Arizona Adventure
Self-drive tour

 

Arizona, a land of rugged red rock, dry deserts dotted with saguaro cactus, snow capped mountains, sparkling streams, the mighty Grand Canyon, the Colorado River and Monument Valley.

This is the landscape, the backdrop to a fascinating human history that includes the mysterious lost tribes of the Anazasi Indians, the Spanish explorers, individuals such as the Apache leader Geronimo, famous lawman Wyatt Earp and many others whose spirits still dwell in the canyons, deserts and mountains of Arizona.

Our Arizona Adventure 15 day/14 night self-drive tour samples the history, scenery and western culture of this incredible state. The tour operates Saturdays from 20 April to 28 September (prices for other departure dates available on request) .

Day 1. Arrive Phoenix. Take the courtesy shuttle from the airport terminal to your hotel conveniently located close to the airport. Relax and enjoy the evening. Overnight: Best Western Airport Inn (Standard) Hampton Inn Phoenix Airport South (Superior).

Day 2. Phoenix to Sedona (150 miles). Take the hotel shuttle back to the airport terminal and collect your rental car. For your journey to Sedona today we suggest that you take the longer, but more interesting route via the former Territorial capital of Arizona - Prescott. Here you can stroll along Whisky Row once the favourite of the cowboys and outlaws who enjoyed the 40 plus saloons which once lined this notorious street. From Prescott continue to Jerome - a partial ghost town, but now becoming a popular artists town with galleries, antique shops and lots of character. Soon after leaving Jerome you will notice the change in the surrounding rock colour - you are now entering Red Rock Country and Sedona is its capital. Overnight: Sedona Real Inn & Suites (Standard & Superior).

Day 3. Sedona.  A completely free day to explore the town and the beautiful surrounding countryside of Sedona. Start with a visit to the Visitors Centre in the heart of town, here you will learn what there is to do and see, and it will help you get your bearings. Railway buffs will almost certainly want to ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad from nearby Clarkdale (40 mins drive from Sedona) and we worth the effort as the ride takes you through the pretty Verde canyon with stunning views, lots of wildlife and ancient ruins. Just outside of Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon State Park is one of the most photographed locations in western America - well worth a visit, especially in the late afternoon when the pink sandstone walls of Cathedral Rock are ablaze with the setting sun. No visit to Sedona would be complete without a Pink Jeep excursion. Pink Jeep Tours offer several tours from their base in the heart of Sedona. We particularly recommend the 2-hour Broken Arrow tour which takes visitors on an exciting and informative journey on the company's private land where many years ago the famous western movie - Broken Arrow was filmed. The tour escort/driver provides a fascinating commentary about the nature and history of the area after which you will be something of an expert in cacti, trees and wildlife of the American southwest! Overnight: Sedona Real Inn & Suites (Standard & Superior).

Day 4. Sedona to Grand Canyon (108 miles). Driving days on a self-drive tour don't come much easier than this, a leisurely drive from Sedona allows plenty of time to choose whether to linger in Sedona, spend time in Flagstaff - perhaps driving a little of famous Route 66 - before continuing on to the Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim) arriving in plenty of time to take an optional helicopter or aeroplane excursion.  Complete this fabulous day by enjoying the views at sunset over the Grand Canyon. Overnight: Maswik South Lodge (Standard) or Yavapai East Lodge (Superior).

Day 5. Grand Canyon to Lake Powell (150 miles) Enjoy time at the Grand Canyon this morning - perhaps taking a flight or helicopter ride over the mighty Canyon - before driving on to Lake Powell. Lake Powell is the second largest man-made lake in North America, stretching over 190 miles and with a shoreline longer than the west coast of the United States it is a huge lake created by the Glen Canyon Dam across the Colorado River. There is much to do and see at Lake Powell. We particularly recommend a half-day Colorado River float trip on a raft from the base of the Glen Canyon. The raft gently floats down river from the dam, through narrow gorges with towering cliffs, past Indian sites and wildlife to the end point of your cruise - the historic Lees Ferry. We stress that this is a float trip - not a white-water raft experience. Other Lake Powell 'optionals' include scenic cruises on the lake, a visit to the Glen Canyon Dam, or just relax and enjoy the stunning scenery from the comfort of your lakeside hotel.  Overnight: Courtyard By Marriott (Standard) or Lake Powell Resort, (Superior).

Day 6. Free time at Lake Powell.  Time to relax and enjoy the excursions mentioned above, or visit the Glen Canyon Dam Visitor's Centre near the town of Page, or rent a boat and fish, or explore the many narrow side canyons off the lake's main channel. Overnight: Courtyard By Marriott (Standard) or Lake Powell Resort, (Superior).

Day 7. Drive to Monument Valley (135 miles).  Arrive at Monument Valley - one of the most spectacular locations on your tour. Monument Valley's red sandstone buttes and towering columns have formed a dramatic backdrop to countless western movies including John Wayne's 'Stage Coach'. We recommend that you pre-book a guided tour of the Valley with a native guide. Many of the roads are unpaved and so cannot be accessed with a rental car, and the valley is vast and many of the best features are hidden from the casual visitor. With a Navajo guide and a suitable vehicle you will see and learn a lot more than a do-it-yourself tour. Overnight: Gouldings Lodge, Monument Valley (Standard & Superior).

Day 8. Drive to Canyon De Chelly (95 miles).  Linger a while in Monument Valley this morning. We recommend that you pre-book a guided tour of the Valley with a native guide. Many of the roads are unpaved and so cannot be accessed with a rental car, and the valley is vast and many of the best features are hidden from the casual visitor. With a Navajo guide and a suitable vehicle you will see and learn a lot more than a do-it-yourself tour.  In the afternoon continue on across the beautiful northern Arizona landscape to Canyon De Chelly. Overnight: Holiday Inn Canyon de Chelly (Standard & Superior).
 
