Welcome to Scottsdale! At 6:00 p.m., meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers for a welcome drink
Spend Your Day Your Way in Scottsdale & Phoenix Explore more of Scottsdale and Phoenix with your choice of included Globus Choice excursions.
WESTERN SPIRIT
Let your imagination ride into the sunset with a visit to Scottsdale's Museum of the West. This Smithsonian affiliated museum features the art, culture and history of 19 states in the American West, Western Canada, and Mexico.
DESERT BLOOMS
Breathe in the desert fragrance of Arizona with a visit to the Desert Botanical Garden. Explore this tranquil garden with over 50,000 desert plants nestled amid the red rocks in 5 thematic gardens trails through towering cacti, alluring succulents, brilliant flowers, and more.
Discover the highlights of Phoenix on an orientation tour, where historic neighborhoods like Roosevelt Row, the walkable art district, and Grand Avenue share an urban footprint with modern buildings. Visit the historic Arizona State Capitol building, the last territorial capital before Arizona became a state, which now houses the Arizona Capitol Museum. Return to Scottsdale and enjoy lunch at a locally owned Mexican restaurant in Old Town. Then, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to explore Old Town Scottsdale and experience the unique culture of the American Southwest at your own pace. (B,L)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
Explore more in Scottsdale by strolling Old Town’s blend of urban chic and Old West charm along its shops, galleries, and public art installations in the heart of the city. Get insider tips from your Tour Director for suggestions on where to dine and what to see
Includes meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch
Cliff Dwellings & Desert Canyons Travel north to visit the Montezuma Castle National Monument. See the 20-room high-rise pre-Columbian dwelling nestled into a towering limestone cliff near Camp Verde, Arizona. Explore the visitor center and museum artifacts to learn about the people who lived and prospered in this historic Native American dwelling in an unforgiving desert landscape. Experience an adventure in the desert on a guided 4-wheel-drive Jeep tour of Sedona’s red rock canyons. Tonight is free to explore the vibrant Southwest culture, shops, and restaurants in Sedona. Consider staying up late to view the evening desert skies in the designated International Dark Sky Community for a memorable Sedona stargazing experience. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Take in stunning views of Sedona's iconic red rock formations through spectacular desert canyon scenery and panoramic landscapes. Join a local guide for a 4-wheel adventure in the American Southwest
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
Historic Rides Visit Jerome, a former copper mining camp that has transformed into a thriving artist community. After free time to explore, board the scenic [LF] Verde Canyon Railroad and travel in renovated vintage railcars on a journey through Arizona's spectacular canyon country and more than a century of railroad history. Return to Sedona for a free evening. (B)
LOCAL FAVORITE
The Verde Canyon Railroad’s historic roundtrip route from Clarkdale to Perkinsville – into Arizona’s other “Grand Canyon” – is an unforgettable adventure. Captivating panoramic views are revealed in every direction, exclusively from the relaxed atmosphere of the train. This historic ribbon of rail runs through a protected corridor at the river’s edge, lined with towering red rock pinnacles, near ancient Native American ruins, over fortified bridges and through an invigorating 734-foot manmade tunnel carved through solid rock over a century ago. Discover a vibrant riparian oasis set against a backdrop of rugged landscapes and high-desert vegetation
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
Where Heaven Meets Earth Travel through the Coconino National Forest and visit Meteor Crater Natural Landmark, the world’s best-preserved meteorite impact site. Then on to Route 66, the “Mother Road,” and Winslow, to explore La Posada Gardens and Galleries, with lunch in the famed [LF] Turquoise Room at this historic hotel. After lunch, celebrate the historic Route 66 in Winslow with a visit to the sculpture at “Standin’ on the Corner” Park. Continue to the secluded Canyon de Chelly National Monument for an overnight stay at the historic Thunderbird Lodge. Although rustic, the lodge offers a key location as the only hotel located inside the National Monument. (B,L,D)
LOCAL FAVORITE
CULTURE & TRADITION La Posada Hotel was originally a “Harvey” Hotel, designed to host visitors arriving by train and popular during the 1930s with celebrities and politicians. La Posada’s current restaurant, The Turquoise Room, reflects the fine dining past connected to the railroad, as “The Turquoise Room” was the private dining car in the deluxe train that ran from Chicago to Los Angeles, with a stop in Winslow, Arizona. La Posada Hotel has been restored and is on the National Register of Historic Places, and the train depot still serves as the Winslow stop.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
When you arrive at the historic Thunderbird Lodge, you’re likely to be greeted with the Navajo word for welcome - “Yá’át’ééh.” This rustic yet comfortable lodge situated in the stunning landscape of Canyon de Chelly National Monument is operated by the Navajo Nation
Includes meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ancient Mystery This morning, take a 4-wheel-drive tour with a Local Navajo Guide for an exclusive visit to sacred archaeological sites and to explore the canyon floor. Then visit Petrified Forest National Park to see ancient trees transformed into colorful stone over millions of years. Continue to Williams, the gateway to the Grand Canyon, for a stay at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel and experience the luxury of a bygone era! (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
For nearly 5,000 years, people have lived in these canyons – longer than anyone has lived uninterrupted anywhere on the Colorado Plateau. Remains of their homes and images on the canyon walls tell us their stories. Today, the Navajo people (Diné) make their homes, raise crops, and farm the lands in the canyon. Canyon de Chelly National Monument was established in 1931 to preserve natural, archaeological, and cultural resources. The park is unique among National Park Service units, as it is comprised entirely of Navajo Tribal Trust Land and embraces nearly 84,000 acres. The National Park Service continues to work in partnership with the Navajo Nation to manage park resources and sustain this living Navajo community
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
Views and Hues Travel into Grand Canyon National Park. During free time, consider soaring above the canyon on a popular helicopter flightseeing tour, explore the museum and visitor centers, take a walk on the paved Trail of Time along the South Rim, or grab a snack and enjoy the spectacular views. Return to Williams for a farewell dinner with your Tour Director and travel companions. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Set your sights on the vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows of the canyon walls, seemingly set ablaze by the sun. As you take in the grandeur of the Grand Canyon, you may be lucky enough to spot grazing elk or bighorn sheep. The majesty of this natural wonder is truly captivating
Includes meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Safe travels until we meet again! Depart Williams and travel through the Central Highlands in Arizona en route to Phoenix. Continue to Phoenix for a seamless transfer to the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Please schedule flights after 1:30 p.m. Want to explore more in the Scottsdale and Phoenix area? Extra nights are available for purchase. (B,D)
