Day 1

After meeting at the pre-tour hotel in Tempe, just minutes from the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, your journey to the Grand Canyon begins. You start in the Lower Sonoran Desert, which is distinctively marked by saguaro cacti and enhanced by the Arizona state tree—the yellow-flowering Palo Verde. Ascending the Colorado Plateau, the San Francisco Peaks dominate the horizon, and Ponderosa pines line the route.

After driving through the dramatic volcanic terrain of Sunset Crater National Monument, you stop for a picnic lunch at Wupatki National Monument. Here you explore the most impressive prehistoric Indian pueblo in Northern Arizona, known to have been a thriving center of trade and ritual gatherings in the 12th century A.D. Panoramic views of the Painted Desert unfold to the east, and the sacred Kachina Peaks lie to the west.

You arrive mid-afternoon at the east entrance to Grand Canyon National Park. With a brief pause at the Desert View Watchtower, you are introduced to the visionary architectural style of Mary Elizabeth Colter; her design influences are evident throughout the Park. More significantly, at an incredible overlook, you gain your first personal experience of the natural wonder that is the Grand Canyon. Entering the heart of the Park, you walk the Rim Trail from Yavapai Point to your home for the next two nights—a classic Grand Canyon hotel situated directly on the rim.

On this first evening, dinner is served in one of the park’s distinctive canyonside restaurants offering regional fare, where you bask in superb views of a high desert sunset. The unique palette of canyon colors provides an otherworldly ambiance.
El Tovar Hotel, Grand Canyon South Rim

Day 2

Early risers enjoy a brilliant sunrise in the cool morning air. After a hearty breakfast, you walk directly from the hotel—heading west on the Rim Trail to Hermit’s Rest. Early in the journey you can examine the Kaibab limestone fossil site, home to fossilized remains of marine creatures dating back 250 million years. Spectacular views of the Grand Canyon and the mighty Colorado River abound at many vantage points along the way. The route winds through pinyon-juniper forest, where you may catch a glimpse of vocal Abert’s squirrels, mule deer, or even silver coyotes. Lunch at a scenic overlook provides the opportunity to take in the sheer vastness of the canyon. After the day’s walk, you have the option of visiting two points of historic and cultural interest. Kolb Studio is the former home and business of the Kolb brothers, pioneering photographers at the Grand Canyon. The studio is located directly on the South Rim and offers free art exhibits and dramatic canyon views. Hopi House, which offers a variety of arts and crafts, is also perched at the South Rim. It was built by Native American laborers and was once home to Hopi and Navajo artisans and their families.

This evening, after another hearty meal at the canyon rim, you can retire afterward to your accommodations for a good night’s rest in anticipation of a sunrise walk the next morning.
El Tovar Hotel, Grand Canyon South Rim

Day 3

A sunrise over the Grand Canyon is a stirring sight —a reward for all who join the dawn walk along the canyon rim. Birdsong greets you at this peaceful hour, the canyon literally illuminating before your eyes.

After an early breakfast, your guide leads you to remote Shoshone Point, where you depart the Grand Canyon National Park. However, you cannot leave the area without experiencing the astonishing IMAX movie production, “Secrets of the Grand Canyon,” which serves as your final farewell. Flagstaff is your lunch spot en route to Sedona, followed by a visit to Walnut Canyon. Here you walk among 12th-century Sinagua Indian ruins that have been built into the canyon walls. The vegetation here is unique; one side of the canyon contains fir and pine trees, typical of the Pacific Northwest, while the other, south-facing slopes have many species of cactus, more representative of the Upper Sonoran Desert in central Arizona. This diverse environment is a beautiful backdrop for walking along footpaths into the canyon.

Next, the route takes you through Oak Creek Canyon, where the road descends via switchbacks with stunning views of the Mogollon Rim, Oak Creek, and Sedona in the distance. You venture into the heart of Sedona’s red rock country and your home for the next three nights—an upscale resort located on the banks of Oak Creek, featuring exquisite service, comfortable rooms, and unique décor.

