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8-Nights Apache Deserts & Grand Canyon Road Trip Adventure from $3,029
Goway Travel
OFFER ID 1722333
Active Elements, Epic Scenery, Family Friendly, Off the Beaten Path Venture on a thrilling road trip through Arizona’s Apache Deserts and Grand Canyon, filled with stunning landscapes, historic sites, and unforgettable outdoor adventures.
Trip Overview:
This 9-day American road trip through Arizona’s Apache Deserts and Grand Canyon takes you on an unforgettable journey filled with diverse landscapes, historic sites, and outdoor exploration.
Begin your trip in Scottsdale, a short drive from Phoenix International Airport, and settle into the Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas, conveniently located near downtown. On your second day, embark on an exciting, guided excursion into the Sonoran Desert, famed for its diverse ecosystem and topography. Along the way to Canyon Lake, pass through the Superstition Mountains and make stops at Goldfield Ghost Town, a restored mining town with tours, shops, and rides, and Tortilla Flat, an authentic Old West stagecoach. End the day with a narrated steamboat cruise on Canyon Lake, taking in towering cliffs, fascinating rock formations, and local wildlife such as bald eagles and bighorn sheep.
Your American West road trip continues north to Williams, where the desert scenery transitions to lush forests and Arizona’s tallest peaks. This charming town offers something for everyone: ride the Grand Canyon Railway, explore Route 66’s historic streets, or enjoy outdoor adventures like hiking and horseback riding. The next day, head to Page to explore “Secret Antelope” Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, two of Arizona’s most iconic rock formations. From Page, drive to the Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Spend a full day here with a guided tour of the South Rim, celebrated as one of the most beautiful parts of the Canyon. Witness the awe-inspiring landscapes, spot wildlife, and soak in the grandeur of this natural masterpiece. For a memorable night, stay at the historic El Tovar Hotel, offering cozy accommodations with stunning canyon views.
Conclude your American vacation with a scenic drive back to Phoenix, where you’ll relax at the Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak. Enjoy resort amenities or explore hiking trails in the nearby Phoenix Mountain Preserve. With its proximity to downtown, you can also take a short drive to explore the city.
Highlights:
- Begin in Scottsdale, where desert breezes and mountain views set the tone for your Arizona adventure.
- Journey through the Sonoran Desert and Superstition Mountains, pausing at Goldfield Ghost Town and Tortilla Flat.
- Cruise across Canyon Lake’s tranquil waters, surrounded by rugged cliffs and desert wildlife.
- Ride the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams and marvel at the vast beauty of the South Rim.
- Explore Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend before ending in Phoenix with time to unwind and reflect.
Included Services:
- 9 days Intermediate Car Rental with unlimited mileage (Mazda 3 or similar)
- 2 nights premium accommodations in Scottsdale
- 1-night moderate accommodations in Williams
- 2 nights moderate accommodations in Page
- 2 nights premium accommodations in Grand Canyon Village
- 1-night premium accommodations in Phoenix
- Shared Apache Trail Tour and Lake Cruise: From Phoenix / Scottsdale
- Shared Secret Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Tour from Page
- Shared Grand Canyon National Park Tour with Lunch & Pickup
Excluded Services:
- Car rental insurance
- Travel insurance
- International and domestic airfare & airfare taxes
- Entrances fees to sites not explicitly listed as included
- Meals and beverages not mentioned
- Road tolls
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
- Passport & Visa fees if applicable
8 nights from $3,029 per person
Day 1: Arrive in Scottsdale
Rental Car: Hertz - Phoenix-Sky Harbor Apto Phoenix-Sky Harbor Ap
Arrive at Phoenix International Airport, pick up your car rental and make your way to your hotel. Scottsdale is a quick 30-minute drive from Phoenix International Airport.
Hotel: Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas (4 Star Rating)
Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas offers a relaxing desert getaway just minutes from downtown Scottsdale. The resort features spacious rooms and private villas, ideal for both short stays and longer retreats. Enjoy modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and private patios or balconies. The resort boasts a range of facilities, including a heated outdoor pool, a fitness center, and several dining options. With its lush desert surroundings, tranquil atmosphere, and nearby attractions like golf courses and shopping, it’s the perfect spot for anyone looking to unwind or explore the vibrant Scottsdale area.
