ARIZONA 14 DAYS

• Arizona offers a variety of fascinating destinations. The most famous being the Grand Canyon, a breathtaking mile-deep chasm created by the Colorado River.

• Flagstaff is a charming, vibrant mountain town that is covered in ponderosa pine forests and serves as a gateway to the San Francisco Peaks. These peaks include Arizona's tallest mountain, Humphreys Peak (elevation 12,637 feet), and the Arizona Snowbowl ski resort.

• Sedona, situated in the desert, is surrounded by stunning red-rock buttes and steep canyon walls. Its Uptown area is filled with New Age shops, art galleries, and luxurious spas.

• Phoenix is known as the Valley of the Sun, and a sprawling metropolitan area (pop. 5 million). It boasts high-end spa resorts, Jack Nicklaus–designed golf courses, and a vibrant nightlife scene.

• Tucson is a resort-filled city renowned for Saguaro National Park, which preserves a scenic landscape of cactus-filled Sonoran Desert. Tucson is also home to the University of Arizona.

ℹ️ Essential Tips:

Always hike with a buddy; if someone gets hurt, the other can go for help. Pack enough water and food in case you get lost while hiking. Wear the proper gear – good footwear and lightweight, layered clothes for varying weather.

• If you’re visiting National Parks with kids, learn more about the Junior Ranger Program.

• Find out about Entry fees for National Parks.

  • Learn about getting an annual pass.

  • US citizens or permanent residents aged 62+ qualify for the Senior Pass. Cost: one-time $80. It grants free access to U.S. national parks. <Learn more>

• Travel Guide: Frommer’s Arizona. and Fodor’s Arizona.

DAY 1 and 2

• Arrive at Phoenix airport and transfer to your hotel.

  • Renting a car is the best choice. The PHX Sky Train takes travelers from the airport terminals to the Car Rental Center.

• 🏛️ Cultural and Family Highlights around Phoenix:

  1. Explore the Heard Museum: Visit the Heard Museum to learn about Native American culture and art. It has excellent displays of artwork, jewelry, pottery, and objects that reveal tribal history and traditions.

  2. Explore Old Town Scottsdale: Just outside Phoenix, Old Town Scottsdale has charming shops, art galleries, and a Southwestern vibe. Stroll the streets, browse unique stores, and try local restaurants and cafes. <map>

  3. Enjoy the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM): The Musical Instrument Museum is a unique place showing instruments from all over the world. You can see displays, listen to music, and try playing some instruments.

  4. Visit the Phoenix Zoo: Visit the zoo for lots of animals and fun, educational activities—great for kids and animal lovers.

  • Plan your day around travel times and opening hours to get the most from your visit.

• More Things to Do in the Valley of the Sun.

• Hiking Camelback Mountain:

  • Take a hike up Camelback Mountain: It offers breathtaking views of the Phoenix skyline and the surrounding desert.
    The Echo Canyon Trail (2.5 mi. out & back) and Cholla Trail (slightly easier, 2.6 mi. out & back)) are popular options,
    Note, they can be tough and need good shoes and prep.

    1. <Read more> about the trails at Camelback Mountain.

• 🏈 The Phoenix Sports Scene:

  • Greater Phoenix hosts major sporting events every year, including college football's Fiesta Bowl,
    the PGA - Phoenix Open, NASCAR events each spring and fall, and Cactus League Spring Training.

  • These are the professional sports leagues represented in Phoenix: The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, the NBA's Phoenix Suns, and the MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks.

  • College Sports - ASU (Arizona State University) and the University of Arizona (Tucson).

  • <Read more>

• <Where to stay>

• <Where to eat in Scottsdale>

• Overnight: Phoenix (2 nights)

• Distance: Phoenix —-> Tucson, 2 hrs

DAY 3 and 4

• Discover Tucson.

  • Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum - is Tucson’s number #1 attraction. It's an outdoor "living museum" combining a zoo, a botanical garden, and an art gallery.

    The Top 3 Highlights:

    • Wildlife Up Close: Walk through natural habitats to see mountain lions, Mexican gray wolves, and javelinas.

    • Raptor Free Flight: Watch hawks and falcons fly inches above your head in the open desert.

    • The Aviaries: Step inside a walk-in hummingbird garden where birds buzz directly past you.

  • Visit Saguaro National Park. This park protects the largest cactus in the U.S., the saguaro. It has two parts: Rincon Mountain District to the East of downtown and Tucson Mountain District to the West. Both have visitor centers, many hiking trails, and hundreds of tall saguaro cacti.

