While looking for the Sedona Welcome Center (they have the best hiking maps), we stumbled into a “welcome center” that was a kiosk belonging to the Hyatt. After a friendly conversation about the best sights in the area, we agreed to a 90-minute sales pitch in exchange for a free helicopter tour through Sedona's red rock mountains.
That was a no-brainer. We have endured timeshare presentations for far less in the past.
The presentation did indeed last the full 90 minutes and included some tempting offers. We managed to say “thanks, but no thanks” and walked away with tickets for a sunset air tour at 6 o'clock.
How did I get picked as CoPilot? I think because I must weigh about the same as the Pilot. Generally not good, but this time it paid off!
Cathedral rock next to a vortex
It's hard to identify some of the formations (they all have names), but the pilot gave a running narration through headsets that helped a bit.
If we live in Sedona someday, a rooftop deck would be a must to take in the majesty.
Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock were the easiest to recognize.
Tatianna (we went up with another couple) was worried about motion sickness but reported that it didn't bother her in the least.
Midgley Bridge
Steamboat Rock
Lee Mountain
We hiked up to this plateau (Brin's Mesa) the day before and it was quite a workout.
The 12 minutes of airtime flew by (pun intended) in a blink of an eye.
Our take away: Are the tours worth the high cost? Yes, with caveats. Make sure you have a guarantee (if possible) that you will not sit in a middle seat. Pay the extra money to have a helicopter with no doors (they do obstruct the view). Next time (on our own dime) we want to take the Grand Canyon West “Signature Tour” ($525 pp). A 7-hour tour that includes so much it makes your head spin. (Pay extra for a private tour.)
The safety crew gladly snapped our picture while the blades whirled overhead. Was it worth sitting through the 90-minute travel sales pitch earlier in the day? You bet it was!
While waiting for our flight, we talked to someone that had just finished the “Hog Wild Tour,” ($199 pp) a 45-minute flight that they said was over in a flash. We deduced that our 15-minute “Bear Wallow Run” tour (normally $99 pp) would just barely whet our appetite.
That was indeed the case. Over so quickly and left you wanting more.
As we stopped at the Red Rocks Ranger Station, we were almost too late for a sunset picture of Bell Rock. Courthouse Butte was still aglow.
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