• Gazing at Havasu Canyon's red sandstone cliffs juxtaposed with the blue-green color of the water
• Hiking on a variety of spectacular trails
  
• Learning about the geology of Arizona's canyon country
  
• Swimming in pools by Havasu and Mooney Falls in warm weather
  
• Exploring Sedona's red rock canyon country
  
• Hike, eat, relax, repeat
  

Arizona's canyon country is justly famous. From the colorful chasm known as the Grand Canyon to the high waterfalls, sparkling pools, and blue green stream of Havasu Canyon to the red rocks of Sedona, it is a never ending feast for the eyes. The best way to see it is on foot, and we'll combine lots of hiking with time to relax and absorb the beauty of the area as we explore these three very different areas. If you have been wanting a more intimate view of the area than most people ever get, please join us for seven days of hiking, eating, relaxing and laughing.

women who are in good physical condition and looking for adventurous day-hikes of between 6 and 10 miles in a spectacular location. The hike to the campground in Havasu is a mostly flat 10 miles; the trail varies between dirt and uneven streambed. No hiking or camping experience is necessary, although those who have never hiked may find it tiring. Rating:  1  2  [3/4] 5

• one night at Maswik Lodge on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon
• one night at Grand Canyon Caverns Inn
  
• three nights of camping; solar composting toilets are available
• two nights at a motel in Sedona with a heated outdoor pool and jacuzzi and a free in town shuttle
  

• experienced guides
• four nights indoor lodging and three nights camping
• all meals from lunch Sunday to breakfast the following Sunday, except one lunch
  
• transportation during the trip, starting in Phoenix
• packhorses for carrying up to 25 pounds of personal gear
• all entry fees and permits
• group camping and cooking equipment

Not included: airfare to Phoenix, alcoholic beverages, one lunch, guide gratuities

at the Phoenix airport at 8:30 am on April 7. If you are flying in that morning you must arrive not later than 8 am

at the Phoenix airport at 12 pm on April 14. You can take a flight out anytime after 1:30pm

complete trip information will be posted later

As is true on any wilderness adventure, the final itinerary may be affected by weather, intervening events, group desires etc.

April 7: Our trip begins at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday in Phoenix, Arizona. We'll pick you up at the airport and head for the Grand Canyon, truly one of the natural wonders of the world.  10 miles wide and a mile deep, the multicolored rock layers and diverse rock formations are visually compelling. But we are going to do more than just look at it! We'll start our adventure with a warm up hike on the Bright Angel Trail, the best known trail in the Canyon. We'll plan to go the first rest house: 1.5 miles of down with stunning views the entire way, followed by 1.5 miles of up where you can learn the fine points of pacing yourself. Sunset in the Canyon, whether you are on trail or watching from the Rim, is always worth watching. Overnight Maswik Lodge.

April 8: There will be two choices of hikes today. Those wanting a longer hike can hike on the Grandview Trail down to Horseshoe Mesa. One of the non-maintained trails in the Canyon, it was originally a mining trail- although it is hard to believe that mules carrying tons of ore were able to traverse it! But mining was one of the first commercial activities in the Canyon (before the prospectors realized that tourists were the real gold mines) and remnants of mines and an old ruin can still be seen on the mesa. After a picnic lunch on the mesa and time to explore, we reverse our steps and climb the 3 miles back up with a 2500 feet elevation change. Those wanting a shorter hike can go on the South Kaibab Trail to Cedar Ridge Point or, if you want to spend more time visiting other parts of the Park, to the Mile and a Half Resthouse.

Alternatively you can choose to spend the day on your own, perhaps taking the shuttle to other viewpoints in the park, checking out the Visitor's Center and the Yavapai Marketplace, or visiting some of the Park's historic structures. Whichever you choose we'll reassemble by 3 pm for our drive to Grand Canyon Caverns, an historic motel along Route 66.  We'll have an orientation talk about getting ready for Havasu Canyon, have dinner at the restaurant there, and then have time to repack bags before bed. Overnight Grand Canyon Caverns Inn

April 9: We get up early this morning, leaving after breakfast for an hour drive to Hualapai Hilltop. After handing our duffel bags to the able Havasupai for horse or mule transport, we descend into the canyon. This hike is 10 miles, taking between 4 and 6 hours. Starting with an initially steep descent for the first mile, the trail soon flattens out and winds between canyon walls that loom ever higher over our heads. In 8 miles we reach the village of Supai, home to the Havasupai for 700 years and the only town where mail is still carried in by mules. Two miles further down is the campground that will be home for the next three nights. The campground is located amidst tall green cottonwoods, between towering red rock walls, and beside a stream of the most unusual blue-green color. It's not hard to understand why it's often called Shangri La. After setting up our tents and organizing camp, there will be time for a swim and perhaps a visit to Havasu Falls in the evening. The stars overhead are spectacular and sleeping out in this (usually) bug free environment is always an option. Overnight Havasu Campground

April 10: After two very active days we'll enjoy a more relaxed pace today. This morning, after a leisurely breakfast, we'll cross travertine dams to Inner Carbonate Canyon, explore the old mine there, stop to look at the wildflowers, and hike up to its abrupt end. This is a fairly short but spectacular out and back hike to the end of the canyon with a side visit to the entrance of an old mine. After lunch at Havasu Falls the afternoon is free for more hiking, swimming, or enjoying some downtime. Havasu is the kind of place where you want to make sure you take time just to be. Overnight Havasu Campground

April 11: Our hike today is truly adventurous, one with several stream crossings, a little rock scrambling, and walking along ledges. We will descend the Mooney Falls path and then follow Havasu Creek 3 - 4 miles towards Beaver Falls. This part of the creek offers a secluded setting with aquamarine pools for swimming. We'll eat lunch with time to explore before heading home. For those with fear of heights or who want a more laid back day, you might choose to hike along the top of Carbonate Canyon, visit the village of Supai, or relax and swim in Havasu Falls. Overnight Havasu Campground

April 12: This morning we retrace our steps back up the canyon. Although you may have wondered if you would ever make it back up, most women are surprised to find that it is easier than they thought it would be (not easy, mind you, just easier than your fantasy). There will be time to rest your legs on our four-hour drive to Sedona. Sedona! Home to some of the most spectacular red rock scenery in the southwest, as well as a center for new age practitioners. Although it definitely has a more touristy feel than Havasu, it is deserving of its reputation as one of the most beautiful towns in America. Overnight Sedona

April 13: The hike we choose today will depend on our energy, interests and weather.  Perhaps we will hike the Brins Mesa Trail. This 7-mile loop hike introduces us to classic Sedona geology, views, and plant-life.  Another possibility is the Doe Mountain trail, a moderate hike that climbs  switchbacks to the top of Doe mountain with 360-degree views. With so many great hikes to choose from the hardest part will be narrowing it down!  Alternatively, this is a great day for something else Sedona is known for: a spa treatment.  How about a hot stone massage to sooth those well-used hiking muscles?  Sedona is known for the variety of spa treatments on offer and that plus some shopping might be just the way to relax after all the hiking you've done. Or maybe you can't decide and you want to do both a hike and have a massage?  This is the day for that, too.  Whatever you choose, we will meet for a delicious final dinner together.  Overnight Sedona.

April 14:  After breakfast we sadly bid good-bye to canyon country as we drive back to Phoenix. We will make one more stop at Bell Rock (about 1/2 mile hike) one of the most well photographed formations in Sedona as well as one of the vortex sites.  The drive back to Phoenix is about a million miles and 2 hours away, and we will have you to the airport by 12pm. If you can tear yourself away, you can fly out any time after 1:30pm.