    • No time to hike? The Cactus Forest Scenic Loop Drive is a paved road with trailheads, viewpoints, and rest stops in the Rincon Mountain District(East).

    • If you visit the Tucson Mountain District (West), the unpaved Bajada Loop Drive offers great views and picnic spots. It's a perfect place to see classic Southwest scenery.

  • Take a scenic drive on the Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway.

    • The Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway, or Catalina Highway, is a beautiful drive in southeast Arizona. It’s the only paved road that goes to the top of Mount Lemmon and the Santa Catalina Mountains.

  • Visit Old Tucson: it’s a movie studio turned theme park. Join an Old Tucson Studios tour to learn the park’s history.
    A local historian leads a 90-minute semi-private tour with walking and tram segments. Discover how the site served as a film and TV studio, amusement park, and event venue—home to over 500 productions.

  • ⚠️ <Seasonal Events and Deals>

  • FAQ’s about visiting Old Town Tucson.

• <Where to dine in Tucson>

• <Where to stay in Tucson>

• Overnight: Tucson (2 nights)

DAYS 5-7

• Journey to Sedona:

  • Sedona, in northern Arizona, is famous for its red rock formations and clear blue skies. Known as "Red Rock Country," it draws outdoor lovers, artists, hikers, and people looking for peace and inspiration.

• Keep in mind: ⚠️ Due to growing popularity, traffic and parking in Sedona, especially near trails, have become difficult. It's best to plan ahead and allow extra time for delays.

  • To help alleviate the traffic congestion and parking issues, the city is providing a shuttle service. The Sedona Shuttle offers convenient transportation options to trail sites from designated parking lots. Served by the Sedona Shuttle.

  • Trail Maps for Trailheads

  Explore Sedona:

• Take a great hike to the iconic Cathedral Rock Trail, which offers stunning views of the surrounding red rock formations and the city below. The trail is challenging but short.

• Head to the Chapel of the Holy Cross, a special building made inside the red rocks. Visit the quiet chapel and see wide views of Sedona from the lookout.

• Take a scenic drive (8 mi.) on the Red Rock Scenic Byway (State Route 179), which offers stunning views of Sedona's red rocks. Stop at viewpoints like Courthouse Butte along the way.

• Visit Bell Rock for its unique shape and spiritual meaning. Walk a short distance around the base or enjoy the views from a nearby spot. <trail details>

• Take a hike from Dry Creek Road. Pick a trail that matches your fitness, like Devil's Bridge Trail, for great views
  and Sedona's nature.

  • <Read more about Devil’s Bridge Trail>

• Experience the Pink Jeep tour. This popular tour company offers several options, including the Broken Arrow Tour,<video>
  a thrilling off-road ride over rugged terrain, steep climbs, and fast descents.

• Stroll through Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village. This charming outdoor shopping area features art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants housed in a Spanish-style village.

• Explore the vibrant walkable downtown area of Sedona. Relax with a spa treatment or a leisurely lunch at a nearby café or restaurant.

• End your day by witnessing a Sedona sunset.

  • Drive to Airport Mesa or Doe Mountain Trailhead to take in the wide views and glowing colors as the sun sets over
    the red rocks. <location(s)>

• ⚠️ Check the weather before hiking, and bring enough water and sun protection.

• <Where to stay>

• Overnight:. Sedona (3 nights)

• Distance: Tucson —-> Sedona, 4.5 hrs. (230 mi.)

  
  
  

DAYS 8 and 9

• Embark and explore Grand Canyon National Park

  • The canyon is one of the best examples of dry-land erosion, formed by the Colorado River.

• On the South Rim, the two main scenic drives are Hermit Road (the West Rim drive, accessible only by shuttle most of the year) and Desert View Drive (the East Rim drive, open to private vehicles).

• Watch the canyon at sunset as colors shift from orange to pink to purple.

• Learn about the Grand Canyon shuttle service—what you need to know.

• Grand Canyon Tours for Seniors <Learn more>

• <Where to eat>

  • Reservations are required for lunch and dinner at the historic El Tovar Dining Room. Book as early as possible.

• BEST HIKE: A sunrise hike on the scenic self-guided South Kaibab Trail.

  • Hiking in the park can be challenging. Be ready by bringing enough water and snacks.

  • It’s a 6-hour/6-mile RT to Skeleton Point. Difficulty: Strenuous.

    • ⚠️ Do not go past Skeleton Point on a day hike.

    • June, July & August are the worst months to hike into the canyon due to hot temperatures. (90°F / 32°C or more.)

    • Stay hydrated. The Park Service warns that you need 2 liters of water per 90 minutes while you’re hiking.

