Arizona
3
Day Itinerary •
USA
Three days in Arizona gives you the essential Southwest experience, from the extraordinary Grand Canyon, one of the seven natural wonders of the world and the most extraordinary geological feature on the planet, to the dramatic red rock formations of Sedona and the extraordinary Monument Valley on the Navajo Nation. This route covers the heart of Arizona. The extraordinary South Rim of the Grand Canyon at dawn when the canyon fills with shadow and light, the red rock vortex country of Sedona with its extraordinary Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock formations, and the extraordinary Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park with its iconic sandstone mittens and buttes.
Best Time To Visit
March to May or September to November
Getting There
Fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) or Las Vegas (LAS)
Getting Around
Rental car essential throughout
Budget Per Day
Approx $120 to $190 per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, some canyon rim hiking
DAY 1
GRAND CANYON
MORNING
GRAND CANYON SOUTH RIM AT SUNRISE, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY VIEW ON EARTH
The Grand Canyon South Rim at sunrise is the most extraordinary natural spectacle on earth, its extraordinary 277-mile-long, 18-mile-wide and 6,093-foot-deep chasm filling with shadow and light as the sun rises over the Painted Desert to the east. Mather Point gives the finest sunrise view on the South Rim. The extraordinary Rim Trail connecting viewpoints from Mather Point to Hermit's Rest passes 11 distinct viewpoints of extraordinary beauty. Entry $35 per vehicle. Drive: 15 min walk
MIDDAY
BRIGHT ANGEL TRAIL, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY CANYON HIKE IN AMERICA
The Bright Angel Trail is the most extraordinary day hike in the American Southwest, its extraordinary descent from the South Rim at 6,860 feet to the Colorado River at 2,480 feet through a billion years of geological history exposed in extraordinary horizontal bands of limestone, sandstone and schist. Day hikers should turn back at Indian Garden at 3 miles for a 6-mile extraordinary round trip. Carry extraordinary amounts of water. Free with entry. Drive: 2 hr drive
AFTERNOON
SEDONA ARRIVAL AND THE RED ROCK SUNSET
Sedona is the most extraordinary red rock landscape in America, its extraordinary formation of ancient red sandstone buttes, mesas and spires rising from the high desert floor in colors that intensify dramatically at sunset. The extraordinary Airport Mesa viewpoint gives a 360-degree panorama of the red rock country at the finest time of day. Cathedral Rock reflected in Oak Creek is the most photographed sight in Arizona. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Desert View Watchtower at the eastern end of the Grand Canyon South Rim is the finest hidden viewpoint on the rim, its extraordinary 70-foot stone tower designed by Mary Colter in 1932 giving views east over the Painted Desert and down-canyon that are entirely different from the main visitor area. Entry free with park pass. The Hopi murals inside the tower are extraordinary.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: El Tovar Hotel dining room The most extraordinary breakfast setting on the South Rim. Coffee overlooking the canyon at 6,860 feet. | Lunch: Bright Angel Restaurant, Grand Canyon Outstanding canyon-edge lunch. Local Navajo tacos, prickly pear lemonade and canyon views. | Dinner: Elote Cafe, Sedona The finest Mexican restaurant in Arizona. Extraordinary local ingredients and the finest green chile in the state.
DAY 2
SEDONA
MORNING
CATHEDRAL ROCK AND THE SEDONA VORTEX EXPERIENCE
Cathedral Rock is the most extraordinary red rock formation in Sedona, its extraordinary twin spires rising 4,967 feet above Oak Creek in a formation that concentrates the electromagnetic energy that Sedona calls a vortex. The extraordinary Cathedral Rock trail gives the finest close-range view of the formation and a challenging scramble to the saddle between the spires. The reflection of Cathedral Rock in Oak Creek at Crescent Moon Ranch is unmissable. Trail free. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
BELL ROCK AND THE COURTHOUSE BUTTE LOOP
Bell Rock is the most extraordinary bell-shaped butte in Sedona, its extraordinary rust-red sandstone formation rising from the high desert floor with a perfect circumnavigation trail giving extraordinary views of the surrounding red rock landscape. The Courthouse Butte Loop connecting Bell Rock to Courthouse Butte is the finest easy hike in Sedona, its extraordinary 4-mile circuit at the base of two extraordinary formations. Entry free with day use fee. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
OAK CREEK CANYON, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY RIVER CANYON IN ARIZONA
Oak Creek Canyon north of Sedona is the most extraordinary river canyon in Arizona, its extraordinary 16-mile gorge of red and white sandstone walls above a clear perennial stream creating the finest riparian oasis in the Southwest. The extraordinary Slide Rock State Park with its natural water chute through red rock is the finest swimming hole in Arizona. Slide Rock entry approx $20. The drive through the canyon on US-89A is extraordinary.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Boynton Canyon trail in Sedona is the finest hidden hike in the red rock country, its extraordinary 6.5-mile round trip through a wide canyon to the Boynton Canyon Vortex site giving close-range views of Kachina Woman spire, a sandstone formation sacred to the Yavapai-Apache. Almost entirely uncrowded compared to Cathedral Rock. Entry free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Coffee Pot Restaurant, Sedona The finest breakfast in Sedona with 101 varieties of omelet. Extraordinary red rock views from the terrace. | Lunch: Tlaquepaque Arts Village, Sedona Outstanding lunch in the finest arts marketplace in Arizona. Local Southwest cuisine in a beautiful courtyard. | Dinner: L'Auberge de Sedona The most extraordinary dining room in Sedona on Oak Creek. Local Arizona produce and outstanding wine list.
