Arizona

Grand Canyon Odyssey: River Journeys and Canyon Vistas

Program No. 2805RJ
Within the Grand Canyon’s mile-high walls lies a wealth of natural history and culture. Explore the Canyon's 277 mile length and rim via the Colorado River raft trips.

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At a Glance

Experience the depth and majesty of Grand Canyon from both rim and river. Take not one but two different yet equally spectacular raft trips on the Colorado River, book-ending the incomparable Grand Canyon. Enjoy a smooth water float beneath the towering cliffs of Glen Canyon, alighting where the Canyon officially begins at Lee’s Ferry. Then explore the Canyon from the heights of Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim with its sweeping panoramas and historic village. The adventure culminates with a thrilling white water raft trip in mile-deep canyon (or flat water on select dates) through remote western Grand Canyon.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Daily walking of up to a mile, primary flat and on well maintained trails, longer excursions available during independent time. 37-mile whitewater adventure on motorized pontoon raft (you will get wet!). Elevations up to 7,000 feet.

What You'll Learn

  • Enjoy two rafting adventures on the mighty Colorado River.
  • Gain a deeper understanding of the local geology while spending two nights inside the Grand Canyon's South Rim.
  • Experience Southwestern landscapes and Native American lifeways along the vast Navajo and Hualapai Reservations.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Profile Image
Karlyn Bunting
Karlyn Bunting grew up in Page, Arizona, after the construction of Glen Canyon Dam – at the heart of what is commonly called the Grand Circle. He loves to hike and explore the many natural wonders of the region, and is deeply interested those who traveled this region prior to our modern day — from the Ancestral Puebloans to the Mormon migrations. Karlyn is also an avid photographer and storyteller, and enjoys sharing his unique and multi-faceted perspective of the Colorado Plateau.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Karlyn Bunting
Karlyn Bunting View biography
Karlyn Bunting grew up in Page, Arizona, after the construction of Glen Canyon Dam – at the heart of what is commonly called the Grand Circle. He loves to hike and explore the many natural wonders of the region, and is deeply interested those who traveled this region prior to our modern day — from the Ancestral Puebloans to the Mormon migrations. Karlyn is also an avid photographer and storyteller, and enjoys sharing his unique and multi-faceted perspective of the Colorado Plateau.
Profile Image of Carrie Calisay Cannon
Carrie Calisay Cannon View biography
Carrie Calisay Cannon is a member of the Kiowa tribe of Oklahoma and also is of Oglala Lakota descent. She has a B.S. in Wildlife Biology and an M.S. in Resource Management. She is currently employed as an Ethnobotanist for the Hualapai Department of Cultural Resources. She administers a number of department projects and programs which promote the intergenerational teaching of Hualapai ethnobotanical knowledge. She works towards ensuring tribal ethnobotanical knowledge persists as a living practice and tradition.
Profile Image of Slim Woodruff
Slim Woodruff View biography
Marjorie “Slim” Woodruff is a graduate of Northern Arizona University. She has worked in outdoor recreation and education for most of her adult life. Slim is a board member and outings chair for the Grand Canyon Historical Society. She is a senior instructor with the Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute. Living on the South Rim, her usual hangouts are inside the canyon. Her writings can be found in High Country News Writers on the Range and The Outdoor Journal.
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Year
2025
  • 2024
  • 2025
Date
Sep 28 - Oct 05
  • Apr 13 - Apr 20
  • Apr 27 - May 04
  • Sep 14 - Sep 21
  • Sep 28 - Oct 05
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Select trip year and date
2025
  • 2024
  • 2025
Sep 28 - Oct 05
  • Apr 13 - Apr 20
  • Apr 27 - May 04
  • Sep 14 - Sep 21
  • Sep 28 - Oct 05
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.
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8 days
7 nights
19 meals
7 B 6 L 6 D
DAY
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Flagstaff, AZ
D
Courtyard By Marriott Flagstaff

Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.

