|
Grand Canyon Ultimate Adventure |
|
|
|
The Grand Canyon East to West Adventure
(Week long; all-inclusive; open booking; departs every Sunday from April
through October; off season open booking, group or custom tour also available)
The
reasonable all-inclusive price of this tour is $2,095.00
(single occupancy) and $1,800.00
(double occupancy). The price of this tour is subject to change and will
be confirmed at time of booking.
However, we are reasonably sure our MD tour prices are set for the season. For all other general information about MD tours, company, and tour policy, refer to the main (MD) page on our Web site. Lots of good information is posted there which covers most of the FAQ's, besides. Thanks.
Please note: We prefer a limited number of guests on this tour, with a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 22. (For custom groups, however, we can accommodate up to 50 guests; sometimes more - please inquire.)
When booking this (or any other tour) we will always advise you what to bring
with you so that your tour will be more comfortable, as well as to help cut
down on your luggage.
Keep in mind our MD all-inclusive tours include the following: choice accommodations;
lunch and dinner (with the evening meal starting on the first full day of your
tour) (*), but alcoholic beverages are not included in the price of the
tour and may be purchased separately when dining out; snacks and refreshments;
transportation (from our meeting place and a return to same); all National Park/Monument
entry fees and special admissions; all your camping gear (if the tour warrants);
all host and special guest speaker fees (if the tour warrants); and all side
excursion tours, such as rafting, jeep tours, horseback riding, etc.
(*) A continental breakfast is usually included in most of the hotels we use on all of our tours, but breakfast is otherwise on your own when not available in the hotels we use along the way in any of our SD or MD tours. Please inquire at time of booking.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
The Grand Canyon is our niche market speciality and we run this superlative
tour from April through October. Sometimes other months can be booked. When
out of season, however, the rafting portion of the tour is not offered (i.e.,
the rafting season is limited) and will be substituted for something else, instead.
The MD1 tour is for those of you who want to see and visit the best of what
the eastern and western region (both along the South Rim) of the Grand Canyon
has to offer. Horseback riding, a unique helicopter tour, hiking, and actual
contact with the Native Americans who are your main hosts in this exciting and
adventuresome tour. Get ready for a grand adventure at an affordable price.
Here is a day-by-day account of what we have in store for you on this nearly full week's adventure. . .
DAY 01/SUNDAY:
If you're traveling by air, we'll meet you at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon
where you will spend the night. Over dinner we'll discuss the exciting week
we have planned for you and make sure you have everything you need to ensure
you the best possible vacation, ever. There is a regular airport shuttle service
available to this choice location or we would be happy to arrange a limousine
transfer for you. Bus and shuttle service from Phoenix is also available. We
recommend flying (or driving) in early so that you can take in some of the great
sights Phoenix or Las Vegas has to offer, as both locations are the closest
to the South Rim.
DAY 02/MONDAY:
Today you will tour the South Rim, taking in all the majesty of the Grand Canyon
from this, the central corridor setting. The elevation of the South Rim is 7,000
above sea level and the great chasm below the rim spreads out in an amazing
tapestry of color, size, and shape. Some hiking and/or walking will naturally
be on tap for today, all depending on what your group feels up to as far as
physical activity goes. As always, a full menu service lunch (and dinner) is
always planned for our guests.
Later in the day you will really see the canyon from a greater perspective by
taking a scenic flight over this great canyon of wonder and awe.
After dinner you will also take in the famous IMAX theater, which will sum up
the day's adventure in one of the most exciting films ever made of, and for,
the Grand Canyon as seen on a giant 7-story high movie screen.
DAY 03/TUESDAY:
After breakfast you will depart in our comfortable and air conditioned van for
Peach Springs, which is the heart of Grand Canyon West country. Located on historic
Rt. 66, the 3 hour ride will take you through the open rangeland of western
Arizona, passing volcanic shapes and forms that add to the splendor of this
region's topography.
With some good surprises we have in store for you along the way, you will arrive
in Peach Springs later in the day where you will stay at the region's most exquisite
hotel, the Hualapai Lodge, said to be the pride of the Hualapai Nation.
After dinner you will be introduced to some of our friends, both cowboys and
Native Americans, who will put you in touch with both the land and the people
who make this region their home.
DAY 04/WEDNESDAY:
After breakfast
it's time to board the bus for the all day rafting tour on the Colorado River.
At Peach Springs you will find the only road that leads all the way to the bottom
of the Grand Canyon.