Day 9. Canyon de Chelly.  The only way to experience Canyon de Chelly is to take a tour with one of the native Navajo guides. Any visitor found entering the Canyon without a native guide will be fined. It is possible to view the canyon from the public road overlooking the canyon - and we recommend that you do this in the late afternoon - but the only way to tour inside the Canyon is with a guide. Just America can prebook a half-day tour for you (additional cost). The tour takes you through the Canyon and stops to view the ancient Anasazi Indian cliff dwellings, petroglyphs and sweat lodges. The beauty of the Canyon, the dramatic scenery, fascinating history, the wildlife, and the Navajo culture combine to make this an unforgettable tour. Overnight: Holiday Inn Canyon de Chelly (Standard & Superior).

Day 10. Canyon De Chelly to Show Low (178 miles).  Travel south from Canyon De Chelly, make a stop at the historic Hubbell Trading Post, travel though the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest. Journey across the Arizona high country, to Show Low. Overnight: Best Western Paint Pony Lodge  (Standard & Superior).

Day 11. Show Low to Tucson (193 miles). A pretty drive through the Salt River Canyon today as you continue south towards Tucson.  An opportunity to stop at Oracle and visit the Biosphere 2. It was here that scientists experimented with an enclosed, sealed environment with several volunteers learning to live on what they could grow and make in their 'world' under glass.  Today at Biosphere 2 visitors can see the latest scientific developments in long term space survivial.   Arrive in Tuscon this afternoon and enjoy a relaxing afternoon before your exploration of Tucson and its surrounding area. Overnight: Riverpark Inn (Standard) or Hilton El Conquistador (Superior).

Days 12, 13 & 14. Tucson. Take a leisurely drive this morning to Tombstone - 'The Town Too Tough To Die.' Once the largest city between St Louis and San Francisco, Tombstone soon earned a reputation as one of the wildest, most dangerous towns in the west. Famous lawman Wyatt Earp and his brothers moved here and cleaned up this lawless town, the gunfight at the OK Corral was one of their more dramatic experiences, but this town is full of stories of murders, cheating and lawlessness. Don't miss the Birdcage Theater, Boot Hill Cemetery, the Court House and Nellie Cashman's restaurant. If you have time take a drive to Bisbee an interesting Copper mining town with one of the deepest opencast mines in the world (open to visitors). In Tucson, we recommend that you visit the Mission San Xavier - the White Dove of the Desert - a beautiful Early Spanish mission church. Other Tucson attractions include Old Tucson Movie Studios, the un-missable Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum, the Pima Air and Space Museum, Kartchner Caverns (must pre-book) and Tucson's fabulous shops! Overnight: Riverpark Inn (Standard) or Hilton El Conquistador (Superior). 

Day 15. Tucson to Phoenix (111 miles). An easy journey up the freeway from Tucson brings you back to Phoenix. Return your rental car and check in at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport for your overnight return flight to the UK.

All hotels and lodges are subject to availability at the time of booking. All mileages are approximate.

Just America will be please to offer suggestions on extending the itinerary - extra nights en route or at the end of the holiday. We can also extend the holiday with a stay at the Tanque Verde Ranch in Tucson - what better way of concluding your western holiday!

2013 Prices per adult Sharing room type Prices in £'s	Single £	Double £	Triple £	Quad £	2013 Prices per adult Sharing room type Prices in £'s	Single £	Double £	Triple £	Quad £
20 Apr	955	515	379	309	20 Apr	1079	579	425	349
27 Apr, 04, 11, 18 May	1052	562	409	339	27 Apr, 04 & 11 May	1105	589	432	355
25 May	992	532	389	319	18 & 25 May	1145	609	445	365
01, 08, 15, 22 Jun	945	509	372	309	01, 08, 15, 22 Jun	1109	589	432	355
29 Jun, 06, 13, 20, 27 Jul, 03 Aug	1009	539	392	322	29 Jun	1132	599	439	359
10 Aug	1042	555	395	319	06, 13, 20, 27 Jul	1195	635	459	379
17, 24, 31 Aug & 07 Sep	1009	539	392	322	03 & 10 Aug	1189	632	459	379
14 Sep	1015	545	392	325	17 & 24 Aug	1195	635	459	379
21 & 28 Sep	1075	575	415	339	31 Aug & 07 Sep	1209	639	465	382
					14, 21, 28 Sep	1255	665	479	392

Prices include:                                                                   Prices based on Monday departures from the UK.  Prices * 14 nights hotel accommodation including local taxes.               for other departure dates available on request. * Maps, guides and itinerary. Not included: Flights, car rental, travel insurance, optional excursions, meals, petrol, national park admissions & personal expenses.                Children 2- 11 years are free when sharing a room with 2 adults and using existing bedding at hotels.

Location	No.nights	Standard Hotels	Superior Hotels
Phoenix	1	Best Western Airport Inn	Hampton Inn Phoenix Airport South (cont. bkfst)
Sedona	2	Sedona Real Inn & Suites (cont.bkfst)	Sedona Real Inn & Suites (cont.bkfst)
Grand Canyon	1	Maswik South Lodge	Yavapai East Lodge
Lake Powell	2	Courtyard By Marriott	Lake Powell Resort
Monument Valley	1	Gouldings Lodge	Gouldings Lodge
Canyon De Chelly	2	Holiday Inn Canyon De Chelly	Holiday Inn Canyon De Chelly
Show Low	1	Best Western Paint Pony Lodge (inc hot bkfst)	Best Western Paint Pony Lodge (inc hot bkfst)
Tucson	4	Riverpark Inn	Hilton El Conquistador