LOCATION
Grand
Canyon, Arizona, USA, via Sedona and Navajo reservation.
For details on the location and weather, go to
venue.
DATE
Thursday,
November 6 2003
TIME
DEPARTURE:
7:00 A.M.
RETURN:
Approx. 8:00-9:00 P.M.
REGISTRATION
Registration
options:
1)
Indicate your choice on the IGS2003
Registration form, fill out the add-on
sign up sheet for the tour included with it, and
fax to +1-480-350 9199. This sheet will be forwarded
to the tour company by IGS2003 committee. IGS2003
will not charge for the tour.
2) Register directly with OpenRoadTours.com
who will charge your credit card not until 2 days
before the Tour.
You
can choose the air tour and lunch voucher IN ADDITION
to the basic tour for $89.
COSTS
INCLUDES:
Round-trip transportation, professional guide
service, admission to Grand Canyon National Park,
and all taxes.
|
Tour |
Cost |
|
Basic:
Grand
Canyon Via Sedona and the Navajo Reservation
Per
person adult ($4 extra to include gratuity)
|
$89 |
|
Helicopter
Air tour |
$115 |
|
Lunch
Voucher per person |
$13 |
|
SCHEDULE
Start
>> The Grand Canyon via
Sedona and the Navajo Reservation tour
departs from the Old Town Scottsdale about 6:30
to 7:00 a.m. and the tour guides provide a narrated
tour as they travel through the Sonoran Desert
up to the red rock country of Sedona.
Stop
over >> We make a 1/2 hour stop
about 9:00 a.m. in Sedona for a coffee break,
leg stretch and bathroom stop.
To
Grand Canyon >> At 9:30 a.m. the
tour continues with a 17-mile drive up scenic
Oak Creek Canyon through the mountains of Flagstaff
and arrives at the Grand Canyon about 11:30 to
12:00 noon.
Grand
Canyon Village area and orientation >>
Approximately 3-4 hours will be spent at the Canyon,
allowing time to engage in a hike, or walk along
the rim.The tour guide pays the admission to the
Canyon, provides an orientation at an overlook
at the Grand Canyon village area.
Hike on the trails >> After
an orientation, you will have 1.5 hours to explore
on your own, e.g., hike down the Bright Angel
Trail for maximally 2 miles and a lunch break
in one of the lodges in the village area at about
1:30 pm.
Grand
Canyon's Inner Gorge (below the rim) is a place
of extremes. Hiking below the rim requires preparation.
All trails below the rim are steep and precipitous.
Everyone who hikes in the canyon for the first
time reports that it was more difficult than they
expected. Be conservative in planning your hike!
Details.
Rim Trail: Individuals will have two
options in regard to selecting a hike suitable
for their level of expertise. One option is the
Rim Trail. The Rim Trail extends from the village
area to Hermits Rest. Begin from any viewpoint
in the village or along Hermit Road. Rim trails
offer excellent walking for quiet views of the
inner canyon and for those who desire an easy
hike. Part of the trail is paved and accessible.
Hiking the RIM trails are ideal day hikes, they
offer a variety of different views along trails
that offer good hiking with little elevation change.
Bright
Angel Trail: The second option available is the
Bright Angel Trail. The Bright Angel trail begins
just west of Bright Angel Lodge and offers day
hikes that range in distance up to 12 miles (round
trip). There is some shade, and seasonal water
(subject to pipeline breaks). The Bright Angel
trail offers wonderful views all along the trail
and makes it very easy to lose track of how far
down you have hiked. Be aware of how far you have
hiked, the steepness of the trail is very misleading
on the way down.
East
Rim drive >> After that the guide
will gather everyone and provide a 2 to 3 hour
tour along the scenic East rim drive. There's
a 23 mile drive along the rim of the Canyon where
stops will be made at different viewpoints to
get out and learn about the Canyon from their
guide.
Equipment
recommendations for the day
Water, Moleskin, Comfortable hiking clothes, Hiking
shoes (NO open toe shoes), Salty foods, Trail
mix, Hard Candy, Electrolyte powder or drink.
Even though the Bright Angel has water along the
trail, you need to carry water.
A common mistake is not carrying water and not
carrying enough water. Always remember to eat
as well as drink while hiking; you will be using
a lot of energy when hiking the canyon. Plan on
taking twice as long to hike up as it took to
hike down. Allow 1/3 of your time to descend and
2/3 of your time to ascend.
Desert
View Watchtower >> The last stop
is at everyone's favorite - Desert View Watchtower.
About 4:00 pm we depart the Canyon and travel
across Painted Desert and the Navajo reservation.
A stop will be made at historic Cameron Trading
post - a working Navajo Indian trading post.
Shopping
>> Our guide provides information about
the Navajo people and you will have about 1/2
hour for shopping.
Dinner
>> A dinner or snack stop will
be made in the Camp Verde area - usually fast
food - on the way back to Scottsdale where you
arrive about 9 p.m.
