Canyons & Cowboys: Dude Ranch Experience

Excellent Mobility Required.

DAY 1: WELCOME TO ARIZONA!

The journey begins with a flight into Phoenix, where warm desert sunshine and a tasty dinner welcome you. D

DAY 2: VERDE CANYON RAILROAD

Today, travel to Clarkdale, AZ, to board the historic Verde Canyon Railroad. Sit back and enjoy a spectacular rail journey through towering red rock canyons and along the Verde River. After a delightful lunch at the depot, continue north to the cool mountain air of Flagstaff. B, L

DAY 3: HORSESHOE BEND, ANTELOPE CANYON

Prepare for stunning desert landscapes along the journey toward Page. Stop at the breathtaking Horseshoe Bend Overlook, where the Colorado River curves dramatically through towering canyon walls. Then, explore the world-famous Antelope Canyon on a guided tour, marveling at its sculpted sandstone and shifting beams of light. Check into your hotel in Page, AZ, for the first of two nights. B

DAY 4: RAFT TRIP, RED HERITAGE DINNER THEATER

Enjoy a smooth water raft trip from Lees Ferry, floating along the Colorado River and around Horseshoe Bend for a truly unique perspective of the canyon. Later, delight in an evening of entertainment and dining at the Red Heritage Dinner Theater, featuring vibrant Native American performances. B, D

DAY 5: MONUMENT VALLEY

The highlight today is the iconic Monument Valley, where you’ll embark on a tour with a Native guide through towering sandstone buttes and mesas. Enjoy a traditional Navajo lunch and gain insight into the rich culture and history of the region. B, L

DAY 6: CANYON DE

Continue your cultural exploration with a jeep tour of Canyon de Chelly. This National Monument is of deep historical significance and natural beauty, containing ruins of the Ancestral Pueblo society carved into canyon walls. Travel to Holbrook, AZ, for your overnight stay. B

DAY 7: WHITE STALLION

Travel south through desert vistas to Tucson, where you’ll settle in for a two-night stay at the renowned White Stallion Ranch. Surrounded by the beauty of the Sonoran Desert, this authentic ranch offers a true taste of the Old West. B, D

DAY 8: DUDE RANCH ACTIVITIES

Immerse yourself in ranch life. Enjoy a scenic trail ride, learn about the history and traditions of the ranch, and spend the evening clapping along to lively cowboy entertainment under the desert sky. B, L, D

DAY 9: RETURN HOME

Savor a hearty breakfast before departing for the airport, taking with you unforgettable memories of dramatic landscapes, rich cultures, and the timeless spirit of the American Southwest. B

ACCOMMODATIONS:
Night 1: Drury Inn and Suites, Phoenix Airport
Night 2: Drury Inn and Suites, Flagstaff, AZ
Nights 3-4: Courtyard by Marriott, Page, AZ
Night 5: Hampton Inn, Kayenta, AZ
Night 6: Quality Inn, Holbrook, AZ
Nights 7-8: White Stallion Ranch, Tucson, AZ

Departure Cities:

• St. Louis
• Kansas City
• Springfield, MO

Depart: April 17, 2027
Return: April 25, 2027

Price per person:

• DB $5,799
• TP/QD $5,169
• SG $7,699

Price per person includes roundtrip airfare from STL, MCI, SGF. Please call for other gateway cities.

Mobility Note
This highly active tour requires excellent mobility and includes close contact with livestock. Horseback riding is an included and expected part of the itinerary, so guests should be comfortable around animals and physically able to mount, ride and dismount a horse. Those with animal allergies or health or mobility concerns should consult their physician before booking.

Guests should be in good physical health and able to walk at a steady pace for up to one mile at a time, totaling approximately three to four miles per day. The tour includes sand, gravel, uneven ground, inclines, steps and exposed walking areas with limited shade. The walk to Horseshoe Bend is approximately 1.5 miles round-trip, and visits to Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly may require navigating uneven terrain and boarding high-clearance or open-air touring vehicles.

Guests must also be able to manage the steps required to board and exit the motorcoach several times each day. They may be required to exit the motorcoach at every stop due to mandatory driver-break regulations.

Because some ranches, farms and off-the-beaten-path sites lack accessible facilities, this tour cannot accommodate travelers who use walkers or wheelchairs.

