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!

10 best USA tour packages from Phoenix

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Explorer
Enchanting Canyonlands (Classic)
4.8 (13 traveler reviews)
"Level of care and detail great. Sights amazing. Accomodations outstanding."
Anthea, traveled in September
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Phoenix, Scottsdale, Monument Valley, Sedona,Grand Canyon National Park,Painted Desert,Antelope Canyon,Bryce Canyon National Park,Zion National Park,Springdale,Salt Lake City+7 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Western USASouthwest USASun BeltFour CornersRocky Mountains+4 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Insight Vacations
From
US$3,575per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
Pioneer Adventures of the Old West
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sedona, Williams,Grand Canyon National Park,Monument Valley,Zion National Park,Bryce Canyon National Park,Las Vegas+5 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Western USASouthwest USASun BeltFour CornersRocky Mountains+4 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Trafalgar
10% Off
From $3,295
US$2,966per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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Explorer
Colourful Trails of the Southwest (Balloon Fiesta, End Albuquerque)
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sedona, Grand Canyon National Park,Monument Valley,Page,Moab,Arches National Park,Canyonlands National Park,Mesa Verde National Park,Durango,Taos,Santa Fe,Albuquerque+10 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Western USASouthwest USAFour CornersRocky Mountains+3 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Trafalgar
10% Off
From $4,875
US$4,388per person
Price based on Shared Room
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$America\'s Magnificent National Parks (Classic, End Rapid City, 15 Days) Tour$
$America\'s Magnificent National Parks (Classic, End Rapid City, 15 Days) - 26 destinations$
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Active
America's Magnificent National Parks (Classic, End Rapid City, 15 Days)
Duration
15 days
Destinations
Phoenix, Scottsdale, Monument Valley, Sedona,Grand Canyon National Park,Painted Desert,Antelope Canyon,Bryce Canyon National Park,Zion National Park,Springdale,Salt Lake City,Jackson,Yellowstone National Park,Grand Teton National Park,Rocky Mountains,Cody,Bighorn National Forest,Devils Tower,Oglala,Badlands National Park,Spearfish,Custer State Park,Mount Rushmore National Memorial,Rapid City+20 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Western USA
Operated in
English
Operator
Insight Vacations
10% Off
No departure dates available
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$The Grand Canyon & Utah\'s Mighty Five Tour$
$The Grand Canyon & Utah\'s Mighty Five - 11 destinations$
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Explorer
The Grand Canyon & Utah's Mighty Five
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Phoenix, Sedona, Williams, Tuba City, Monument Valley, Moab,Arches National Park,Bryce Canyon National Park,Zion National Park,Las Vegas+4 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Western USASouthwest USAFour CornersRocky MountainsGrand Canyon+4 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Cosmos
11% Off
From $2,369
US$2,119per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Hiking & Trekking
Grand Canyon Backpacking Adventure
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Phoenix, Grand Canyon National Park
Age Range
Ages 18+
Regions
Western USASouthwest USASun BeltFour CornersRocky MountainsGrand Canyon+5 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Good Trip Adventures
11% Off
From
US$2,250per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
Southwest Family Journey: Sedona, Zion & the Grand Canyon National Geographic Journeys
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Phoenix, Sedona, Clarkdale, Grand Canyon National Park,Page,Antelope Canyon,Zion National Park,Las Vegas+4 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Regions
Western USASouthwest USASun BeltFour CornersRocky MountainsGrand Canyon+5 more
Operated in
English
Operator
National Geographic Expeditions with G Adventures
11% Off
From
US$4,299per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
Through the Land of Three Cultures
Duration
15 days
Destinations
Phoenix, Sedona, Flagstaff, Grand Canyon National Park,Winslow,Petrified Forest National Park,Chinle,Albuquerque,Santa Fe,Mescalero Apache Reservation Historical Marker,White Sands National Park,Chiricahua National Monument,Bisbee,Tucson+10 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Western USASouthwest USASun BeltFour Corners+3 more
Operated in
English, German
Operator
DIAMIR Erlebnisreisen
11% Off
From
US$6,482per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Enchanting Canyonlands (Small Groups)
4.8 (13 traveler reviews)
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Phoenix, Scottsdale, Monument Valley, Sedona,Grand Canyon National Park,Painted Desert,Antelope Canyon,Bryce Canyon National Park,Zion National Park,Springdale,Salt Lake City+7 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Western USASouthwest USASun BeltFour CornersRocky Mountains+4 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Insight Vacations
11% Off
From
US$4,350per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
Colourful Trails of the Southwest (End Albuquerque)
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sedona, Grand Canyon National Park,Monument Valley,Page,Moab,Arches National Park,Canyonlands National Park,Mesa Verde National Park,Durango,Ouray,Silverton,Taos,Santa Fe,Albuquerque+12 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Western USASouthwest USAFour CornersRocky Mountains+3 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Trafalgar
10% Off
From $4,350
US$3,915per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
Lost Canyons of the Southwest
5.0 (133 traveler reviews)
"Great tour and itinerary. Fellow passengers were a pleasure."
Graham, traveled in September
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sedona, Jerome, Winslow, Chinle,Canyon de Chelly National Park,Williams,Grand Canyon National Park,Boulder City,Las Vegas+5 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Western USASouthwest USASun BeltFour CornersRocky MountainsGrand Canyon+5 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Globus
13% Off
From $3,969
US$3,469per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Colourful Trails of the Southwest (End Santa Fe)
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sedona, Grand Canyon National Park,Monument Valley,Page,Moab,Arches National Park,Canyonlands National Park,Mesa Verde National Park,Durango,Taos,Santa Fe+9 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Western USASouthwest USAFour CornersRocky Mountains+3 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Trafalgar
10% Off
From $4,350
US$3,915per person
Price based on Shared Room
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$America\'s Magnificent National Parks (Classic, End Denver, 15 Days) Tour$
$America\'s Magnificent National Parks (Classic, End Denver, 15 Days) - 26 destinations$
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Explorer
America's Magnificent National Parks (Classic, End Denver, 15 Days)
Duration
15 days
Destinations
Phoenix, Scottsdale, Monument Valley, Sedona,Grand Canyon National Park,Painted Desert,Antelope Canyon,Bryce Canyon National Park,Zion National Park,Springdale,Salt Lake City,Jackson,Yellowstone National Park,Grand Teton National Park,Rocky Mountains,Cody,Bighorn National Forest,Devils Tower,Oglala,Badlands National Park,Spearfish,Custer State Park,Mount Rushmore National Memorial,Denver+20 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Western USA
Operated in
English
Operator
Insight Vacations
10% Off
From
US$8,150per person
+$125 upfront costs
Price based on Shared Room
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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
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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