Grand Canyon and Sedona Tour
Sedona, AZ
5.0 (66 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Best of Grand Canyon & Sedona
- Iconic Hikes
- Historic Mining Town Tour & Dinner
- Dinner at Historic El Tovar on the South Rim
- Amazing Natural & Cultural History
- Premier Lodging & Fantastic Cuisine
- Profound Geology
Description
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.
If you are seeking to indulge in the wonders Northern Arizona has to offer, this trip is for you. You get 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 permitee of the USFS, Red Rock Ranger District.
$610 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
The single supplement guarantees your own room. If you would like to forego the single supplement, you can request to be paired with a roommate of the same gender. If we are unsuccessful in pairing you with a roommate, the single supplement will apply.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 2
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
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.
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 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.
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.
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
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ITINERARY
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.
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
- 3 nights of double occupancy lodging at a carefully selected local Sedona and Grand Canyon hotels (single occupancy requires an additional single supplement)
- Meals throughout the tour, including a mix of in-town and backcountry meals
- Use of a day pack, trekking poles and Microspike crampons during winter months
- 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
- 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
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 Grand Canyon and Sedona hiking tour features a combination of restaurant meals and meals prepared by your guide. We’ll have dinners at carefully selected, wonderful restaurants in Sedona and at the South Rim.
We provide breakfasts and lunches for the trip. 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 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
- Microspike crampons when necessary
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Satellite phone
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
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.
Essential Eligibility Criteria
Essential Eligibility Criteria (“EEC”) have been specifically identified to help you understand the skills and abilities necessary to participate on each Wildland trip, and they apply uniformly to all potential trip participants, irrespective of the presence or absence of any disability.
Once you identify a trip in which you may be interested, please carefully review the EEC and itinerary details. If after reviewing the EEC that apply to your desired trip, you determine you need an accommodation in order to meet the EEC, please contact us prior to registering to discuss your requested accommodation.
The EEC exist for your own safety and the safety and enjoyment of all participants. If you are unable to meet the EEC for the trip, with or without an accommodation, you are not eligible for that trip. If you register and arrive for a trip for which you do not meet the EEC, you will be disqualified from participation on the trip and will be dismissed or evacuated from the trip without a refund.
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
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)
* 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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Liette L
Fully appreciated it.
Tour was good, guide Doug excellent. However, I would be happy with cheaper accommodations and cheaper restaurants. It was nice but I believe hikers are used to, and happy with, a lot less luxury. Anything that would lower the cost of the trip.
Karla C
Highly recommend this experience.
A wonderful 4-day experience. Stephen, our guide was amazing! He was able to match our touring experience with our needs, energy levels and interests. Strangers at the beginning of the trip quickly became friends. Saw amazing sites, ate delicious food, and had wonderful sleeping accommodations. Highly recommend this experience.
Thomas C
Informative and Challenging
I can't imagine how the trip could have been more perfect. Stephen, the guide, read our group and expertly matched the rigor of our hikes to our abilities and interests. Each day was informative, challenging, and, to be honest, worth pretty much the cost of the whole tour. Stephen even dialed up spectacular weather for us :). The two days in the Sedona area were fairly technically challenging and a great buildup to the Canyon, where altitude and heat were more of the focus. In addition to being the perfect host, Stephen really helped to forge our collection of customer into a group, and in the process he became part of our group, and we've talked about getting the group back together next year and requesting Stephen. It's not often you get someone who is so obviously loves his job that you can't help but be swept up in the enthusiasm.
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