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INTRODUCTION
A week's 188 mile river rafting expedition through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River represents one of the last great adventures in North America. Add wilderness hiking in the red-rock canyons of Sedona and you have the perfect vacation for anyone looking for something exciting and out of the ordinary.
We fly from the UK to Phoenix, Arizona to spend our first night in hotel accommodation in Flagstaff. For the next night we are at Lee's Ferry, and then we have six magical nights of beach camping through the Grand Canyon followed by five nights in private luxury houses in Sedona for the guided walking part of the holiday.
September is the perfect month for this trip before the summer heat has departed. The rafting begins at Lee's Ferry, Arizona, and we travel 188 miles through the Grand Canyon by motorised raft, accompanied by two guides. Each day we make frequent stops to hike into side canyons of remarkable beauty. We will also be looking out for Native American Indian ruins, waterfalls and a river corridor that is lush and green, along with a great diversity of wildlife. The trip ends at Whitmore Wash where we board a helicopter for a scenic flight out of the Canyon to the Bar 10 Ranch. From there we fly by private light aircraft to Flagstaff, before driving to Sedona for the second part of the holiday.
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For the next four days we can choose from 94 named trails that lace through Sedona and surrounding canyons and mountains. All the extensive public lands surrounding Sedona are managed as wilderness. There is nothing out there but trails, big skies and great hiking country.
One trail that we won't miss is off Oak Creek Canyon and is called the West Fork. Winding up a sandstone canyon through big pines, this lushly vegetated canyon is a seven mile round trip that is rated easy; we'll see. With so many trails to choose between we may split our group and target paths that everyone will take pleasure from.
Most days we will enjoy a picnic lunch, with dinner at different restaurants each evening apart from one night when we have a barbecue beneath the pines. Our lodging for the five nights in Sedona is at the Forest Houses Resort located in Oak Creek Canyon and ten miles from Sedona. As its name implies, we stay in cabins/houses nestled amongst big pines with Oak Creek flowing by.
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HIGHLIGHTS
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HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS
- 7 day river expedition down the Colorado through the Grand Canyon, following John Wesley Powell's famous exploration
- Introduction to the geology, history and culture of the American West
- Hotel and lodge accommodation and all meals shown in the Itinerary
- 4 days guided walks in the red-rock canyons of Sedona
- 5 nights at the luxurious Forest Houses Resort, Sedona
WEATHER
September is an ideal time for a visit the Grand Canyon and Sedona. The weather should be warm and sunny.
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ITINERARY
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Day 1 - Saturday 10th September 2013
Fly UK to Phoenix, Arizona. Overnight Flagstaff Hotel BLD
Day 2 - Sunday 11th September 2013
Drive to Marble Canyon. Briefing on river rafting. Overnight Cliffdwellers.
Dinner in hotel BLD
HATCH RIVER EXPEDITIONS
Hatch River Expeditions are our agents for the river trip. They have operated their business since 1929, and have been rafting through the Grand Canyon since 1934. They are the oldest white water rafting company in the United States, continually owned and operated by the Hatch family.
"Since 1934 Hatch River Expeditions has been showing guests the amazing wonders of the Grand Canyon. We take great pride in the services we offer and the traditions we carry on. Hatch River Expeditions is the oldest commercial whitewater rafting company in the country, continuously owned and operated by the Hatch family. Bus Hatch, the company founder, began running the rivers of the west in 1929, and continued to raft the rivers of the world until his death in 1967. Ted Hatch followed in his father's footsteps, running the business until 2006 when he turned it over to his son Steve. Now in our third generation, we are considered the original pioneers of the river industry and we still lead the way in the 21st century. We are a small family run company that believes in treating people right. From your first contact with our office staff to saying goodbye to your guides at the end of your trip, we will do everything we can to make your time with us pleasurable. Whitewater rafting is our only business and that means our primary focus is ensuring you have a rewarding and memorable experience."
Days 3~9 - Monday 12th to Sunday 18nd September 2013
Seven day river rafting expedition starting at Lee's Ferry BLD
John Wesley Powell was the first person to travel the river through the Grand Canyon in 1869. His pioneering trips were succeeded by a series of remarkable expeditions in the late 19th century, but it was not until the 1960s that river running in the Grand Canyon began to achieve the popularity it enjoys today.
The river offers the more determined visitor a world of seclusion and sublime beauty that is a worthy reward for their efforts and perhaps, for many, the best adventure ever. As we hike short distances from the boats, expect to see sights that are all but inaccessible for most people on the rim.
Once on the river we will be privy to a world which is likely to far surpass your expectations, with awesome canyon views and star-filled nights. There is no other place quite like it and a week on the Colorado River can be life-changing.
Typical day on the River
Our motorised inflatable raft has a capacity for 16 guests and two guides. The week on the river promises to be a unique experience. Expect great meals prepared by the guides, warm and sunny weather with no bugs or mosquitoes. Tents are provided with self-inflating vinyl mattresses, sleeping bags, pillows and waterproof bags to hold all of these.
Hygenic portable toilet facilities are provided.
Wake up to tea or coffee followed by a cooked breakfast prepared by the guides. Once we are underway get ready for the thrill of riding the great rapids such as Hance, Crystal and Lava, along with many others. Enjoy the dramatic scenery and frequent stops for walks and exploration.
We will see impressive rock formations, Anasazi ruins, fossils, rock paintings and wildlife, including bighorn sheep, deer, beaver, ravens, osprey and the occasional condor. We stop for lunch and make camp each evening, followed by dinner prepared by the guides. Although tents are provided, you may be tempted to sleep out under the stars.
