Grand Canyon & Sedona: Rims & Red Rocks

This is a moderate trip that's a great fit for an average hiker who's ready for one big day. Our hike into the Grand Canyon on the Bright Angel Trail is the strenuous one — remember, the canyon is upside-down, so the easy downhill comes first and the real work is the climb back up to the rim (up to about 2,100 feet of elevation). We take it slow, rest often, and turn around with plenty in the tank. A couple of Sedona trails have some rocky, exposed sections too. If you hike regularly and are comfortable on your feet, you'll do beautifully — and you'll feel like a rock star at the top.

Expect two very different kinds of terrain. In Sedona, it's red rock and slickrock — grippy, fun, and scenic, with a few exposed ledges on the Hangover Trail (we'll take these carefully together). At the Grand Canyon, the Bright Angel Trail is a steady, switchbacking descent below the rim and back up, our most demanding hike of the week. We balance those with gentler rim walks, a guided slot canyon stroll, and short overlook hikes at Horseshoe Bend and Mather Point.

Your first and last nights are spent at the same comfortable hotel near the Phoenix airport (the Drury Inn), with your own bed and time to settle in. Your final night's stay is included in your trip.

For the heart of the trip, we glamp in two gorgeous spots — and yes, this is glamping, not roughing it! In Sedona, we stay creekside at Lo Lo Mai Springs, tucked along Oak Creek. At the Grand Canyon, we stay at Mather Campground, right in the South Rim village and just a short stroll from the rim itself. You'll share a large, walk-in tent (two women per tent) outfitted with cots, sleeping mattresses, sleeping bags, pillows, a rug underfoot, and a shared nightstand with a lantern — and you'll always have your own bed. Showers and flushing toilets are available at both stops. Best of all, glamping right at the rim means you're steps from the canyon for sunrise.

Fly into Phoenix and settle in at our hotel near the airport. This evening, meet Michele in the lobby for a welcome dinner, where you'll meet your fellow adventurers and we'll walk through the exciting week ahead. (Dinner included.)

After breakfast, we'll drive up to Sedona (about two hours) and trade city for red rock. We'll hike the Broken Arrow Trail to Chicken Point and Submarine Rock (4.1 miles, 538 ft), a Sedona classic full of slickrock domes and postcard views. Afterward, we'll head into town for a little shopping and dinner in Sedona before settling in at our creekside camp. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner included.)

Today we take on one of Sedona's most talked-about trails — the Hangover Trail (6 miles, 885 ft). It's a thrilling one, with red rock ledges and views that go on forever (we'll take the exposed sections slow and steady, together). We'll rest up in the afternoon, then head out to watch the sun set from Airport Mesa, one of Sedona's famous vortex viewpoints. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner included.)

We'll break camp this morning and make the beautiful drive north toward the Grand Canyon, stopping for a picnic at Cataract Lake along the way. Once we arrive and get settled at our South Rim campground, we'll head out to explore Hermit Road, walking a stretch of the Rim Trail out to Hopi Point — one of the very best spots to watch the sun set over the canyon. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner included.)

We'll start early with sunrise at Mather Point, watching the canyon light up right from camp. Then comes our signature hike: down the Bright Angel Trail (6–8 miles, up to about 2,100 ft of climbing on the way back up). This is the big one — hiking below the rim into the canyon is an experience you'll never forget — and we'll take all the breaks we need. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner included.)

Today's the highlight for a lot of women. We'll drive to Page for a guided walk through a quiet slot canyon on Navajo land — smooth, sculpted sandstone walls and beams of light, without the crowds — then stand at the railing above Horseshoe Bend, where the Colorado River wraps a full 270 degrees around a sandstone tower a thousand feet below. It's a longer day in the van, but worth every mile. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner included.)

On our final morning, we'll have breakfast, break camp, and begin the drive back to Phoenix, stopping for lunch in Williams — a charming old Route 66 town — along the way. We'll arrive back at our hotel for your final, included night. (Breakfast and lunch included; dinner on your own tonight — go toast to an incredible week!)

Planning your flights home: Your final night's hotel is included, so most guests fly out on Saturday. If you'd rather head home Friday evening, just be sure to book your flight for after 5:00 PM so we have time to make the drive back from the canyon.