GRAND CANYON TRIP

Organized for IGS2003

LOCATION

Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA, via Sedona and Navajo reservation. For details on the location and weather, go to venue.

DATE Thursday, November 6 2003

TIME

DEPARTURE: 7:00 A.M.

RETURN: Approx. 8:00-9:00 P.M.

REGISTRATION

Registration options:

1) Indicate your choice on the IGS2003 Registration form, fill out the add-on sign up sheet for the tour included with it, and fax to +1-480-350 9199. This sheet will be forwarded to the tour company by IGS2003 committee. IGS2003 will not charge for the tour.

2) Register directly with OpenRoadTours.com who will charge your credit card not until 2 days before the Tour.

You can choose the air tour and lunch voucher IN ADDITION to the basic tour for $89.

COSTS

INCLUDES: Round-trip transportation, professional guide service, admission to Grand Canyon National Park, and all taxes.

Tour Cost

Basic: Grand Canyon Via Sedona and the Navajo Reservation

Per person adult ($4 extra to include gratuity)

$89
Helicopter Air tour $115
Lunch Voucher per person $13

SCHEDULE

Start >> The Grand Canyon via Sedona and the Navajo Reservation tour departs from the Old Town Scottsdale about 6:30 to 7:00 a.m. and the tour guides provide a narrated tour as they travel through the Sonoran Desert up to the red rock country of Sedona.

Stop over >> We make a 1/2 hour stop about 9:00 a.m. in Sedona for a coffee break, leg stretch and bathroom stop.

To Grand Canyon >> At 9:30 a.m. the tour continues with a 17-mile drive up scenic Oak Creek Canyon through the mountains of Flagstaff and arrives at the Grand Canyon about 11:30 to 12:00 noon.

Grand Canyon Village area and orientation >> Approximately 3-4 hours will be spent at the Canyon, allowing time to engage in a hike, or walk along the rim.The tour guide pays the admission to the Canyon, provides an orientation at an overlook at the Grand Canyon village area.

Hike on the trails >> After an orientation, you will have 1.5 hours to explore on your own, e.g., hike down the Bright Angel Trail for maximally 2 miles and a lunch break in one of the lodges in the village area at about 1:30 pm.

Grand Canyon’s Inner Gorge (below the rim) is a place of extremes. Hiking below the rim requires preparation. All trails below the rim are steep and precipitous. Everyone who hikes in the canyon for the first time reports that it was more difficult than they expected. Be conservative in planning your hike!

Details. Rim Trail: Individuals will have two options in regard to selecting a hike suitable for their level of expertise. One option is the Rim Trail. The Rim Trail extends from the village area to Hermits Rest. Begin from any viewpoint in the village or along Hermit Road. Rim trails offer excellent walking for quiet views of the inner canyon and for those who desire an easy hike. Part of the trail is paved and accessible. Hiking the RIM trails are ideal day hikes, they offer a variety of different views along trails that offer good hiking with little elevation change.

Bright Angel Trail: The second option available is the Bright Angel Trail. The Bright Angel trail begins just west of Bright Angel Lodge and offers day hikes that range in distance up to 12 miles (round trip). There is some shade, and seasonal water (subject to pipeline breaks). The Bright Angel trail offers wonderful views all along the trail and makes it very easy to lose track of how far down you have hiked. Be aware of how far you have hiked, the steepness of the trail is very misleading on the way down.

East Rim drive >> After that the guide will gather everyone and provide a 2 to 3 hour tour along the scenic East rim drive. There’s a 23 mile drive along the rim of the Canyon where stops will be made at different viewpoints to get out and learn about the Canyon from their guide.

Equipment recommendations for the day

Water, Moleskin, Comfortable hiking clothes, Hiking shoes (NO open toe shoes), Salty foods, Trail mix, Hard Candy, Electrolyte powder or drink.

Even though the Bright Angel has water along the trail, you need to carry water. A common mistake is not carrying water and not carrying enough water. Always remember to eat as well as drink while hiking; you will be using a lot of energy when hiking the canyon. Plan on taking twice as long to hike up as it took to hike down. Allow 1/3 of your time to descend and 2/3 of your time to ascend.

Desert View Watchtower >> The last stop is at everyone’s favorite – Desert View Watchtower. About 4:00 pm we depart the Canyon and travel across Painted Desert and the Navajo reservation. A stop will be made at historic Cameron Trading post – a working Navajo Indian trading post.

Shopping >> Our guide provides information about the Navajo people and you will have about 1/2 hour for shopping.

Dinner >> A dinner or snack stop will be made in the Camp Verde area – usually fast food – on the way back to Scottsdale where you arrive about 9 p.m.

If you need more information, please e-mail igs2003@graphonomics.org.