From the “Grand Canyon of Texas” to Grand Canyon National Park, there is beauty around every turn. Ancient cliff dwellings, cities in the sky, and rock formations so colorful they will take your breath away. We add in a festive train excursion and a cruise on spectacular Lake Powell; this is a trip not to be missed!
• Palo Duro Canyon Rim Drive
• Visit Sky City
• Jeep Tour Canyon de Chelly
• Petrified Forest Scenic Drive
• Visit Meteor Crater National Landmark
• Verde Canyon Railroad - Ales on the Rails festival
• Grand Canyon National Park South Rim
• Guided Tour of Antelope Canyon
• Cruise on Lake Powell
• Visit Canyon of the Ancients National Monument
DAY 1: WELCOME TO AMARILLO!
Our journey begins as we board our coach and head west across Oklahoma and the panhandle of Texas. After a long day of travel, we will share a meal together in the hotel. D
DAY 2: PALO DURO CANYON/ALBUQUERQUE
Our first stop this morning is Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Palo Duro Canyon is the second largest canyon in the United States at 120 miles long, as much as 20 miles wide, and has a maximum depth of more than 800 feet. This afternoon we continue following Route 66 to Albuquerque, NM. B
DAY 3: ACOMA SKY CITY/CANYON DE CHELLY/CHINLE, AZ
Visit the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in North America. Sky City Cultural Center and Haak’u Museum date back to the thirteenth century founding of the Pueblo and is still alive and well as a community and touchstone for Native Americans in the area and nationwide. After lunch, venture into Arizona for a fascinating tour of Canyon de Chelly National Monument. B, L, D
DAY 4: PETRIFIED FOREST/METEOR CRATER/FLAGSTAFF
Heading south today takes us to Petrified Forest National Park. This 28-mile drive boasts spectacular badlands painted in a rainbow of colors as well as 200-million-year-old fossils and ancient wood that has turned to stone. The next stop is Meteor Crater National Landmark. Stand on the rim of the best-preserved meteor impact site in the world...nearly one mile wide and 550 feet deep! B, D
DAY 5: VERDE CANYON RAILROAD
Spend the day riding the rails and be transported to a simpler, more leisurely time away from the distractions of the modern world. Enjoy Ales on the Rails* beer festival on the Verde Canyon Railroad. You have lunch and an opportunity to sample Arizona craft beers at the depot prior to your canyon excursion. B, L
DAY 6: GRAND CANYON
Start your visit to the Grand Canyon with a showing of “Grand Canyon: Rivers of Time” on a giant IMAX screen before collecting your picnic lunch and proceeding to the South Rim of the Canyon. Much of the day is yours to explore this awe-inspiring site at your leisure. You will make several stops as you head east out of the park toward Cameron, AZ. B, L
DAY 7: ANTELOPE CANYON/LAKE POWELL
Experience the beautiful corridors and passages of Upper Antelope Canyon* with a Navajo guide that will explain the cultural knowledge of the Navajo people and the geology of the land. This breathtaking slot canyon is a spiritual place to the Navajo people, and it is no wonder it is one of the most photographed places in the country. This evening enjoy a relaxing cruise on majestic Lake Powell and an included dinner. B, D
*Antelope Canyon tours require extensive walking in sandy terrain with narrow passages. Mobility devices such as canes, walkers or wheelchairs cannot be accommodated. You must be able to climb one flight of stairs.