Day 9 - Sunday 18th September 2013
End of river expedition. Fly by helicopter to Bar 10 Ranch and private light aircraft to Flagstaff. After the river rafting, the second part of the holiday includes five nights in Sedona for wilderness guided hiking in the magnificent red-rock canyons accompanied by Bob Helmes from Passage to Utah. We have also included one free day to explore the delights of Sedona. BLD
Day 10 - Monday 19th September 2013
A day to relax and enjoy the facilities of Forest Houses Resort & explore Sedona's arts and culture BLD
SEDONA
Often called "Red Rock Country" Sedona is a four seasons playground for everyone - whether you're interested in hiking, history and archaeology; arts and culture; power shopping; outdoor sports; or the spiritual and metaphysical, imagine doing all this in a backdrop of some of the most spectacular scenery in the World.
We head for the delightful and sophisticated town of Sedona in Arizona with its endless red rock trails, cosmic influences, vortex phenomena, art galleries and restaurants; this is our reward for navigating the Colorado. Time for you explore the art galleries and boutiques of Sedona. Close to the resort are many spectacular trail walks and scenic hikes varying from relaxing to strenuous and providing opportunities to explore the unusual geological formations and vegetation of the canyons.
Days 11~13 - Tuesday 20th to Thursday 22nd September 2013
WALKING THE REDROCK CANYONS OF SEDONA
Indeed, this picturesque city is surrounded by red-rock monoliths with alluring names such as Secret Canyon, Bear Jaw, Coffeepot, Cathedral Rock, Geronimo, Thunder Mountain and many others. At the north end of the city is the stunning Oak Creek Canyon, a breathtaking chasm that even today, is wildly wonderful. These are the areas where we will be hiking and exploring with Bob and his team.
The canyon walls and multi-coloured cliffs of basalt, lava, limestone and sandstone are forested with red maple, aspen, chaparral and seven varieties of oaks. The canyon floor, 1,500 - 2,000 feet below the rim, is shaded and cooled by giant Ponderosa Pine and Douglas Fir. Oak Creek is lined with lush sycamores, walnuts, alders, willows, flowering shrubs and wildflowers.
Three days guided walking with Bob and his team. Picnic lunches and dinner in local restaurants BLD
Day 14 - Friday 23rd September 2013
Transfer to Phoenix for the return flight to UK BLD
Day 15- Saturday 24th September 2013
Arrive UK
BLD = breakfast L = lunch D = dinner
Recommended Reading
Buz Belknap - Grand Canyon River Guide
(Recommended to bring with you)
Lynn Foster - Exploring the Grand Canyon
Charly Heavenrich - Dancing on the Edge
John Wesley Powell - The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons
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ACCOMODATION
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Forest Houses Resort
Accommodation in Sedona is at Forest Houses Resort, peacefully located in 20 acres of woodland in upper Oak Creek Canyon, staying in high-quality privately-owned houses. You are bound to be impressed by the uniqueness and quality of these homes.
Each is individually designed and will typically have one or two bedrooms and private bathrooms along with lounge, kitchen, patio or balcony TV, high quality furnishings and all the facilities that you would expect of a high quality resort. The resort is separated from the highway by trees and Oak Creek, a clear, cool continuously running mountain stream stocked with Rainbow and Brown trout and supporting an abundance of birds and wildlife.
Meal arrangements include breakfast, picnic lunches and dinners each evening in local restaurants.
Summer temperatures are pleasant, the nights cool. Winter brings several snowfalls as the resort is just above the snowline at an altitude of one mile. In September we can look forward to ideal weather conditions for the walking, with warm late summer weather during the day, cooler at night.
External links:
Hatch River |
Passage to Utah |
Forest Houses Resort
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FLIGHTS
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Flights are with British Airways and are the latest known and subject to change by the airline.
Connecting flights are available from Manchester and other regional airports.
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Outbound - Saturday 10th September 2013
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Depart Heathrow (T5)
Arrive Phoenix AZ
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BA289
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1430
1710
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| Inbound - Friday 233d September 2013 |
Depart Phoenix
Arrive Heathrow (T5) |
BA288 |
1925
1310 (24 September) |
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PRICE
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| Inclusive price per person, based on two people sharing a double/twin room, departing
from London Heathrow |
£tbc |
| Supplement for Manchester flights |
£tbc |
| Inclusive price per person excluding air travel |
£tbc |
| Single person supplement occupying a double room with own bathroom |
£tbc |
| Price guide for flight upgrade to World Traveller Plus |
£tbc |
| Price for upgrade to Business Class |
On request |
WHAT THE FULL PRICE INCLUDES
- Return scheduled flight from Heathrow or Manchester to Phoenix, Arizona
- Private coach transfer between the airport, hotels and return
- 17% US government tax & Oregon State Tax
- Accommodation with facilities as described in the brochure
- Meals as shown in the brochure
- Accompanying Tour Leader throughout
- Services of Hatch River Expeditions for the river expedition and Passage to Utah for the walking programme in Sedona, along with qualified and professional guides throughout
- Full programme of walks and visits to places of interest
- Welcome reception
- Private coach travel with driver for the walking programme and visits to places of interest
- National and State Parks and other places of interest, including the High Desert Museum
- High mountain canoe experience
- Airport departure tax and security charge
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
- Holiday/Travel Insurance
- Any Government taxes or compulsory charges that may be introduced after the publication of this brochure
- Gratuities, which are optional
Please Note:
For reasons of safety, weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances, it may be necessary to make changes to the programme without advance notice. Every effort will be made to avoid this if at all possible.
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E&OE
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