DAY 3
MONUMENT VALLEY AND ANTELOPE CANYON
MORNING
MONUMENT VALLEY NAVAJO TRIBAL PARK, THE MOST ICONIC LANDSCAPE IN AMERICA
Monument Valley on the Arizona and Utah border is the most iconic landscape in America, its extraordinary West Mitten, East Mitten and Merrick Butte sandstone formations rising 1,000 feet above the valley floor in a landscape made famous by John Ford's Westerns from Stagecoach to She Wore a Yellow Ribbon. The extraordinary 17-mile Valley Drive gives the finest panoramic views of the monuments. A Navajo guide is required for off-road access. Entry approx $20. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
JOHN FORD'S POINT AND THE NAVAJO HERITAGE
John Ford's Point is the most extraordinary viewpoint in Monument Valley, the exact camera position from which John Ford framed his most celebrated shots of the West Mitten and Merrick Butte in the extraordinary light of the afternoon sun. The extraordinary Navajo cultural demonstrations of weaving, silversmithing and traditional cooking at the surrounding visitor facilities give the finest introduction to Dine culture. Entry included with park fee. Drive: 1 hr drive
AFTERNOON
ANTELOPE CANYON AND HORSESHOE BEND, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY SLOT CANYON IN AMERICA
Antelope Canyon near Page is the most extraordinary slot canyon in the world, its extraordinary narrow passageway of wave-formed Navajo sandstone carved by flash floods into extraordinary flowing curves of orange and purple. Lower Antelope Canyon is the finest and most accessible. Horseshoe Bend 3 miles from Page is the most extraordinary river meander in America, the Colorado River looping 270 degrees in an extraordinary horseshoe below a 1,000-foot cliff. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Hunts Mesa in Monument Valley, accessible only by Navajo guide on an overnight tour, gives the most extraordinary elevated view of the entire monument complex, its extraordinary plateau 500 feet above the valley floor giving a perspective that no visitor on the Valley Drive ever sees. Overnight tour approx $200. The finest hidden gem in Monument Valley.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: The View Hotel Restaurant Breakfast with the most extraordinary view in America. The Mittens at first light from your table. | Lunch: Navajo taco at the park visitor area The finest Navajo taco in Monument Valley. Frybread, beans, cheese and green chile. Extraordinary. | Dinner: Gunsmoke Restaurant, Page Outstanding Southwest cuisine near Antelope Canyon. Local Navajo lamb, prickly pear and Arizona craft beer.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Grand Canyon Village, Night 1 El Tovar Hotel on the South Rim is extraordinary. Book a year ahead. Approx $200 to $350 per night. Sedona, Night 2 Enchantment Resort or L'Auberge de Sedona on Oak Creek. Approx $200 to $400 per night. Monument Valley, Night 3 The View Hotel is the most extraordinary hotel in the Southwest. Approx $180 to $320 per night.
Top Tips
1. Grand Canyon South Rim at sunrise from Mather Point, before the parking fills, is the most extraordinary 20 minutes in Arizona.
2. Never hike below the rim without two liters of water per person per hour. Heat kills every year on Bright Angel Trail.
3. Sedona's Cathedral Rock at sunrise before the tour groups arrive is the most extraordinary red rock experience.
4. Monument Valley at dawn when the Mittens are lit orange against a purple sky is the finest sight in the Southwest.
5. The View Hotel at Monument Valley has the most extraordinary room views in America. Book the canyon-facing rooms.
6. Flagstaff is the finest base for the Grand Canyon, Sedona and Monument Valley. Outstanding craft beer scene.
Total Budget
$120 to $190/day