Sedona Helicopter Tour: Desert Thunder Tour
5
Sedona Helicopter Tour: Desert Thunder Tour
By Guidance Air
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About
Free cancellation • Full refund if cancelled up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time).
Reserve now & pay later • Secure your spot while staying flexible.
Lowest price guarantee • Find a lower price online? Get the difference refunded!
Ages 0-99, max of 3 per group
Duration: 30–35 minutes
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More
Highlights
- Beverages
- Bottled water
- Driver/guide
- Headsets to hear the guide clearly
- Live commentary on board
- Coffee and/or Tea
- Alcoholic Beverages
What's not included- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Start:
- 1200 Airport Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336, USAPlease check in 10-15 mins early.
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Wheelchair accessible
- Pushchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 54668P2- Most travellers can participate
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Maximum weight is 300 pounds per seat
- Seatbelt must be worn at all time
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 3 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 54668P2
From
£337.98
per adult
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Itinerary
- 1200 Airport Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336, USAPlease check in 10-15 mins early.
- 1There’s lots to learn from this vantage point. As you pass the many points of interest, your pilot will share legends of the land and historical tidbits that color the excursion. • Take a 30-minute helicopter flight over the Sedona desert. • Head south to the iconic Cathedral Rock. • Next, it’s on to Chapel of the Holy Cross, a towering chapel built right into the rock! • Swoop over Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte. • Spot the famous Snoopy Rock! • Cross Oak Creek Canyon and soar toward Devil’s Bridge. • From here, you’ll fly to Secret Canyon and ascend onto the Mogollon Rim. • Finally, approach Boynton Canyon and the Anasazi cliff dwellings!
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Top rated
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- Adventurer4411380 contributionsGreatIt was spectacular! Nancy and I felt very safe with our experienced pilot Matthew. I rated it good only because we felt that the ride was shorter than what we were told. NTL it was well worth the money. EE and NEWritten 24 March 2025
- scoconis0 contributionsHighlight of our Sedona TripThis was our 4th time to Arizona and the first time we did a helicopter tour. This was by far the best vacation because of the helicopter tour. Words cannot describe the excitement and fun of this tour. Levi was our guide and was great and personable. Our pilot Steve was great. He explained everything the entire ride. This left us speechless! If you are thinking about doing this DO IT! I researched the different helicopter companies and decided on Apex and so glad I did!Written 23 March 2025
- Rebekah T0 contributionsSedona sights!Lots of fun!! Gorgeous views! The pilot was very informative and answered our many questions. Once in a lifetime opportunityWritten 4 March 2025
- Alvin S0 contributionsBeautiful, safe and worth every penny!This was my second helicopter tour. The first was in Manhattan in NYC and this was definitely the better of the two simply based off the beauty of Sedona. I went on a Saturday morning and the experience did not disappoint. My pilot was very knowledgeable of the terrain and the views were spectacular. I felt safe at all times and would definitely do this again!Written 18 January 2025
- ronniebM442LT0 contributionsAwesome experienceThis was awesome!! Very professional and organized operation. I really do not like flying on smalk aircraft. But this was an amazing experience. I highly recommend it.Written 11 January 2025
- greenaa00 contributionsAmazing sunset experienceOur helicopter tour over the mountains of Sedona at sunset was nothing short of amazing. The staff was accommodating, friendly, and knowledgeable. Kate was our pilot. We felt very confident in her abilities and she made us feel at ease during our entire flight. Seeing the red rocks of Sedona from above is a once in a lifetime experience. Would highly recommend to anyone.Written 20 November 2024
- Sunshine511848278610 contributionsAMAZING HELICOPTER TOUR!!Once in a lifetime experience! HIGHLY RECOMMEND...we have taken helicopter tours around the world and this is one not to miss. Friendly & professional staff, worth every minute.Written 2 November 2024
- S104QSandreah0 contributionsBEST EXPERIENCE EVERViews were exceptional and our pilot Kate was amazing!!! The customer service was exceptional and the Dreamcatcher tour was to die for!!! Best crew in the area!!Written 25 October 2024
- K50YTrl0 contributionsAn excellent experience both on the ground and in the air.A spectacular experience. Kate was informative and friendly. it was my first time in a helicopter and it was amazing! A magic carpet ride.Written 24 October 2024
- coltc4650 contributionsLook no further.This was hands down one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. Our pilot Jake was top notch. Very knowledgeable, professional, and accommodating. The views were breathtaking, the ride exhilarating. I would recommend it to everyone.Written 31 August 2024