Afternoon: Program Registration: 5:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the hotel lobby 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. We will review COVID-19 protocols and will adhere to applicable COVID-19 guidelines and requirements throughout the program. Field trips will be led by our Group Leader, a seasoned and experienced naturalist, unless specified otherwise. Transportation will be via motorcoach, involving several steps up/down, 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/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

DAY
2
Museum of Northern Arizona, Cameron Trading Post, Page AZ
Page, AZ
B,L,D
Courtyard Page at Lake Powell

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 128 miles throughout the day; approximately 2.5 hours total riding time. Walking during field trips; paved paths.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will check out of the hotel, board our transportation, and head Museum of Northern Arizona (MNA) in Flagstaff. A museum docent will lead our exploration of the regional center’s collections, exhibits, and research projects that earned its reputation as the premier museum of the Colorado Plateau’s natural and cultural history. The museum was founded in 1928 to honor the natural and cultural heritage of northern Arizona and the beauty and diversity of the Colorado Plateau. We will have some time to explore independently. Following our visit to MNA begin our transfer to Page, Arizona, via Cameron. Our Group Leaders provide expert commentary throughout the ride. As we ride, our expert naturalist will introduce us to the regional geography and natural history. We’ll stop at Cameron Trading Post on the western edge of the Navajo Reservation. Set on the banks of the Little Colorado River, the Trading Post is a welcome stop.

Lunch: At Cameron Trading Post, we will have an opportunity to enjoy an authentic “Navajo Taco.” Alcohol is not served on the Navajo reservation.

Afternoon: Upon arrival at the historic 1916 Cameron Trading Post, the Group Leader will give us an overview, followed some time for independent exploration. The Trading Post features a Native American Fine Art Gallery, a beautiful hidden garden, an in-house Navajo rug weaver, and interesting stone architecture. Reboarding the motorcoach, we will continue our ride to Page, Arizona, via the dramatic Vermilion Cliffs, where we’ll gaze at the incredible red rock vistas and features at every turn. Our next stops will be the Carl Hayden Visitor Center and Glen Canyon Dam. We’ll get our geographical bearings around a large regional area map with a natural history association expert who will point out significant features and landmarks. We’ll then have some time for independent exploration of the Visitor Center displays, videos, and views of Glen Canyon Dam at the head of 275-mile-long Lake Powell. Completed in 1963, this engineering marvel was one of the Bureau of Reclamation’s crowning achievements. Controversy has never been far behind its completion because the effects of its operation have been determined to have had adverse effects on the downstream Grand Canyon environment, and on the flooding of the spectacular Glen Canyon upstream. We’ll complete our transfer to Page in the mid-afternoon and check in to our hotel.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: Evening We will be joined by a regional expert for a presentation on a topic related to regional ecology, history, or natural history. Among the topics we may learn about are the California Condor reintroduction project, other wildlife, or the nature and history of the Colorado River.

DAY
3
Horseshoe Bend Hike, Glen Canyon Smooth Water Rafting
Page, AZ
B,L,D
Courtyard Page at Lake Powell

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 40 miles, approximately 1.5 hours riding time. Hiking about 1.5 miles round trip to Horseshoe Bend Overlook, approximately 1.5 hours; well-maintained dirt trail. About 300 feet cumulative elevation gain. Getting on/off a pontoon raft; floating about 15 miles, approximately 3 hours.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will board the motorcoach and ride to the trailhead for our first field trip of the day. We’ll hike from the trailhead to the Horseshoe Bend Overlook. This 1.5 mile round-trip hike goes up and over a small hill to the edge of a 1,000-foot cliff looking down on a meander of the Colorado River in a section of Glen Canyon we will float through later. We’ll then ride to the site where we’ll begin our Glen Canyon float field trip. We’ll check in at the rafting company headquarters, board their bus, and ride through the tunnel down to the base of the Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River. We’ll meet our boatmen and have a safety orientation, then board our rafts. As we float downstream, we’ll see the walls of the Canyon rise above us and be on the lookout for fly fishermen casting for rainbow trout. The water is so clear, we may see them swimming.

Lunch: Aboard the raft, we’ll have sack lunches.

