Grand Canyon and Sedona Tour
Inn-Based Hiking Tours
4 Days, 3 Nights 21+MI / 34+KM
Trip Highlights
Join us and experience the very best of Northern Arizona from a hiking and outdoor perspective! If you love to hike and want to experience a diversity of scenery, world-class destinations, pristine canyon country landscapes, and truly amazing trekking, look no further. This trip combines 2 days hiking in the stunning red rock country of Sedona with 2 days at Grand Canyon National Park. We throw in premier lodging, fantastic meals, natural and cultural history, and expert guides to make this an unforgettable 4 days!
We begin this trip with 2 days exploring Sedona’s Red Rock Country, hiking and relaxing in deluxe accommodations and enjoying charming Southwestern meals around Sedona. Then we travel up to explore the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. We will go on 2 day hikes on famous South Rim trails full of history and panoramic views and stay the third night in a hotel just minutes from the South Rim.
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Best of Grand Canyon & Sedona
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Iconic Hikes
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Historic Mining Town Tour & Dinner
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Dinner at Historic El Tovar on the South Rim
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Amazing Natural & Cultural History
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Premier Lodging & Fantastic Cuisine
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Profound Geology
Book This Trip
View Dates
Trip Details
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Trip Type
Inn-Based Hiking Tours -
Trip Length
4 Days, 3 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
Up to 9 mi -
Group Size
2-9 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
This trip follows well maintained trails that can be a little rugged in places, mostly due to logs that lead to large steps up or down. We tackle significant elevation gains and losses over moderate distances. Heights exposure is moderate and intermittent.
Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 1
Hiking Mileage: 7 miles
1-way Elevation Change: 500 feet
Accommodations: Briar Patch Inn
We start this Arizona hiking tour with an amazing day hike in Sedona. We begin near two of Sedona’s most prominent and beautiful landmarks, Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock, and quickly climb several hundred feet into layered shelves of red rock sandstone. We’ll stop to appreciate and learn about all the different types and uses of desert plants in the area. Half-way into our hike, we’ll reach Cathedral Rock, a stunning, nearly 1,000 foot tall sandstone monolith.
We’ll rest in the shade of cottonwood trees lining the banks of Oak Creek, along the northwest side of Cathedral Rock. Your guide will prepare a tasty lunch and share some of the native and indigenous history of the area – this very spot was once a fertile hunting ground.
After lunch, we’ll complete our hike among the towering cliffs, sheer pinnacles and pristine canyons of Sedona. We will settle in to our first night’s lodging, relax for an hour or two, and then depart for a wonderful dinner in Sedona.
Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 8-9 miles
1-way Elevation Change: 1200 feet
Accommodations: Briar Patch Inn
We will start Day 2 with another Red Rock gem! Mitten Ridge is one of Sedona’s most spectacular hikes, and we’ll walk back in time on old wagon roads (now trails) to a red rock saddle that offers breathtaking views. This trail is a Sedona must-do. It involves exhilarating steps on pure sandstone up Schnebly Hill vistas and panoramic views of the canyons below. This is a great hike to hear the history and story of T.C. Schnebly and his wife Sedona, for whom the town is named after.
After our hike and lunch on the trail, we will return to our rooms to clean up and enjoy a bit of relaxation time before meeting up for another wonderful Southwest dinner together.
Day 3
Shuttle to the South Rim: 2.5-3 hours
Hiking Mileage: 3-6 miles
1-way Elevation Change: 2500 feet
Accommodations: The Grand Canyon Squire Inn
Today we get an early start, check out of our rooms, and embark on a 2.5 hour scenic drive up northern roadways and Oak Creek Canyon to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Our first hike in the Grand Canyon will be down an amazing trail that descends the spine of a spectacular ridge and allows for BIG Grand Canyon views as the ridge drops off on both sides and in front of us. It is the trail to do if you’re looking for some of the best panoramas in the Grand Canyon. These panoramas and the more moderate nature of the hiking make our hike one of the most photographed trails in the country and a fantastic first day in the canyon for us.
After our hike, we will have the chance to explore some of the South Rim’s museums and shops before returning to our lodging for some relaxation. Then tonight we head to the rim for an amazing dinner at the historic El Tovar restaurant overlooking the depths of the Grand Canyon.