- STACYL8390 contributionsAmazing AdventureHighly, highly recommend this experience. The staff is amazing. Our piolet was very kind and informative. This was our 1st experience, and my husband has always said he is not interested in a helicopter ride. We will be back!!!Written 14 June 2024
- julietav8350 contributionsGreat Experience!! Amazing viewsStaff is super friendly and helpful! Our pilot Robert was really informative and made the tour fun! Would do again, views are spectacular and we got a complimentary beer at the end!!Written 30 May 2024
- gretaf9220 contributionsAmazing and breathtaking tour, unforgettable experience!Had the most amazing helicopter ride with the most breathtaking views that we would not have gotten to see otherwise. Our pilot was excellent and we felt very safe the entire time, and he was able to tell us all about the area and point out specific things throughout the tour and tell us their history, our favorites were seeing Native American ruins. We did the hour long tour and definitely felt it was worth it, would highly recommend to take in all of Sedona with this company’s tour.Written 30 May 2024
- markmd12120 contributionsA few red rocks!This was spectacular. The best thing we did in Sedona or Grand Canyon. The view from above is different than from the ground. The weather was beautiful and the ride was smoother than the helicopter ride at the Grand Canyon.Written 23 May 2024
- davidfF1036EY0 contributionsValley Fly ByLaura, was an excellent guide, bed side manner was perfect, took us through canyons and dwelling areas. Very knowledgeable, pleasant to be around and great pilot. Staff at facilities were great Kyle was friendly, very knowledgeable and kept informed of several things. Way to go guys and gals. CW4 David Feil USA Retired And his Boss Mrs Terri FeilWritten 1 May 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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5.0
88 reviews
Excellent
87
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1
Teresa F
Tampa, FL17 contributions
Feb 2025 • Family
Sunday morning we headed to Guidance Air in Sedona, (named the #2 Helicopter Tour in the nation by USA Today) to do the “Cathedral Tour”. We were promptly greeted by Kyle, Stacy and Steven, who discreetly weighed us in and provided a safety video. We took a short van ride to the tarmac where we were securely buckled in and provided with headphones. Our pilot, Jake, gave us an eagle’s eye view of Sedona’s famous red rock formations, including Anasazi cliff dwellings. Jake talked to us about what we were looking at and we learned about the rich natural history of the area. When Jake spotted a herd of elk resting in the Coconino National Forest, he did a 360 degree turn so we could get a better look. There were 6 of us on board the Bell 407 helicopter, and we all had amazing views. The highlight of the flight was when we flew through “the slot” and I asked him to do a dip! Everyone gasped as their heartbeat quickened. It was thrilling! Jake’s skills as a narrator and pilot will be remembered long after his perfect landing in the circle visible through the window below my seat next to him.
Written 22 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you, Teresa, so much for your incredibly kind words and for awarding us a five-star rating! We’re delighted to hear about your fantastic experience with our team, and that you had a thrilling flight with Jake. Your glowing feedback truly brightens our day.
It’s customers like you who make our work so rewarding. We can’t wait to welcome you back a third time for another wonderful adventure!
Written 3 March 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Teresa F
Tampa, FL17 contributions
Sept 2021
From the moment we stepped into Guidance Air and were greeted by the smiling faces of Ashley, Jamie and Christian (aka Peaches), we knew it was going to be a fabulous experience. The weather was a little cloudy that morning, so we took a short hike on the Airport Loop trail while waiting for clear skies. So, while my bonine kicked in, we enjoyed a rocky hike before our aerial adventure. After watching a safety video and chatting about our chopper ride down into the Grand Canyon, Jamie gave us a short van ride to the takeoff pad. She assisted us with boarding and setting up headphones while Christian communicated with ground control. From lift off to landing it was a smooth, safe experience with "Peaches" narrating the vista. He also answered all of our questions about what we were looking at... including how close we were to the rocks when flying through the "gunsight"... which was spectacular! We navigated for 35 minutes on the "Desert Thunder Tour" over all of the famous rock formations in Coconino National Forest, including Coffee Pot Rock, Chapel of the Holy Cross, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Courthouse Rock and the 700-year-old settlement of the Anasazi people! This was a priceless experience and we plan to do it again!
Written 23 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
All of us here at Guidance Air want to thank you for making "Peaches" world renown on Trip Advisor forever!
It was our pleasure to have you fly with us. Thanks so much for the Exceptional review!
Written 24 October 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
BrokerPaul
Irvine, CA128 contributions
Jul 2022
Superb customer service exceeded my expectations.
Both the pilot, Christian and the hostess, Savanah were friendly professionals.
Our pilot gave us a safe and comfortable flight that was well scripted and informative.
An excellent value for lifelong memories.
