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Canyons & Deserts featuring Sedona

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Watch as the Wild West comes to life with two heritage rail excursions, a memorable drive along Route 66 and visits to some of the country’s most awe-inspiring sites.

You are viewing the 2021 itinerary. Select your departure year
20212022
9 days From $2,495 per person

2021 Tour code: WC-CDSA-21

About the tour

Watch as the Wild West comes to life on this 9-day tour. Explore the hottest and driest destination in the United States, Death Valley National Park, and see one of the universe's most awe-inspiring sites, the Grand Canyon. Travel by train on the Grand Canyon Railway and by deluxe motorcoach along historic Route 66. One amazing adventure after the next awaits!

The tour kicks off with a day in Las Vegas before moving on to Death Valley. Desert landscapes and fascinating points of interest are highlighted during our guided tour of the park. Enjoy Rhyolite ghost town, Badwater Basin, Harmony Borax Museum and Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, amongst other sites. Continuing through the region, reflect on history at the Manzanar National Monument and explore the eerie surroundings of Randsburg ghost town. It would not be a trip through the West without a journey down Route 66, and we do just that en route to Williams, AZ. It is here that we board the famous Grand Canyon Railway in pursuit of some of the most awe-inspiring views on the planet from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. In addition to exploring the Canyon, enjoy a jeep tour through the surrounding backcountry, a visit to Jerome ghost town and a first-class ride aboard the Verde Canyon Railway. Heading back into the city, a trolley tour of Sedona is the perfect conclusion to this comprehensive trip.

Highlights

Activity level Natural Explorer

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You don’t mind spending the day on your feet. You enjoy sightseeing that includes walking, standing or stair climbing. You’re okay with longer days that are more active, such as multiple sightseeing stops, longer motorcoach journeys and getting on and off ships and trains.

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What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Las Vegas

Arrive in Las Vegas and transfer on your own to the hotel. Your Tour Manager will be in the lobby in late afternoon for a brief tour orientation and provide dining options. The evening is free to enjoy the Strip casinos, restaurants and world-class entertainment. Overnight Las Vegas, NV.

Day 2 - Death Valley National Park and Badwater Basin

This morning our Wild West adventure begins as we head west into California's Death Valley National Park. Our first glimpse of the hottest and driest place in the United States is at Zabriskie Point where we see a maze of eroded and vibrantly colored badlands. We also stop at Badwater Basin (weather permitting), the lowest point in North America. This evening soak up the sounds of the desert at the accommodations located inside the park. Overnight Death Valley, CA.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Death Valley National Park Touring and Rhyolite Ghost Town

Begin the day with a stop at Harmony Borax Works, site of a borax mining operation in the late 1880s. Rhyolite, NV is our next stop to see the remnants of a bustling mining town that ceased to exit in 1916. Portions of the three-story bank building and city jail and other buildings are still standing. In the afternoon we return to the park with a stop at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes to see the rare sand formations as only one percent of the desert is covered with dunes. Overnight Death Valley, CA.

Includes
  • Breakfast
  • Box lunch
Day 4 - Manzanar National Monument and Randsburg Ghost Town

After breakfast we travel through the park, out the west gate and travel to Manzanar National Monument, one of 10 internment camps during WWII. After lunch on own, we continue to Randsburg, another ghost mining town of about 2500 residents in the late 1890s. Overnight Barstow, CA.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 5 - Route 66 to Williams, AZ

It would not be a trip through the West without a journey down Route 66, and we do that en route to Williams, AZ. We stop in Oatman, located on the longest remaining stretch of the famed highway and site of the largest gold producing mines in Arizona. We also stop in Seligman that suffered when I-40 was built south of town and one of the main inspirations of Pixar's animated movie Cars. Overnight Williams, AZ.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 6 - Grand Canyon Railway and Grand Canyon National Park

This morning we board the historic Grand Canyon Railway for our journey into Grand Canyon National Park. The route has been used since 1901 and has hosted several U.S. Presidents and celebrities over the years. There will be time in the park to explore the awe-inspiring views of the canyon rim. Overnight Sedona, AZ. Overnight Sedona, AZ.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 7 - Jeep Tour and Verde Canyon Railroad

Today's adventures include a jeep tour that showcases the beauty of the area's Red Rocks and Oak Creek Canyon. We stop at Jerome, once the fourth largest city in Arizona and site of the largest copper mine in Arizona, now home to just 100 residents. This afternoon enjoy first-class seating aboard the Verde Canyon Railroad and travel into the canyon, only accessible by train. Watch for bald eagle that call Verde Canyon home. Overnight Sedona, AZ.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8 - Sedona Sightseeing

This morning we take a trolley tour of Sedona including a stop at the inspirational Chapel of the Holy Cross. The afternoon is free to explore this charming town on your own. Overnight Sedona, AZ.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9 - Tour Conclusion

Our Canyons and Deserts adventure concludes after breakfast. There will be one group transfer to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport for flights departing after 1:00PM.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

Departure times vary based on selected rail vacation. This information will be provided in your final documents. For more information please speak with your rail specialist.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotels

Ayres Hotel Barstow

Ayres Hotel Barstow

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Ranch at Death Valley

Ranch at Death Valley

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The Inn at Death Valley

The Inn at Death Valley

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Luxor Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas

Luxor Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas

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Hampton Inn Sedona

Hampton Inn Sedona

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Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, Williams

Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, Williams

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Trains

Grand Canyon Railway
Verde Canyon Railroad

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Reviews

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Stephen R, Williamstown, NJ

4 stars

Submitted 08 Aug 2018

Everything was nice, accommodations, bus ride, tour director and stops.

Collected by Vacations By Rail

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