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 exciting train journeys, visit cliff dwellings and a former mining town, and marvel at the magnificence of nature from the south rim of the Grand Canyon.

February 28-March 5, 2027

 

Itinerary Highlights:

• Two rail journeys: Grand Canyon Railway and Verde Canyon Railroad
• Grand Canyon National Park
• Oak Creek Canyon
• Sedona trolley tour
• Chapel of the Holy Cross
• Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping 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
• Nine meals: five breakfasts and four dinners
• All sightseeing and admissions per itinerary
• Deluxe motor coach transportation
• Professional tour director
• Our State host
• Wine and beer reception
• Hotel transfers
• Baggage handling at hotels

 

Accommodations:

• Five nights in Sedona: Hilton Sedona Resort or Courtyard by Marriott

 

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Phoenix • Sedona
Sunday, February 28, 2027

Arrive at the Phoenix airport and meet your tour director before traveling north to beautiful Sedona. This upscale resort community is set among the red rocks of Oak Creek Canyon, a picturesque setting for your five-night stay. Tonight, enjoy a wine and beer reception at the resort, followed by a welcome dinner with fellow Our State travelers.

Meals: Dinner
Overnight: Hilton Sedona Resort or Courtyard by Marriott in Sedona

 

Day 2: Sedona
Monday, March 1, 2027

Hop on board a trolley tour of Sedona, featuring stops at the Chapel of the Holy Cross and Airport Mesa for spectacular views of the area. The trolley guide will give insight into the various rock formations, vegetation, and history of this remarkable region. Later, visit Uptown Sedona and the craft village of Tlaquepaque to explore art galleries, shops, and restaurants. An optional Jeep tour into the Sedona backcountry will be available this afternoon before a group dinner at a popular local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: Hilton Sedona Resort or Courtyard by Marriott in Sedona

 

Day 3: Grand Canyon
Tuesday, March 2, 2027

Begin an unforgettable day with a drive through the 16-mile-long Oak Creek 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 the Grand Canyon 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 canyon from other points of interest. Stop in Flagstaff for dinner before returning to Sedona.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: Hilton Sedona Resort or Courtyard by Marriott in Sedona

 

Day 4: Montezuma Castle • Jerome • Verde Canyon Railroad
Wednesday, March 3, 2027

This morning, visit Montezuma Castle National Monument, which contains ruins of a cliff dwelling built by the Sinagua Indians in the 12th and 13th centuries. Later, visit the former mining town of Jerome, once a virtual ghost town and 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. Return to Sedona in the early evening.

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Hilton Sedona Resort or Courtyard by Marriott in Sedona

 

Day 5: Day at leisure
Thursday, March 4, 2027

Today is at leisure in Sedona. Enjoy the wonderful amenities of your resort, go shopping or sightseeing on your own, or play a round of golf. An optional tour will also be available. This evening, enjoy a hearty chuckwagon supper and Western stage show at the Blazin’ M Ranch.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: Hilton Sedona Resort or Courtyard by Marriott in Sedona

 

Day 6: Departure
Friday, March 5, 2027

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*: $3,924 per person (based on double occupancy)
Regular rate: $4,024 per person (based on double occupancy)
Single supplement: $4,999 ($4,899 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 218413 to make your deposit online in just a few minutes.

Trip brochure: Click here for information on payment schedule, cancellation policy, and trip insurance.

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.

 

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.