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            [HighlightText] => National Park lodging with canyon-view rooms
            [Description] => National Park lodging with canyon-view rooms
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            [HighlightText] => Hike below the rim and visit famous landmarks such as Ooh-Ahh Point, Hopi Point and Hermit's Rest
            [Description] => Hike below the rim and visit famous landmarks such as Ooh-Ahh Point, Hopi Point and Hermit's Rest
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            [HighlightText] => As an official Dark Sky Park, stargazing the Milky Way is truly breathtaking
            [Description] => As an official Dark Sky Park, stargazing the Milky Way is truly breathtaking
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            [Description] => family
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            [Description] => hiker
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            [Description] => sunset
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            [Description] => goat
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            [Description] => female hiker
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            [Description] => cactus
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            [Description] => couple
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Your Guides

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The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.

Casey H.

Casey has been guiding exhilarating outdoor adventures since 2016, leading guests though some of the most awe-inspiring places in the West, from Yellowstone to Zion and the Grand Canyon. He is all about showing people the beauty of the wild while keeping them entertained with captivating stories and cool facts, and ensuring they are well-fed and safe on the trail. Casey is a Wilderness First Responder.

Jerry W.

Jerry started guiding in 2007 after moving to Colorado where he discovered mountain biking in the fresh alpine air. After years of guiding multi-day hiking and cycling trips, he has built up a depth of hands-on experience and wilderness wisdom that he brings to each adventure. He was raised in Florida, followed by four years in the military, then moving to Colorado, where the magnificent wilderness inspired him to guide.

Jordan M.

Guiding since 2006, Jordan has led guests across six continents—from the rugged trails of the Grand Canyon to the high passes of the Himalayas. He grew up hiking, backpacking, and boating and at age 18 he climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. What he loves most about guiding is seeing others connect with the outdoors, each other, and with themselves. He is a Wilderness First Responder, LNT Level 2 Instructor, and AIARE 1.

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                    [Headline] => Meet near Phoenix and hike the red rocks of Sedona
                    [ActivityOverview] => 1.5 to 2.5 miles hiking with 230\' elevation gain and loss
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Our trip begins today in the Phoenix area, the blue-sky, fair-weather tourism hub of the Sonoran Desert. Here we meet our guides and fellow travelers for introductions and a quick orientation before traveling to beautiful Sedona. En route, we watch the landscape change from low desert to high, say goodbye to saguaro cactus and hello to pinion pine, and make our way to Red Rock State Park. The rolling trails and stunning red rock views Sedona is known for are at their best here, as we bridge meandering creeks and watch for javelina crossing our paths. We enjoy an al fresco lunch before journeying farther north, into the cool pine-covered elevations of canyon country. Our first glimpse of the Grand Canyon is unforgettable and allows us an up-close understanding of how geology created such a fascinating spectacle. Tonight, we check into our rim-side lodge where every room has a view of the canyon and meet back up for dinner to discuss the adventure ahead. Lunch and dinner included.
                    [Breakfast] => 0
                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 1
                    [Travel_Type] => 4.5 hours private van transfer
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                    [Itinerary_Location] => 
                    [Latitude] => 36.057
                    [Longitude] => -112.138
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                    [DayTo] => 2
                    [Headline] => Hike Bright Angel Trail and enjoy the starry skies over Grand Canyon
                    [ActivityOverview] => 6 miles hiking with 2,102\' elevation gain and loss; 2-4 miles hiking with 500\' elevation gain and loss (optional)
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                    [ActivityLevel] => 
                    [ItinBlock] => 
After breakfast together, we don our hiking boots and hit the trail. Bright Angel Trail was originally a toll route, traversed by the likes of President Teddy Roosevelt and others who wished to reach the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Set along a natural fault line that can been seen running trans canyon, the unending switchbacks escort us through geologic history thousands of years at a time. In just 3 miles we descend more than 2,100 feet in elevation, or about halfway down the canyon. Here we take in the view at the top of the Redwall Limestone layer, a spry 335 million years in age (older than the oldest known dinosaur). We enjoy a picnic lunch and learn about John Wesley Powell\'s exploration and mapping of the Grand Canyon in 1869 before we make the challenging trek back to the rim.

