This post was chosen as a Tangy Tuesday pick by BlogAdda
The only wonder of the world that I have covered (yet) – the majestic Grand Canyon! I was completely in awe of the force of nature that carved out the canyon millions of years ago. It still sends shivers down my body when I think about standing there and wondering how on earth these would have formed!Just a day after landing in Las Vegas, we were on our way to the South rim of the Grand Canyon (we were to come back to LV and stay there for 3 days ending on Christmas eve, to enjoy the celebrations in the city).
Though many tourists specifically go to the West rim to do the Skywalk, we left it out intentionally since it is too expensive at $80.94 per person for the Legacy Gold Package. Moreover, if you are not so sacrosanct about doing the ‘walk on the glass bridge,’ you get pretty much similar views of the canyon from the south rim too.
We stayed right outside the entrance to the South rim, at ‘The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon.’ The stay was amazing (it is the only 3-diamond hotel around the canyon) though the internet connectivity was terrible – reception told me it’s the same with any hotel there. I must mention, we normally book our stays very close to the main attraction since it becomes easy for me to cover the Sunrise and/or Sunset there. Even otherwise, I would rather spend a bit more to experience the place than drive an hour!
After refreshing ourselves up in the hotel, we headed straight to the Visitor Center. There are numerous benefits of asking the experts at the visitor center, even though we do enough research beforehand – at the very least, we stay current with the (mis)information we found online. Since we have the Annual Pass to all the National Parks in the United States (bought for $80 last year, applicable per vehicle), we didn’t have to pay additionally to enter the Canyon area.
For the curious, check out the short video that plays every few minutes at the visitor center that tells you how the canyons were formed. Once you are ready to experience the grandness of the canyon, start from the Mather Point, which is right behind the visitor center and is a must-see. You can walk right along the canyon using the ‘rim trail;’ but if you have limited time, either drive around or use their shuttles (for free).The other one not to be missed is the Yavapai Point and Geology Museum. The museum tells you pretty much everything you need to know about the canyon – how they formed, the rock-layers, visual artifacts, samples of rocks, and a long glass providing a magnificent view of the canyon right in front of you. You can even see the Colorado river (that formed the canyon) about a mile away.
We drove around and stopped at many viewpoints that are shown in the map above (taken from Grand Canyon official website). You never know which one can give you a great view depending on the time of the day. We were lucky to see some Elks and Deers too!
If you go by the public opinion, other spots to definitely cover are Maricopa point, Powell point, and Hopi point. In fact, Hopi point is rated as the best for Sunset views, and I absolutely agree with it. I stood there in the chill of late-December to experience this sight!
We spent around 4 hours before heading to the hotel and enjoying the luxuries of that too. For me, another Sunrise awaited in the majestic lap of nature!
Indeed…The Grand Canyon is looking so majestic Alok! Despite being so close to this world wonder, we could never make it though we have visited Las Vegas twice…either the weather was too hot or we had an expectant mother along with us! But I hope to see it with my naked eye one day. Nice pictures. Thanks for sharing them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome, Balroop.
You should definitely see GC, there is nothing comparable to its Grandness on Earth!
LikeLiked by 1 person
No wonder its a ‘wonder’. Enjoyed reading this information. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
natures palette…. so wonderfully presented…….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a wonderful way to experience it. Truly majestic and awe inspiring.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rightly said. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Did you also go down? The Grand Canyon looks so grand and beautiful that it hurts!! It is unbelievable, there is such a beauty in the world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, we didn’t go down. You need to spend a few days if you really want to experience its depth…just a couple of days don’t cut it out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You made it to the Grand Canyon! Amazing stuff and those views are absolutely breathtaking. Wonderful landscape and beautiful sunset/sunrise (?) shot at the end. It is always wonderful to shoot the same location at different times of the day 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a Sunset view. Sunrise would be in next post on the topic.
