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Best of the Grand Canyon State Road Trip
About Grand Canyon Guru's Custom Tours
This itinerary was designed by our destination experts to inspire your canyon country adventure. Here at Grand Canyon Guru, we’ve never designed the same trip twice because we handcraft every itinerary to create a once in a lifetime adventure. We love the wild canyons of the American Southwest and want to share that with every client we work with by offering the highest quality lodging, unique tours, exclusive access, the best local guides, and professional support for every tour we design. Most people only get the chance to do a trip like this once in a lifetime, so our trips focus on the best experience possible for the time and money you’re investing, rather than the least expensive. We will take care of all the details so you all you need to do is show up and enjoy your trip.
Tour Overview
- 8-Days w/Lodging, Transportation and Tours
- Phoenix to Phoenix
- Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend Rafting, Monument Valley, Sedona
- Mule Ride, Hiking, Slot Canyon Tour, Jeep Ride
- Customized Itinerary and professional support
- From $2,995 per person based on double occupancy
Tour Highlights
- Land in the beautiful deserts of Phoenix, AZ to kick off your Arizona-centered adventure. Take in views of the iconic saguaro cactus as you head uphill to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
- Experience the convenience of in-park lodging with a room only a few minutes’ walk to sweeping canyon views.
- Enjoy one of Grand Canyon’s most popular tours while riding a mule along the edge of Grand Canyon to explore the area and learn about the largest canyon in the world.
- Stop at Desert View Drives numerous canyon overlooks on your way out of the park, including a climb to the top of Desert View Watchtower. Stop on your way to Page at a native trading post to shop for exquisite indigenous jewelry and art and enjoy photo ops in the Painted Desert.
- Adventure out with your Navajo guide on an Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend sunset tour. Access a quieter, but equally as beautiful, part of the famous Antelope Canyon slot canyon before enjoying the quiet of the Navajo access overlook of Horseshoe Bend.
- Hit the water for unforgettable views of Glen Canyon on a flat-water float trip. Depart Lees Ferry and motor upstream to pictographs, Horseshoe Bend, and maybe even a view of a soaring California condor.
- Set out into the heart of Monument Valley with a Navajo guide who will hit all the famous overlooks for photos and then take you to interact with tribal members and learn about their thriving culture.
- Road trip from Page to Sedona with stops at beloved Arizona destinations including Wupatki National Monument and downtown Flagstaff. Drive the twists and turns of beautiful Oak Creek Canyon before finally taking in the sweeping views of Sedona’s famous red rocks.
- Relax in the comfort and luxury of resort accommodations in the heart of Sedona. Red rocks soar around the property so you won’t miss a moment of the natural beauty.
- Get out of town on a fun 4x4 off road adventure in an open-air Jeep. Get up close to rock formations, learn about the area’s history, and maybe even visit a vortex.
- Explore Sedona’s gourmet restaurants, art galleries, and new age shops to experience what makes this town so unique.
- Enjoy an easy drive from Sedona to Phoenix for your airport departure home.
Tour Itinerary Details
Day 1: Phoenix to Grand Canyon South Rim
You’ll know your adventure is beginning the moment you step outside of the Phoenix, AZ airport and feel that unforgettable dry desert heat. A road trip across Arizona will let you see some of the state’s best highlights, starting with the iconic saguaros of the Sonoran Desert, transitioning into high elevation ponderosa pine forests, and finally ending at the edge of Grand Canyon’s popular South Rim. Your hotel is conveniently located inside the park with access right outside your door to world famous hiking trails, charming historic Grand Canyon Village, and great food so you can enjoy your evening (and hopefully a stunning sunset!) in one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
Day 2: Grand Canyon Mule Ride
Enjoy a tasty brunch at El Tovar hotel before hitting the trail for today’s adventure. You’ll begin by meeting one of Grand Canyon’s most beloved residents, its mules. Gear up and get comfy on your mule so you can sit back and enjoy the canyon vistas and endless photo ops along your journey. Your guide will expertly take you right along the canyon rim, so you won’t miss a moment of the views and will teach you about how the canyon formed, its indigenous people, and its unique wildlife. Return to the mule barn, give your mule one last pat, and then head wherever you would like on the South Rim to wrap up your day. Opt into a canyon hike, a decadent canyon-view meal, or an unforgettable sunset along Hermit Road for an evening to remember.
