Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour - Best Time of the Day?

The company I am looking at offers 4 time slots for Grand Canyon helicopter tours that last 3 to 4 hours hotel to hotel:

7 am
9 am
12 noon
3 pm

Does anyone know when is the best time for viewing and photography? We will go in late December.

Thanks!

 

we did the tour on sundance a couple years ago.

we went around noon as far as I remember and other than being a bit warm at the canyon it was a fantastic experience.

 

My wife and I did a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon two years ago during the week of Christmas. It was surprisingly cold at the Grand Canyon - much colder than Las Vegas. Maybe it was just due to the area (Hualapai reservation) we hit. My advice: Dress warm just in case.

Our flight was in the late afternoon, which worked out well for photos with the accentuated shadows.

Bill

 

Thank you for the replies!

Since we are going in late December, the sunset time is around 5:20pm. I am thinking if we take the 3pm tour (hotel pick up between 3 and 4pm), we will likely be at the West Rim at dusk and that will be fantastic timing.

Am I thinking correctly?

 

Something to consider.... If you take the 3pm slot you could possibly be flying back when it is dark and not be able to see much of the land on your way back. Although returning when it is dark will give you a view of all the lights of Vegas. Maybe ask the company what time they would expect the helicopter to leave the Canyon area.

 

I went on the Heli USA tour on Oct 30th with a take off time at 4 pm.
It was the the last flight of the day for then to the Grand Canyon.
Plenty of light for the sight seeing to the canyon and in it.
Started turning to dusk on the way back and the strip was lite up on the way back but it wasn't dark. But still could see the neon.
I would guess the timing would be about the same.
Heli was very professional and it was a great flight.

 

Thank you for the information!

I think we will go for the afternoon slot. If we are lucky we may get some sunset colors.