-plus flight will overfly the Grand Falls of the Little Colorado River and incredible Meteor Crater before heading west along the path of historic Route 66 to Flagstaff. On the ground in the Flagstaff area, take a short hike among the ruins at Walnut Canyon. Later, you’ll unwind at a historic downtown hotel within walking distance of shops and restaurants. Optional activities include a daytime or nighttime trip up to the Lowell Observatory for a tour or a look through its 24-inch telescope.
Day 5 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 bed and breakfast lodge within walking distance of historic downtown Flagstaff.
Day 5 Suggestions for Activities on Your Own
- Shopping and dining in historic downtown Flagstaff.
- Tour of Museum of Northern Arizona.
- Daytime and/or nighttime tour of Lowell Observatory. (Nighttime availability varies depending on season.)
- Chair lift to top of Snowbowl (if open).
For more information about Flagstaff, visit the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce Web site.
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.
Day 6 Included Activities:
- 1-1/4-hour scenic helicopter flight from Flagstaff to Phoenix area, including overflight of 2006 Sedona wildfire area and Verde River.
Package Price
2008 Pricing: $6,995 double occupancy for two people. (This price covers both people.) Due to size and weight constraints, we cannot accommodate more than 2 people for this excursion. Add $1,000 for single occupancy for two passengers; keep in mind that we may not be able to reserve an additional room at all destinations, so the sooner you book your excursion, the greater the chance of getting the additional room. This price is guaranteed for all trips booked during 2008.
Package price includes helicopter transportation, tours, and lodging for up to two people as described, and most ground transportation. Package price also includes luggage designed to fit our luggage compartments and Flying M Air hats for each passenger. An additional fee may apply for substitutions of any included tours or accommodations. Price does not include 8% sales tax. Passengers are responsible for all incidental costs not specifically included in the description, including all meals, some ground transportation, and the cost of personal items purchased on the trip.
Flying M Air reserves the right to change hotel accommodations and some services from what may be listed here in the event of unavailability. In all instances, substituted accommodations and services will meet or exceed those offered here.
Upcoming Excursion Dates
Because of the multiple-hotel coordination required for this tour, it is offered on specific dates only. Here is a current list of upcoming dates:
2008
September 21 - 26
September 28 - October 3
October 5 - 10
October 12 - 17
October 19 - 24
October 26 - 31
November 2 - 7
November 9 - 14
November 16 - 21
We do not normally conduct this excursion during Summer or Winter months. If you have specific dates in mind, please contact us with requested dates as far in advance as possible to see if we can accommodate you.
Reservations are Required
Reservations are required at least 30 days in advance. A $250 deposit is required at the time of reservation. A 50% deposit is required 30 days before the departure date. Full payment must be received within 3 days of departure. We have a 30-day cancellation policy; all deposits are forfeited for cancellations less than 30 days before departure date.
Weight Restrictions
Total passenger and luggage weight is limited to 550 lbs. Luggage size is limited by stowage space constraints; we will provide luggage for each passenger for this trip.
Other Considerations
Walking distances of up to 1/4 mile is required at several stops. This trip is not recommended for people with health problems or special dietary needs, or people who have difficulty getting around. Trip starts and ends at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (or another Phoenix area airport of the passenger’s choosing).
Important Note
This trip is not being offered as a guided tour. Instead, it is a series of charter helicopter flights, for transportation purposes only, packaged with lodging and tours offered by licensed tour operators at destination locations. Although the helicopter flights pass over and through some of the most incredible scenery the southwest has to offer, Flying M Air is not a tour operator in these areas and is not conducting the flights as tours.
Download a Printable Itinerary
Click here to download a printable sample itinerary for this excursion. (Adobe Reader or other PDF reader is required.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I have to take the trip exactly as described here?
A: We do offer several options for tours and lodging. You will receive a preferences form that explains options and gives you an opportunity to customize your trip. Most tour preferences can be accommodated, however lodging is reserved up to one year in advance and is sometimes difficult to change. The more advance notice we have, the more likely it is that we can make changes.
As for routes, our flight path is predetermined based on scenic value and time/fuel constraints. We need to stick to the route for flight following purposes. If you’d like to take a different route, please contact us about a custom excursion.
Q: Does the trip have to depart on a Sunday?
A: Again, reservations for lodging are made far in advance. With enough advance notice, we may be able to change the dates. Contact us to discuss your needs.
Q: A day at each destination doesn’t seem like much. Won’t we feel rushed?
A: Probably not. Remember, travel time from destination to destination is greatly reduced by the flight. You’ll have at least 6 waking hours each day to do things on your own, before or after the included tours.
Q: Do you have a longer version of this trip?
A: Not yet. But if you have an idea for a longer trip, please contact us to discuss it.
Q: Do you have a shorter version of this trip?
A: Yes, we do. The Arizona Red Rocks Excursion and Land of the Navajo each cover half of this trip in 3 days.
Other Questions?
If you have any questions about this excursion, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll do our best to answer your questions to help you better understand this great opportunity.
-->