DAY 8: CANYON OF THE ANCIENTS MONUMENT
The road leads into Colorado today with a stop at Canyon of the Ancients National Monument, Southwest Colorado’s premier archaeological museum, housing permanent and temporary exhibits that focus on Ancestral Puebloan, Native American, and historic cultures in the Four Corners region. Learn about the Escalante and Dominguez Pueblos and see some of the first ruins ever discovered in the state. B, L
DAY 9: GARDEN CITY
Cross into the state of Colorado today as we begin our trek homeward. The Scenery is striking as we traverse the San Juan and Rio Grand National Forests and summit Wolf Creek Pass into the Sangre De Christo Mountain range. The terrain will start to level, and we will cross into Kansas for the night. B, D
DAY 10: HOME
The final leg of this incredible journey is here. The memories and friends we have made will last a lifetime. B
ACCOMMODATIONS
Night 1: La Quinta Inn and Suites, Amarillo, TX
Night 2: Drury Inn and Suites, Albuquerque, NM
Night 3: Thunderbird Lodge, Chinle, AZ
Nights 4-5: Aiden, Flagstaff, AZ
Night 6: Cameron Trading Post Hotel, Cameron, AZ
Night 7: Best Western Lake Powell, Page, AZ
Night 8: Hampton Inn (or similar) Durango, CO
Night 9: Clarion Inn, Garden City, KS
Dates
- Depart: September 30, 2025
- Return: October 9, 2025
Price Per Person
DB $2,999
TP/QD $2,729
SG $3,659
Helpful Hints
Part of this tour follows the path of Historic Route 66. You may find yourself having fun and iconic photo stops along the way!
While in Clarkdale, AZ, you may wish to wander across the street from the Train depot and peek into the Arizona Copper Arts Museum, which tells the story of Arizona’s greatest treasure (additional expense).
Take time at the Grand Canyon to walk along the rim trail; you will see the famed Grand Canyon Donkeys descend into the Canyon, the view from Artist’s point, and possibly catch a Condor in flight, as many nest just below the rim. You won’t want to miss the free shuttle that will whisk you up to Hermit’s Rest for a vista that will leave you breathless.
Weather
Average temperatures in early October range from highs in the 70s and lows in the 40s. Layered clothing is recommended. Since this is a dry climate, lip balm, refillable water bottles, and sunscreen are highly recommended in all seasons.
Elevation Note
Elevation on this tour will average 5,500 feet above sea level, with short visits of elevations nearing 10,000 feet.
US National Parks Note
All National Park visits will include an opportunity to stamp your NPS Passport, if desired.
Other General Information
We will send 3 key communications for your tour; “Get Ready” is your email confirmation and initial tour information sent upon registration, “Get Set” email will be sent about two months before departure, “Go” trip documentation mailing is sent via USPS 3-4 weeks before departure and will include your daily itinerary, luggage tags and final departure information.
Travel Protection is optional and highly recommended and can be purchased until the day before departure. We offer Travel Guard from AIG, which costs 8.5% of your tour, information about which will be sent with your Get Ready email.
Unless otherwise noted, your Sunrise Tour includes: Professional Sunrise Tour Director, meals as indicated, local step on guides including gratuity (international tour guide gratuity inclusion vary by tour), deluxe motorcoach transportation w/rest room, admission to activities and events as indicated, airfare from designated airports, transportation to/from designated airports from our convenient local pickup points*, luggage handling at hotels when available
We believe tipping is a personal and discretionary interaction between our guests and our staff. A typical gratuity for your Sunrise Tour Director and motorcoach driver may be $5-$7per person, per day on tour. Sunrise Shuttle drivers appreciate gratuities (suggest $5 per person) for excellent service as well. Our staff will not solicit gratuities or pass out envelopes.
We are happy to offer refreshments on most motorcoach travel days on tour. We recommend you bring a refillable water bottle to maintain healthy hydration.
If less than 4 people request a pickup point, we may ask that you choose another pickup point from which to join your Sunrise Tour.
If you would like to join a tour from a city not listed as a departure point, we would love to have you along! Please discuss arrangements with our friendly reservation team. From a departure city not listed, typical airfare will be +$100 higher than our published fare for domestic tours, and +$200 for international tours.
If you have a TSA precheck or Airline Rewards numbers, you MUST give those numbers to our reservations team at least 60 days before departure, otherwise they may not be applied.
Preferred seating may not be available on group air. In some cases, seats are not assigned until the airport. Your tour fare includes an economy seat on the flight; it does not include seat selection. Seat upgrades may be available at an additional cost.
To help make our tours the most comfortable in the business, we limit Sunrise Tours motorcoaches to 80% capacity, or 44 passengers on a coach built for 55. We reserve the right to amend this practice.
Your Tour Director will rotate seats on the motorcoach each day of your tour. A single fare does not guarantee two seats on coach; you may be seated next to another friendly Sunrise Tours guest.
Terms and Conditions
Please refer to our policies HERE for more information on our terms and conditions.
