GRAND CANYON AND SEDONA

Trip Itinerary

Day 1:
Depart Flagstaff early for your scenic drive through northern Arizona. Our destination will be the South Rim of Grand Canyon for our first hike. Our trail descends into the depths of the canyon via switchbacks and longer traverses along a rocky ridgeline offering panoramic views that are hard to beat. Our goal is a promontory of limestone offering glimpses of the Colorado River as it meanders along the canyon bottom, still a few thousand feet below us. We return the way we came, all the while learning about the canyon’s geologic history, plants and animals and tales of early explorers. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the trail before returning to the rim. We then head to the Yavapai Observation Point for more incredible canyon views before checking into our hotel. You’ll have a chance to rest and get cleaned up before a delicious dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Drive Time: 1.5 hours to South Rim
Distance & Elevation: ~6 miles, 2000 foot descent/ascent
Light Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 2:
After an early breakfast we are off for another day of exploring. We’ll head for a quiet trail to the west of Grand Canyon Village and descend into a peaceful basin of pinyon pine and juniper. Here the trail levels out and winds its way along the head of a deep gorge towards an idyllic spring tucked away in a sandstone alcove. You’ll learn the history of the prospectors and early guides that built these trails and welcomed tourists in the late 19th century. Upon returning to the rim, we will begin our journey to Sedona, passing through the gorgeous Oak Creek Canyon on one of the most scenic roads in Arizona. We’ll check into our hotel, clean up and head out for dinner at one of Sedona’s best local restaurants.
Drive Time: 2 hours from Grand Canyon to Sedona
Distance & Elevation: 7 miles, 1600 foot descent/ascent
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3:
Today features an action-packed day to introduce you to the magical red rocks of Sedona. We’ll start early this morning with a short drive to the trailhead. Our goal is the summit of Bear Mountain, almost 2000 feet above the surrounding high desert. The views are incredible the whole way so there are plenty of reasons to stop, catch your breath and snap some photos. After some time on the summit for lunch and a good rest, we’ll head back down. Then it’s time to sit back (though maybe not relax) and enjoy the adventure of a red rock jeep tour. Head out into the backcountry for some four wheel excitement. The jeep guides are pros at negotiating the dirt roads and slickrock and you’ll have a blast holding on and taking in the sights. After a big day of Sedona adventuring, we’ll head to the hotel for showers and then hit the town for a final dinner together.
Distance & Elevation: 5 miles, up to 1800 foot descent/ascent
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4:
For our final day, we head out to a remote canyon for some quiet exploration in an area rich in cultural history. Loy Canyon is a historic route originally developed in the 1880s to move livestock to and from summer pastures on the canyon rim. The hike begins in a classic desert canyon environment of cholla, prickly pear and manzanita and eventually climbs up through chaparral forest into the cooler pines at higher elevations. This trail features great opportunities for solitude, wildlife viewing and the chance to glimpse ancient Native American cliff dwellings high on the canyon walls. Expect to arrive back in Flagstaff around 5:00 pm.
Drive Time: 1.5 hours total
Distance & Elevation: 9 miles, 1500 foot ascent/descent
Breakfast, Lunch

3-Day Option: For those looking for a slightly shorter trip, we offer a 3-day itinerary that features the same itinerary as above, minus the last day’s hiking in Loy Canyon.

*Final itineraries are occasionally subject to change due to park restrictions/closures, weather conditions and/or road closures.

What’s Included

• A professional, licensed and medically trained guide
• All necessary gear: day pack, trekking poles, traction devices (for icy conditions)
• Two or three nights lodge accommodations in Grand Canyon and Sedona
• All meals from a light breakfast on Day 1 through lunch on the last day + trail snacks
• Roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Flagstaff, AZ
• Park Entrance Fees

What’s Not Included:

• Transportation to/from Flagstaff, AZ
• Lodging the night before/after the trip
• Clothing, raingear, and footwear
• Personal toiletries, sunscreen
• Water bottles/hydration bladder
• Headlamp or flashlight
• Guide gratuity (suggested 10-15% of trip cost)

*Upon Booking you will receive a detailed trip information packet

How many people are in the group?

This tour will accommodate 6 people plus one guide

Are there age restrictions?

Children under the age of 12 are generally not permitted on regularly scheduled trips. This restriction may be negotiable on private tours. Please contact us with any questions regarding this policy.

How do i sign up?

In order to confirm a reservation, we require an initial deposit of $250 per person, with the final balance due 90 days prior to the trip’s departure. If you book a trip within 90 days of the trip’s scheduled departure, then full payment is due at the time of booking.

Your deposit is payable over the phone by Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, or Discover. Checks by mail are fine as well, as are bank transfers ($35 transfer fee). Call our office Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm Arizona time. 1-877-272-5032

Where does the trip begin/end?

This trip will begin/end in Flagstaff, AZ and you will need to spend the night prior to your trip’s scheduled departure in Flagstaff. You will want to fly into either Phoenix (2 hour drive) or Flagstaff. Please visit our Travel Resources page for information on airports, shuttles/rental cars and recommended hotels.

Where do meet our guides?

We will hold a pre-trip orientation at 4:30pm the evening prior to your trip’s departure at the Embassy Suites hotel in Flagstaff. Departure times and logistics for the following morning will be discussed at the orientation.

Most trips will depart between 4:30am and 6:30am. *This meeting is not mandatory, but highly recommended, as we will depart early the next morning. If you are unable to attend, please let us know in advance so that we can make alternate arrangements.

What do we do with our car and extra stuff?

We will provide all transportation to/from trailheads for the duration of the trip. We will pick you up at your hotel in Flagstaff and return you there at the trip’s conclusion. Guests staying at the Embassy Suites (recommended) or Hampton Inn & Suites can leave their cars at the hotel. These hotels will often store your luggage for you, as well. If not, we are happy to store extra luggage at our warehouse for the duration of the trip. If you are staying at a different hotel, you will need to check with them as to whether you can leave your car there.

What time will we get back on the last day?

Expect to be back in Flagstaff by 5pm at the latest on the last day of the trip. Many trips will return earlier but we cannot make any guarantees. In general, it is recommended that you do not plan to fly home on the same day your trip finishes. Since each trip has slightly different logistics, feel free to contact us with specific questions related to the expected return time for your trip.

2020 Dates

All lodge-based tours are currently postponed for the remainder of 2020, except for private groups of 4 or more people.

2021 Dates

February: 11-14, 25-28

March: 4-7, 11-14, 15-18, 22-25

April: 1-4, 8-11, 15-18, 29-2

May: 6-9, 20-23, 27-30

Don’t see your dates? Custom dates may be available!

Call 1-877-272-5032 or email us for details.