Best of Northern Arizona Tour

• Shuttle to the North Rim: 4-hour drive from Flagstaff
• Hiking Mileage: 1.5-4.0 miles
• 1-way Elevation Change: 600-1441 feet
• Accommodations: Grand Canyon Lodge

On this Arizona hiking vacation, we’ll pick you up at your hotel in Flagstaff and begin our drive to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. En route we’ll cross the Little Colorado River and then the Colorado River near Lee’s Ferry, where the Old Navajo Bridge (built in the 1920’s) is suspended 467 feet above the water. Your guide will drop you off so you can walk across the historic bridge and snap pictures of this amazing spot, which marks the beginning of the Grand Canyon. Occasionally we see California Condors perched on the rafters beneath the bridge.

After eating breakfast at the Old Navajo Bridge, we’ll continue on our journey to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and the famous Grand Canyon Lodge. We’ll check in to our rooms, then enjoy the lodge and its massive picture windows before hiking to Bright Angel Point, one of the most impressive views in the Canyon. After a hearty lunch we’ll hike down the famous North Kaibab Trail to Coconino Overlook, another one of the most impressive overlooks in the Canyon.

Once the hiking is done we’ll continue back to the Grand Canyon Lodge, where we’ll shower and meet up for a wonderful dinner overlooking the depths of the Grand Canyon from the Lodge restaurant’s spectacular picture windows.

• Hiking Mileage: 2-6 miles
• 1-way Elevation Change: 1,200 – 2,500 feet
• Accommodations: Grand Canyon Lodge

After a big breakfast we’ll drive a short distance to our trailhead. Today’s hike is on a beautiful trail that winds through the pine trees and aspen of the high North Rim (8,000 feet) past ancient fossil beds to the edge of the Canyon. Elk, deer, coyotes, fox, mountain lions, and even half-breed wild buffalo roam these forests and meadows regularly. The plant life is rich and lush, which is an amazing contrast to the desert ecosystems we’ll be gazing down at inside the Canyon (and later walking through off the South Rim). Once we reach the edge of the Canyon, we’ll traverse the North Rim to a stunning viewpoint. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking the depths of the Canyon, explore this incredible area by extending our hike along the Rim, and then return on the same trail.

We’ll have a nice sunset dinner this evening cooked by your guide at a spectacular view point called Point Imperial.

• Shuttle to the South Rim: 4-hour drive from the North Rim
• Hiking Mileage: 3-6 miles
• 1-way Elevation Change: 1,200 – 2,500 feet
• Accommodations: Historic El Tovar or The Grand Canyon Squire Inn

We’ll check out of our rooms and drive again over the Colorado River at Lee’s Ferry. We’ll turn west and enter the Park from the East Entrance this time, where we’ll stop at the famous Desert View Watchtower. This amazing structure is a replica of a Native American tower found in the same location by early explorers centuries ago.

After driving along the famous Desert View Drive, we’ll reach the jumping off point for our amazing hike on the Grandview Trail! As the name implies, phenomenal views abound on this hike! You can see for more than 100 miles on a clear Grand Canyon day from the top. Originally used by native peoples of the Grand Canyon, the Grandview Trail as we know it today was built as access to the Last Chance Mine when copper was discovered on Horseshoe Mesa in 1890. Along with prehistoric sites, much of the old mining operation remains, including the original miner’s cabin walls and fireplace.

After our hike we’ll check in to our hotel and then head out for a very special dinner at the historic El Tovar Lodge at the very edge of the South Rim.

• Hiking Mileage: 3-6 miles
• 1-way Elevation Change: 2,500 feet
• Shuttle to Sedona: 2.5-3 hours
• Accommodations: Briar Patch Inn

Today we get an early start, check out of our rooms and embark on one of most scenic hikes the Grand Canyon has to offer. We descend the spine of a spectacular ridge that 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 moderate nature of the hiking make our hike one of the most photographed trails in the country and a fantastic day in the canyon.

After our hike we embark on a 2.5 hour scenic drive through the stunning Oak Creek Canyon to the red rock landscape of Sedona. We check into our charming lodge and enjoy dinner at a local eatery hand-picked by your guide.

• Hiking Mileage: 7 miles
• 1-way Elevation Change: 500 feet
• Accommodations: Briar Patch Inn

We begin our time in Sedona with a classic hike to some of the most iconic features in the area. Starting near two of Sedona’s most prominent and beautiful landmarks, Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock, we quickly ascend 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’ll return to our lodging, relax for an hour or two, and then depart for another wonderful local Sedona dinner.

• Hiking Mileage: 8-9 miles
• 1-way Elevation Change: 1200 feet
• Shuttle to Flastaff: 1 hour

After checking out of our lodge we shuttle to another local trailhead for what is sure to be a highlight of our time in Northern Arizona. This hike is one of the best in the area as we walk back in time on old wagon roads (now trails) to a red rock saddle that offers incredible views. This trail, named for the overhanging rock that shelters part of the route from the sun, 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 our hike and lunch on the trail we shuttle back to Flagstaff through the scenic Oak Creek Canyon, soaking in more views of towering red and gold cliffs as we go. We’ll say our goodbyes to new friends and make plans to share memories of the hidden gems of Northern Arizona!