Day 2: Small Group Half Day Apache Trail & Lake Cruise
Enjoy a fantastic tour into Apache country and experience the true spirit of the Sonoran Desert on a full day’s outing. Once you’ve met your guide at your hotel, depart for a drive east into the Superstition Mountains. Wind through spectacular Sonoran Desert landscape on the way to Canyon Lake. Before you get there, rest at Goldfield Ghost Town, a fun and fascinating replica of an 1890s mining town. Admission is free, but there are some extras that you might want to enjoy, such as a ride on Arizona’s only narrow gauge train as it circuits the town perimeter. Next you will travel to Tortilla Flat, an authentic remnant of an old West town that is tucked in to the heart of the Tonto National Forest. Here you can grab lunch and check out who is hanging out at the Ice Cream Parlor. Seat yourself on a bar stool made from real saddles in the Superstition Saloon. The tour continues to Canyon Lake for a 90-minute narrated steamboat cruise. Watch for unique wildlife. As you pass through canyons and marvel at rock formations, look out for bald eagles, blue herons, big horn sheep and turkey vultures.
Hotel: Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas (4 Star Rating)
Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas offers a relaxing desert getaway just minutes from downtown Scottsdale. The resort features spacious rooms and private villas, ideal for both short stays and longer retreats. Enjoy modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and private patios or balconies. The resort boasts a range of facilities, including a heated outdoor pool, a fitness center, and several dining options. With its lush desert surroundings, tranquil atmosphere, and nearby attractions like golf courses and shopping, it’s the perfect spot for anyone looking to unwind or explore the vibrant Scottsdale area.
Day 3: Scottsdale to Williams
As you leave Scottsdale, head north to Williams and watch the terrain change from saguaro cactus and open spaces to ponderosa pine, and Arizona’s tallest peaks. A small town nestled in the pine country of northern Arizona, Williams offers countless things to see and do. Route 66 history buffs, for example, can explore more than six blocks of historic buildings and shops bursting with memorabilia.
Hotel: Grand Canyon Railway Hotel (4 Star Rating)
Nestled in the heart of Williams, Arizona, the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel offers a cozy and convenient stay for those exploring the Grand Canyon. The hotel features comfortable rooms with modern amenities, including free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and mini-fridges. On-site, you’ll find a charming restaurant, outdoor pool, and gift shop. Whether you're here for a night or a few days, the hotel offers a welcoming, laid-back vibe for all types of travelers.
Day 4: Williams to Page
Heading out of Williams to Page, you’ll venture across I-17 to Flagstaff and watch the changing landscape as you head due north on 89 and marvel at the San Francisco peaks to the left, Wupatki National Monument to the right, and the Painted Desert all around.
Hotel: Courtyard Page at Lake Powell (3 Star Rating)
Courtyard Page at Lake Powell offers a comfortable base for exploring the stunning natural beauty of Page, Arizona. Just a short drive from Lake Powell and Antelope Canyon, this hotel provides spacious rooms with modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and mini-fridges. Guests can unwind by the outdoor pool, work out in the fitness center, or grab a bite at the on-site bistro. The relaxed, welcoming vibe of the hotel makes it an ideal spot to relax after a day of adventure, with easy access to local sights and outdoor activities around Lake Powell.
Day 5: Small Group Half Day Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend Tour
Today you can enjoy an excursion which includes both a visit to the amazing “Secret Antelope” Canyon and the breathtaking Horseshoe Bend Overlook, the former still being an undiscovered gem. The tour begins with boarding a shaded, open-air, 4x4 tour truck and taking a short three-mile drive from Page, AZ on Highway 89. We’ll exit the highway and enjoy a thrilling six-mile off-road adventure drive through sandy washes, rolling hills to arrive south of Lake Powell in Antelope Canyon. A 300-meter nature walk takes us to the entrance of one of the longest slot canyons to be toured on the Navajo Nation. Receive up to an hour to photograph and meander through the slot canyon and back out to the vehicle for the return ride back to the Horseshoe Bend Overlook on Navajo land. Avoid the congested public parking lot for the Overlook and take a private dirt road which leads to within 100-meters of the edge of the canyon. From here, you will have a much shorter walk to the rim and from there be able to stroll along the side of a 1000-foot drop. Marvel as the undulating sandstone provides various angles and views of the Colorado River as it meanders around a rock promontory, creating the Horseshoe Bend loop beloved by visitors and photographers from around the world. The Horseshoe Bend portion of the tour lasts approximately 1-hour and allows for phenomenal picture taking.
