Grand Canyon & Sedona Day Trip from Phoenix: Small-Group Van Tour

Two Landscapes in One Day: Desert Floor to 7,000 Feet

You drive through the Sonoran Desert and ponderosa pine forest, stop in Sedona's red rocks for 30 minutes of browsing and photos, then spend 2.5 hours at the Grand Canyon South Rim with a guide, free time to walk viewpoints, and views of the Colorado River. Hotel pickup, park entry for US citizens, and a professional guide are included; the van seats up to 13 and has high ceilings so you're not cramped for eight hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

• Depart Phoenix metro area
• Travel through Sonoran Desert and pine forests
• Pass outskirts of Flagstaff and see San Francisco Peaks
• Photo stop at Bell Rock in Sedona
• Free time in Uptown Sedona shops and galleries
• Scenic drive through Oak Creek Canyon
• Explore Grand Canyon South Rim viewpoints
• Visit El Tovar Lodge, Hopi House, and Geology Museum
• Walk rim, shop, and relax at Grand Canyon
• Enjoy views of Colorado River from Grand Canyon

The Experience

Most people choose between the Grand Canyon or Sedona when they visit Arizona. This tour doesn't make you pick. You leave the Phoenix metro area early, drive through the Sonoran Desert where saguaro cactus dots the landscape, and watch the terrain shift as elevation climbs—the cactus gives way to pine forest, and eventually you're in the largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest in the world, somewhere near Flagstaff. The van has high ceilings, so you're not hunched over for hours, and the driver points out the San Francisco Peaks and the Route 66 town of Flagstaff as you pass.

Sedona's red rocks come first. You get a photo stop at Bell Rock, then about 30 minutes in Uptown to walk around the shops and galleries with those red walls framing everything. The drive through Oak Creek Canyon on the way out is the kind of road that makes you understand why people move to Arizona. Then it's on to the Grand Canyon South Rim, where you spend roughly 2.5 hours. The guide drives you to different viewpoints—El Tovar Lodge, Hopi House, Mather Point, Yavapai Point—and you have free time to walk the rim, take photos, or sit and just look at the Colorado River winding through the canyon below. There's a geology museum if you want context, or you can grab lunch on your own and find a quiet spot to eat.

The whole day is structured around what you can actually see and do without rushing. You're not standing on a crowded platform; you're in a van with up to 13 people, which means you can hear the guide and move at a pace that lets things sink in. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included from select Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe locations, though if you're staying elsewhere you'll meet at an alternate spot the supplier confirms before your tour date. The entry fee to the Grand Canyon is covered for US citizens and residents; non-US citizens pay an additional $100 per person, collected in advance.

One thing to know: the South Rim sits at 7,000 feet elevation, so if altitude affects you, mention it when you book. There's no restroom on the van, but comfort stops happen throughout the day. Bring water or grab a bottled water they provide. The tour runs as long as there are enough passengers to meet the minimum, so last-minute bookings made after 7pm Arizona time the night before might not be confirmed until early morning.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from select Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe locations, air-conditioned van transport with high ceilings, bottled water, a professional guide, and entry fees to the Grand Canyon South Rim (for US citizens and residents; non-US citizens pay an additional $100 per person in advance). Lunch is at your own expense.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Detours of Arizona

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see both the Grand Canyon and Sedona in one day without arranging your own transport, park tickets, or timing—the fixed itinerary and small-group van handle all three, leaving you to focus on the views.

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Top questions

How long is the drive from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon?

The full tour is a day trip. You depart the Phoenix metro area in the morning, stop in Sedona for about 30 minutes, spend approximately 2.5 hours at the Grand Canyon South Rim, and return to your hotel by evening.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is at your own expense. You have free time at the Grand Canyon to eat, and there are food options available at the South Rim.

Do I need to be a US citizen to book?

No. Non-US citizens can book, but they pay an additional $100 per person (age 16 or older) for park entry, collected in advance.

What if my hotel isn't on the pickup list?

The supplier serves select locations in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe. If your hotel isn't included, you'll meet at an alternate location the supplier confirms before your tour date.

Is there a restroom on the van?

No. Comfort stops are made throughout the day.

What's the group size?

Small-group tours are limited to 13 passengers in a custom van with high ceilings and captain's chair seating.

Can I bring my own car seat for a child?

Yes. Arizona law requires children under 8 to have a car seat or booster. You must bring your own and notify the supplier before the tour date.

What if I have mobility concerns?

Wheelchairs and walkers are acceptable as long as they fold and can fit in the vehicle. Let the supplier know in advance. Discuss any other mobility concerns when you book.

What happens if the tour is cancelled?

A minimum number of passengers is required. If the tour doesn't meet that minimum after confirmation, you'll be offered an alternative tour or a full refund.

Is the Grand Canyon elevation a concern?

The South Rim is at 7,000 feet. If altitude sensitivity is a concern for you, mention it when booking so the supplier can advise.