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This two-week
Arizona itinerary may be customized to your preference by
shortening or changing it.
Day 1:
Arrive Tucson International Airport or Phoenix Sky Harbor
International (1 _ hours away). Enjoy a city tour or
shopping in Tucson. Enjoy a cowboy steak fry or Mexican
food dinner. Overnight in Tucson.
Day 2:
Explore Tucson further. Suggested area attractions/activities:
tour the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (living museum with
native plants and animals), experience the famous movie location
of Old Tucson Studios, see Saguaro National Park,
stop at the San Xavier Del Bac Mission which is lovingly
referred to as the "White Dove of the Desert", take a
tram ride through the desert oasis of Sabino Canyon, tour
Columbia University's Biosphere 2 Center (glass-enclosed,
multiple eco-system complex), visit the DeGrazia House &
Art Gallery, or drive to the top of scenic Mt. Lemmon
(a "sky island"). Overnight in Tucson.
Day 3:
Continue exploring Southern Arizona. Suggested area
attractions/activities: tour the wet Kartchner Caverns in
Benson (Arizona's newest major attraction), take an authentic
mine tour in the Victorian town of Bisbee, stroll the
streets in Tombstone-- "the town too tough too
die", take a scenic rail trip along the San Pedro
River, and/or enjoy the beauty and birding activities at Ramsey
Canyon. Overnight in Sierra Vista.
Day 4:
Southern Arizona highlights with a venture south to Mexico.
Suggested attractions/activities: taste the local wines on a vineyards
tour near Sonoita, explore the historic Tumaccacori
Mission or artsy community of Tubac, and/or enjoy
across-the-border shopping in Nogales, Mexico.
Return to Tucson to overnight.
Day 5:
Depart for Phoenix/Scottsdale. Suggested area
attractions/activities: take a city tour featuring
exclusive resorts and residential areas, visit the Heard
Museum (Native American art) in Phoenix or the Mesa
Southwest Museum (Southwest folklore and history), tour the
Desert Botanical Garden (native plants of the Southwest),
enjoy the art galleries and shops in Old Town Scottsdale
or Downtown Tempe, browse for antiques in Glendale, enjoy
a desert jeep tour or hot air balloon ride near
Carefree/Cavecreek,. Enjoy dinner at Rawhide, Pinnacle Peak,
Rockin' R Ranch or Rustler's Rooste. Overnight in
Phoenix/Scottsdale.
Day 6:
Head east of town to the Apache Trail and/or Old West Highway.
Suggested attractions/activities on the Apache Trail: visit the Goldfield
Mine and Ghost Town, go horseback riding in the scenic Superstition
Mountains, take in a Dolly Steamboat ride, sample
"killer" chili and homemade ice cream in historic Tortilla
Flat (population of eight), enjoy dinner and musical
entertainment at the Barleen Theater. Suggested
attractions/activities on the Old West Highway: visit Boyce
Thompson Aboretum State Park or tour Besh-Ba-Gowa
(Indian ruins), and/or shop in historic Globe/Miami.
Return to Phoenix/Scottsdale to overnight.
Another option
today is to relax by the pool, take in a ball game, play a round
of golf, or enjoy a spa/massage.
Day 7:
Depart for Wickenburg and Prescott. Suggested
attractions/activities in Wickenburg: tour the acclaimed Desert
Caballeros Western Museum, visit the Hassayampa River
Nature Preserve (a riparian habitat), take a gold-mine tour
of the Vulture Mine, or enjoy the shops in downtown
Wickenburg. Suggested attractions/activities in Prescott: tour
the Courthouse Square plaza including unique shops and Whiskey
Row, view the city's beautiful Victorian homes,
and/or visit the historic Sharlott Hall Museum
(territorial history), Phippen Museum (western art) or Smoki
Museum (Native American artifacts). Overnight in Prescott.
Day 8:
Depart for Jerome, the Verde Valley/Cottonwood. Suggested
attractions/activities in Jerome and the Verde Valley/Cottonwood
area: stroll the quaint and artsy shops of Jerome, tour Tuzigoot
National Monument (Sinagua Indian ruins), take a ride on the
Verde Canyon Railroad (a scenic, four-hour trip through
an otherwise inaccessible canyon), view Montezuma Castle
National Monument (cliff dwelling ruin), and enjoy a western
dinner and show at the Blazing M Ranch. Overnight in
Cottonwood.
Day 9:
Depart for Sedona. Suggested attractions/activities: view
"Sedona, the Spirit of Wonder" at the Sedona
SuperVue Theater, take in a jeep or helicopter or vortex
tour of the red rocks, stop by the Holy Chapel of the
Cross, shop at Uptown Sedona art galleries or Tlaquepaque
(a recreated Mexican village), or drive through scenic Oak Creek
Canyon. Overnight in Sedona.