This afternoon, you can choose to go your own way and explore the Shrine of the Ages, the Grand Canyon Village, or a ranger-led program. Your guide will offer a hike on the outstanding Trail of Time, an interesting layer-by-layer look at the dozens of rock types that make up the canyon. Tonight, we dine together before having the opportunity to appreciate the starry sky in one of the world\'s official International Dark Sky Parks, where our view of the stars is specially protected for our enjoyment. All meals included.
                    [Breakfast] => 1
                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 1
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                    [Latitude] => 36.057
                    [Longitude] => -112.138
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            [2] => Array
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                    [DayFrom] => 3
                    [DayTo] => 3
                    [Headline] => Descend South Kaibab Trail and Enjoy a Celebratory Dinner
                    [ActivityOverview] => 6 miles hiking with 2,060\' elevation gain and loss; 1.5-3 miles hiking with 250\' elevation gain and loss
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                    [ActivityLevel] => 
                    [ItinBlock] => We rise to the promise of a day filled with some of the most scenic miles the Grand Canyon has to offer. After breakfast, we ride the park shuttle to Yaki Point, the start of the famous South Kaibab Trail. While the Bright Angel Trail follows a fault line, the South Kaibab was carved from a prominent ridgeline and affords us nearly 360-degree views of the widest part of the canyon. A favorite stop is Ooh-Ahh Point, aptly named. Don\'t forget your camera. We continue down the manmade stairs on this well-maintained trail to Cedar Ridge and on to Skeleton Point. Here we get our first glimpse of the Colorado River, the powerful force behind the carving of the canyon itself, and the life-giving artery of the southwestern U.S. After returning to the rim, we again have the option to explore the canyon as desired, with various shopping or hiking options available, including a trek along the West Rim Trail to Hopi Point, one of the best views on the South Rim. Tonight, we dust off for a celebratory dinner in a local restaurant. All meals included.
                    [Breakfast] => 1
                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 1
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                    [Quotation] => 
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                    [Quotation_Location] => 
                    [Itinerary_Location] => 
                    [Latitude] => 36.057
                    [Longitude] => -112.138
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                    [DayFrom] => 4
                    [DayTo] => 4
                    [Headline] => Hike along the canyon rim from Hermit\'s Rest before journeying back to the Phoenix area
                    [ActivityOverview] => 9.8 miles hiking with 496\' elevation gain (optional & time permitting)
                    [EstimatedLength] => 
                    [ActivityLevel] => 
                    [ItinBlock] => For early birds or YOLO enthusiasts, our guides offer an optional sunrise walk to enjoy the warm glow of the sun color the ancient canyon walls as we appreciate the days spent together in this special place. We\'ll enjoy a quick breakfast to make the most of our last morning at the Grand Canyon. Today\'s adventure takes us to the less-traveled Hermit\'s Rest area. We\'ll board a scenic shuttle headed to Hermit\'s Rest, a unique architectural gem designed by the influential architect Mary Jane Colter in 1914. From there, we\'ll embark on a captivating hike along the rim trail back toward the heart of the village. This trail offers a feast for the eyes, with up to eight viewpoints, each more stunning than the last. And with regular shuttle stops along the way, we can hop on whenever we please and enjoy the day how we choose. This afternoon we say farewell to the canyon, having visited its most popular trails and navigating to our own secret spots over the past four days. We\'ll journey south, from pine to cactus, and return to the Phoenix area in the early evening, including a stop at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) for those who have flights out tonight. Breakfast and lunch included. 
                    [Breakfast] => 1
                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 0
                    [Travel_Type] => 3.5 hours private van transfer
                    [Quotation] => 
                    [Quotation_Attribution] => 
                    [Quotation_Location] => 
                    [Itinerary_Location] => 
                    [Latitude] => 33.439
                    [Longitude] => -111.997
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    [ActivityHighlight] => Participants should be in very good physical condition and be comfortable with daily hikes of up to 6 miles with elevation gains/losses of up to 2,100\'. Hiking trails are composed of dirt, rock and sand with some steep sections and exposed overlooks. All hikes are optional and our guides will brief trip members on the vigorousness and exposure of each hike prior to setting out.
    [Trip_Level] => 3
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Accommodations

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Comfortable lodge that sits directly on the rim of the Grand Canyon.

Thunderbird Lodge-Grand Canyon National Park

Comfortable Hotel

Built near the Bright Angel Trail head and the Vercamps Visitor Center, the Thunderbird is a popular South Rim lodge. Contemporary 1960s architecture coupled with a wonderful vantage point ensure an unforgettable stay on the very edge (literally) of a natural wonder of the world. Comfortable rooms have all the expected amenities but the biggest draw is the location.

Kachina Lodge-Grand Canyon National Park

Comfortable Hotel

Perched on the Grand Canyon's South Rim, the Kachina Lodge boasts a contemporary setup near the historic district, and rooms complete with amenities like full baths and flat-screen TVs. The lodge is a convenient and comfortable hub for guests eager to immerse themselves in the beauty of the Grand Canyon.

The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon

Comfortable Hotel

The chalet-style Grand Hotel boasts an indoor swimming pool and hot tub. Located in the town of Tusayan, it sits just six miles from the breathtaking rim of the Grand Canyon and offers an upscale experience with amenities nearby.

Maswick Lodge

Comfortable Hotel

Maswik Lodge is a welcoming, rustic-style lodge nestled in the scenic forest just a short walk from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Located within Grand Canyon National Park, it offers a tranquil retreat surrounded by towering ponderosa pines and the natural beauty of the canyon's rugged landscape.