Best of Northern Arizona Tour
Flagstaff, AZ
5.0 (4 reviews)Trip Highlights
- North Rim, South Rim & Sedona
- Premier Lodging & Fantastic Cuisine
- Diverse Hand-picked Hikes
- Three Unique Landscapes
- Phenomenal Views
- Accommodations Near the Rims
- Amazing Natural & Cultural History
Description
Join us and experience the very best hiking and outdoor destinations Northern Arizona has to offer! 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 4 days hiking on the North and South Rims of Grand Canyon National Park with 2 days of hiking in Sedona. We throw in premier lodging, fantastic meals, natural and cultural history, and expert guides to make this an unforgettable 6 days!
We begin this trip with 2 days enjoying the quiet and solitude of Grand Canyon’s North Rim, hiking and relaxing at the North Rim Lodge located just steps from the canyons edge. Next we travel to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon for the history, classic hikes, and big canyon views that make this area so popular. At the South Rim we stay just minutes from the canyon to maximize our trail time. As a final treat we make our way to the incredible red rock landscape of Sedona where we enjoy adventurous hand-picked hikes, deluxe accommodations, and charming Southwestern meals.
If you want to indulge in the wonders Northern Arizona has to offer, this trip is for you. Enjoy a thrilling experience of Grand Canyon and Sedona all in one trip while we handle the details for you each step of the way. All you have to do is enjoy the hikes, soak in the views and relax!
Wildland Trekking is a permittee of the USFS, Red Rock Ranger District
$890 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
Unless otherwise requested, we will attempt to find you a roommate of the same gender. If you would like a single room, the single supplement will apply.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 2
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
This trip follows mostly maintained trails that can be a little rugged in places, often due to logs that lead to large steps up or down or erosional areas. We tackle significant elevation gains and losses over moderately long distances.
Hiking Distances:
Up to 9 mi
Backpack Weight:
8-12 lbs
Terrain:
Moderately Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
Up to 2500 ft
Heights Exposure:
Moderate
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 8-12 lb backpack for 6-8 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on variable, uneven terrain
- Hiking in 95+ degree fahrenheit temperatures (May-Sept)
- Hiking with occasional, moderate heights exposure
SOLITUDE LEVEL 2
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
You can expect as much as an hour of solitude at a time while hiking.
WHY WE BASE IN FLAGSTAFF VS. PHOENIX
- Reduced drive time by 3 hours on first day of hiking
- Guide support is only an hour away vs. 4-5 hours away in Phoenix.
- Increased flexibility with unforeseen circumstances
- Flagstaff is a scenic mountain town with great hiking and restaurants!
GROOME SHUTTLE
Groome Transportation operates an Arizona Shuttle that 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.
Note: Groome also offers daily transportation (3 trips in each direction) from Flagstaff to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
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.
ARIZONA EXECUTIVE TRANSPORT
Arizona Executive Transport offers private, reliable SUV service between Phoenix and Flagstaff. This option is best if you’re traveling in a group of 3 or 4. As Wildland Trekking guests, your one-way cost for up to 4 passengers is only $275. Simply type “Wildland Trekking Company” in the Discount Code Box at the bottom of the online registration page. You can go to http://www.arizonaexecutivellc.com to make your reservations online.
MINIMUM OF 2 GUESTS
If a trip does not reach the minimum number of guests, you may choose to transfer to another trip date or another trip, be refunded your payments in full, or you may have the choice to pay a supplemental fee to run the trip with fewer guests. We make the final determination for these trips 4-6 weeks before the departure date, and notify guests of changes and options immediately.
Private Trips
Travel in perfect company by booking a private trip exclusively for your group!
Our sliding scale for private trips is based on the final number of guests in your group. Rates are per person and do not include sales tax, national park fees or guide gratuity. The final rate is based on the actual number of guests on the trip and may adjust based on cancellations or additions.
Please Note: you can also enjoy a private trip at our normal scheduled rates by filling any empty tour to capacity. However, if group members drop from the tour those spots will automatically become available on our website for instant booking. By purchasing a private trip at the rates listed below, your trip will remain exclusive to your group regardless of cancellations.Â
Private Rates FOr This Trip
- 2 People: Rate x 2.5
- 3 People: Rate x 2
- 4 People: Rate x 1.5
- 5+ People: Rate x 1.15
*all rates are per person and single supplements apply
Learn About Our Private Trips
View Private TripsITINERARY
Day 1
- 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.
Day 2
- Hiking Mileage: 10 miles
- Elevation Change: Minimal
- 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.
Day 3
- 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.
Day 4
- 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.
Day 5
- 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.
Day 6
- 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!
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.
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
What's Included
- 5 nights of double occupancy lodging: 2 nights at the Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim, 1 night at the Grand Hotel or the Squire Inn near the South Rim, 2 nights at the Briar Patch Inn in Sedona (single occupancy requires an additional single supplement)
- Dinners including ones at Grand Canyon Lodge, El Tovar and a sunset dinner on the South Rim (weather permitting)
- Breakfasts, picnic lunches prepared by your guide, and trail snacks
- Use of a day pack and trekking poles
- 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.
