What are the main attractions covered in the first few days after departing Phoenix?

After departing Phoenix travelers explore distinctive Southwestern landmarks starting with the Desert Botanical Garden and Old Town Scottsdale before heading to Sedona's red rocks. The route includes stops at Organ Pipe National Monument and brings visitors through the Sonoran Desert. Accommodations include stays at the retro-chic Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale and boutique hotels in Sedona's bustling uptown district. A TourRadar traveler noted: "Starting in Phoenix and exploring Sedona was the perfect introduction to Arizona's diverse landscapes."

What's the best time of year to start a tour from Phoenix?

Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) offer the most pleasant conditions for Phoenix departures with moderate temperatures ideal for outdoor exploration. Summer brings intense heat often above 100°F (38°C). Winter stays mild in Phoenix but brings cooler temperatures at elevated sites like the Grand Canyon. Tour operators run more frequent departures in spring and fall with properties like the Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch serving as convenient starting points.

What type of transportation is used for tours departing from Phoenix?

Modern air-conditioned coaches and minibuses with professional drivers handle most Phoenix departures. Higher-end options like Insight Vacations use premium coaches equipped with extra legroom and onboard facilities. Some itineraries mix in specialized transport such as the Verde Canyon Railroad or 4x4 vehicles for specific routes. According to one TourRadar traveler: "The comfortable coach made the journey through the desert landscape much more enjoyable."

What kind of accommodations are provided in Phoenix at the start of the tour?

Tours begin at quality Phoenix or Scottsdale properties including the Hotel Valley Ho Sonesta Suites Scottsdale Gainey Ranch or DoubleTree Resort Paradise Valley. These hotels feature pools restaurants and convenient access to Old Town Scottsdale and local attractions. A TourRadar traveler shared: "Starting the tour at the Hotel Valley Ho set a great tone for the entire journey."

What's included in the first day's itinerary when starting from Phoenix?

Day one combines practical elements with initial sightseeing including airport transfers hotel check-in and an evening welcome gathering. Many tours start with afternoon visits to the Desert Botanical Garden or walks through Old Town Scottsdale. The day often ends with a group dinner at notable spots like ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho where travelers can meet their group and learn about upcoming plans.

How much should I budget for additional expenses in Phoenix before the tour begins?

Pre-tour daily expenses in Phoenix average 150-200 USD covering independent meals local transport and optional activities. This breaks down to 50-70 USD for food 30-40 USD for getting around and 60-80 USD for attractions such as the Desert Botanical Garden or city tours. While upscale properties like The Phoenician and Hotel Valley Ho include breakfast other pre-tour meals require separate budgeting.

USA Tours from Phoenix

Phoenix has scenery to blow your mind. Imagine a Grand Canyon sunrise paint the rock layers in changing colors. Head to Monument Valley with Navajo guides, Sedona’s red rocks, Bryce Canyon's hoodoos, and Arches National Park with over 2,000 natural stone arches. Don’t miss Verde Canyon Railroad that follows a route with no roads alongside it. Phoenix is waiting for you!

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10 best USA tour packages from Phoenix