Day 10:
Depart for the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon Railway
will transport passengers from nearby Williams to the south rim
of the canyon on a historic steam or diesel-powered train,
complete with costumed Old West characters and strolling
balladeers. Suggested attractions/activities at the Grand
Canyon: experience a scenic helicopter or airplane ride
over the canyon, view the "Secrets of the Grand
Canyon" at the IMAX Theater, take a guided tour
along the west and/or east rim drives, see the historic El
Tovar Hotel and the beautiful Hopi House, watch the sunset
or sunrise over the canyon, and enjoy the new "Native
American Experience" and dance performances at the
Grand Hotel. Overnight at the Grand Canyon or Tusayan.
Day 11:
Depart for Lake Powell/Page. Suggested attractions/activities at
Page/Lake Powell: take a half-day cruise to Rainbow Bridge
National Monument, take a dam tour of the Glen Canyon
National Recreation Area, enjoy a half-day scenic float trip
down the Colorado River, or experience the stunning beauty of Antelope
Canyon (twisting, slot canyon). Overnight at Lake
Powell/Page.
Day 12:
Depart for Monument Valley/Kayenta. Suggested
attractions/activities: shop for Native American jewelry and
crafts, take a half-day four-wheel-drive tour of
Monument Valley (sunrise or sunset is best), visit the WWII
Najavo code-talkers exhibit and nearby cultural center
in Kayenta, enjoy a Navajo taco (fry bread with meat,
beans, cheese, lettuce and tomato). Overnight at Monument
Valley/Kayenta.
Day 13:
Depart for Canyon de Chelly National Monument/Chinle. Suggested
attractions/activities: shop for Native American jewelry and
crafts, take a half-day open-air vehicle or
horseback-ride tour of the scenic canyon, tour the visitor
center, drive along the north and south rim drives.
Overnight in Chinle.
Day 14:
Depart for Flagstaff. Attractions along the route include the
Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site in Ganado, and
the Petrified Forest National Park near Holbrook, which
features Route 66 memorabilia. Suggested
attractions/activities in Flagstaff: visit Walnut Canyon
(Sinaugua Indian ruins), tour the Museum of Northern Arizona
(introduction to native peoples and natural sciences), tour Riordan
Mansion State Historical Park (historic Victorian mansion
with Southwestern influences), enjoy the unique shops in
Downtown Flagstaff, experience a seasonal ski lift ride
with stunning views at Snowbowl in the San Francisco Peaks, eat
dinner while listening to your favorite Broadway show tunes at
Black Bart's Steak House and Musical Revue, and take a
nighttime tour of Lowell Observatory where the planet
Pluto was discovered in 1930. Overnight in Flagstaff or return
to Phoenix.
Some Popular
Possible Itinerary Combinations
Notes to
consider:
1) Full-day tours ending north of Flagstaff with flight
departures in Phoenix may want to add an extra day because of
the distance and time required to return.
2) Tours ending in Southern Arizona may be used as a prelude to
a two-nation vacation in Mexico.
3) Tours ending in Northern Arizona are easily combined with
adjacent states of Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and/or Colorado for
"Southwest", "National Parks" or "Grand
Circle" themes.
4) Many combinations include Phoenix because most flight
arrivals/departures go through Sky Harbor Airport.
5) Many more combinations are possible. Use your imagination
Days 1-2:
Two-day getaway featuring highlights of the Tucson metropolitan
area.
Days 1-4:
Four-day tour featuring Tucson, Benson, Bisbee, Tombstone,
Sierra Vista, Nogales and Tubac.
Days 1-6:
Six-day winter sunshine tour of Tucson, Southern Arizona and
Phoenix/Scottsdale metropolitan area.
Days 1-9:
Nine-day tour featuring Tucson, Southern Arizona, Phoenix,
Central Arizona and Sedona.
Days 1, 2, 5, 9,
10, 12: Six-day tour featuring Tucson, Phoenix, Sedona, Grand
Canyon & Monument Valley.
Days 1, 2, 5, 6,
9, 10-12: Eight day-tour with Tucson, Phoenix, Sedona, GC, Lake
Powell & Monument Valley.
Days 5-6:
Two-day getaway featuring highlights of the Phoenix/Scottsdale
metropolitan area.
Days 5, 6 &
9: Three-day tour featuring the Phoenix/Scottsdale metro area
with a day trip to Sedona.
Days 5, 6, 9
&10: Four-day tour featuring the Phoenix/Scottdale metro
area, Sedona and the Grand Canyon.
Days 5, 6, 9,
10, 12: Five-day tour featuring Phoenix, Sedona, Grand Canyon
and Monument Valley.
Days 5-9:
Five-day circle tour of Phoenix, Wickenburg, Prescott, Jerome,
Verde Valley and Sedona.
Days 5-14:
Ten-day tour featuring Phoenix, central AZ, Sedona, Grand
Canyon, Indian Country, and Flagstaff.
Days 5, 6, 9-14:
Eight-day tour featuring Phoenix, Sedona, Grand Canyon, Indian
Country and Flagstaff.
Days 5, 10-14:
Six-day tour featuring Phoenix, Grand Canyon, Lake Powell,
Indian Country and Flagstaff.
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