My friend and I are going to Las Vegas for a week, and we would like to do a
day trip to the Grand Canyon. Ideally, we'd like something that takes in
both the canyon itself, and a visit to a Native American village. Is this
possible? M Barlow, Paisley
Sunday Times travel expert Richard Green responds: Absolutely it is.
Head towards the western south rim of the Grand Canyon and you're in
Hualapai country the Native American tribe whose lands now occupy 108
miles of the Colorado River in and around the canyon. The Haluapai War broke
out in 1865 and combined with disease, wiped out about a third of the tribe.
The population stands at about 1,500 today, with the tribe encouraging
tourists to learn about their heritage by visiting their working ranch for
events and cultural performances.
Don't expect tipis and peace pipes though even in their heyday the Haluapai
tended to live in mud-plastered huts and while you will see Native
Americans in traditional dress, the operation is pretty slick. After all,
it's the Hualapai that opened the Skywalk last year the glass walkway that
juts over the canyon rim, 4,000ft above the valley floor. Tours tend not to
include the Skywalk, which you can buy tickets for on the day for £18.
The tribe has their own tour company too, called Grand
Canyon West, and the best day trip from Vegas is the "Hualapai
Legacy" tour. It's about £75pp by coach or about £85pp as a "U-drive":
either way it's about a three drive one-way. The price includes a visit to
the canyon rim, a guided walking tour of local dwellings with a Native
American, a hike to the Guano Point lookout and a visit to the Hualapai
Ranch.
There's a thrilling way to cut down your travelling time though. UK-based North
America Travel Service (0131 225 4155) has a Spirit of the West Rim Tour
for £136pp, which takes you in a light aircraft from Vegas, out of the
Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, and landing at the Grand Canyon West Airport.
You'll then get a coach tour along the Hualapai Plateau to Eagle Point and
Guano Point lookouts, where you'll meet the Hualapai. The seven-hour trip
includes a barbecue lunch at the Canyon's rim, before the return flight to
Vegas.
For other tour companies and more information, visit www.visitlasvegas.co.uk.
Other tour operators include Go America
(0800 435 282), the Vacations Group
(01582 469 661) or Premier
Holidays (0844 4937085).