GC is beyond words. Here is just a snapshot of its grandness 🙂
LikeLike
I am assuming you took a lot more photos than the ones you showed in this blog post 😀 If I was there I would probably not been able to stop clicking the camera for a few minutes 🙂 Looking forward to the next post 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sure, that should be after a sponsored one coming up in a couple of days.
Thank you 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Alok you are lucky. Wish I could one day see this beauty live. It looks awesome the colours on the mountains are the highlight.
Meena.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Meena ji. I won’t call myself lucky, it’s just that i am ready to pack my bags anytime 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good. Enjoy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Alok please call me Meena. No ji please. 😉.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sure 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish to visit the majestic Grand Canyon someday. Loved your tip to make shooting the sunrise/sunset so much easier. Will surely keep it in mind the next time I travel.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, the closer you stay to the main attraction the better it is to enjoy it thoroughly!
Thank you, Era.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely photos… this is our next in our list for traveling. Hope the situation becomes good here by that time .
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don’t wait for the situation to become better, it might not. Better to enjoy life now than waiting forever 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
True Alok. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely brilliant capture on the grandness of canyon… indeed a nature wonder and good that u able to cover many viewpoints. Though the place looks hot how come Elks around snow?
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is cold out there end of the year, and it does snow good there.
Thank you.
LikeLike
You have captured the majesty of this part GC, and other areas too! Feel like to go back there now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is so grand an attraction…just completely unbelievable!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love to go back, in a heartbeat!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Its a nice primer to the Grand canyon. There’s no doubt that Grand Canyon is magnificent and one of the best natural wonders around. I have been advised by many relatives who have been to Grand Canyon to opt for heli ride. But my idea is hiking among one of the popular hiking trails. I’m sure heli ride will have a different views but being a nature lover, I’ll opt for a hike. Opportunity for catching sunrise is quite tempting. I never miss one during vacations. Enjoyed reading this write up, Alok. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, there are good hiking tracks there…we saw one that was paved well for everybody and goes about a mile down.
You can also kayak in the river below…we did see some doing that via telescope. Guide told us they would be staying down there for a week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess if the weather is kind to you in December, it is the best time to visit the Grand Canyon. There won’t be too many sightseers around to disturb the solitude and wild life that you were able to photograph. Great gallery of pictures!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the suggestion, Sir. Though I don’t like to visit a place twice, if I ever plan for GC again, I’ll keep it in mind 😊
LikeLike
Reblogged this on The Peter and Gertrud Klopp Family Project and commented:
For all my blogging friends, who love nature and amazing landscapes, I recommend viewing this fascinating post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent photos. I especially liked the one of the elk in shaggy winter coat (I’ve only seen them in summer before).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much, Tom…good to read your input.
LikeLike
I have visited Grand Canyon twice before. Never did the sky walk, though, I wanted to do that. As you mentioned it is expensive. Lovely captures, of course, but then that isn’t a wonder now, is it? 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha, you are right 😍
Thank you, we really enjoyed some of the attractions there, especially Lower Antelope Canyon!
LikeLike
The descriptions and pictures,I am currently daydreaming about Grand canyon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good on you. We all can’t possibly see the world, but blogs can show us far and wide.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank god bloggers exsist in the world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful photos! I hope to make it there in the next few years. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy to know. Thanks 😊
LikeLike
I’m ashamed to say I’ve never yet been to the Grand Canyon, but it is on my list of “must travel to” places. Thanks for sharing the photos!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You don’t have to be ashamed of not being able to be there. I’ve myself not been to many of the locations in my priority list.
Thank you for stopping by 😊
LikeLike
Amazing views Grand Canyon. Great to read.
Brilliant pics.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, brother!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such grandeur and beauty. Amazing to think that the patience of time and the weather carved those features.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, an absolute wonder of nature! Thank you for your thoughts.
