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Highlights of Arizona & the Grand Canyon

14-day tailor-made self-drive from £3,415 pp incl. flights

Summary

Short description

Discover pine–covered mountains, cactus-dotted deserts & the world's most famous canyon

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Highlights

  • Explore one of the World Wonders, the epic Grand Canyon
  • Discover the fascinating Native American history of Canyon de Chelly National Monument & Monument Valley
  • Swim, boat & hike among the flooded canyons of otherworldly Lake Powell, including the spectacular Horseshoe Bend
  • Pair city exploration in hip Phoenix with spa-strewn Scottsdale, staying in luxury hotels

In Brief

  • 2 Nights Phoenix
  • 1 Night Sedona
  • 1 Night Chinle
  • 2 Nights Monument Valley
  • 2 Nights Lake Powell
  • 2 Nights Grand Canyon
  • 2 Nights Scottsdale

About

Recommended for:
Activity adventure | City | History & culture | Lodges | Mountains | Natural world | Self-drive | Spa

This unforgettable itinerary will see you discover the awe-inspiring landscapes of Arizona, from looming valleys studded with cacti to rippling ochre canyons. You'll start in a luxury hotel among Phoenix's myriad delights before collecting your included hire car to start your canyon adventure. The vast, red-rock landscapes of Sedona are first before you discover fascinating Navajo history in both Chinle and Monument Valley – the latter reached via an emblematic desert highway. Continue to the otherworldly waterways of Lake Powell, exploring with everything from boat trips to hot air balloon rides, before reaching the world-famous walls of the Grand Canyon. Spend two days exploring this magnificent display of nature with hikes along the southern rim and watching truly stunning sunsets. It all culminates with some well-deserved relaxation at a boutique hotel nestled among the among the spas and golf courses of Scottsdale. There's also the option to extend your holiday with.a ranch stay on the outskirts of Tucson.

Day by day itinerary

Days 1-2
UK to Phoenix, Arizona

After included VIP airport lounge access, take your flight from the UK to Phoenix and, on arrival, make your way to your hotel for the next two nights. You've got a full day on day two to explore the nearby delights of Phoenix, from live music venues and rooftop lounges to Roosevelt Row's art galleries and studios. Don't miss a few hours at one of the myriad luxury spa resorts, golf courses or natural splendours, such as the iconic Camelback Mountain or Desert Botanical Garden.

Stay: Westin Phoenix Downtown or Found:Re Phoenix (Superior)

Day 3
Phoenix to Sedona via Cottonwood

Pick up your hire car and head to Sedona today, following wide open plains and vast ochre landscapes. Your home will be Orchards Inn, home to panoramic red rock views alongside an outdoor pool and hot tub – come back to cosy fireplaces after a day spent on a Jeep tour or hot air balloon ride. Many say they can feel the special spirits in Sedona – others say it's just the pristine beauty of red rock that makes this such as special place to visit. The town itself is set so far down among the rock formations that as you drive around its quiet streets, red-rock cliffs seem to tower above at almost every angle. Catch the Sedona Trolley for tours of the region and for a complete introduction to this spectacular corner of Arizona desert. 

As an alternative to Sedona, you might also consider a stay in Cottonwood, a charming town with a great food scene and easy access to the excellent Verde Canyon Railroad – a four-hour journey among the history and beauty of the wider Sedona region.

Stay: Orchards Inn (Superior)

Day 4
Sedona to Chinle via Flagstaff

Your drive today takes you via Flagstaff on a spectacular route, which contrasts vasts canyons with alpine forests on the way to Chinle. Here the Canyon de Chelly National Monument is the obvious highlight, a sprawling landscape belonging to the Navajo tribe. Features include the 800-foot tall Spider Rock spire and the soaring sandstone cliffs that surround the rippling canyon, and the area's habitation by Native Americans for millions of years means it's scattered throughout with prehistoric rock art. 

Stay: Thunderbird Lodge Canyon de Chelly (Standard)

Days 5-6
Monument Valley

On day five you'll drive to the iconic Monument Valley on the border with Utah, where you'll spend two nights. Having featured in such film classics as Easy Rider and Forrest Gump, the towering buttes and mesas of Monument Valley form one of the USA's most familiar landscapes, and one of its most spectacular. It's also a region steeped in Native-American history, once as the home of the Ancestral Puebloans and later the Navajo, who called this site the 'Valley Between the Rocks'. Take the 17-mile Valley Drive, which brings you through unending desert landscape to eleven marked stops, each one showcasing fine views of the park's iconic sandstone towers.

