Arizona
Best of Sedona and Red Rock Country for Women
Program No. 25144RJ
Immerse yourself in the story of Sedona as you join local experts to learn about and explore ancient cliff dwellings, iconic red rocks, a heritage railway and the majestic Grand Canyon.
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
13 meals (
5B, 3L, 5D
)
5 expert-led lectures
9 expert-led field trips
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Sedona, AZ
Meals:
D
Stay:
Element Sedona
Activity Note
Check-in after 3:00 PM. Early arrivals may be arranged ahead of time.
Afternoon:
4:30-5:15 p.m. Program Registration: After you have your room assignment, come to the Road Scholar table in the hotel conference room to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation: 5:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. All field trips will be led by our Group Leader, a seasoned and experienced naturalist, unless specified otherwise. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
6:45 p.m.: In our hotel conference room we will have a catered meal with a choice of a non-alcoholic drink. Alcoholic drinks can be purchased at the hotel bar and brought into our dining area.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
2
History, Archaeology, Sedona's Loved Sites
Location:
Sedona, AZ
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Element Sedona
Activity Note
Walking up to 1 mile throughout the day, with stops. Getting on/off trolley; riding approximately 15 miles; about 2 hours.
Breakfast:
at Hotel.
Morning:
We will be joined by a local historian and archaeology expert on the prehistoric peoples who inhabited the Sedona and Verde Valley region. We’ll board transport with our Group Leader for a Montezuma Castle National Monument field trip. This 5-story, 20-room cliff dwelling is nestled in a limestone recess high above the flood plain of Beaver Creek in the Verde Valley. It is one of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in North America, constructed approximately 600 years ago by the Sinagua Indians. While here, we’ll observe the ruins from below and take note of Wet Beaver Creek’s unique ecosystem as we walk along the paved loop trail. We will then drive to Crane Petroglyphs Heritage Site to see the largest known petroglyph site in the Verde Valley of central Arizona and one of the best-preserved. The rock art site consists of 1,032 petroglyphs in 13 panels.
Lunch:
at the hotel.
Afternoon:
Setting out for a riding exploration of Sedona with our Group Leader aboard a trolley, we’ll see some of the town’s most beloved sites including a stop at the famous Chapel of the Holy Cross. During our exploration, we will learn about the history, geology, climate, flora, and fauna of the area. As we explore, we will have photo opportunities at some scenic vistas.
Dinner:
Plated meal from restaurant adjacent to hotel.
Evening:
In a conference room at the hotel, we’ll enjoy a program led by a local expert.
Day
3
Jerome & Verde Canyon Railroad
Location:
Sedona, AZ
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Element Sedona
Activity Note
Driving approximately 70 miles total throughout the day; about 1/2 hour to Montezuma Castle National Monument; about 1/2 hour to Clarkdale and the Verde Canyon Railway. Walking about 1 mile total throughout the day; flat, paved trails. The Verde Canyon Railroad travels about 40 miles; approx. 4 hours.
Breakfast:
at Hotel.
Morning:
We’ll board our transport with our Group Leader for a field trip to Jerome, AZ. Jerome Historic Park of Arizona features the Douglas Mansion, built in 1916 by a family of influential mining entrepreneurs in Jerome, Arizona, a mining region in the northeast of the Black Hills, east Yavapai County. Enjoy some leisure time around Jerome before heading to the train.
Lunch:
Our first-class train tickets include lunch with charcuterie items such as cured meats, gourmet cheese, fruit, fruit dip, crackers, brownies, and bottled water. It also incudes a champagne or sparkling cider toast upon boarding!
Afternoon:
Next, we'll transfer to the railroad platform and board the train for a leisurely 4-hour ride with commentary given by a railroad expert and supplemented by our Group Leader. The Verde Canyon Railroad follows a 40-mile route along the Verde River. We’ll ride in comfort in renovated passenger and open-air cars, journeying at a slow pace, mostly near the canyon bottom. Along the route, we’ll pass red rock pinnacles, cross bridges, see Native American ruins, and ride through a 680-foot tunnel. Keep your eyes out for native plants and animals including the more than 30 eagles that winter in this scenic area. Following our journey we will stop at a restaurant for dinner before returning to the hotel.
Dinner:
Plated meal at a Sedona restaurant.
Evening:
We’ll return to the hotel in Sedona in the late evening. The remainder of the evening will be at leisure.
Day
4
Geology, Sedona Exploration
Location:
Sedona, AZ
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Element Sedona
Activity Note
Classroom based activities. Physical activity level dependent on personal interest during free time.
Breakfast:
at Hotel.
Morning:
We will board our transport for Red Rock State Park, which features scenic desert cliffs, buttes, and spectacular rock formations. A geology expert will present the geologic story of Sedona, the Grand Canyon, and the surrounding area. This will help us understand how this area's stunning beauty came to be and prepare us for our upcoming full day at the Grand Canyon. Then, we will go together to the Sedona Historical Society, which focuses on the lifestyles and works of the people who pioneered this community from 1876 to the present.
Lunch:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
Free Time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Sedona has many options to offer visitors from fascinating art galleries, hiking the thrilling red rock trails, or taking a “Pink Jeep” out and explore Sedona’s back country and archaeological sites. The Group Leader will be happy to offer additional suggestions.
Dinner:
at Hotel.
Evening:
We will be joined at the hotel by local presenter.
Day
5
Full-Day Field Trip to Grand Canyon National Park
Location:
Sedona, AZ
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Element Sedona
Activity Note
Driving approx. 230 miles throughout the day; about 2.5 hours each way. Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day on mostly flat, paved, or dirt paths.
Breakfast:
at Hotel.
Morning:
Depart the hotel for a full day field trip to the Grand Canyon's South Rim. Your group leader will accompany us on our journey, revealing the Grand Canyon's unique geologic, biologic and historic features while we have the opportunity to walk along the canyon's rim upon arrival. During our walk, we’ll see Grand Canyon Village where many of the most impressive structures in the historic village were designed by Mary Jane Colter, a renowned architect and designer for the Fred Harvey Company and Santa Fe Railroad. We may even see an endangered California condor soaring overhead as you gaze into the Canyon's depths below.
Lunch:
Along the Grand Canyon’s rim, we will have sack lunches including a sandwich, chips, and fruit.
Afternoon:
After a bit of time to explore independently on the rim in the historic village, we will begin our return journey to Sedona. Don't forget to take one last look across to the Canyon's North Rim, 10 miles away as the raven flies, before settling into your seat and recapping the 1.8 billion year layer cake of earth's history you've just seen in person!
Dinner:
On our return back to Sedona, we will break up the trip at the halfway point to enjoy our final celebratory dinner in Flagstaff at a Greek Restaurant.
Evening:
Back at the hotel meeting room with our Group Leader, we will have a program wrap-up session and reflect on our experiences. Share some of your favorite memories from the program with new Road Scholar friends. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departures in the morning.
Day
6
Program Concludes
Location:
Departures
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Check-out by 11:00 AM.
Breakfast:
At hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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