Vegas, Grand Canyon & Arizona

On arrival in Las Vegas, make your own way to our start hotel. There is a hotel shuttle available for you to use, information will be available in your pre-tour information. Once you've checked in and had some time to freshen up, the rest of the day is free to head out and explore. Wander down the Strip and perhaps try your luck in one the city's iconic glittering casinos.

Accommodation: Courtyard Marriott Las Vegas or similar

Las Vegas - Grand Canyon National Park - Grand Canyon Village. Leaving Las Vegas, hopefully with our bank balances still intact, we cross the state border into Arizona, stopping first in Kingman. Here we enjoy a brief visit to the Route 66 Museum located in the historic Old Kingman Powerhouse and take a drive down Andy Devine Blvd. Afterward, we hop on I-40 and head to Williams, where you'll have a chance to eat lunch at one of the local eateries and explore this historic railroad town.

Following lunch, we continue our travels north to Grand Canyon National Park. Here, we have opportunities to either gaze down into the Grand Canyon or hike its depths to immerse yourself in the park's majestic and grand scenery. Hiking options on the South Kaibab Trail include routes to Ooh Aah Point, Cedar Ridge, or, for the more adventurous, Skeleton Point. You also have the option of taking the shuttle out to Hopi Point and other scenic stops along the way. Additionally, you can enjoy a walk along the canyon's rim between Mather Point and the Geology Museum, or traverse the Trail of Time between the geology museum and El Tovar Hotel. After a thorough afternoon of exploring this incredible natural feature, we make our way to Grand Canyon Village, located right on the edge of the national park.

Accommodation: Yavapai Lodge or similar

Grand Canyon Village - Grand Canyon National Park - Winslow. We head back into Grand Canyon National Park this morning, journeying along the rim of the canyon toward the park's east entrance. During the journey, we stop at Grandview Point, the location of the first hotel on the canyon's rim, and at the Desert Watchtower. Following our visit to the Desert Watchtower, we have lunch at the historic Cameron Trading Post, where you can enjoy an authentic Navajo meal and view some of their craftsmanship.

After lunch, we head south to Wupatki National Monument, where you can explore the impressive Native American archaeological sites situated on the edge of the San Francisco Volcanic Field. Next, we drive through Sunset Crater National Monument to see a volcano that is less than 1,000 years old. Afterward, pass by Flagstaff on our way to the historic town of Winslow, where we are spending the night. Our hotel is one of the few remaining Fred Harvey hotels, which were once a common feature along railroads in the mid-west.

Accommodation: La Posada or similar

Winslow - Petrified Forest National Park - Sedona. This morning, we embark on a tour of Petrified Forest National Park. Begin by taking in the stunning scenery and cascading colours of the Painted Desert area. We also visit one of the remnants of historic Route 66 as it passed through this region. After exploring the Painted Desert, we venture into the ancient petrified forests that have been lying dormant for millions of years. Numerous formations and hiking trails await, offering more spectacular views of the Painted Desert. Learn about these unique and rare geological specimens and their fascinating history. Following lunch in Holbrook, we travel back past Flagstaff and through Oak Creek Canyon on a scenic drive to Sedona, where we are spending the night.

Accommodation: Sky Rock Inn or similar

This morning is at leisure. You can opt for a lie in, or rise early to enjoy a sunrise hike in the Sedona area. You have several options to choose from: Devil’s Bridge, an impressive 166-foot natural bridge nestled in a canyon behind the town; Oak Creek Canyon; Bell Rock; or any of the other remarkable formations in the area.

You can be back in time to enjoy breakfast at the hotel before spending the rest of the morning as you wish. At around 15:00, we reconvene as a group for what promises to be one of the most memorable activities of the tour. Climbing aboard a pink jeep, we plunge along the exclusive Broken Arrow Trail on a thrilling off-road adventure. This tour offers the best views for exploring Sedona's stunning red-rock formations.

Accommodation: Sky Rock Inn or similar

Sedona - Cottonwood - Jerome - Prescott. We say farewell to Sedona, driving west to Cottonwood. This historic town is known for the impressive Pueblo ruins at Tuzigoot National Monument. Visit the museum and the pueblo to gain insights into the lives of the indigenous people who once inhabited the area.

Later, we take the mountain road to Jerome, a historic mining town with a rich and colourful history. Once considered one of the wealthiest towns in the western United States, Jerome had declined to a ghost town but is now experiencing a renaissance, attracting artists and featuring several excellent restaurants. Spend a few hours delving into Jerome's fascinating past and its transformation. After a delightful lunch, we travel over historic Mingus Mountain to Prescott, the first state capital of Arizona during its Territorial period. Explore the historic governor’s mansion and other notable sites to round out the day.

Accommodation: Springhill Suites or similar

Prescott - Seligman - Oatman - Las Vegas. This morning we have time to hike, or even kayak amongst the Granite Dells of Prescott, which feature a stunning reservoir nestled among their peaks (kayaking is included). After spending a few hours in this scenic area, we return to the hotel to refresh and check out before departing for Seligman.

This town is thought by many to have been the inspiration for 'Radiator Springs' in the hit Disney movie, Cars, starring Owen Wilson. Following a stroll down its historic main street, we continue west past Kingman and over the mountain on the original Route 66 to Oatman, Arizona. This historic mining town still retains buildings from its origins in the 1880s and is known for the wild burros (donkeys) released by miners. After soaking in this slice of history, we journey back across a section of the Mojave Desert to Las Vegas. The evening is at leisure to enjoy a final night out, Vegas-style! We're staying close to the airport, to make things easier in the morning.

Accommodation: Hampton Inn Airport or similar

Enjoy a final breakfast of the tour before you say your farewells and make your own way to the airport for your onward flight. Safe travels!