Driving about 120 miles, approximately 2.5 hours with stops for field trips. Walking about 1/2 mile to the canyon rim, approximately 1 hour; paved, level trail. Flagstaff and Grand Canyon South Rim elevation is roughly 7,000 feet.
At the hotel, we’ll have a breakfast buffet featuring choices such as an egg dish, breakfast meats, cereals, and fresh fruit, plus milk, juice, coffee, tea, water.
After checking out of the hotel, we’ll load up for the trip up one of Arizona's most scenic highways through the steep, rock-walled cliffs of Oak Creek Canyon to the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff. Upon arrival, a museum docent will lead us through some of the exhibits before allowing time for independent exploration. The Museum of Northern Arizona was founded by Harold Colton and Mary-Russell Ferrell Colton in 1928, and is the preeminent museum of the Colorado Plateau with an extensive collection of Native American artifacts.
At a local restaurant, we’ll have a buffet or plated meal with soft drinks, coffee, tea, and water included.
Continuing our scenic journey to the Grand Canyon, we’ll make our way through the San Francisco Peaks Volcanic Field. With a stop at Mather Point, named after the first director of the National Park Service, we’ll get our first view of the Grand Canyon on a short narrated walk with our Group Leader. We’ll then complete the transfer to our Grand Canyon lodging where we’ll have a late afternoon check-in.
At the Yavapai Lodge Dining Hall, we’ll enjoy a plated dinner with salad, sides, and a dessert, plus coffee, ice tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.
At your leisure.