    • Bananas, granola bars, trail mix, or simple raisins and peanuts are handy, convenient snacks.

• Warning Signs and Symptoms of Heat-Related Illness should be understood by every hiker.

• Kaibab Trail begins south of Yaki Point on Yaki Point Road. <Learn more>

  • South Kaibab Trailhead and Yaki Point are the only Desert View Drive viewpoints you cannot reach by private car.
    Take the free Kaibab Rim Route (Orange) shuttle from the Visitor Center.

• Optional shorter trails:

  • Cedar Ridge trail, a 3‑mile round trip, is a good alternative if the Skeleton Point hike is too hard or takes too long.

  • The Ooh Ahh Point hike is a 1.8-mile round-trip hike that gets you off the South Rim and out on the trail.

• Would you rather Bike than hike?

  • Contact Bright Angel Bike Rentals to pedal the awesome rim trails.

  • Bike rental shop located next to the Visitor Center. <FAQ’s>

• Overnight: Grand Canyon South Rim (2 nights), Reservations-recommended. Book 6-8 months in advance.

• Distance: Sedona —> Grand Canyon Village. 2.5hrs.

• Add an Extra day. Ride a mule down the canyon. Book with Grand Canyon Lodges. 888-297-2757. <click here>

DAYS 10 and 11

• Journey to Page, Arizona — a small town known for its unique sights and natural beauty.

• <Page Visitor Resources> <Map of Page>

• The top thing to do in Page is to explore Lake Powell in the Glen Canyon Recreation Area.
  Lake Powell is a scenic reservoir behind Glen Canyon Dam. You can rent a boat, kayak, or paddleboard, swim, or relax on its sandy beaches. <Services>

  • Discover Lake Powell with a Boat Tour. These tours show amazing views, winding through narrow canyons, high red cliffs, and landmarks like Rainbow Bridge.

  • 🛶 Kayaking at Lees Ferry:

    • Launching Point: Lees Ferry has a boat ramp for launching kayaks into the Colorado River and is the usual put-in
      for trips. It’s 42 miles (61 km) from Page via Hwy 89 south and Hwy 89A west.

      • GPS: 36.87360010717127, -111.55438721775178

    • <FAQ’s>

    • <Read more> about kayaking.

  • Glen Canyon Dam: provides hydroelectric power and controls the flow of the Colorado River. <map>

• Horseshoe Bend, just 5 miles from Page, AZ, this stunning natural spot that shows the Colorado River curving in a horseshoe around red rock cliffs. Reach it by an easy 1.5-mile round-trip hike from a paid parking lot ($10 per vehicle).
  Best times to visit: sunrise for soft light and fewer people, midday for bright colors, or sunset for great views.

• Antelope Canyon: join a guided tour of Upper Antelope Canyon. The narrow canyons are known for beautiful rock shapes and light beams that make amazing photos. <video>

  • It’s best to visit Antelope Canyon from March to October for the best light beams and photos. The beams are easiest to capture around midday when the sun is highest.

  • To enhance your photography experience, consider joining a dedicated photography tour. These tours spend more time in the canyon, include expert guides, and offer better photo opportunities.

  • Guided tours are required to visit; you CANNOT go independently.

• A great alternative with fewer crowds is Waterhole Canyon. It’s only open with guided tours. <Tour Packages>

• Rainbow Bridge Tour Alert: Boat tours by Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas are available only when the lake is high enough. Tours depart from Wahweap Marina, located about 50 miles from Rainbow Bridge.

  • The trip takes the whole day. For more details or to make a reservation, visit www.lakepowell.com or call 800-528-6154.

  • ⚠️ Currently, the water levels are low. Tours are unavailable until further notice.

• Photography and Stargazing: Page’s dramatic red rocks and dark night skies make it a haven for photographers and stargazers. Capture the unique red rock formations and enjoy clear, star-filled views.

  • Stargazing at Horseshoe Bend.

  • Stargazing in the Antelope Valley area.

• Things to do in Page.

• Remember to check availability, permits, and weather conditions for specific activities.

• Overnight: Page (2 nights)

• Distance: Grand Canyon Park —-> Page, 2.5 hrs.

DAY 13

• Return to Phoenix

  • If you have time, stop at a Verde Valley winery. <Wine trail information>

    • Arizona's wineries provide unique and enjoyable experiences, but California and Washington wine regions have their own special charm and appeal.

    • Overnight: Phoenix

• Distance: Page —-> Phoenix, 5 hrs (280 miles)

DAY 14

• Depart for your flight home.

🌤️ Climate Guide:

Arizona Gallery

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