Open Road Tours - Grand Canyon, Colorado River and Petrified Forest departing from Sedona

Our friendly, informative guides will treat you to Arizona's diverse scenery and history! Open Road tour guides share an enthusiasm for the area that shows in their work. You'll learn about the area's rich history, see the most beautiful sites and have a fantastic time! Our groups are small so you can meet other travelers and enjoy a more personalized trip. Our vehicles are customized with individual seating, large viewing windows and a public address system.

Day Tours: | Grand Canyon from Sedona | Grand Canyon and Helicopter Adventure | Colorado River Float Trip | Petrified Forest, Painted Desert and Meteor Crater |

Multi-Day Tours: | Grand Canyon Overnight 2 Days / 1 Night | Grand Canyon Railroad Adventure 2 Days / 1 Night | Oak Creek, Grand Canyon and Havasupai Adventure 3 Day / 2 Nights |

| FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions |

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DAY TOURS

Grand Canyon from Sedona

Enjoy a fun-filled day tour to Grand Canyon National Park by way of scenic Oak Creek Canyon. You'll also travel through the pine forests of Flagstaff before arriving at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon around lunch time. Here, you can drink in the boundless wonders of Grand Canyon -- one of the natural wonders of the world -- from our favorite overlooks or take a short nature walk. We'll also tour the beautiful East Rim of the canyon and visit additional viewpoints along this 22-mile drive. After we depart the Grand Canyon, we'll drive across the vast Navajo Indian Reservation, and make a stop at the Cameron Trading Post (with the Painted Desert as your backdrop) to shop for jewelry and crafts.

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Grand Canyon from Sedona with a Helicopter Adventure

Combine our Grand Canyon day tour (above) with an exciting helicopter flight. This breathtaking helicopter flight takes you over the deepest portion of the Grand Canyon, through the Dragon Corridor and to the North Rim for breathtaking views. During the return flight, enjoy views of rock temples and shrines while flying over the widest portion of the Colorado River.

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Colorado River Float Trip from Sedona

Pack the sunscreen and be prepared for a fantastic day! Begin with a tour across the vast Navajo Indian Reservation on your way to the shores of the Colorado River at Glen Canyon. Then board your raft for a wonderful scenic float trip. Towering canyon walls and ancient petroglyphs are among the highlights of the day. Enjoy a tasty shore lunch and get an up-close view of the massive Glen Canyon Dam.

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Petrified Forest, Painted Desert and Meteor Crater

Travel to Meteor Crater where a giant meteor impacted the earth and where astronauts trained for space missions. Afterward, you'll visit the combined National Parks of Petrified Forest and Painted Desert. Learn how this giant forest was turned to stone and enjoy views of the colorful Painted Desert cliffs as they change hue throughout the day. You'll also see ancient petroglyphs and the ruins of prehistoric Indian dwellings.

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Multi-Day Tours from Sedona

Grand Canyon Overnight from Sedona

This tour provides maximum free time at the Grand Canyon for exploration. Travel through the red rock areas of Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon. The Grand Canyon National Park provides dramatic views of the Canyon. Spend the night at Grand Hotel or Best Western, Grand Canyon.

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Grand Canyon Railroad Adventure

Travel through scenic Oak Creek Canyon to Williams, home of the Grand Canyon Railway. From here, you'll board the historic railway for a one-way journey through the pine forests of northern Arizona to the south rim of the Grand Canyon.You will also enjoy a tour of the canyon's beautiful east rim and then a visit to the Navajo Indian Reservation. 2 Days / 1 Night

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Oak Creek, Grand Canyon and Havasupai Adventure

Tour through Oak Creek Canyon and the pinion forests around Flagstaff on your way to the Grand Canyon. You'll get your first breathtaking views of this wonder of the world during your arrival around the noon hour. This adventure includes a combined helicopter and ground tour to the unique world of the Havasupai Indians. Your helicopter will fly you to the bottom of Grand Canyon to an area filled with spectacular waterfalls and towering cliffs. Enjoy the day with a 2-mile hike (4-miles round-trip) or an optional horseback ride out to the beautiful waterfalls where you can then relax, soak up the inspiring scenery, swim or do some light hiking on your own in this hidden area of the Grand Canyon. Enjoy a tour with your guide of the canyon's east rim and the Navajo Indian Reservation. 3 Days / 2 Nights

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©2006 Open Road Tours

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

 

How far in advance do I need to book a one day tour?

Tour reservations are subject to availability. We suggest making the reservation at least 48 hours in advance. If you will be in the Phoenix area for several days, try to make a reservation at the beginning of your stay. Unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather could require re-scheduling your tour.

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How far in advance should I plan multi-day tours and vacation packages?

Hotels book up quickly in the summer time. The sooner we can confirm your lodging, the less likely there will be a challenge meeting your requested dates. In the winter, more flexibility is available for lodging. As a rule of thumb, 2 weeks in advance is best for vacation packages. Less time is necessary for shorter tours originating from the Phoenix area, but 48 hours is suggested for these tours as well. If we have seats available, we strive to accommodate last minute requests, so just call us!