Both the pilot, Christian and the hostess, Savanah were friendly professionals.
Our pilot gave us a safe and comfortable flight that was well scripted and informative.
An excellent value for lifelong memories.
Written 18 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are glad we exceeded your expectations! We hope to see to see you again in the future!
Written 6 August 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jennifer R
6 contributions
Apr 2022 • Friends
This was nothing short of epic. It was a beautiful sunny day and our pilot Christian was excellent. He was not only a great pilot but also did a fantastic job pointing everything out and adding additional color. I highly recommend this tour!
Written 4 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the recommendation, and we are glad you had a great time with Christian!!!
Written 24 April 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tyna E
The Cincinnati Region68 contributions
Nov 2020
We took the guided Cathedral Scenic Tour to see the cave dwellings. I took my 79 year old mother. She giggled, ohh'ed and ahh'ed throughout the trip. Mike our pilot was wonderful answering all of our questions and adding more stories to the trip. So memories are so worth the trip. The staff was efficient and friendly. They were very aware of covid and kept us a safe distance from other travelers and on task. Thank you!
Written 24 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan N
Eugene, OR65 contributions
Jan 2021
We love helicopter tours, but because they are pricey, we will only take them if we're convinced that the scenery will be spectacular. In the case of Sedona, we couldn't wait because, damn, there's no other place like it with the unique, panoramic assortment of massive red rock formations and canyons, some quite accessible and others remote. It is also difficult to grasp the extent of the formations surrounding Sedona from any terrestrial perspective. Our 30 minute tour with Guidance Air was well worth the money ($299 pp plus tax). It certainly ranks among the greatest helicopter rides of our lives. Our pilot, Ken, was friendly and knowledgeable (hard not be if that's your main occupation), but he gave us an excellent grasp of things that are widely known and some that are likely known only by long time insiders. The helicopter itself is very well suited for viewing, the staff host with the very cool name Jamaica, a Sedona native, couldn't have been more helpful or pleasant. This was a great experience, one we highly recommend.
Written 23 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for the glowing review! We are so glad that you chose Sedona for one of your helicopter tours! You just cannot beat the views! See you next time!
Written 27 January 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gavin Cutshall
San Diego, CA26 contributions
We took the Desert Thunder flight while visiting Sedona last weekend. It was an amazing experience. The views from the helicopter are unparalleled and the pilot added so much to the experience. The staff of Guidance Air were friendly and helpful. It was a highlight of visiting Sedona.
Written 30 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are so glad that you enjoyed your tour with us here at Guidance. We love being a highlight for visitors!
Written 10 April 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
vaughanm1976
Amarillo, TX695 contributions
Dec 2019
Three of us took the Desert Thunder Tour or as the Guidance Air people designate it, the Cathedral Tour. It is a combination of two of their shorter trips. They also offer a longer trip. The weather was perfect since it had snowed and rained the previous few days but the day of our flight was bright and sunny. The snow on the rocky ridges of Sedona added contrast to the normal beauty of the area. Ken was a great pilot and narrated what we were viewing. We saw beautiful rock formations, mesas, plateaus, streams, along with cliff dwellings of the Anasazi from a vantage point not available from the ground. Well worth the time and expense.
Written 2 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for this glowing review! We are so glad that you enjoyed your pilot and the tour.
Written 8 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nicole R
NW North Carolina111 contributions
Jake was an amazing pilot. Gave the flight of a lifetime. He knows this landscape like the back his hand with intricate detail. He has a great jam playing in the background. The whole team was professional and top guns! I almost went again back to back. I love this tour. Take the flight worth every penny! Bravo!!
Written 21 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are so glad you had an incredible time and Jake personally appreciates the review! We strive for professionalism and thank you for taking the time to leave this amazing review. We hope to see you again in the future!
Written 28 February 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
262grl
Allentown, PA47 contributions
Excellent experience! 30 minutes of pure joy! Our pilot, Christian, was great. He explained all the areas we flew over and went slow enough that we could really enjoy the sights. We felt very safe in his hands. Everyone at Guidance Air was wonderful and made our flying experience top notch. Highly recommend seeing Sedona and it’s beautiful buttes and canyons by air!
Written 18 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for the kind review. We are glad that you enjoyed your flight with Christian and your experience with our staff!
Written 24 January 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Please tell me masks are NOT required... I really want to book this for my friends' birthday... Thank you...
Written 28 March 2022
Suffer from slight vertigo
Is helicopter ride safe ??
Written 5 July 2021
Visiting Sedona in late September. What is best time of day for the Desert Thunder Tour besides sunset?
Written 25 June 2021
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