Afternoon: Our rafting field trip will continue as we float downstream, gazing up at the high cliffs, keeping watch for golden eagles, California condors — North America’s largest flying bird — hawks, and turkey vultures. We’ll stop along the way and take a short walk with our boatmen to see the amazing petroglyphs, estimated to be 1,000 years old. Back aboard the rafts, we’ll continue our spectacular ride around Horseshoe Bend. Those who would like to take a plunge into the Colorado River — estimated temperature 48°F! — may do so. We’ll round Horseshoe Bend and end our field trip at Lee’s Ferry, where the Grand Canyon officially begins. We may see other boatmen readying their rafts for trips through the Grand Canyon and its many rapids. We’ll get off the rafts, board a motorcoach, and ride back to our hotel in Page. We expect to arrive mid-afternoon with some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and our transfer in the morning.

DAY
4
To Grand Canyon, Desert View Watchtower, Mather Point
Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim)
B,L,D
Yavapai Lodge West

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 138 miles throughout the day, approximately 3.5 hours riding time plus stops: Walking about 1 mile throughout the day, approximately 2 hours; mostly flat terrain.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Checking out of the hotel, we’ll board the motorcoach and begin our transfer to Grand Canyon National Park. We’ll retrace our route to Cameron, turn west, and then continue up the Coconino Plateau to the eastern entrance of Grand Canyon National Park. Our first stop will be the Desert View overlook, the location of Mary Jane Colter’s famous Watchtower and some of the best views of the Colorado River. Known for her many works for the Fred Harvey Company and the Santa Fe Railroad, Mary Jane Coulter was a female architect in the early 20th century and helped blend Spanish Colonial and Mission Revival architecture with Native American motifs. The Watchtower is an interpretation of a prehistoric “tower kiva’ with lavishly painted interior walls by Hopi artist Fred Kabotie. We will explore the watchtower with our Group Leader who will answer questions.

Lunch: At Desert View, we will have sack lunches while enjoying our first views of the South Rim.

Afternoon: Next, we will ride west along the East Rim Drive and make stops to see diverse and unforgettable canyon views at Mather Point and the Canyon View Information Plaza (CVIP). Our Group Leader will point the out many interesting and significant features visible including Phantom Ranch, the South Kaibab Trail, and numerous named spires, buttes, and temples. We’ll learn about geology, the history of the Colorado River, and trail history. We’ll then ride on to Yavapai Lodge and check in.

Dinner: In the lodge dining facility.

Evening: At leisure. Those who wish to participate can go to a park location for an engaging elective program led by National Park Service Rangers. Programs will cover a Grand Canyon topic of interest and change nightly. Note: This activity is dependent on national park scheduling and current COVID restrictions. You might like to take the park’s shuttle to a viewpoint for a Grand Canyon sunset or just relax at the lodge.

DAY
5
Grand Canyon Village, Free Time
Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim)
B,L
Yavapai Lodge West

Activity note: Walking about 2.5 miles throughout the day, approximately 3 hours.

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: We will set out with a local expert on a walking field trip to explore Grand Canyon Village. Our expert will discuss the many characters that help develop the rim facilities and point out famous village landmarks. The historic district is home to the Kolb Brothers Photo Studio and many buildings designed by Fred Harvey designer Mary Jane Colter, including the Bright Angel Lodge, Lookout Studio, and the Hopi House. We’ll stop in front of each building for interpretation and to hear stories before moving on. To the east, we’ll walk to and explore the El Tovar Hotel, one of the great lodges in the National Park system. Constructed for the wealthy elite of the early 20th century, it is a National Historic Landmark and was once considered the most elegant hotel west of the Mississippi. At the conclusion of our rim walk and before going our separate ways, we will have a discussion and distribute handouts on available free time opportunities and activities. The South Rim offers a number of opportunities and sites to visit. Some popular activities include exploring more of Grand Canyon Village, using Hermit’s Rest West shuttle, visiting Yavapai Point, and going on rim walks. The free park shuttle provides access to various points on the South Rim. For those with the interest and stamina, famed Bright Angel Trail offers access all the way from the South Rim to the Colorado River with spectacular views accompanying every step you take.

Lunch: At a café near Grand Canyon Village.

Afternoon: Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.