- Transportation for the duration of the tour originating and concluding in Flagstaff
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device (InReach Explorer or satellite phone)
- Mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to Grand Canyon
- A Lifetime Hiking Membership entitling you, your spouse and dependents to a discount of 10% off any Wildland hiking trip after your first one (must book directly with us to receive the discount)!
What's Not Included
- Clothes, raingear, and footwear (see recommendations)
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
- Alcoholic beverages
- Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about what to pack.
Meals: What To Expect
This tour features a combination of restaurant meals and meals prepared by your guide. We’ll have dinner at the famous and historic Grand Canyon Lodge and El Tovar Hotel, as well as a sunset dinner on the Rim (prepared by your guide) if weather permits, plus meals at hand-picked Sedona eateries.
For optimal taste and energy, we supplement all our meals with spices, herbs, oils, cheeses, butter, sugar, and fruits and vegetables. In addition, we provide you with with an assortment of trail mix, snacks, and dried fruits to eat at your own discretion.
We regularly accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee.
Gear We Provide
We provide all group gear which includes the following:
- Deuter or Osprey backpacks
- Leki trekking poles
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Satellite phone
Guest Packing List
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with a detailed packing list specific to this trip (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, a recommended clothing system, a headlamp or flashlight, a hydration system (water bottles and/or bladder) and other items specific to each trip.
Trip Logistics
How do I Register?
Reserve your spot today! In the Trip Dates & Booking section of this page, the green and red dates are bookable online by simply clicking on the date, and blue dates must be booked through our customer service team for a variety of possible reasons. To email our customer service team, you can click here to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if you’re ready to register we’ll email you a link to a registration profile. You’ll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit.
Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!
Where Do We Meet?
Unless we tell you otherwise, you will meet your guide and group at the Little America Hotel in Flagstaff (use this reservation page for a 10-60% discount at Little America) for an orientation meeting at 5:00 PM the evening before the trip begins. We’re happy to give you a ride to this meeting if you’re not staying at Little America, but staying at one of our other recommended hotels. Your guide will then pick you up at your hotel the next morning for transport to the trailhead. For Private Grand Canyon Tours your guide will meet you at your hotel in Flagstaff at an agreed upon time.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s pick-up time at the orientation meeting. Generally, you can expect it to be between 4 and 7 am, 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.
Guide Working Parameters
Guides are required to take 8 hours off each 24-hour period to sleep, recuperate, take personal/down time…etc. In addition, as part of the 8 hours off they must sleep/rest or be in their tents/rooms uninterrupted for a minimum of 5 hours each night. We ask guests to respect these requirements and to not interrupt guides’ off time and sleep time unless there is a true emergency.
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
Weather in Northern Arizona
Northern Arizona elevations vary, but average around 4500 feet elevation, which is considered high desert. It tends to be the most comfortable in Spring and Fall, but Summer and Winter are not extreme and are still great times to hike Northern Arizona. To be fully prepared, please follow the recommended clothing list closely (this list comes as part of your trip packet when you register). Read below for average high and low temperatures in the area:
Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
| Month | Low | Hi |
|---|---|---|
| January | 33° | 58° |
| February | 35° | 61° |
| March | 38° | 66° |
| April | 44° | 74° |
| May | 52° | 84° |
| June | 60° | 93° |
| July | 66° | 96° |
| August | 65° | 94° |
| September | 60° | 88° |
| October | 50° | 78° |
| November | 39° | 66° |
| December | 32° | 57° |
Accommodations
Grand Canyon Lodge
2 nights
Famous and historic Grand Canyon Lodge sits literally at the edge of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, with spectacular picture windows and incredible access to the Canyon. It is a wonderful treat to stay at this stunningly situated lodge.
(views, heat, A/C)
El Tovar Hotel
0-1 night
This legendary hotel is Grand Canyon’s premier lodge. A celebrated, historic hotel right on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, El Tovar first opened in 1905. Staying here offers a unique lodging experience that in many ways takes us back in time.
(views)
Grand Canyon Squire Inn
0-1 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! Expect a very comfortable lodging experience with all the modern amenities.
(pool, spa)
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)
* These exact accommodations are not guaranteed. In some instances alternative accommodations of similar quality and location may be used.
Trip Reviews
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Jacquie H
Outstanding
James, our guide, was outstanding. His organization if the entire trip went without a hitch, his leadership and advice was clear and always respectful, his comments on geopolitical landscapes, the flora and fauna were insightful and well-pitched (understandable) and he welcomed questions. His lunch preparations were truly memorable! I should add that our trip was also enhanced by our companion hikers.
Suzette H
Superb
Wildland Trekking is a first-class experience. Our 6-day hiking trip to the North Rim, South Rim and Sedona was fun and challenging. Our guide, James Barrett, anticipated our needs and exceeded our expectations.
Connie M
Exceeded All My Expectations
The Best of Northern Arizona Inn based trip exceeded all my expectations! Our guide, Doug, was very knowledgeable, friendly and professional.
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