Grand Canyon Eight-day Luxury Private Tour

This high-end tour includes your arrival night at the five star Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Upon your arrival, we will meet you at your airport security gate, collect your luggage, and shuttle you to your stunning resort. Here you may relax until our evening begins at 6:30 PM, when you will enjoy a special dinner at the resort's finest restaurant.

Your guides will present a champagne greeting and an introduction to the tour with your custom tour itinerary booklet.

Lodging: Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort, Paradise Valley, Arizona
Dinner: Elements

After breakfast, we depart for the stunning vistas of famed Sedona. First we will stop in the Sonoran Desert to photograph the giant saguaro (sah-wah'-roh) and the many other varieties of cactus.

In Sedona after lunch at the Village of Oak Creek's up-scale Dellepiane, you will spend the early afternoon on a scenic helicopter ride. We are "over the top" of this stunning landscape, listed quite reasonably as the "most beautiful place in America."

The helicopter pilot will glide past curious rock spires and cliffs containing Sinagua Native American ruins as seen in many a western movie. Back in Sedona, we will enjoy world-famous window shopping in Tlaquepaque's lovely oasis and stroll the charming downtown area. Dinner is at the Vault.

B: At the Resort
L: Dellepiane
D: The Vault
Lodging: Adobe Grand Villas, Sedona, Arizona

Culture: Your guide will introduce the history of the ancient Sinagua people.
Science: Red rock geology and Sonoran Desert cactus.
Adventure: A thrilling helicopter-ride adventure.

Now we head for our trip's first national park: the Grand Canyon. On the way you will spend half an hour at a drive-through wildlife park, Bearizona. Here many black bears and other animals wander the forest and roads.

Then it's on to the magnificent Grand Canyon. We will arrive in time for lunch.

Your second helicopter ride will introduce this great canyon in aerial view. The aerial overview is majestic, the memory of a lifetime.

After the helicopter, we will check in to the Squire Resort and rest up a bit before returning to the South Rim for dinner and the famous sunset. Finally, you will retire to your lovely resort in Tusayan at the South Entrance to the National Park.

B: Adobe Grand Villas
L: Desert Lounge or Plaza Bonita
D: El Tovar
Lodging: Squire Resort, Tusayan, Arizona

Culture: A discussion of Grand Canyon's human history.
Science: Learn about the black bear and other Arizona wildlife.
Adventure: Just being at the magnificent Grand Canyon.

Today we will drive along the Grand Canyon's South Rim for Canyon Dave's signature full day nature and geology tour.

You will enjoy an inspiring sit-down talk at the canyon's edge. And now, a Canyon Dave special offered by no one else: a walk to a Secret Place at the canyon rim, unknown to anyone. We will be completely alone, except for a fox Dave once saw here. Here you will learn the ancient story of the geologic origins of Grand Canyon, with many pass-around rocks and a colorful explanatory handout. Now you are the best-informed visitors at the Canyon today! We return to the Squire Resort for the night.

B: Squire Resort
L: Yavapai Tavern
D: Arizona Steakhouse
Lodging: Squire Resort, Tusayan, Arizona

Culture: All about the native American Navajo Nation and its history.
Science: The geologic history of Grand Canyon.
Adventure: A journey into the geologic past.

Arizona is a huge state, and our drive today is about 2 fascinating hours of unforgettable scenery, punctuated with a visit to Cameron Trading Post. We are now on the Navajo Reservation.

We will arrive in the town of Page in time for lunch. We deliver you to Secret Antelope Slot Canyon with your Navajo guide. For many, Antelope Canyon is among the most beautiful sights they have ever seen.

After Secret Antelope Canyon and the cliffs over the Colorado River, you will enjoy a cultural dinner with Navajo Indian dancers.

B: Squire Resort
L: Rustic Thistle
D: With the Navajo Dancers
Lodging: Hampton Inn or Under Canvas in Page, Arizona

Culture: The controversial history of Glen Canyon Dam.
Science: The Navajo Sandstone cliffs of Lake Powell.
Adventure: Visiting Secret Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.

We drive to our next awesome national park, Bryce Canyon, Utah with its strange and wonderful balanced columns called hoodoos. On the way we will stop at the Big Water Visitor Center to view locally-excavated dinosaur skeletons.

After lunch we will drive and walk among the picturesque pink goblin-like rock formations of Bryce Canyon. Then over to your luxurious, unique "glamping" at Under Canvas. We will have a star talk around the campfire after dinner this evening.

B: At the Hampton
L: The Lodge at Bryce
D: Under Canvas
Lodging: Under Canvas, Widtsoe, Utah

Culture: The Southern Paiute Native Americans.
Science: Dinosaurs of Arizona.
Adventure: Strolling among Bryce's hoodoos.

This morning we drive down the road to Zion. Zion is a spectacular canyon surrounded by massive cliff walls, and it contains trails to waterfalls and fine viewpoints. There is a park shuttle that will take you to any point or trail.

We will have time to hike a trail, visit the visitor center, ride the shuttle, and view the park's mighty cliffs.

B: Under Canvas
L: Whiptail Grill
D: Flanigan's
Lodging: Flanigan's Resort and Spa

Culture: The history of Zion Canyon National Park.
Science: Geologic formation of Zion Canyon.
Adventure: Walking on Zion's "slickrock" at Checkerboard Mesa.

Today we drive from Zion to the totally exclusive Las Vegas Venetian. "Our suite even had a pool table in the living room!"

Your tour ends tomorrow with transfers to Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport for your final departure. We will help you arrange for an extended stay in Las Vegas if you wish.

After lunch at the most amazing restaurant in Vegas, truly the "Top of the World," a fond farewell from Canyon Dave himself! We wish to see you again soon!

B: Flanigan's
L: Top of the World in Vegas
Lodging: Venetian

Culture: There is no culture in Vegas.
Science: Human beings are studied here.
Farewell Adventure: Not losing your shirt in Vegas.