This evening you dine in town at a local favorite restaurant, then retreat to the creekside resort. A dip in the hot tub or a glass of wine by the fire are conducive to lingering and enjoying the evening before retiring to the comforts of your lodgings.
Amara Resort and Spa, Sedona

Day 4

As the sun rises on your first morning in Sedona, the view from your private balcony is perfect for sipping coffee and anticipating the day’s discoveries. You gather for breakfast before heading out for a walk. Little Horse Trail penetrates deep into an area of massive domes and towering cliffs. Along the way it offers dramatic views of Sedona’s signature red rock monoliths—Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte, and Cathedral Rock. Your guides provide insight into the geological and ethnobotanical features that distinctively characterize the landscape of this region. A short walk from the trail leads to the remarkable Chapel of the Holy Cross, a landmark and pilgrimage sight for many visitors.

This afternoon, Sedona is yours to explore. The lively town is home to a vibrant art scene. In Tlaquepaque, Sedona’s Arts and Crafts Village, stroll among the shops and galleries lining cobblestone walkways, or sit by the banks of Oak Creek and enjoy the peaceful feeling that envelops this unique setting. This evening’s dining spot in Sedona is also yours for the choosing—with the ready assistance of your guide who is available to make recommendations and reservations.
Amara Resort and Spa, Sedona

Day 5

Following breakfast at the hotel, a short drive brings you to the start of today’s journey. The walk features dramatic red rock views, as well as tranquil creekside settings. En route you skirt the base of Cathedral Rock, one of the most famous Sedona landmarks, and then enjoy a hearty packed lunch on the red rocks. Following the walk, you return to Sedona in time to enjoy a dip in the pool or a glass of wine on your private balcony before a farewell dinner.
Amara Resort and Spa, Sedona

Day 6

After a final group breakfast, the last walk is just a short drive from the hotel. Airport Mesa offers one of the most dramatic 360-degree viewpoints in Sedona—a parting view that is sure to endure in your travel memories. Here your guides will point out several of the landmarks and named rock formations that you have walked among during the past three days.

With lunch en route at a unique local eatery, you depart Sedona for a two-hour drive back to the lower desert and your final destination of Phoenix.

Itinerary Changes

Please bear in mind that this is a typical itinerary, and the actual activities, sites, and accommodations may vary due to season, special events, weather, or transportation schedules. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary since tour arrangements are made up to a year in advance, and unforeseen circumstances that mandate change may arise. Itinerary changes are made to improve the tour and your experience.

Nights 1 & 2

El Tovar Hotel
Grand Canyon, Arizona

A historic hotel located directly on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon; in the heart of the Grand Canyon Village. Designated as a National Historic Landmark.

Nights 3, 4 & 5

Amara Resort & Spa
Sedona, Arizona

A 4-diamond creekside resort in Sedona; amenities include hot tub, saltwater pool, an on-site spa, and courtyard rooms with balconies.

Please note that this is a sample hotel itinerary for this tour. While these exact hotels are featured on most departures, we occasionally reserve other hotels of similar style and quality. If you are currently booked on a Country Walkers adventure, a hotel itinerary has been sent to you for your exact departure date. Please call Country Walkers at 800.464.9255 if you have any questions about the exact hotels selected for any of our tours.

Clint Fries

Clint has been guiding adventurers and sharing his curiosity, love, and stewardship for the natural world for over 20 years. His own sense of adventure has led him to accompany groups in locations ranging from Big Bend National Park, to Alaska, and the Arctic. In addition to guiding walking tours in Arizona, he has been building his own home and raising a family on a windswept prairie outside Flagstaff.

John Baston

John has spent much of the past twenty years traveling the country and abroad. He spent ten years working as an interpretive ranger for the National Park Service, educating visitors about the natural and cultural history of Western North America. With assignments taking him from the High Sierra of Yosemite, the Point Reyes National Seashore on the California Seacoast, to the National Parks of Mount Rainier, to Glacier Bay, and, Kenai Fjords in Alaska. When not guiding, John practices bodywork and massage therapy in New Mexico where he presently resides.