Grand Canyon National Park | Richard I'Anson

Saguaro and other cacti of Arizona | ©VisittheUSA.com

Arizona's famous Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River | ©VisittheUSA.com

Arizona Desert and Canyons

Spectacular natural sights and comfortable accommodation

United States

11 Days from

$5360 USD

Trip Code: AZC

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Essential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Single Supplement

$1475 USD

Duration

11 Days

Activities

Kayaking
Day Walks

Accommodation

10 nights 3 star hotels

Meals

2 Dinners
9 Lunches
10 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading

2 / 10

Adventure touring

Trip highlights

Marvel at the magnitude of the Grand Canyon
Drive through Oak Creek Canyon
Relax in Sedona
Kayak at Lake Powell
Experience the Native ruins at Wupatki National Monument

Overview

Embark on a remarkable 11-day journey through Arizona, where comfort meets adventure in our brand new Arizona tour. This expedition takes you through some of the state's most iconic destinations, including Phoenix, Sedona, the Grand Canyon, Page, and Flagstaff. From the serenity of kayaking Lake Powell to the awe-inspiring Antelope Canyon walking tour, to a breathtaking hike through the Grand Canyon, and witnessing the mesmerizing Horseshoe Bend, our itinerary is a blend of captivating experiences that can only be experienced in Arizona! Immerse yourself in the natural wonders, rich and and vibrant culture of Arizona, all while enjoying in comfort and hospitality throughout your unforgettable voyage.

Itinerary

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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. _____________________________________________________________________________ • Overnight: Hampton Inn - Phoenix Midtown, 2 nights

Meals: Nil

This morning we’ll explore more of the Phoenix area as you take guided tours of the area. We start by touring Taliesin West, 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. This tour is included as part of your trip cost. Following the morning tour, 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. _____________________________________________________________________________ • Overnight: Hampton Inn - Phoenix Midtown • Drive time: ~60 mi/100 km, or 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 (1600 m) 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 this evening _____________________________________________________________________________ • Overnight: Arabella Hotel, 2 nights • Drive time: ~170 mi/260 km, or 3.5 hrs

Meals: B,L

Your morning in Sedona offers a choice of optional morning activities including a hot air balloon ride or a Pink Jeep tour (neither are included). Otherwise, enjoy a coffee in town or head out for a short hike. Whatever you choose, be sure to wrap up your morning activities 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. _____________________________________________________________________________ • Overnight: Arabella Hotel

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 just south of the National Park entrance. _____________________________________________________________________________ • Overnight: Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel, 2 nights • Drive time: ~110 mi/160 km, or 2.25 hrs

Meals: B,L

Enjoy a full day at the Grand Canyon. You have the option of taking a helicopter flight (not included) for a unique perspective or spending the full day hiking. We recommend an easy hike along the West Rim to the beautiful Hermit’s Rest overlook. If you are looking for a bit more action, there are some recommended hikes that will take you into the canyon itself. Note that you have to come up as far as you went down so keep that in mind to ensure you have enough food, water and plenty of time. It will take you twice as long to return to the rim as it did for you to descend. You'll be staying at the same hotel for a second night. *Note: Hikes in Grand Canyon National Park are self-guided due to permit regulations. _____________________________________________________________________________ • Overnight: Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel _____________________________________________________________________________ • Havasupai Gardens via Bright Angel Trail: ~9 mi/14.4 km, 4-5 hrs, +/-940 m • Cedar Ridge via South Kaibab: ~3 mi/5 km, 3-4 hrs, +/-300 m • Hike along the rim: up to 8 mi/13 km, up to 4 hrs, +/-50 m

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. _____________________________________________________________________________ • Overnight: Courtyard Marriott - Page, 2 nights • Drive time: ~130 mi/210 km, or 2.5 hrs _____________________________________________________________________________ Horseshoe Bend: 1.5 mi/2.4 km, 45 min, +/-40 m

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. Both the tour and the kayak are included as a part of your trip cost. 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. _____________________________________________________________________________ • Overnight: Courtyard Marriott - Page

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. _____________________________________________________________________________ • Overnight: High Country Motor Lodge, 1 night • Drive time: ~130 mi/210 km, or 2.5 hrs

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, which is included as a part of your trip cost, you'll be dropped-off at the final hotel. Spend your final night back in Phoenix exploring anything you missed previously. _____________________________________________________________________________ • Overnight: Hampton Inn - Phoenix Midtown, 1 night • Drive Time: ~145 mi/235 km, or 2.5 hrs

Meals: B,L

Today concludes your tour after breakfast. Departure is on your own. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is 6 mi you’re your hotel. Transportation options vary in cost and convenience, you can choose based on your preferences and schedule. The hotel front desk can help arrange a taxi for an easy and affordable option.

Meals: B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

Ready to start your adventure?

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What's included?

Included

10 nights accommodation in 3 star hotels with private facilities
10 Breakfasts, 9 Self made picnic lunches, 2 Dinners
Private transport
Services of an experienced, multi-lingual driver-guide
National park entry fees, tours & sightseeing as specified
Kayaks and Safety gear

Not included

Flights, airport taxes, and airport transfers
Meals not indicated in the itinerary
Travel Insurance (compulsory)
Visas
Medical treatment
Personal expenses
Optional excursions
Tips of $250 per person for the tour manager depending on his / her performance
Porterage
Cost of laundry, soft drinks & alcoholic beverages

About your guide

All of our USA tour leaders are certified in First Aid and CPR and registered as official guides with the national parks. All of them are trained to guide hikes. Most are bilingual and many of our departures are conducted in English as well as one other language (typically German or Spanish). Your tour leader is from the USA and may have grown up here or may have moved here from another country - As many Americans do!