ADULT ONLY

Grand Canyon in Winter

  • 6 Days
  • 18 People Max

    6 - 18 guests

  • Activity Level 3
    • Activity Level 3

      Earn Your Lunch

      I stay active on vacation and love the feeling of relaxing after a busy day on the go. I season my trips with a little fresh exercise.

    Read more about the Active Range

  • Trip Start: Phoenix, Arizona
  • Trip End: Phoenix, Arizona
Rafting on the Grand Canyon in winter tour

Enjoy quieter trails, pleasant weather, and snow-dusted landscapes, and celebrate the holidays in Sedona, and Scottsdale.

On this winter adventure, you explore the wonders of Arizona including the Grand Canyon, Sedona, and Scottsdale with snowcapped scenery and pleasant daytime temperatures prime for outdoor adventure. Float down the Salt River, hike through Prescott's Granite Dells, take the train on the Grand Canyon Railway and hike the famous South Rim of the Grand Canyon. See Sedona dressed up for the holidays and cap off a trip with a thrilling jeep tour of the region.

Grand Canyon in Winter ~ Itinerary

Trip Start: Phoenix, Arizona Trip End: Phoenix, Arizona
  • Day 1Meet in Scottsdale, float the Salt River

  • Day 2Hike Watson Lake, explore Bearizona

  • Day 3Hop on the Grand Canyon Railway, hike the rim of the Grand Canyon

  • Day 4Hike South Kaibab Trail, explore Yavapai Geology Museum andTrail of Time

  • Day 5Explore Cameron Trading Post and Sunset Crater, Transfer to Sedona

  • Day 6Broken Arrow Jeep Tour, say your goodbyes

  • Day 1

    Meet in Scottsdale, float the Salt River

    Your winter Grand Canyon adventure begins in Scottsdale where we’ll meet up and shuttle to the nearby Salt River for a float trip in oar rafts. This relaxing float is the perfect way to enjoy Arizona’s desert landscapes. As you glide along lush green riverbanks and towering red cliffs, keep alert for sightings of wild horses and bald eagles. Following lunch, we transfer to Prescott, a small city nestled amongst the largest stand of ponderosa pine forests in the United States Our centrally located hotel is in the perfect location for wandering the streets of this historic destination. Enjoy your first night’s dinner in the Peacock Room with your fellow travel companions.

    Hassayampa Inn (Lunch, Dinner)

    Rafting: 2 hours

  • Day 2

    Hike Watson Lake, explore Bearizona

    #2153

    Begin the day with a hike around Watson Lake through Prescott’s beautiful Granite Dells north of town. This oasis is surrounded by beautiful rock formations and unique history. After a one-hour transfer to the town of Williams, enjoy lunch at Bearizona. You’ll experience this drive-thru and walk-around wildlife park with your knowledgeable guide who will give you a behind-the-scenes tour of the exhibits and animals who call this place home. You’ll see bears, bighorn sheep, bison, wolves, and many more animals who once roamed wild across the American West. After checking into your hotel, the night is free for you to explore and eat dinner in the funky town of Williams, located on historic Route 66!

    Grand Canyon Railway Hotel (Breakfast, Lunch)

    Hiking: 3-5 miles (4.8-8 kilometers)

  • Day 3

    Hop on the Grand Canyon Railway, hike the rim of the Grand Canyon

    #2154

    All aboard! This morning, you’ll board the Grand Canyon Railway en route to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. As you cross the Colorado Plateau, be on the lookout for elk, pronghorn, and bald eagles as your knowledgeable train conductor shares the history of this fascinating region. Upon arrival, enjoy a delectable picnic lunch prepared by your guides. This afternoon, you’ll check out the fascinating architecture of Hermit’s Rest before embarking on a “wow-inducing” hike skirting the rim of the Grand Canyon. Tonight, enjoy dinner in the Arizona Steakhouse at Bright Angel Lodge.