Dinner: 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. There are a number of dining venues to choose from in the park. If you are interested in eating at the El Tovar Lodge for dinner note that this is the one restaurant that requires reservations for dinner. Call 928-638-2631 and ask for El Tovar dining room.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

DAY
6
Williams AZ, Route 66 to Peach Springs, AZ
Peach Springs, AZ
B,L,D
Hualapai Lodge

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 89 miles throughout the day, approximately 2.5 hours riding time plus stops: Walking at field trip sites; easy terrain.

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: We will load luggage onto the motorcoach, check out of the lodge, and begin our transfer to Peach Springs with a stop on Williams, Arizona located on Historic Route 66.

Lunch: At a restaurant in Williams.

Afternoon: Setting out from Williams, we’ll make our way to the Peach Springs, AZ along a historic stretch of the famous Route 66. En route, keep a look out for Burma Shave signs and enjoy wide open views as we ride through a classic site of Route 66 nostalgia – Seligman, Arizona – with its focus on American road touring in the 1950s. Seligman is the town that Radiator Springs in the Pixar movie “Cars” was based on. We expect to arrive at the Hualapai Lodge for check-in mid-afternoon.

Dinner: At the Hualapai Lodge, Diamond Creek Restaurant.

Evening: We’ll gather for a presentation on a subject of local interest such as Arizona ranching history, Native American culture, Hualapai Ethnobotany, Colorado River history, and other issues.

DAY
7
Grand Canyon Whitewater Rafting
Peach Springs, AZ
B,L,D
Hualapai Lodge

Activity note: Dress for cold weather, regardless of season. on/off a motorcoach; driving about 162 miles the day, approximately 4.5 hours riding time; bumpy dirt road to raft put-in. Getting on/off inflatable rafts, riding about 37 miles, approximately 5 hours; some rapids rated between 5 and 7 on a 1 to 10 scale; hand strength required to hold on to boat frame; expect to get wet. Hiking about ¼ mile; rocky, sometimes steep terrain.

Breakfast: At the Caverns Inn.

Morning: We will meet in the lobby of the Hualapai Lodge for our rafting company check in. We’ll then board a Hualapai River Runner bus and ride down the bumpy Diamond Creek Road — the only road to the bottom of the canyon — to the Colorado River. Once at the river beach, our river experts will give us a safety orientation and life vest fitting. We’ll then get onto inflatable, motorized pontoon rafts and head downstream on the mighty Colorado! The “Diamond Down” Colorado River field trip is about 37 miles in length. During the first 16 miles, we will encounter about 10 sections of whitewater rapids. Some of these are large (5, 6 and 7 on a 1 to 10 scale). We will get wet! The air temperature at the bottom of the canyon will likely be around 80°-90°F so the splashing will be a welcome relief and keep everyone cool. Note: The weather can do strange things so in the event of cooler temps, be prepared by having adequate rain gear for warmth. We’ll pull our rafts onto the riverside to see a couple of attractions en route including the beautiful, hidden Travertine Grotto where we’ll have an elective opportunity to climb up on a series of rope ladders on the rocks and splash in the flowing waterfall. This is for the adventurous! All stops are elective depending on comfort and ability. After 16 miles the rapids flatten out, but the scenery remains “grand” in all regards.

Lunch: On a bank of the Colorado River, we’ll have sack lunches.

Afternoon: Continuing downriver, we’ll reach Pearce Ferry where we will get off our rafts and board the bus that will transport us out of the canyon. In late afternoon, we’ll ride through the starkly beautiful Joshua Tree forest, as well as the basin and range topography of the Mohave Desert on our return to the Lodge for a late dinner.

Dinner: At the Hualapai Lodge, Diamond Creek Restaurant. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Evening: We will gather for a short wrap-up session. The remainder of the evening will be at leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

DAY
8
Program Concludes, Return to Flagstaff
Flagstaff, AZ
B

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 113 miles, 2 hours riding time. 8:30 a.m. lodge check-out and departure; expected arrival at Flagstaff approximately 10:45 a.m.

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: After checking out of the hotel, we’ll load our luggage and depart for Flagstaff. The program concludes with drop-offs at the starting hotel, Flagstaff airport, or the Flagstaff Amtrak visitor center if taking Groome Transportation. The program concludes with drop-offs at at the starting hotel, Flagstaff airport, or the Flagstaff Amtrak visitor center if taking Groome Transportation. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Happy Trails!






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