My intital review was this: Since we were not picked up, we did not experience the Hoover Dam and the experience of trying to determine how to get our money back was horrible. I would strongly suggest that no one ever go on this tour. When we finally arrived back in Las Vegas, our driver took so long to drop people off at hotels that we finally got off the bus and got a taxi. I am a pretty easy going person and I can honestly say that I have never been so frustrated in my life. Too many lines, too many buses and not enough truth on the website about what our trip would actually be like. Then it was in line to get on a bus to go to the second stop at the rim and then onto another bus to visit the final stop on the tour. We followed miles of dirt road to near the rim only to get off the bus and wait in line to get on another bus to go see the first stop on the trip at the canyon. We passed through impoverished neighborhoods that the driver made fun of. We left Hoover Dam and headed to the Grand Canyon. Our driver, Sheila, was loud, laughing on the mic with passengers sitting close to her. Trip to Hoover Dam was fine, short with spectacular views. Waited in long lines at the common meeting place to pay local tax fees and finally to board our bus. Trip started early in the morning by catching a taxi to a nearby hotel for pick-up. Our advice was to fly there and not use airbridge. 14 hour day - less than 3 hours there! A friend was travelling to vegas a few weeks after us. As we did the helicopter/boats we 'we not allowed to go to the ranch as we wouldnt have time!! We then left at 3.30 PM. There are 3 places to go to and lunch was included at all of them. We then landed on the bottom, took the boat and then helicopter back up. The pilot took us on a scary tour - dropping into the canyon, very, close to the sides (IF YOU ARE SCARED OF FLYING OR HEIGHTS - DONT DO IT). I think that was too much - they could cut down this time. So - waiting for bus at 4.55 AM, picked up at 5.25 AM, left HQ at 7.30 AM, arrived GC at 12.30 PM, got on helicopter at 1.30 PM. We lined up again and were weighed etc and then had to watch the safety video and wait. We were then lined up again and told the process for the helicopter trip and then went into the airport to check in. We then got there (we thought), we were then put onto other buses and taken to the airport/first stop (30 mins on a dirt track). We did get a toilet & shop stop around half way. The driver (walter) was nice and chatted most of the way there. I think we waited 20 minutes and then were allocated a seat on a bus. We also got the 'airbridge' talk from some guy - how they are so great etc, and that they are the only company that stop at the hoover dam bypass - nonsense as we were there the day before with another company! You are given a continental breakfast (danish and coffee/juice) and then you go out and queue for the bus. We were then herded into a building given the (school trip) talk and then processed in a long queue. We picked up from another 3/4 hotels and then were taken to the company HQ. They called us just after 4am to wake us up (i was not happy!) We should have been picked up at 5.10 (you should be there 10 minutes early) - the bus was 15 minutes late. Grand canyon - helicopter, boat and optional skywalk. She drove fast to make up time and NEVER said anything or gave us any information. ![]() Waited for an hour on a stiffeliing bus before we were transfered to another bus much like the first. Waited 1/2 hour with the poor air conditioning which then just gave out. We arrived only to find that one family had not shown up. Took the tour, GREAT, was told to return to the bus by a certain time. Bus had some broken seats, and when she tried to do a video the recorder didn't work so again no helpful information since she couldn't answer our questions. "Either you talk or I talk you make the choice." Didn't seem to know much about the trip, had to google Joshua Trees to give us any information. We no sooner got started than the bus driver started her spiel which was OK, but someone tried to talk to their companion and she was immmediately rude. Ours, old, very little air, some broken seats. ![]() The bus behind us was very modern and air conditioned. Went to get on the bus, the bus before us was very modern, clean and air conditioned. Taken to drop off given a juice and danish (the paper tasted better than the danish). ![]() Called again at 5:45 and was told were the pick up point was. We checked this out immediately and were told no calls came through for us. My husband called at 5:15 and we were told that athe hotel told them we were not registered. Was not called at 5:00 a.m., luckily I awoke at 4:30 so we were ready.
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