Day 4
Hiking Mileage: 3-6 miles
1-way Elevation Loss: 1000-2000 feet
Shuttle to Sedona: 2.5-3 hours
Walking in the footsteps of prehistoric Native Americans, we follow an ancient trail through the Bright Angel Fault. Today’s trail offers a meandering descent into the Grand Canyon and is the most accessible trail that goes far below the rim. There are two potential turn-around points which can make the hike 3 miles or 6 miles round trip. This is a great trail to get down into the Grand Canyon and has great amenities like water, bathrooms and shade available intermittently.
As you descend the sinuous trail into the depths of the Canyon, your guide will explain the miraculous geological and ecological phenomena that surround you. We will enjoy a delicious picnic lunch with a view better than any 5-star restaurant. Eventually we will start our return hike to the rim, this time staring up at the towering cliffs above us until we are finally standing back on top of them, gazing down in amazement at the wonderful hike we just accomplished.
After our hike and some lunch, we will enjoy the 2.5- 3 hour scenic drive back through stunning Oak Creek Canyon to Sedona where your guide will drive you to your accommodations and where we will say our goodbyes to an amazing 4 days!
Please Note: The trail for today’s hike is closed between December 1, 2023 and April 14, 2024. During this time period, we will descend the Hermit Trail, which features big views, fossils, Native American history and a unique look at the geology of the Grand Canyon. Distance is 3-6 miles, elevation gain/loss of up to 2150 feet.
Trip Dates
Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.
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What's Included
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3 nights of double occupancy lodging at a carefully selected local Sedona and Grand Canyon hotels (single occupancy requires an additional single supplement)
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Meals throughout the tour, including a mix of in-town and backcountry meals
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Use of a day pack, trekking poles and Microspike crampons during winter months
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Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
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Transportation for the duration of the tour
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
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Mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to Grand Canyon
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear, and footwear -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Alcoholic beverages
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Accommodations
* These exact accommodations are not guaranteed. In some instances alternative accommodations of similar quality and location may be used.
Briar Patch Inn
2 nights
Nestled in the lush vegetation along Oak Creek, this charming boutique lodge offers the perfect jumping off point for a rejuvenating Sedona Red Rock adventure!
(natural beauty, solitude)
Grand Canyon Squire Inn
1 night
A short drive from the edge of the Canyon, this modern, appealing hotel puts us right in the action where we can make the most of our Grand Canyon adventure!
(pool, spa)
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
Your guide will conduct a virtual orientation meeting (via conference call) at 5:00 PM the evening before your trip begins to review the packing list, communicate the first day’s logistics and answer any last minute questions you have. Your guide will give you the phone number for this call during the pre-trip contact approximately 10 days before your trip start date.
Early on the morning of Day 1 your guide will pick you up from your accommodations in Sedona.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Sedona
Travel to Sedona
ARIZONA SHUTTLE
Groome Transportation makes 9 dependable trips daily each direction between Phoenix and Flagstaff. The duration is 2.5-3 hours. They pickup/drop off at Sky Harbor Airport and the Metro Center in Phoenix, and in Flagstaff at the Amtrak Station (near downtown) and the NAU campus.
Arizona Shuttle makes 13 dependable trips daily each direction between Phoenix and Sedona. The duration is 1 hour and 45 minutes. They pickup/drop off at Sky Harbor Airport and the Metro Center in Phoenix, and in Sedona they will drop you off and/or pick you up at your hotel for a small additional fee.
CAR RENTAL
Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix has a fantastic car rental facility that is easily accessible and hosts a great variety of companies. We recommend checking Priceline.com as well for especially good deals.
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s departure time in the pre trip contact. Generally, you can expect between 5-8am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions.We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day normally before 5 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time).
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Reviews
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Coleen W
6 months agoWow! What a wonderful adventure.
Wow! What a wonderful adventure. We literally have zero complaints and I have already referred WT to 3 of my friends. Everything from the lodging, to the food, to the guide, to the choice of hikes was exceptional. Our guide was prompt, organized, attentive and knowledgeable. He was the perfect host. We’ll definitely be back for our next adventure.
Meg L
7 months agoBest hiking tour ever.
Best hiking tour ever. Supportive consultive team in signing up, everything was taken care of providing great food and amenities so we could focus simply on the hiking and having fun, gorgeous scenery and hiking, and THE BEST tour guide ever in Kenny who brought it all together and made it all worthwhile.
Rachel S
8 months agoVery Pleasant
My trip was very pleasant. Our guide was friendly and always tried to make everyone comfortable. She often gave us interesting information during our hikes. My only negative comment is the price for the trip which I find expensive. Despite everything, I am satisfied with the trip.
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