Once at the river you will take your seat on the motorized raft that is owned
and operated by the Hualapai River Runners who will take you on a Class III
(perfectly safe and perfect for most ages) whitewater tour through this, the
last 60 or so miles of the Grand Canyon.
Lunch and snacks will be served along the way as well as plenty of time to get
off the rafts and hike and explore some of the region, which many people claim
to be the best part of the Grand Canyon. They just might be right given their
views.
Later in the day you will be transported back to Peach Springs where dinner
awaits you, and no doubt an early retirement to your room, because this day
will wear you out in a pleasant sort of way.
DAY 05/THURSDAY:
After breakfast you will drive to Grand Canyon West, which is solely located
on the Hualapai Indian reservation. The scenery along the way is remote as it
is fascinating and beautiful to behold. This hour or so ride will take you right
to the edge of the Grand Canyon and once there it will be time to mount your
steed for what we think is the best horseback riding anywhere in the world.
Much of the trail follows the high rim of the canyon and the vista and scenery
is breathless.
After the trail ride you will board the bus for a specially guided tour by the
Hualapais, who will then share with you their view of their homeland as you
see parts of the Grand Canyon where many famous movies have been filmed.
Lunch follows this part of the tour. Soon afterwards, and before you leave this
setting, we have one of the most stunning helicopter rides and tours for you,
and this time you'll get to fly into the canyon, not just over it.
Later in the day you'll be taken back to Peach Springs where you'll meet new
guest speakers who will enliven the evening by sharing their personal experiences
with you. Dinner and a good night's sleep will follow.
DAY 06/FRIDAY:
It's time to begin the journey back to the central part of the canyon. We'll
be stopping for lunch in Flagstaff, and then drive toward the Painted Desert,
making a stop at the region's most famous Indian ruins known as WUPATKI via
the equally famous Sunset Crater which is Arizona's most famous (dormant) volcano.
After the tour of Wupatki we'll drive into the Grand Canyon's eastern frontier
and explore this strangely different geology and topography, stopping off at
a few of the most famous vistas along the way.
Later in the day you'll be taken back to where you started, and your farewell
dinner promises to be a great experience to cap off this exciting week, where
you will have seen most of what the Grand Canyon has to offer, from the central
to the western and right back to the eastern frontier.
Then again, she's a big rock lady: nearly 300 miles long, 4 to 18 miles wide,
and over a vertical mile deep. We'd say your week's tour with us just about
saw a little over a third of what the belle of nature has to offer, which is
a whole lot more than what most other folks get to see (and do).
HAPPY TRAILS from all of us here at ECOSOUTHWEST.COM and we hope to see your smiling face on this exciting adventure. Contact us (preferably by e-mail) and let us know if you need more information. We're good for it and a whole lot more.
FYI: The following (average) mileage between the major scenic points is what highlights this particular tour:
| Phoenix, AZ | South Rim | 230 m. |
| Las Vegas, NV | South Rim | 280 m. |
| South Rim | Peach Springs | 142 m. |
| Peach Springs | Colorado River | 22 m. |
Note: Bus and van shuttle service is available to/from Phoenix to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon via Flagstaff. From Las Vegas, however, only Scenic Airlines flies to/from Grand Canyon Airport. Otherwise, Flagstaff is reachable by both bus and AMTRAC. From there other shuttle arrangements can be made to/from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Here are some additional mileages for those of you considering extending your tour in this region:
| Flagstaff | South Rim | 82 m. |
| Flagstaff | Williams | 35 m. |
| Williams | South Rim (via Hwy. 64) | 62 m. |
| Flagstaff | Ash Fork | 52 m. |
| Flagstaff | Prescott | 95 m. |
| Flagstaff | Sedona | 35 m. |
| Flagstaff | Kingman | 149 m. |
| Flagstaff | Las Vegas | 255 m. |
| Flagstaff | Seligman | 77 m. |
| Flagstaff | Peach Springs | 114 m. |
| Flagstaff | Page (Lake Powell) | 134 m. |
| Flagstaff | Marble Canyon | 124 m. |
| Flagstaff | Cameron | 51 m. |
| Flagstaff | Kayenta | 151 m. |
| Flagstaff | North Rim | 208 m. |
| Flagstaff | Zion Canyon | 250 m. |
| Flagstaff | Bryce Canyon | 223 m. |
| Flagstaff | Kanab | 207 m. |
All Rights Reserved
Copyright 2001 © by ECOSOUTHWEST.COM
