Arizona Desert and Canyons

Upon your arrival in Phoenix (PHX), you'll start your adventure by transferring independently from the airport to our starting hotel where you’ll reside for the first of two nights. Tomorrow morning the group will rendezvous at 8:00 am for a group briefing and to prepare for embarking on the activities of the day. Hotel: Hampton Inn midtown (or similar)

Meals:  Nil

This morning we’ll explore more of the Phoenix area as you take two guided tours in the area. Taliesin West is a UNESCO world heritage site and National Historic Landmark developed, planned, and built by Frank Lloyd Wright and his apprentices to serve as his winter home and laboratory. Following the morning tour of Taliesin West, we’ll return to the hotel to shower, freshen up, and relax before departing to a group dinner to celebrate our first night together and learn more from our guide about the activities yet to come. Hotel: Hampton Inn midtown (or similar) Drive time: Roughly 1.5 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

Departing from Phoenix in the morning, we’ll continue our journey with a drive to Prescott - the Arizona Territory’s first capitol. We’ll take some time in town to walk around, stretch our legs, and breathe some slightly thinner air because this town rests at just above one mile above sea level. After a break in Prescott, we take a short but scenic drive to Jerome, Arizona - a historic copper mining town - which was at one point was the fourth largest city in Arizona thanks to the riches that could be struck in the mining trade. Everyone will have time to walk around, grab lunch and a coffee, perhaps a bottle of wine (for later) from the local wineries, before we make our way to Tuzigoot National Monument where remnants of civilization and community dating back to Ten Thousand years ago still stand. Our day concludes in the beautiful city of Sedona . Dinner will be on your own. Hotel: Arabella Hotel, Sedona (or similar) Drive time: 3.5 hours / 170 miles / 275 km

Meals:  B,L

Your day in Sedona offers a choice of optional morning activities including a hot air balloon ride or a Pink Jeep tour. Wrap up your morning activities or morning at leisure and be ready for a group tour of town around noon. In the afternoon we’ll visit some of Sedona's famous architecture at the Chapel of the Holy Cross and amongst the Tlaquepaque art district. In the evening, enjoy dinner on your own or with your fellow travelers. Hotel: Arabella Hotel, Sedona (or similar) Drive time: negligible

Meals:  B,L

Start the day at a leisurely pace with a hotel check-out around 11am. Our route winds us through the picturesque Oak Creek Canyon on the way to Flagstaff where we’ll take some time for a picnic lunch. After lunch, we’ll depart Flagstaff and continue north to the Grand Canyon's South Rim. Your accommodation for the night is extremely close to the national park. Hotel: Grand Canyon Plaza (or similar) Drive time: 2.25 hours / 110 miles / 180 km

Meals:  B,L

Enjoy a full day at the Grand Canyon. You have the option of taking a helicopter flight for a unique perspective or spending the full day along the canyon rim. The rim trail is the best way to see many of the park’s favorite vistas like the Bright Angel and South Kaibab trails along the park’s main corridor. You'll be staying at the same hotel for a second night. Hotel: Grand Canyon Plaza (or similar) Drive time: negligible

Meals:  B,L

Begin your day with a breathtaking morning at the Grand Canyon's rim before venturing further east in the canyon than we’ve been so far. Our journey continues with visits to Grandview Point and The Desert View Watchtower. After leaving the park, we’ll make a stop at the Navajo artisanal bazaar - the Cameron Trading Post. After a drive through the Painted Desert on the way to Page, we arrive at the picturesque Horseshoe Bend before heading to our accommodations for the first of two nights. Hotel: Courtyard Marriott (or similar) Drive time: 2.25 hours / 130 miles / 210 km

Meals:  B,L

In Page our day is filled with a guided walking tour of Antelope Canyon followed by a kayaking adventure on Lake Powell. On this day we’ll get the opportunity to see Antelope canyon’s winding slot from two sides, giving us an in-depth understanding of the natural formation of this region’s geological features. After seeing the natural formations, we’ll visit the Glen Canyon Dam Visitor Center which is home to one of the nation’s largest and most unnatural features. In the evening we’ll return to our hotel. Hotel: Courtyard Marrio

Meals:  B,L

Depart Page for Flagstaff in the late morning and we’ll arrive in Flagstaff with enough time to take a relaxing walk around downtown. Enjoy a farewell dinner with the group at the end of the day. Hotel: High Country Motor Lodge Drive Time: 2.25 hours / 130 miles / 210 km

Meals:  B,L,D

Conclude your tour by returning to Phoenix. Along the way back from up north in Flagstaff, we’ll make a stop at Arcosanti. Arcosanti is a town and ongoing experiment in Arcology - the combination of architecture and ecology. After the tour, you'll be dropped-off at the final hotel. Spend your final night at Phoenix. Hotel: Hampton Inn midtown (or similar) Drive Time: 2.5 hours / 145 miles / 240 km

Meals:  B,L

Our tour concludes after breakfast. Make your own way to the airport, or onward arrangements.

Meals:  B