    Kachina or Thunderbird Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

    Hiking: 2-3 miles

  • Day 4

    Hike South Kaibab Trail, explore Yavapai Geology Museum andTrail of Time

    #2155

    Get a different perspective of the Grand Canyon today when you make the first few switchbacks of the South Kaibab Trail, looking up at the rim from below. Afterwards, visit the Yavapai Geology Museum which not only offers one of the best vantage points of the canyon but also an array of information on the unique geology of the park. You’ll then follow the Trail of Time where each meter equals one million years of the Grand Canyon’s geologic history with rock samples along the way and fantastic views of the canyon. We’ll meet back up for dinner in the restaurant of the famous El Tovar Hotel.

    Kachina or Thunderbird Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

    Hiking: 3-4 miles

  • Day 5

    Explore Cameron Trading Post and Sunset Crater, Transfer to Sedona

    #2156

    Today you’ll say goodbye to the Grand Canyon; and head toward Sedona with a few stops along the way. You'll first stop at the historic Cameron Trading Post before discovering the unique terrain and lava flows of Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. You’ll continue to Sedona where you’ll enjoy lunch in town before having the afternoon to relax and explore. This evening, gather with your travel companions one last time for dinner at a lovely local spot in town.

    Best Western Plus Arroyo Roble (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

  • Day 6

    Broken Arrow Jeep Tour, say your goodbyes

    #2157

    Before you say goodbye, say hello to some heart-pumping fun on an exhilarating off-road jeep adventure atop Sedona’s iconic red-rock formations. Explore the past at Montezuma Castle as you observe some of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in North America. After a short hike, it’s time to head back to Phoenix for goodbyes.

    (Breakfast)

Grand Canyon Adventure Departure Dates

  • Upcoming
  • 3 months
  • 6 months
  • 1 year
USD $4299/per adult
21 Dec 2023
2023
21 Dec26 Dec
Departure Open Open
28 Dec 2023
2023
28 Dec2 Jan
Departure Open Open
4 Jan 2024
2024
4 Jan9 Jan
Departure Open Open
Austin PIF 2

Take 10% off the trip price when you book a trip and pay in full.

By paying in full we are able to pass on savings to our guests, but please note that by opting for this payment plan, your booking becomes non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-changeable. 

We highly recommend that you purchase Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance. We recommend Redpoint Insurance – you can find details here.

T+Cs Apply.

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Useful Info

Where does the trip start?

On the first morning of the trip, our two pick-up locations are Canopy by Hilton Scottsdale Old Town at 7:30am or at the Hyatt Place Scottsdale Old Town at 7:45am. You are welcome to stay at any hotel in Phoenix for your pre-night, though you must make your own way to one of the two pick-up points at the pre-designated times.

Where does the trip end?

Your trip ends with a drop-off at either the Phoenix Airport at 1pm in time for flights below or at a hotel of your choice in Phoenix around 1:30pm.

What flights do you recommend?

Arrival: We recommend arriving in Phoenix at least the day before your trip starts. Many guests like to arrive a day or two early to accommodate potential flight delays and/or explore the city prior to your trip start.

Departure: Flying out on the last day of the trip, we recommend departing from Phoenix after 3pm. Earlier flight times will require a separate transfer booked at your own expense.

Will I have contact with my guides before the trip starts?

Your guides will call your cell phone the night before your trip begins to touch base on the first day’s plan. If they don’t get through to you, they will leave a voicemail on your cell phone with all the details you need to plan for your first morning.

What should I bring with me on the first day?

When you speak with your guides the night before your trip, they will give you a detailed description of what to bring with you on Day 1. Typically, this includes a day pack with your rain jacket, sunglasses, hat, camera, etc. Anything you want easy access to during the day should go in your day pack as the rest of your luggage will go in the locked cargo trailer pulled behind the van. Your guides will provide you with a water bottle on the first morning of your trip and will always have water available for refills. There will be snacks available at all times in the van. Your guides will also have bug spray and sunscreen accessible for you to use.

What are your recommended guide gratuity guidelines?

You will have 2-3 guides on your Austin Adventure (depending on group size). We recommend USD$20 per day, per guest, per guide. Typically, gratuities are offered by check or cash in local currency on the final morning of the trip and can either be given to each guide individually or to one guide to be equally distributed. Most of our guides these days also accept gratuities via Venmo (please note this app does not work in Canada). All dining, housekeeping and activity tips are included in your trip price.

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Grand Canyon in Winter