Hotel: Courtyard Page at Lake Powell (3 Star Rating)
Courtyard Page at Lake Powell offers a comfortable base for exploring the stunning natural beauty of Page, Arizona. Just a short drive from Lake Powell and Antelope Canyon, this hotel provides spacious rooms with modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and mini-fridges. Guests can unwind by the outdoor pool, work out in the fitness center, or grab a bite at the on-site bistro. The relaxed, welcoming vibe of the hotel makes it an ideal spot to relax after a day of adventure, with easy access to local sights and outdoor activities around Lake Powell.
Day 6: Page to the Grand Canyon
Enjoy once more the scenic views of Lake Powell before continuing your journey. The drive from Page to the Grand Canyon takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, covering around 140 miles. Enjoy the scenic drive through the vast landscape of Northern Arizona.
Hotel: El Tovar Hotel (4 Star Rating)
El Tovar Hotel offers a classic and comfortable stay right on the edge of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Built in 1905, it blends historic charm with modern amenities. The rooms feature cozy, rustic décor and come with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and beautiful views of the canyon or the surrounding area. Guests can enjoy a delicious meal at the on-site restaurant, which serves a range of dishes in a cozy, wood-paneled setting. With its prime location, El Tovar is a perfect spot to relax and take in the breathtaking beauty of the Grand Canyon, just steps away from the rim.
Day 7: Full Day Grand Canyon National Park Tour
Today you will have 6 hours in the Grand Canyon and to enjoy a tour of the Grand Canyon South Rim with a guide. After being picked up from your hotel, we drive through the scenic areas and reach the park early to beat the crowds and long lines. Once you enter the Grand Canyon National Park, spend as much time as possible clicking photos and admiring the views. You will walk part of the Rim Trail in Grand Canyon Village, and historic sites while learning about the history and culture of the place from your guide. Dive deep into Grand Canyon's ecology and hear a thorough explanation of the geologic story of the chasm. Make a stop at one of the delis inside the park to have a scrumptious lunch. Your journey continues, providing you with a breathtaking view of the surroundings. Get a chance to possibly catch a glimpse of wildlife like condors, raptors, bighorn sheep, and more while you follow your guide. Finally, after a memorable experience, you will return to your hotel.
Hotel: El Tovar Hotel (4 Star Rating)
El Tovar Hotel offers a classic and comfortable stay right on the edge of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Built in 1905, it blends historic charm with modern amenities. The rooms feature cozy, rustic décor and come with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and beautiful views of the canyon or the surrounding area. Guests can enjoy a delicious meal at the on-site restaurant, which serves a range of dishes in a cozy, wood-paneled setting. With its prime location, El Tovar is a perfect spot to relax and take in the breathtaking beauty of the Grand Canyon, just steps away from the rim.
Meal(s): Lunch
Day 8: Grand Canyon to Phoenix
Traveling from Grand Canyon Village to Phoenix takes about 3.5 to 4 hours by car, covering a distance of around 230 miles (370 km). The drive offers scenic views as you pass through the Arizona desert, with the landscape transitioning from pine forests to vast open plains. You'll take Route 64 south to Route 89A, then merge onto I-17 south, heading towards Phoenix. Along the way, you'll encounter small towns like Williams and Flagstaff, where you can stop for a break before continuing through the picturesque desert terrain to the bustling city of Phoenix.
Hotel: Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak (4 Star Rating)
Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak is a great choice for a laid-back stay in the heart of Phoenix. Surrounded by scenic desert landscapes, the resort offers spacious rooms and suites with modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and private balconies. Guests can enjoy a variety of activities, including multiple pools, a lazy river, and tennis courts. There's also a well-equipped fitness center and dining options to suit any craving. With a relaxed atmosphere and beautiful views, this resort is perfect for anyone looking to unwind, explore Phoenix, or take a break in a tranquil desert setting.
Day 9: Depart from Phoenix
Make your way to the airport for your flight home unless you plan to extend your stay in Phoenix.
Vacation Details
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
Fine dining, on-site bars or lounges and room service with extended hours are characteristic of deluxe establishments. Guest services usually include valet parking, concierge services, baggage assistance and laundry services. Other on-site facilities often include shops and boutiques, full service spas, full fitness facilities with pools and tennis courts. Business amenities may include available up-to-date technology and support staffs available for services. Attention to detail is apparent in the guestrooms which typically have stylish furnishings, quality bedding and bath products and often provide an evening turn down service.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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Cook Cruising, LLC
(848) 207-5743