If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Grand Canyon tours for elderly
Hi, I am taking my 80 year old grand parents to tour the Grand Canyon
departing from Vegas in 3 weeks. Its one of the places they've always wanted to see. They specifically only want a ground tour, and even tough they have good mobility for their age, I don't want them to do a lot of walking. We have one day for a tour, and there seem to be so many tours, so I would appreciate suggestions based on experience of which tour would be most comfortable for 2 elderly people to enjoy. Thanks in advance, Will |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Grand Canyon tours for elderly
Hi, I am taking my 80 year old grand parents to tour the Grand Canyon
departing from Vegas in 3 weeks First of all, it's great that you're taking your grandparents there. It'll be a wonderful experience for all of you. I sometimes vacation with my mother, who's in her 80s, so I'm well aware of the challenges. She can get around just fine, but she tires quickly, especially when there are steps or hills. As for specific tour companies, one good one is Grayline. They have an excellent reputation, and I've taken their bus tours in many cities and have always been pleased. Well-maintained buses, friendly, knowledgable tour guides, etc. This page shows their tours from Las Vegas... http://www.grayline.com/Grayline/des...us/lasvegas.go They have tours to both the West Rim and the South Rim. The West Rim is closer, and thus is the choice of many people making day trips from Vegas, but the South Rim is actually the main tourist area and is generally considered better. (The North Rim is also nice, but a longer drive.) If time permitted I'd recommend going to the South Rim, but considering their age perhaps the West Rim would be better since it's a quicker drive. Hard to say without knowing how much stamina they have for long bus rides. I haven't been to the West Rim so I can't make specific suggestions about it. But at the South Rim they won't have any problems getting around as there's a paved sidewalk by the canyon's edge, and large areas of the South Rim are wheelchair accessible so walking isn't a problem. Of course they won't want to walk on the trail that goes down into the Canyon itself as it is steep, and I believe some of the overlooks have steps, but generally speaking they should be able to get some fine views without too much trouble. **Note that the Canyon is at a higher altitude than Vegas, so the weather will be cooler than Vegas and they'll get out of breath a little more quickly.** Ideally it would be better to make it an overnight trip. Rent a car, make the 6 hour (or so) drive and spend the night near the Canyon, then sightsee the next day and drive back in the evening. It would give you more time and be a lot more relaxing for your grandparents. But if you must do it in one day, a one-day bus tour should be fine as long as their health is good enough for a very long day of travel. And of course you've got the advantage that the bus company takes care of everything and you can just sit back and relax. Have fun, James |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Grand Canyon tours for elderly
Just noticed that Grayline says regarding the West Rim...
we recommend that those requiring wheelchair assistance consider the South Rim Tour option [instead of West Rim] I know your parents aren't in wheelchairs, but wheelchair accessibility usually indicates easier walking too, as there are no steps or steep inclines. James |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
From Death valley to...Grand Canyon or Bryce Canyon? | Libellula | USA & Canada | 10 | July 26th, 2006 03:55 PM |
Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam tours | SeaCaptain | Travel Marketplace | 0 | May 10th, 2004 02:29 AM |
Capitol Reef - Glen Canyon - Canyonlands - Arches - Monument Valley - Grand Canyon - Nataral Bridges | Christian Nielsen | USA & Canada | 17 | April 7th, 2004 04:50 PM |
Capitol Reef - Glen Canyon - Canyonlands - Arches - Monument Valley - Grand Canyon - Nataral Bridges | Christian Nielsen | Travel - anything else not covered | 15 | April 7th, 2004 04:50 PM |
Grand Canyon ground tours | Kellielabs | USA & Canada | 3 | December 24th, 2003 09:24 PM |