While Las Vegas is famous for its casinos, neon lights and night life, for those who want to experience something a bit more relaxing then a tour to the Grand Canyon would be a perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city even if it’s only for a few hours. Despite being 120 miles away from the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas is home to a large selection of tours which take visitors out to experience this national treasure.
There are many different Grand Canyon tours that are available to the public, ranging from simple self-drive or coach tours to plane or helicopter tours. As well as standard guided tours, there are also tours which include an activity to partake in when reaching the Canyon, such as visiting the Skywalk or a Colorado River boat ride.
But before you head out to the Grand Canyon, it’s very important to make sure that you are dressed appropriately and have with you everything that you might need while you are there.
Clothing
- Shoes – even if you are not planning on doing any hiking, you should make sure that you are wearing some comfortable and sturdy shoes. The ground at the Grand Canyon is uneven and rocky, so shoes that have flat soles and plenty of grip are a must.
- Trousers/Shorts – if you are going to be going to the Grand Canyon in the summer months then make sure that you are wearing something that is relatively loose fitting and gives you full range of movement. While jeans are acceptable, some light weight trousers are preferable. If you decide to wear shorts then you need to make sure that you are applying regular amounts of sun screen to your legs. The benefit of long trousers is it also offers your legs protection from contact with desert plant life which tends to be quite thorny.
- Shirt – while you may be tempted to think that a t-shirt may be the more sensible option, you are actually more likely to stay cool wearing a long sleeved shirt. Long sleeves are beneficial in that they reduce the amount of skin that will come into direct contact with the sun.
- Sunglasses – the sun at the Grand Canyon is very powerful so make sure that you have some strong UV shades to protect your eyes. As the Canyon is very dusty the ideal type of sunglasses are the wrap around variety that fit closely to your face. It’s also advisable not to wear contact lenses (if you would normally) when you visit the Grand Canyon, as any dust in the air can quickly collect behind the lens and irritate your eyes.
- Hat – you need to protect your head and neck from the string Arizona sun, so find a hat that has a broad rim. Avoid wearing baseball hats as while these will protect your face, they offer no protection to your ears and neck. Make sure that your hat has a chin strap so that it doesn’t get blown away by any sudden gusts of wind.
Note: the clothes that you wear should be light in colour so as to reflect the heat away from you. In the winter months when temperatures can drop you should start with the above clothing suggestions as a base and then put layers on top, this way should the temperature rise you can remove layers to stay comfortable.
Things to take with you
- Camera – the Grand Canyon is a place where everywhere you look is a photo opportunity, so make sure that your cameras battery is fully charged and that you have a new roll of film or empty memory card in ready to capture your visit. It’s also advisable to bring a spare battery, and extra film/memory cards as you can quite quickly run out.
- Food and Water – dehydration is a real danger when visiting the Grand Canyon due to temperatures regularly reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), so it’s always best to carry your own water with you at all times. In terms of food you don’t need to bring along a banquet, but some energy bars and some trail mix are handy to have to keep your body topped up.
- Sun Screen – the sun can be fierce so make sure that you bring the strongest UV protection that you can get. Remember to apply it to all exposed skin areas and keep it topped up regularly.
- Lightweight raincoat – the Grand Canyons desert climate can make the weather there unpredictable and a sudden down pour can easily appear as if from nowhere. While these rainstorms don’t usually last for long and are rare, it is a good idea to be prepared for them.
- Bag – you need something to carry all your things (water, camera, etc.) and nothing does the job better than a backpack. The reason that a backpack is ideal for this is that it enables you to have both hands free, which is ideal if you are planning on doing any short hikes while you are there. Depending on the time of year you are visiting, it is also a good place to keep any clothing layers that you will require.
- Money – despite being an outstanding natural monument, there are the occasional gift shops and restaurants to be found around the rims of the Grand Canyon, so it’s always a good idea to have some spare cash should you see something that you want. There are no ATM’s at the Grand Canyon so remember to take your money out before you go there.
- First Aid – just to make sure that you are prepared for any eventuality it is usually a good plan to pack some simple first aid supplies (sterile wipes, plasters, etc.) for the eventuality that you may take a stumble, or graze yourself against the rocks.
Visiting the Grand Canyon is an experience that you will never forget, so by making sure that you are properly prepared will ensure that you get the most out of your time there. The above checklist should be taken with you regardless of how you are planning to get to the Canyon and what activities you are going to do once you are there. However the most important element of any Grand Canyon tour is that you enjoy yourself, and once you see it for yourself, that’s guaranteed.
[box]Author: Sarah works for an online Las Vegas tour company who specialize in Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours. For more information please click here.[/box]
