Grand Canyon and Sedona 

Depart Flagstaff early for a scenic drive to the Grand Canyon South Rim, where we begin our first hike. The route descends below the rim via a series of switchbacks and traverses along a rocky ridgeline, offering expansive views into the canyon.

The hike reaches a limestone promontory with distant views of the Colorado River far below, providing a strong introduction to below-the-rim hiking without committing to a full descent. After a picnic lunch on the trail, we retrace our route back to the rim, learning about Grand Canyon geology, ecology, and early exploration along the way.

Following the hike, we visit Yavapai Observation Point before checking into our lodge near the park. The evening is free to rest, clean up, and enjoy dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Drive Time: 1.5 hours to South Rim

Distance & Elevation: ~6 miles, 2000 foot descent/ascent

Light Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we hike a quieter trail west of Grand Canyon Village, descending into a basin of pinyon pine and juniper woodland. The trail levels out and follows the head of a deep gorge, leading toward a secluded spring tucked into a sandstone alcove.

After returning to the rim, we depart the canyon and drive south through Oak Creek Canyon, widely considered one of the most scenic roads in Arizona.

Upon arrival in Sedona, we check into our hotel and enjoy dinner at one of Sedona’s local restaurants.

Drive Time: 2 hours from Grand Canyon to Sedona

Distance & Elevation: 7 miles, 1680-foot descent/ascent

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today’s hike introduces Sedona’s Red Rock Country with one of the area’s most scenic loop hikes. The route follows historic wagon roads before ascending onto slickrock terrain, reaching a high saddle with views over Bear Wallow Canyon to the south and Oak Creek Canyon to the north.

The trail winds around Mitten Ridge, revealing expansive panoramic views across Sedona’s sandstone formations. Short sections of slickrock hiking with exposure add a technical element to the day, with guides providing instruction and support for navigating this unique terrain.

We complete the loop via the Cow Pies Trail, named for its distinctive sandstone formations. If time permits, the afternoon may include a brief visit to Uptown Sedona for browsing shops and galleries.

Distance & Elevation: 8.5 miles, 1100-foot ascent/descent

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The final hike explores one of Sedona’s most iconic landscapes near Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock. The route crosses rolling terrain through pinyon pine and juniper forest before ascending sandstone benches along Cathedral Rock’s eastern flank.

Continuing north, the trail descends to Oak Creek, where we enjoy a final lunch beside the water. The hike then returns via connecting trails to the starting point.

After the hike, we travel back to Flagstaff, arriving at approximately 4:00 PM for trip conclusion and farewells.

Drive Time: 1.5 hours total

Distance & Elevation: ~7 miles, 600 foot ascent/descent

Breakfast, Lunch

• A professional, licensed and medically trained guide
• All necessary gear: day pack, trekking poles, traction devices (for icy conditions)
• Three nights lodge accommodations in Grand Canyon and Sedona
• All meals from a light breakfast on Day 1 through lunch on the last day + trail snacks
• Roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Flagstaff, AZ
• Park Entrance Fees
• 5% National Park Service Commercial Fee (a required fee that passes through to Grand Canyon National Park)

Transportation to/from Flagstaff, AZ

Lodging the night before/after the trip

Clothing, raingear, and footwear

Personal toiletries, sunscreen

Water bottles/hydration bladder

Headlamp or flashlight

Guide gratuity (suggested 10-15% of trip cost)

*Upon Booking you will receive a detailed trip information packet

This tour will generally accommodate 6 people plus one guide. But please contact us if you might have a larger group size.

Children under the age of 12 are generally not permitted on regularly scheduled trips. This restriction may be negotiable on private tours. Please contact us with any questions regarding this policy.

In order to confirm a reservation, we require an initial deposit of $250 per person, with the final balance due 90 days prior to the trip’s departure. If you book a trip within 90 days of the trip’s scheduled departure, then full payment is due at the time of booking.

Once we confirm availability, you will be provided with an online registration link. Your deposit is payable online by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, or ACH transfer.

This trip will begin/end in Flagstaff, AZ and you will need to spend the night prior to your trip’s scheduled departure in Flagstaff. You will want to fly into either Phoenix (2 hour drive) or Flagstaff.

Your guide will pick you up at your Flagstaff hotel the morning of your trip’s scheduled departure, at a pre-determined time. Most trips depart between 6am and 8am. We strongly recommend staying at the Little America Hotel in Flagstaff the night prior to departure, where we have arranged discounted rates for our guests.

You will receive an orientation email approximately 5 days pror to your trip’s departure with last-minute details and helpful information.

We will provide all transportation to/from trailheads for the duration of the trip. We will pick you up at your hotel in Flagstaff and return you there at the trip’s conclusion. Guests staying at the Little America Hotel (recommended) can leave their cars at the hotel. The hotels will often store your luggage for you, as well. If not, we are happy to store extra luggage at our warehouse for the duration of the trip. If you are staying at a different hotel, you will need to check with them as to whether you can leave your car there.

Expect to be back in Flagstaff by 5pm at the latest on the last day of the trip. Many trips will return earlier but we cannot make any guarantees. In general, it is recommended that you do not plan to fly home on the same day your trip finishes. Since each trip has slightly different logistics, feel free to contact us with specific questions related to the expected return time for your trip.