Walk of Time: Guided Grand Canyon Tour
Level 1: Beginner - Appropriate for families with kids, beginner backpackers, etc. Level 1 trips are the most “accessible” backpacking itineraries at Grand Canyon, with low mileages, low-key side hike options, and plenty of opportunity for relaxation. These trips will strictly involve well-maintained corridor trails.
X
Thursday, October 11, 2018
Prices are all-inclusive. Lunch, entrance fees and taxes included!
Book Online
Book Now! Call (928) 928-814-8887
Itinerary
9:00am: Three professional Guides and motor coach meet in the designated bus parking at the High Country Conference Center and step on the motor coach for the tour.
9:15am: Leave for The Grand Canyon National Park.
10:30am: Stop at the Double Eagle Trading Post prior to the Canyon.
12:00pm: Guests will arrive at the South Rim entrance station to the National Park. Upon arrival there is the equivalent of a small town; Grand Canyon Village, spread out over several miles of the forest, with a clinic, the railway station (terminus of old-style train rides from Williams, complete with staff in period costume), shops, restaurants, six lodges, a trailer village and campground. The village also contains several historic sites such as hotels and Kolb artist studio and Lookout studio built early 20th century. The guide will instruct the group on viewing the Canyon for the first time; a ceremonial viewing via the Bright Angel Lodge. There will also be ample time for photos.
1:00pm: Board the motor coach and head to the McKee Amphitheater to enjoy a box lunch.
2:00pm: Guests will then begin the “Trail of Time” walk along the South Rim to Market Plaza. The Trail of Time is an interpretive walking timeline trail that focuses on Grand Canyon vistas and rocks to guide visitors to ponder, explore, and understand the magnitude of geologic time and the stories encoded by Grand Canyon rock layers and landscapes.
4:00pm: Arrive at the Market Plaza for pick up. Continuing the tour to the Eastern Rim: The Desert View Drive (AZ 64; also known as the East Rim Drive) passes through thick Ponderosa, Pinon & Juniper pine forest, with only occasional glimpses of the canyon, though the rim is never very far away. Just a few of the stopping places include Mather Point and Grand Canyon Visitors Center, Grandeur Point and Yavapai Point.
4:45pm: The final viewpoint along the drive (Desert View) is one of the best in the whole park - from a high promontory just before the east entrance station, a huge area of the Grand Canyon stretches out below; the main ravine to the north and west, the Little Colorado River Gorge in the east - a very steep and narrow side canyon cutting into a flat plateau, and the colorful Painted Desert in the northeast. This one of the few south rim overlooks from which the Colorado itself can be glimpsed; the contrast between the greenery alongside the river and the stark reddish rocks is quite striking. There is another cluster of buildings at Desert View including the Watchtower, a 20 meter high stone tower built in 1932. Nearby, on the south side of the road, the Tusayan Ruins & Museum has the remains of a 12th century Puebloan settlement containing circular kivas and square houses.
5:56pm: Sunset at Desert View Watchtower
6:30pm: Depart for East Rim Exit. Time allowing, guests may stop at the historic Cameron Trading Post on the Navajo Reservation. There will be views of the Painted Desert as well as the Little Colorado River Gorge.
7:10pm: Arrive Cameron Trading Post
8:30pm: Arrival at High Country Conference Center
Deli Style Box Lunch
Bottled Water, Soft Drinks, Assortment of Kettle Chips, Apple, and a Homemade Cookie
Choice of Sandwich on Sourdough Bread *
- Turkey & Muenster Cheese
- Ham & Swiss Cheese
- Roast Beef & Cheddar Cheese
- Vegetarian & Muenster Cheese, Shredded Carrot, Avocado, Cucumber, and Sprouts
* Dairy and Gluten Free options are available at time of booking.
* Always on the Side - Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, Condiments