See millions of years of history in the many layers of the Grand Canyon and the rock formations of Sedona, Arizona. With a comfortable hotel in Sedona as our home base, we’ll explore the town and surrounding area, enjoy two breathtaking train journeys, visit cliff dwellings and an old mining town, and marvel at the magnificence of nature from the south rim of the Grand Canyon.
March 22-27, 2026
Itinerary Highlights:
- Two rail journeys: Grand Canyon Railway and Verde Canyon Railroad
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Oak Creek Canyon
- Black Bart’s Steakhouse
- Sedona trolley tour
- Chapel of the Holy Cross
- Uptown Sedona
- Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village
- Montezuma Castle National Monument
- Jerome
- Chuckwagon supper and show
Package Includes:
- Round-trip airfare from Raleigh-Durham International Airport or Charlotte Douglas International Airport
- Five nights’ accommodations at one hotel — unpack once!
- Nine meals: five breakfasts and four dinners
- All sightseeing and admissions per itinerary
- Hotel transfers
- Professional tour director
- Our State host
- Wine and beer reception
- Motor coach transportation
- Baggage handling at hotels
Accommodations:
- Five nights in Sedona: Hilton Sedona Resort, Courtyard by Marriott, or Poco Diablo
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Phoenix • Sedona
Sunday, March 22, 2026
Arrive at the Phoenix airport and meet your tour director. Board a deluxe motor coach and travel north to beautiful Sedona. This upscale resort, retirement, and artist community is set amongst the red-hued rocks of Oak Creek Canyon. Your home for the next five nights is a picturesque property in the Sedona area. Tonight, enjoy a wine and beer reception at the resort prior to your welcome dinner with fellow Our State travelers.
Meals: Dinner
Overnight: Hilton Sedona Resort, Courtyard by Marriott, or Poco Diablo in Sedona
Day 2: Sedona
Monday, March 23, 2026
Start a great day with a Sedona trolley tour, featuring the Chapel of the Holy Cross and Airport Mesa, with spectacular views of the Sedona area. The trolley guide will give insight into the various rock formations, indigenous vegetation, and history of this remarkable area. Later, visit Uptown Sedona and the Spanish-Mexican village of Tlaquepaque to explore these wonderful areas full of art galleries, shops, and restaurants. Maybe take an optional guided Jeep tour into the Sedona backcountry. This evening, enjoy dinner at a popular local restaurant in Sedona with your fellow Our State travelers.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: Hilton Sedona Resort, Courtyard by Marriott, or Poco Diablo in Sedona
Day 3: Grand Canyon
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Begin an unforgettable day with a drive through amazing Oak Creek Canyon, a 16-mile-long canyon known for its spectacularly colored white, yellow, and red cliffs dotted with pine, cypress, and juniper. Then arrive in Williams to board the Grand Canyon Railway for a nostalgic two-hour train journey that delivers you to the awe-inspiring South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park for free time and lunch on your own. Six million years in the making, the Grand Canyon’s dynamic colors and textures inspire reflection on nature’s power and beauty. Later, board your motor coach to see the Grand Canyon from other points of interest. Stop in Flagstaff for dinner before returning to Sedona.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: Hilton Sedona Resort, Courtyard by Marriott, or Poco Diablo in Sedona
Day 4: Montezuma Castle • Jerome • Verde Canyon Railroad
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
This morning, visit the Montezuma Castle National Monument, which contains ruins of a cliff dwelling built in the 12th and 13th centuries by the Sinagua Indians. Later, visit the old mining town of Jerome, once a virtual ghost town, now restored with shops, museums, and art galleries. Next, travel to Clarkdale to board the Verde Canyon Railroad, also known as the Wilderness Train. The spectacular four-hour ride in a first-class railcar takes you between two national forests, past crimson cliffs, over old-fashioned trestles, and through a 680-foot tunnel. Early evening return to Sedona.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Hilton Sedona Resort, Courtyard by Marriott, or Poco Diablo in Sedona
Day 5: Day at leisure
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Today is at leisure in Sedona. Enjoy the wonderful amenities of your resort. Maybe spend the day shopping, sightseeing on your own, or on a local golf course. An optional tour will be available. This evening experience a farewell dinner at the Blazin’ M Ranch, where you will enjoy a hearty chuckwagon supper and Western stage show.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: Hilton Sedona Resort, Courtyard by Marriott, or Poco Diablo in Sedona
Day 6: Departure
Friday, March 27, 2026
Travel to the Phoenix airport for your flight home, filled with unforgettable memories of your Great Trains & Grand Canyons tour. Want to share your memories with other travelers? Post your favorite pictures in the Our State Travel Club Facebook group!
