By Keith Kravitz

The Vegas Grand Canyon South Rim bus is regarded as the economical way to get to the national park. It’s comfortable, too, especially if you travel aboard one of today’s luxury motor coaches. Before you climb aboard and settle into your plush seat, here are seven things you need to think about before you hit the road:

1. The South Rim is 270 miles away from Vegas and takes 5.5 hours to reach by bus. Tours include up to three hours at the rim. Travelers get back to their Strip hotel around 9 p.m. Conservatively, budget 15 hours for this trip.

2. Find out if your Hoover Dam photo stop includes the new bypass bridge. The new Mike O’Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge opened in October 2010 and it’s a sight to behold. Even better is walking across it. The thrill comes from being suspended 900 feet above the Colorado River. And the view of Hoover Dam is incredible.

3. See if lunch is included. This is a long trip. Breakfast will get you as far as Kingman, AZ (make sure to load up on snacks here). The typical box lunch is OK for lunch. I suggest satisfying your hunger at the restaurant in the Bright Angel Lodge, where the servings are huge and delicious.

4. Dress for the weather. During summer, bring a hat, sunscreen, lots of water, and loose clothing like long-sleeved shirts and pants. Bring a windbreaker if you have one. South Rim winter’s are much colder than what you’ll experience in Vegas. Stay warm by dressing in layers. Bring a hat and/or beanie, scarf, gloves, and a medium weight jacket. Put on a pair of sturdy shoes or boots. A pair of YakTrakz anti-slip walker-crampons are a great way to deal with icy conditions.

5. Make sure to your issue of “The Guide.” The Park Service puts out this wonderfully informative publication. Updated quarterly, the newspaper has information about Park history, museums, gift shops, restaurants, the best view points, and a map of the free shuttle bus system. In my view, it’s the key that unlocks all the Park’s fabulous features.

6. Not all lookouts are created equal. Time is limited and you want to make sure you see the most-famous viewing points. My suggestions include Mather Point, Yavapai Observation Station, Hermit’s Rest, and Yaki Point. Sunrise is best at either Mather or Hopi Points. The view from the Rim Trail behind Bright Angel Lodge is also good (below you’ll see Indian Gardens and a tiny bit of Phantom Ranch).

7. Remember: What goes down must come up. South Rim trails are beautifully maintained and really put you in touch with the canyon. The walk back to the top of the rim is steep. Don’t overwork yourself. Take your time on the return and enjoy the views. I suggest taking a leisurely 30-minute stroll down and then turning back. During the summer, bring lots of water and a salty snack like trail mix during the summer. Take lots of breaks going up. There’s no rush. Stand to the side to let mule trains pass.

South Rim bus tours from Las Vegas are a hit with Las Vegas travelers. And for good reason. It’s cheap, includes lunch and all park entrance fees, and its done on a state-of-the-art luxury bus. It’s also a sightseeing paradise. En route, you see Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, the Mojave Desert, the Kaibab Plateau, and the South Rim. If you are looking for an affordable, fun way to do the South Rim, this bus trip is absolutely the way to go.

About the Author: Cheap South Rim bus trips? Travel writer Keith Kravitz reviews the best Grand Canyon bus tours here.

Source: isnare.com

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