LikeLike
Grand, indeed! Loved the write-up, the shots and the suggestions. The skywalk is one of the things that I’m most looking forward to. It is one of the places that I’ve been eager to visit for a long long time!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, if you are excited about Skywalk, then better to do it. It should be a unique experience.
Thanks for adding.
LikeLike
How much a helicopter ride over the canyon costs?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Depends on the tour, but I’ve found it to be a minimum of about $150 per person.
LikeLike
ok thanks
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is really grand, having seen (Pictures off course) and read about this place quite often. Now it’s matter of time that we make a visit to this place. Wonderful pictures especially the last one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope you get to visit soon, a must-see place this is!
Thanks a lot 🙏
LikeLike
A great read and amazing photos! Grand indeed..thank you Alok for showing us around 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure, Amit Sir.
LikeLike
I’ve read and heard so much about the Grand Canyons, but I suppose no amount of knowledge about them or photographs on google, can come even close to seeing them with one’s own eyes. I can imagine your actual joy in every adjective that you’ve used for them. Very nice post, nice pictures and good descriptions. Your post really made me happy. Have a great day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am excited reading your comment, Animesh. You’ve said it right, nothing can beat seeing it in person!
Thank you for adding.
LikeLike
Is that the pic of an Elk? I haven’t seen one. Have read about them. So when you said deers & elks, I was curious 😀 You really are the Sunrise/Sunset person right? One day you could make an album of sunrise/set from different parts of the world 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hardly miss Sunrise or Sunset 😊
Hahaha…I could do that too – the album!
That is an Elk. I saw them for the first time too.
Let me add the Deer also now.
LikeLike
Looks incredible!! Must have been a refreshing experience
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, absolutely enthralling!
LikeLike
Amazing Pictures Alok. Love the Picture of deer !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, those are Elks though. I have the deer one too, maybe I should have posted that, too 😊
LikeLike
Oh wow!! How grand!!
I haven’t been there yet. And I am desperate to go see it. We are making plans again. I hope they work this time. 🙂
Lovely seeing it through your lens, Alok. When I’m doing my homework, I’m definitely coming back here for another read.
Thank you.
Awesome pictures!
Have a great week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure, Divya. I’ll be happy to have helped in your plans.
Hope you get around to visiting it soon 😊
LikeLike
Have read & heard about this wonder. Missed it in my last trip. Hope to visit it soon 🙂
Great pics!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you get to be there soon 😊
Thanks, Anita.
LikeLike
A lovely read with very alluring pics, Alok!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Much thanks, Sir.
LikeLike
Oh the grandness of the Grand Canyon! Can never forget the feeling of overlooking the deep cuts made by that seemingly vanishing river at Mather Point. Your post brought back some crazy amazing memories Alok Ji 😀
We didnt get to see elks though.
LikeLike
I never read about it . I stood there in the chill of late-December to experience this sight! these words shows your enthusiasm for a view and pic.
LikeLike
Always always wanted to visit USA just for the Grand Canyon. Not kidding. Ever since I studied it in geography 🙂 the pictures are simply stellar! Love the elks too. I agree that it’s more on the experience than driving. I have a thing for sunrises n sunsets too! So totally relate to that point:) fabulous post Alok.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much, Divya. I just love your words you leave over here, they are quite motivating 😊
I’ll be happy to see you at GC…i know it’s a dream destination for many.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A good read and beautiful photography
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 😊
LikeLike
That’s really grand and beautiful, I had an opportunity to travel to Las Vegas but could not make it to Grand Canyon, I still repent it but your wonderful post with images got me to the virtual reality.
LikeLike
Great post. Perfectly captures my own thoughts and emotions while staring over this incredible feat of nature.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am so glad you could relate. Thank you 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful captures and post. Good I came here
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy to know. Thanks 😊
LikeLike
Awesome post… want to visit it once😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sure do, it’s one place that would spellbound you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great pictures! We’re going to the South Rim next year and you’ve definitely whetted our appetites!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great to know. Thanks for stopping by 😊
LikeLike