Meals: Breakfast
Tour Rates:
Discounted rate*: $3,899 per person (based on double occupancy)
Regular rate: $3,999 per person (based on double occupancy)
Single rate: $4,924 ($4,824 with booking discount*)
*Make your final payment by check prior to the final payment due date and receive a booking discount of $100 per person.
For Reservations & More Information:
Premier World Discovery
Melissa Grant
(877) 953-8687, ext. 238 (Pacific Time)
mgrant@premierworlddiscovery.com
Online booking option: Click here and use the booking number 200040 to make your deposit online in just a few minutes.
This tour is rated Activity Level 2 of 4 — Average. For more information on physical requirements and what to expect on an Our State trip, click here.
Explore More
Get excited for your trip and learn more about your destination with our curated list of books, films, music, and more.
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Read
The Emerald Mile: The Epic Story of the Fastest Ride in the History of the Grand Canyon by Kevin Fedarko (2013) — During the historic flooding of the Colorado River in 1983, officials scrambled to prevent the Glen Canyon Dam from failing. Meanwhile, three boatmen took advantage of the raging waters to achieve the fastest recorded run through the Grand Canyon.
We Call the Canyon Home: Indigenous Peoples of the Grand Canyon, compiled by Stephen Hirst (2016) — In their own words, members of the 11 traditionally associated tribes of the Grand Canyon, who have lived in the region for thousands of years, share their stories, histories, and traditions.
Ali Reynolds series by J.A. Jance (2005-2025) — Arizona native Jance’s 21 suspense thrillers are primarily set in Sedona, where former newscaster Ali Reynolds returns home after losing her job and her marriage. But freelance blogging and spending time at the cozy café run by her parents isn’t as safe as it seems.
Watch
Grand Canyon In Depth video series — Hear from Grand Canyon park rangers, scientists, and historians on topics like water conservation, iconic landmarks, and natural and cultural history in these eight short videos.
America’s National Parks: “Surviving Grand Canyon” (2024; YouTube) — This 45-minute episode of National Geographic’s national park series explores how the animals of the Grand Canyon rely on each other to survive the harsh desert landscape.
Broken Arrow (1950; rent online) — One of many classic Westerns filmed against the backdrop of Sedona’s red rocks, this adaptation of a true story follows U.S. Army captain Tom Jeffords (played by James Stewart) as he attempts to negotiate safe passage for mail riders through Apache territory. The movie was so influential that a popular local hiking trail was named in its honor.
Other classic Westerns filmed in Sedona:
- Angel and the Badman (1947)
- Blood on the Moon (1948)
- Flaming Feather (1952)
- Johnny Guitar (1954)
- The Last Wagon (1956)
- 3:10 to Yuma (1957)
- The Rounders (1965)
- Stay Away Joe (1968)
- The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)
Listen
“I Love You Arizona” by Rex Allen Jr. (1981) — The unofficial state anthem of Arizona — famously used in tourism ads — features an Arizona cowboy singing about the natural wonders that make the state special.
Canyon Lullaby by Paul Winter (1997; Spotify, YouTube) — This improvisational solo saxophone album was recorded in a side canyon of the Grand Canyon, creating immersive soundscapes — the first surround-sound album ever recorded in the wilderness.
Black Cowboys by Dom Flemons (2018; Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music) — This Grammy-nominated, Wild West-inspired album by “The American Songster” and founding member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops pays tribute to the artist’s Arizona roots and the role of African Americans in settling the West, blending Western ballads, folk tunes, and frontier songs.
Stevie Nicks — Is it any surprise that the red rock region would also be known for rock music? The Fleetwood Mac legend was born in Phoenix, where the desert landscape inspired much of the imagery in her songs.
Mysteries of History: “The Sedona Vortex” (2020; Spotify, Apple Podcasts) — Learn about Sedona’s mysterious vortices, sites believed to radiate natural energy, attracting visitors seeking healing, meditation, and self-discovery.
Grand Canyon Podcast Directory (Apple Podcasts) — The National Park Service suggests three podcasts to learn more about the Grand Canyon: Grand Canyon Speaks, which features interviews with members of the 11 traditionally associated tribes of the park; Behind the Scenery, a collection of stories exploring the park’s cultural and natural history; and Echoes From the Canyon, which explores the human history of the area.