Day 3: Grand Canyon South Rim to Lake Powell
Head out to Page, AZ on a beautiful road trip through the east side of Grand Canyon National Park. You’ll be able to view numerous unique canyon overlooks as you drive the 23 miles of Desert View Drive from Grand Canyon Village and then stop at the famous Desert View Watchtower which offers incredible photo ops both inside and out. The next destination beyond the park is a historic native trading post where you’ll not only find exquisite jewelry, pottery, rugs, and more made by indigenous artists, but also a café that sells their famous Navajo Taco, a piece of fry bread with taco toppings on top. Enjoy views of the Painted Desert along the way where you’ll see layers of colorful rocks, everything from white to orange to purple, that give this unique desert its name. Once you arrive in Page, you’ll set out on an unforgettable open-air Navajo guided adventure to a secret part of the photogenic Antelope Canyon slot canyon followed by a stop at the world-famous Horseshoe Bend overlook just in time for sunset. Settle into your comfortable accommodations and explore the tasty restaurants in Page.
Day 4: Horseshoe Bend Rafting
This half-day adventure will take you right into the heart of Glen Canyon. You’ll be transported in comfort to Lees Ferry where you will meet your guide and board a raft. You’ll motor up the calm waters of the powerful Colorado River to Petroglyph beach, an excellent place to learn about the indigenous people who still call this area home. You’ll be surrounded by the canyon’s soaring walls as you motor through 10 miles of the river, including through Horseshoe Bend. The motor coach trip back to Page is scenic the entire way, letting you relax in the beauty of the southwest landscapes. Spend the evening relaxing on the shores of Lake Powell before settling in for the night.
Day 5: Monument Valley
Today’s adventure takes you to one of the most well-known locations in the Southwest and your guided tour gives you plenty of time to explore and take photos. Enjoy an easy departure from Page where you will meet your Navajo guide before setting out into one of the Southwest’s most iconic locations, first made famous as a backdrop for countless old Westerns before it has more recently become social media famous as well. This tour includes stops at overlooks of the famous rock formations but is unique in that it includes a look into the vibrant cultural side of the area as well. Visit a local hogan demonstration, learn about native plants still used by the Navajo people, and interact with tribal members. You’ll return to Page for the evening where you can opt to swim in the cool waters of Lake Powell, dine in one of many great restaurants, or simply relax in your comfortable hotel.
Day 6: Lake Powell to Sedona
The journey from Lake Powell to Sedona really captures the vast natural beauty of the Grand Canyon State and includes a stop at Wupatki National Monument. Here you will learn about indigenous lifeways and have a chance to explore some unique multistory Puebloan architecture. Next, head to downtown Flagstaff, AZ to enjoy walking around this charming mountain town. Downtown offers a unique “brewery trail” that leads to you to endless delicious microbrews as well as many top-rated restaurants serving up everything from delicious southwestern fare to perfectly made classic food, making this the perfect lunch destination. Finally, you will head to Sedona through gorgeous Oak Creek Canyon which will twist and turn as you descend into the red rocks that the town is famous for. Your destination is a luxury resort that includes beautiful accommodations and world class food, all surrounded by some of the most famous views in the Southwest.
Day 7: Sedona Off Road Adventure
Wake up in comfort at your resort and prepare for a fun day of exploring and getting off the main drag. Your guided open-air Jeep tour promises adventure as you 4x4 past some of Sedona’s most famous rock formations and fully understand what makes this area so unique. You’ll still have plenty of time to explore town where you can indulge in excellent restaurants, browse the unique art galleries and stores, or hike or bike on endless trails. You’ll enjoy one final evening at your resort where a sunset swim or drink will wrap up a satisfying day.
Day 8: Sedona to Phoenix
You’ll get one last scenic drive through Arizona as you head out of Sedona and back to Phoenix. Enjoy the unique cactus in the Sonoran Desert, the large rock formations, and city’s distinctive adobe architecture as you head back to the airport for your departure home.
Included in your Custom Wild Canyon’s Tour
Self-Drive Tours Include
- Custom designed itinerary and guide
- Professional booking and support
- 7-nights lodging listed on your itinerary
- All tours listed on your itinerary
- Rental car for 8-days
Private Tours Include All Self-Dive Tour Inclusions PLUS
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Private transportation in a modern, spacious touring vehicle for 8-days
- Services of a professional tour guide for 8-days
- Private hikes and tours with your guide
- All park entrance fees
Not Included in your Custom Wild Canyon’s Tour
- Gratuity for your tour guides
- Airline Flights
- Additional experiences, services and meals not included in the trip cost will require an additional fee paid directly by the client during the trip.
- TRAVEL INSURANCE IS NOT INCLUDED, BUT HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