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How much free time will I have at the different stops?

Depending on the destination, your free time will vary. On day tours, you will usually have anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour and a half at the major stops to explore the area. On overnight tours, you will be unescorted for blocks of time during your stay. We have found our independent travelers appreciate this mix of escorted and unescorted time to explore the beauty of Arizona. We also include brochures on optional tours and activities in the area in which you are overnighting. Optional tours are available at your own expense.

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What is the cancellation policy?

Ttours canceled less than 24 hours are subject to a cancellation fee. No shows are charged full fare. (Exceptions may be made for emergencies if canceled by 4:00 PM the previous day). When we are sold out, we often take people on stand-by list. Please cancel directly with Open Road(phone number will be on your voucher) Do not cancel with TourCorp. Overnight tours and Vacation packages must be canceled 72 hours in advance. Cancellations less than 72 hours are subject to a $25 processing fee and any lodging charges. Limited departure multi-day tours are subject to cancellation fees as outlined in the tour policy.

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How will I be notified of the pickup time at my hotel?

The tour operator will call you directly the evening prior to your tour. If you are not in, a message will be left on voicemail or at the front desk for you to call us. If the confirmation message is not received or is unclear, please contact their office. It's always a good idea to check your messages by 8pm (make sure your watch is set to Arizona time). If for some reason you have not received your pickup time, please call Open Road (phone number will be on your voucher) Phones are answered until 9pm. Phoenix Valley Highlights afternoon tour guests will be notified between 10:30 - 11:00 AM on the day of the tour.

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Where do I meet the tour?

The guide will meet you at the front lobby door of your hotel. All our vans are brand new white Fords with multi color designs and are clearly marked "Open Road Tours" on the door.

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May I be picked up from a private residence?

It is our policy to pick up only at a hotel or other public place for safety and insurance purposes. It could also delay those already on board while the guide is trying to locate a residence. We will make every effort to find a hotel very near your home to meet us.

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What kind of vehicles will I be traveling on?

We are proud to offer the finest fleet in the Phoenix area. Our brand new, full sized maxi-vans are all customized for touring, including individual seating, a center aisle, tall ceilings, state of the art public address systems, hydraulic steps and many of them have video players. The windows are oversized for great views and all the vans are fully climate controlled. We have deluxe motor coaches available to accommodate large custom groups when necessary.

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What items can I bring on board?

Our vans are designed for 12-14 passengers. We have limited space for luggage and allow small overnight bags only on overnight tours. Any bags larger than 9" x 14" x 22" should be left with your hotel. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter. If you have a wheelchair or other necessary equipment, please notify us at the time of booking so we may make arrangements for your special needs. We have a cooler on board that small items such as medication or snacks may be refrigerated for your convenience. Anything you bring should be able to fit under your seat for the comfort and safety of everyone on board.

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What kind of weather should I expect?

Arizona's desert areas experience a warm, dry climate with only 7 inches of rainfall annually. Summer daytime temperatures average 95-102 degrees (35-39 Celsius); spring and autumn average 75-88 (24-31 Celsius) and winter, 65-70 (18-21 Celsius). Northern Arizona and the Grand Canyon range from 72-82 degrees in the summer (22-28 Celsius) to 25-45 degrees in the winter (-3-7 Celsius). Such diversity means great weather for touring any time of the year! Weather conditions can be checked at www.weather.com - just look at conditions for Grand Canyon, AZ.

Weather at the Grand Canyon can be unpredictable at any time, and weather systems can move into the Grand Canyon quickly. Our tours go rain or shine, but we cannot always guarantee views at the Grand Canyon. Mother Nature is of course in control of that. The Grand Canyon is beautiful any way you see it -- whether it's a crystal clear day, clouds building up over the rim of the canyon due to an approaching storm, an afternoon rain over the canyon (maybe you'll see a rainbow!) or even in the middle of a snowstorm (think of the canyon as a cake with the snow as the icing). You'll always have a story to tell about your visit to the Grand Canyon - whether the weather was beautiful or if there was "weather" there for the day.

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Courtesy at Tour Stops:

As a courtesy to your tour guide and your fellow travelers, please check your watch at each stop and return promptly so that your tour can remain on schedule.

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What type of clothing should I wear?

We want you to be as comfortable as possible. Casual dress is suggested on all tours (shorts, jeans, comfortable shoes). Remember that the Grand Canyon is 20-25 degrees cooler than Phoenix, so layered clothing and good footwear is especially suggested for winter months.

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What about meal stops?

Meal stops are included on all tours except the Phoenix Valley Highlights tour. The cost of meals is not included (unless otherwise noted) in the tour price; however, all stops are at moderately priced restaurants. Water and candies are included on all tours.

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Are gratuities included in the price of the tour?

Guide gratuities are not included in the tour price. Gratuities are given at the discretion of the passenger and are always welcome. Suggested gratuity is 10-15% of the tour price.

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