Half-day Sedona tour: 6 stops with red rocks and vortex

Six stops in five and a half hours: red rocks, spiritual sites and Uptown lunch

This half-day Sedona sightseeing tour departs at 10am and visits six stops across the red rock landscape, including the Chapel of the Holy Cross, Amitabha Stupa & Peace Park, and Rachel's Knoll vortex site. You ride in an open-air 360-degree-view vehicle with a live English-speaking guide. The tour includes bottled water and a lunch break in Uptown Sedona midway through. Children from age 1 are welcome, and the tour is wheelchair accessible.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Bell Rockpass by
2. Chapel of the Holy Cross30m
3. Cathedral Rockpass by
4. Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park30m
5. Seven Canyons30m

Sedona sightseeing and cultural stops

• Cruise Red Rock Scenic Byway
• Pass Bell Rock
• Pass Cathedral Rock
• Pass Soldier's Pass
• View Thunder Mountain
• Visit Chapel of the Holy Cross
• Visit Sedona Airport Overlook
• Visit Sedona Heritage Museum
• Explore Uptown Sedona and have lunch
• Visit Vortex at Rachel's Knoll
• Visit Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park

The experience

Six stops in five and a half hours means you move through the day with purpose. The tour departs at 10am and starts with the red rock landmarks (Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock and the Sedona Airport Overlook) before stopping at the Sedona Heritage Museum to see pioneer exhibits and historic buildings that tell the story of the town beyond the formations. Midway through, you grab lunch in Uptown Sedona and have time to explore the neighborhood before heading back out.

The vehicle is open-air with 360-degree views, so you see the landscape from every angle as you move between stops. The guide provides information throughout the day and knows the timing of each location, when the light hits the rocks, when the crowds thin out, when the vortex site at Rachel's Knoll feels most peaceful. That site is land purchased specifically for meditation and prayer. Many visitors report feeling the natural energy the area is known for. The Amitabha Stupa & Peace Park is another spiritual stop, a 30-minute visit that breaks up the visual spectacle with quiet space.

You also cruise the Red Rock Scenic Byway, sometimes called the "Museum without walls," and pass Thunder Mountain, one of the highest summits in the area. Soldier's Pass rounds out the route. Bottled water is provided throughout. You arrange your own lunch in Uptown, though the guide can point you toward options. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels and works for families with infants and small children, who can ride in a pram or stroller.

What’s included

• Open-air 360-degree-view vehicle with a live English-speaking guide.
• bottled water.
• six stops at red rock landmarks, spiritual sites and Sedona's heritage museum.
• 60-minute lunch break in Uptown Sedona where you choose and purchase your own meal.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (14 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Child (1 to 13 years)

GroupUp to 26

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Scenic Sedona Tours

Is this one for you?At five and a half hours, this tour fits a morning or early afternoon without consuming your whole day. You're back by mid-afternoon with time for a hike, a second neighborhood, or a sunset drive on your own. The fixed schedule and guided stops mean you don't spend the day figuring out which rocks matter or hunting for parking. The trade-off is that you move through each location on the guide's timeline rather than lingering as long as you want.

Traveler reviews

4.72★★★★★★★★★★

2,051 verified traveler reviews

5 ★1,728

4 ★174

3 ★78

2 ★44

1 ★27

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 13 years).

What exactly is the vortex site at Rachel's Knoll that the tour visits?

Rachel's Knoll is one of Sedona's energy vortex locations: natural swirling energy centers that radiate from the earth's surface. The land was purchased by a woman named Rachel specifically for meditation, prayer gatherings and finding peace. Many visitors report feeling inspired by the spiritual energy at the site.

Does the tour include lunch, or do I need to bring my own food?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. You have a 60-minute stop in Uptown Sedona midway through the day where you can buy food at local restaurants and cafes. Your guide can recommend options. Bottled water is provided throughout the tour.

What are the Chapel of the Holy Cross and Amitabha Stupa, and how long do you spend at each?

The Chapel of the Holy Cross is a 30-minute stop: a spiritual landmark built into the red rocks. The Amitabha Stupa & Peace Park is another 30-minute visit, a Buddhist shrine and meditation space. Both are spiritual sites rather than museums, offering quiet moments between the scenic overlooks and rock formations.

What kind of vehicle is used, and will I be comfortable during the drive?

The tour uses custom open-air vehicles with 360-degree views, so you see the landscape from every direction as you travel between stops. The open design means you experience the red rocks and scenery directly, though you're exposed to the weather. Bring sunscreen and a hat for the Arizona sun.

How much time do you actually spend at the red rock formations versus driving?

The tour includes six named stops with specific time allocations: 30 minutes at the Chapel of the Holy Cross, 20 minutes at the Airport Overlook, 40 minutes at the Heritage Museum, 60 minutes in Uptown for lunch, 20 minutes at Rachel's Knoll vortex site, and 30 minutes at Amitabha Stupa & Peace Park. The remaining time is spent cruising the Red Rock Scenic Byway and traveling between locations with your guide providing information along the way.