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We've been in the United States for about 2 years... and have seen very little of it because we keep going back to Australia or work is nuts and we can't get time off.
So, we're very excited to be organizing:
Grand Canyon from Phoenix AR (Feb 2018)
We're super excited... but a little bit clueless on how to tackle it.
We'll have about 4 or 5 days to Canyon up.
I'll be doing a competition right before this trip, so I won't be able to spend any time getting all conditioned for mega hikes... and it's a little colder than we were expecting due to the elevation. Average temperatures on the rim range from a low of 20 ºF (-7c) to a high of 43 ºF (6c). Average temperatures at Phantom Ranch, range from a low of 38 ºF (3c) to a high of 58 ºF (14.5c)... which is better than me dying of heat and/or selfies.
We want to see the Canyon and Sedona... and have a couple of ideas in a Google Internetty searching kind of way:
Wildland Trekking Grand Canyon Classic
3/4 day Hiking/backbacking
27km hike
~$1000pp
• The spectacular South Kaibab Trail
• Phantom Ranch and the Colorado River
• A traverse of 1.5 miles of the Colorado River
• Campsite at the desert oasis of Indian Garden
• Sunset dinner at Plateau Point
• The famous Bright Angel Trail
Hiking gear provided
The Grand Canyon Classic boasts some of the best views in the Grand Canyon and follows the most moderate routes down and back up.
Spectacular vistas will await your arrival on the South Rim, where you'll hike down the famous South Kaibab Trail. Spending one night at Bright Angel Campground, we then hike to Indian Gardens (a spring that watered ancient garden plots for centuries). The third day we hike out the classic Bright Angel Trail back to the South Rim. Natural and cultural history abound on this trip, and it features purely quintessential Canyon views.
(http://www.wildlandtrekking.com/grand-canyon/backpacking-trips/grand-canyon-classic.html)
We'd need to do a separate Sedona trip for this one, but that's cool. We can take that on the end on the way back to Phoenix. We just have no idea how hard that hike will be.
Redstone Tours 2 day sightseeing tour
2 day sightseeing tour via Sedona, Grand Canyon hotel stay overnight
~$410pp
• 2-Day Grand Canyon tour from Phoenix
• See the dramatic red rock country of Sedona en route to the Grand Canyon
• Take a driving tour along the East Rim to spectacular viewpoints
• Visit to an authentic trading post on the Navajo reservation
• Customize your tour with optional activities during your free time
• Stay overnight at a hotel near the rim of the Grand Canyon
Free time + optional helicopter tour
Have more time to bask in the incredible beauty of the Grand Canyon by staying overnight at a hotel in the national park. Take a driving tour along the rim to fantastic viewpoints, and learn about the natural and human history of the region from your knowledgeable guide. En route to the Grand Canyon, stop in Sedona, visit a Navajo trading post, see the Painted Desert and red rock country of Arizona, and pass through the Ponderosa Pine Forest and San Francisco Peaks.
(https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductDetail-g31310-d11451321-2_Day_Grand_Canyon_Tour_from_Phoenix-Phoenix_Arizona.html)
All-Star Grand Canyon Tours - day tours
Single day sightseeing tours
$130pp 1 day doesn’t include lunch, accommodation or transport to/from Phoenix.
• Grand Canyon Village - This section of the park contains a number of historic buildings, the Grand Canyon Railway Station, shops and restaurants.
• Yavapai Point - This vista is the most expansive view of Grand Canyon and is home to Mary Colter's historic Yavapai Observation Station.
• Mather Point - This viewing area is quite extensive - the point has two narrow, railed overlooks built on projecting rocks and is near the Visitor Center.
• Grandview Point - This viewpoint, developed in 1892 by Pete Berry as a copper mining operation, was an original destination for Grand Canyon tours. This view point is reached by a one mile side road, that juts out on a peninsula providing expansive views of the Grand Canyon.
• Tusayan Ruins - The Tusayan Ruins and Museum are excellent places to take a glimpse into the lives of the native peoples of the region. * This is typically where we enjoy our picnic lunch.
• Lipan Point - This vista has the best view of the Colorado River on our Daily Grand Canyon Tour, and is a favorite stop for our guides as well as guests.
• Desert View - This is the easternmost viewpoint at Grand Canyon National Park and home to Mary Colter's historic Desert View Watchtower. The tower was built in 1932, right on the cliff edge and visible for many miles across this part of the Canyon.
• Cameron Trading Post - This is our last stop of the day on the Navajo reservation. It gives our guests a chance to shop and support the native people of the area. This is a brief stop, and not the main focus of the tour.
Throughout the fully-narrated day, guides share their knowledge of local geology, flora and fauna, biology, natural and cultural history. Guides also share views through a high-powered spotting scope, catching sight of mules, rapids, ancient ruins, mining areas, wildlife, and hikers while visiting the different vistas within the Park.
Our daily sightseeing tour allows guests plenty of time at each stop to enjoy the views, take photos, and learn fun and interesting information from their guide.
(http://www.allstargrandcanyontours.com/grand-canyon-day-tours-from-grand-canyon-national-park.shtml)
We're also thinking of staying at this guy if we have any spare accommodational days:
http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/lodging/el-tovar/
So that looks pretty great...
Does anyone have any suggestions? Please note I completely reserve the right to ignore any and all recommendations... or they might be the best thing ever and you'll make our trip so amazing. Please let me know what you think!
Thanks so much!