Stay: The View (Standard) 

Days 7-8
Lake Powell

The spectacular Lake Powell, edged and scattered with red rock stacks, is an otherworldly sight that wouldn't look out of place on Mars. Highlights here include swimming, boating and hiking among the flooded canyons, and the slit of Horseshoe Bend is a must-see, making for truly stunning photo opportunities. Discover neighbouring Page, too, exploring the slot canyons with a Navajo guide in the rippling Antelope Canyon. You could watch the dramatic lake from above by helicopter, or for the more adventurous, there's rafting opportunities to the iconic Glen Canyon dam. You'll stay at the Lake Powell Resort, perfectly situated for all available activities, with a pool and easy access to the docks, fire pits and dining at Driftwood Lounge, offering traditional food in a stunning setting, and Rainbow Room, all floor-to-ceiling glass walls overlooking the stunning rock-speckled lake.

Stay: Lake Powell Resort (Standard)

Days 9-10
Grand Canyon

At 277 miles long and 6,000 feet deep, the Grand Canyon, a World Heritage site and natural wonder of the world, is a truly remarkable place. Taking the Desert View Drive – a 25-mile route along the canyon's south rim – you'll pause at a series of viewpoints to enjoy magnificent views across the layers of multi-coloured rock, some dating back millions of years, that form the canyon's sheer rock walls. The Grand Canyon will celebrate its centennial in 2019 with events throughout the year around the canyon and surrounding communities, making it an excellent time to visit. Your hotel, El Tovar, is right on the edge of the canyon, meaning wonderful sunset views, and the famous southern rim trail is practically on its doorstep. All local limestone and Oregon pine, each room is unique, with the historic Dining Room decorated with murals that reflect the customs of Native American Tribes – the signature dish is prime rib. Please note, El Tovar may be closed for renovations in late 2019 or early 2020. During this time, accommodation will be at Maswik North, comprised of cosy cabins and historic lodge buildings just moments from the canyon’s edge.

Stay: El Tovar, Grand Canyon (Deluxe)

Days 11-12
Scottsdale

Catch your breath just outside the spa-strewn Scottsdale for your final two nights. Scottsdale's Sonoran desert setting offers visitors an indulgent getaway and has grown into one of the world's leading desert retreats, home to everything from boutique hideaways to world-leading golf and spa resorts. The walkable old town serves up shops, restaurants, galleries and museums, while the eastern border is perfect for hiking and biking along the red rock butts of Papago Park or among the winding trails though 16,000 acres of the Sonoran Desert. 

Stay: The Scottsdale Resort and Spa, Curio Collection by Hilton (Superior)

Days 13-14
Phoenix to UK or Tucson ranch stay

Take a final morning to stroll along the foothills of Camelback or browse the boutique shops – you're just 15 minutes from Phoenix airport. Drive there to drop off your hire car before your overnight flight back to the UK, arriving on day 14. Alternatively, extend your holiday with a ranch stay in the Sonoran Desert on the outskirts of Tucson. With a range of activities included, from horseback rides to mountain biking coupled with the likes of cowboy cookout barbecues, it's the ideal introduction to dude ranch culture. You'll find more details below.

Map

Pricing

Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.

Accommodation rating: Standard Superior

14-day tailor-made self-drive
from £3,415 pp incl. flights

Superior

Low Season

from £3,415 pp. incl. flights

High Season

from £4,235 pp. incl. flights

Prices include:

  • Complimentary UK airport lounge access
  • Return flights from the UK to Phoenix
  • 11 days Compact car hire and road book
  • 12 nights accommodation in a mixture of 3* (Standard) and 4* (Superior) hotels

High season: June-September

Terms & Conditions

Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.

Meet our experts

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Meet the team

Adjust your itinerary with our recommended extensions

Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, Arizona

Tanque Verde Ranch Stay, Tucson

2 or 3-night extension

Get in touch with your inner cowboy as you head just out of Tucson for a stay at Tanque Verde – a traditional dude ranch framed by the red-rock mountains of Arizona's Sonoran Desert.

Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch, Tucson

Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Stay, Tucson

2 or 3-night extension

Experience the beauty and wildlife of Arizona's Sonoran Desert with a stay at Hacienda del Sol, a luxury guest ranch on the outskirts of Tucson, idyllically located at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountain Range.

Why book with Wexas Travel?

At Wexas, we specialise in bespoke travel experiences. Our itineraries are just samples of what we can arrange, and can be changed depending on your precise needs, finances and ideas by our experienced destination specialists.

Contact one of our consultants on 020 7590 0636 to discuss how we can tailor your holiday.

Learn why Wexas is the leader in creating luxury holidays. What is tailor-made travel?

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Every step of the way

Every step of the way

Our services are with you from start to finish:

  • Dedicated personal consultants
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