Red Rocks, Rails & Canyons Christmas

Day 1 – Welcome to Laughlin! (Saturday, December 13)

This morning we’ll board a deluxe motorcoach and travel from our departure points towards Laughlin, making a stop for lunch on own in Barstow. Late this afternoon we’ll arrive in Laughlin, the vibrant riverside oasis offering a unique blend of excitement and relaxation along the Colorado River. We’ll enjoy an overnight stay in an upgraded river view room at the highest-rated resort hotel along the charming Laughlin Riverwalk. The resort features a 57,000 square foot casino, a variety of eateries, the only non-smoking lounge in Laughlin and a swimming pool overlooking the Colorado River.

Day 2 – Grand Canyon National Park, Sedona (Sunday, December 14)

After an included breakfast, we’ll continue east to the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon National Park. This afternoon you’ll find yourself gazing at the most awesome landscape that no postcard could ever do justice. Eons of time are represented in the many colors of earth uncovered by millions of years of erosion by the Colorado River. At 277 miles long, 18 miles wide and one mile deep, it’s easy to see why the Grand Canyon is one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World! We’ll enjoy approximately two hours at leisure at the Grand Canyon Village, situated on the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. Enjoy lunch on your own at several eateries, stop in the visitor center, browse the galleries and gift shops and admire the Grand Canyon’s amazing gorges, buttes and colors. Later this afternoon we’ll travel east along the South Rim making photo stops at Grandview Point and Desert View Point where the Colorado River makes a dramatic 90-degree turn to the west cutting directly into a major uplift on the Colorado Plateau. Admire the Desert View Watchtower, the 70-foot tall National Historic Landmark that was designed to resemble the architecture of the Ancestral Puebloan people of the Colorado Plateau. This evening we’ll arrive in Sedona, the picturesque town nestled amongst striking red-rock formations in Arizona’s Verde Valley. Regularly described as one of America’s most beautiful places, Sedona’s spectacular landscape has long attracted spiritual seekers, artists and healers. We’ll enjoy a relaxing three-night stay at an upscale resort hotel featuring luxurious guest rooms with a private balcony or patio, stylish décor and a number of amenities. Enjoy dinner on your own at the hotel or a nearby restaurant. (Breakfast)

Day 3 – Sedona (Monday, December 15)

Following an included breakfast at the hotel, we’ll board a trolley for a driving tour to the famous Chapel of the Holy Cross. We’ll learn about the area’s history, geology, climate, flora, fauna and vortexes followed by time to admire this truly iconic and breathtaking architectural marvel seamlessly integrated into the stunning red rock landscape. Enjoy time at leisure this afternoon exploring Uptown Sedona, home to numerous galleries, boutiques and restaurants. Then return to the hotel to relax or take advantage of an optional Red Rocks Jeep Excursion for an additional $190 per person including gratuities and fees (payable with your tour payment). This thrilling, two-hour, four-wheeling adventure with a certified, interpretive driver-guide is aboard an open-air, custom-built Jeep Wrangler designed to safely climb over Sedona’s famous red rocks. All the while, you’ll be amongst stunning towering rock spires and unique geological formations surrounded by juniper and cypress. Enjoy an included dinner this evening. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 4 – Sedona, Verde Canyon Railroad (Tuesday, December 16)

After an included breakfast we’ll visit the spectacular Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village. Named after a suburb of Guadalajara, Mexico, this village is filled with 40 specialty shops, renowned art galleries and several restaurants. This afternoon we travel the short distance to Clarksdale and the Verde Canyon Railroad. All board this wilderness train for a four-hour journey following the Verde River deep into Verde Canyon. Known as “Arizona’s other grand canyon,” Verde Canyon is only accessible by train and features a lush riparian habitat, unique geologic features and astonishing beauty. As our vintage train rolls past crimson cliffs, high-desert rock faces, and ancient Indian ruins, we’ll enjoy an included champagne toast, charcuterie and comfortable indoor seating with access to both an open-air viewing car and a cash bar. We top off a memorable day in Cottonwood with a fun-filled Old West experience at Blazin’ M Ranch. Here we’ll enjoy a delicious dinner featuring barbecue chicken, fall-off-the-bone ribs, cowboy beans, prickly pear coleslaw, mac and cheese, rolls and homemade caramel apple crisp followed by a holiday-themed Classic Country Western stage show with live band! (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 5 – Las Vegas (Wednesday, December 17)

Following an included breakfast, road conditions permitting we’ll travel through Oak Creek Canyon – a magnificent steep-walled canyon where every rock-bordered curve, every tree-formed tunnel and every climbing turn of this iconic drive features more natural beauty than the one before. We’ll make a stop for lunch on your own on historic Route 66 in Kingman before we continue north towards Las Vegas. We’ll travel over the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge, the highest and longest arched concrete bridge in the Western Hemisphere and the second-highest bridge of any kind in the United States! Perched 890 feet above the turquoise waters of the Colorado River the bridge provides a spectacular (though quick) view of Hoover Dam. In Las Vegas we’ll stop at Ethel M Chocolates, a unique destination where we can learn their chocolate-making process, sample their chocolates and explore Nevada’s largest botanical cactus garden! Late this afternoon we’ll begin an overnight stay at an upscale resort hotel perfectly situated in the heart of the Las Vegas “Strip” and featuring a variety of dining options, a 95,000 square foot casino, and spacious rooms that feature floor-to-ceiling windows and pillow-top beds. Enjoy the balance of the evening at leisure. (Breakfast)

Day 6 – Journey Home (Thursday, December 18)

Following an included breakfast and a late morning departure, we’ll begin our journey home, making a stop for lunch on your own. We’ll return to our drop-off points this evening with many fond memories of our time exploring Mother Nature’s scenic wonders, geologic phenomena and holiday displays while enjoying three upscale resorts in Arizona and Nevada. (Breakfast)

While we make every effort to operate our tours as outlined in the itinerary, we ask for your patience, understanding and flexibility and to retain a sense of adventure while traveling with us. Situations may arise that necessitate changes to the itinerary. Should we need to adjust the itinerary either prior to or while on tour, these changes will be communicated to you and only done when absolutely necessary.