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$The Grand Canyon & Utah\'s Mighty Five Tour$
$The Grand Canyon & Utah\'s Mighty Five - 15 destinations$
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Nature & Wildlife
The Grand Canyon & Utah's Mighty Five
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Phoenix, Sedona, Williams, Grand Canyon National Park,Cameron,Tuba City,Monument Valley,Moab,Arches National Park,Canyonlands National Park,Capitol Reef National Park,Bryce Canyon National Park,Zion National Park,Las Vegas+10 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Grand CanyonWestern USASouthwest USAFour CornersRocky Mountains+4 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Cosmos
10% off
From $2,469
US$2,219per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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$America\'s Magnificent National Parks (Classic, End Rapid City) Tour$
$America\'s Magnificent National Parks (Classic, End Rapid City) - 24 destinations$
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Nature & Wildlife
America's Magnificent National Parks (Classic, End Rapid City)
5.0 (1 review)
Duration
15 days
Destinations
Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sedona, Grand Canyon National Park,Cameron,Monument Valley,Lake Powell, UT,Page,Bryce Canyon City,Zion National Park,Salt Lake City,Jackson,Grand Teton National Park,Yellowstone National Park,Cody,Bighorn National Forest,Ucross,Devils Tower,Spearfish,Custer,Badlands National Park,Mount Rushmore National Memorial,Rapid City+19 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Western USA
Operated in
English
Operator
Insight Vacations
10% off
From $7,450
US$6,705per person
+$200 upfront costs
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Price based on Private Double Room
Insight Vacations offers 5% discount for past passengers, saving $335
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Ancient Wonders
Colourful Trails of the Southwest (End Santa Fe)
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sedona, Grand Canyon National Park,Page,Moab,Arches National Park,Canyonlands National Park,Mesa Verde National Park,Durango,Ouray,Silverton,Santa Fe,Taos+10 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Western USASouthwest USAFour CornersRocky Mountains+3 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Trafalgar
10% off
From
US$3,375per person
+$75 upfront costs
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Price based on Private Double Room
Trafalgar offers 5% discount for past passengers, saving $169
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Ancient Wonders
Colourful Trails of the Southwest (End Albuquerque)
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sedona, Grand Canyon National Park,Page,Moab,Arches National Park,Canyonlands National Park,Mesa Verde National Park,Durango,Ouray,Silverton,Santa Fe,Taos,Albuquerque+11 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Western USASouthwest USAFour CornersRocky Mountains+3 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Trafalgar
10% off
From
US$3,375per person
+$75 upfront costs
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Price based on Private Double Room
Trafalgar offers 5% discount for past passengers, saving $169
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Hiking & Trekking
Aravaipa Canyon Backpack
Duration
3 days
Destinations
Phoenix, Aravaipa Canyon
Age Range
Ages 12+
Country Region
Western USASouthwest USASun BeltFour Corners+3 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Wildland Trekking
10% off
From
US$1,735per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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Ancient Wonders
Colourful Trails of the Southwest (Balloon Fiesta, End Albuquerque)
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sedona, Grand Canyon National Park,Moab,Arches National Park,Mesa Verde National Park,Durango,Santa Fe,Albuquerque+6 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Western USASouthwest USAFour CornersRocky Mountains+3 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Trafalgar
10% off
From $4,250
US$3,825per person
+$75 upfront costs
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Price based on Private Double Room
Trafalgar offers 5% discount for past passengers, saving $191
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Nature & Wildlife
Enchanting Canyonlands (Classic, USA National Park Non Resident Fees)
4.8 (13 reviews)
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sedona, Grand Canyon National Park,Monument Valley,Lake Powell, UT,Bryce Canyon National Park,Zion National Park,Springdale,Salt Lake City+6 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Grand CanyonWestern USASouthwest USASun BeltFour Corners+4 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Insight Vacations
10% off
From
US$4,150per person
+$72 upfront costs
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
Insight Vacations offers 5% discount for past passengers, saving $208
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$America\'s Magnificent National Parks (Classic, End Denver) Tour$
$America\'s Magnificent National Parks (Classic, End Denver) - 24 destinations$
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City & Culture
America's Magnificent National Parks (Classic, End Denver)
5.0 (1 review)
Duration
15 days
Destinations
Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sedona, Grand Canyon National Park,Cameron,Monument Valley,Lake Powell, UT,Page,Bryce Canyon City,Zion National Park,Salt Lake City,Jackson,Grand Teton National Park,Yellowstone National Park,Cody,Bighorn National Forest,Ucross,Devils Tower,Spearfish,Custer,Badlands National Park,Mount Rushmore National Memorial,Denver+19 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Western USA
Operated in
English
Operator
Insight Vacations
10% off
From $7,450
US$6,705per person
+$200 upfront costs
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
Insight Vacations offers 5% discount for past passengers, saving $335
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Ancient Wonders
Lost Canyons of the Southwest
5.0 (133 reviews)
"Loved the pace, itinerary, travel companions."
Graham, traveled in September
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sedona, Jerome, Clarkdale, Winslow,Canyon de Chelly National Park,Petrified Forest National Park,Williams,Grand Canyon National Park,Boulder City,Las Vegas+6 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Grand CanyonWestern USASouthwest USASun BeltFour CornersRocky Mountains+5 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Globus
14% off
From $4,219
US$3,619per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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Nature & Wildlife
Canyon Country Adventure
5.0 (460 reviews)
"They never fail to WOW US!"
Patti, traveled in September
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Phoenix, Sedona, Grand Canyon National Park,Monument Valley,Lake Powell, UT,Antelope Canyon,Bryce Canyon National Park,Zion National Park,Las Vegas+6 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Grand CanyonWestern USASouthwest USASun BeltFour CornersRocky Mountains+5 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Globus
9% off
From $3,839
US$3,489per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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Nature & Wildlife
Enchanting Canyonlands (Classic)
4.8 (13 reviews)
"Great tour and excellent guide."
WilliamPowers, traveled in October
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sedona, Grand Canyon National Park,Painted Desert,Monument Valley,Lake Powell, UT,Page,Antelope Canyon,Bryce Canyon National Park,Zion National Park,Salt Lake City+8 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Grand CanyonWestern USASouthwest USASun BeltFour CornersRocky Mountains+5 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Insight Vacations
9% off
From
US$3,125per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
Insight Vacations offers 5% discount for past passengers, saving $156
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Nature & Wildlife
Southwest Family Adventure Tour – 8-Day Grand Canyon, Zion & Bryce Canyon Family Vacation
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sedona, Grand Canyon National Park,Page,Lake Powell, UT,Bryce Canyon National Park,Zion National Park,Las Vegas+5 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Grand CanyonWestern USASouthwest USASun BeltFour CornersRocky Mountains+5 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Across Africa Tours & Travel
9% off
From
US$5,863per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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