Average Temps
Phoenix and Tucson: Daytime 82–87°F; Overnight 54–60°F
Flagstaff: Daytime 58–64°F; Overnight 28–34°F
Page, Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly: Daytime 65–73°F; Overnight 37–45°F

Elevation
Phoenix and Tucson: Approximately 1,100–2,400 feet
Page and Monument Valley: Approximately 4,300–5,600 feet
Flagstaff: Approximately 6,900 feet

The significant changes in elevation can produce noticeable temperature differences throughout the tour.

Packing Tips
Pack sturdy, closed-toe walking shoes with good traction, removable layers, sunscreen, sunglasses, a brimmed hat and a refillable water bottle. A warm jacket is essential for Flagstaff and cool desert mornings. For horseback riding, bring long pants or jeans and closed-toe shoes with a defined heel. Riding boots are not required. Gloves and a hat with a secure strap may also be useful. (White Stallion Ranch)

Rafting Note
The Colorado River experience is a smooth-water float rather than a whitewater rafting trip. Guests should still be prepared to board and exit the raft, spend several hours in direct sun and experience cooler temperatures near the water and canyon walls. Secure shoes, sunscreen, a hat and a light layer are recommended.

Hotel Note
White Stallion Ranch is a historic, family-owned guest ranch surrounded by approximately 3,000 acres of Sonoran Desert. Originally developed as a cattle ranch, portions of its early adobe construction remain visible today. The property combines an authentic Western atmosphere with resort-style amenities, including a heated pool, hot tub, fitness facilities and spa services.

The ranch has been operated by the True family since 1965 and has welcomed guests as a dude ranch since the 1940s, giving travelers an experience rooted in generations of Arizona ranch hospitality.

Notes on Highlights
The Verde Canyon Railroad travels through a remote canyon that is largely inaccessible by road, allowing guests to see red rock formations, river scenery and historic sites that cannot be reached on a typical driving tour.

The Horseshoe Bend overlook stands roughly 1,000 feet above the Colorado River. Portions of the rim remain open and unguarded beyond the main viewing platform, so guests should stay well back from the edge and follow all guide instructions.

Antelope Canyon’s flowing shapes were carved by flash floods moving through Navajo sandstone. Changing sunlight, cloud cover and the time of day continually alter the canyon’s colors and shadows, so no two visits look exactly alike.

The Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly experiences are led by Native guides, offering access to cultural context, family histories and areas that independent visitors may not experience in the same way.

White Stallion Ranch maintains one of Arizona’s largest privately owned horse herds. Riders are matched with horses according to their experience, height, weight and comfort level, allowing first-time and experienced riders to enjoy the ranch landscape at an appropriate pace. Parts of the ranch have served as filming locations for more than 50 years. During the trail ride, some of the desert scenery may look familiar from classic Western films and television productions.

Other General Information
Tour Communications: You will receive three key communications leading up to your tour:

• Get Ready: Your email confirmation and initial tour information, sent after you register.
• Get Set: An email with additional tour details, sent approximately two months before departure.
• Go: Your final trip documents, mailed via USPS approximately three to four weeks before departure. This packet will include your daily itinerary, luggage tags, and final departure information.

Travel Protection: Travel Protection is optional but highly recommended and may be purchased until the day before departure. Sunrise Tours offers plans through battleface. Additional information will be included with your Get Ready email and can also be found HERE.

Inclusions: Unless otherwise noted, your Sunrise Tour includes:

• A professional Sunrise Tour Director
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Local step-on guides, including gratuities
• International tour guide gratuities when specified for the individual tour
• Deluxe motorcoach transportation with an onboard restroom
• Admission to activities and events as indicated
• Airfare from designated airports
• Transportation to and from designated airports from our convenient local pickup points*
• Luggage handling at hotels when available

Gratuities: We believe tipping is a personal and discretionary interaction between our guests and staff. A typical gratuity for your Sunrise Tour Director and motorcoach driver is $6 to $10 per person, per day of the tour. Sunrise Shuttle drivers also appreciate gratuities for excellent service, with a suggested amount of $5 per person. Our staff will not solicit gratuities or distribute gratuity envelopes.

Refreshments: We are happy to provide refreshments on most motorcoach travel days. We also recommend bringing a refillable water bottle to help you stay hydrated throughout your tour.

Pickup Points: If fewer than four travelers request a particular pickup point, we may ask those guests to select another available pickup location. Travelers are also welcome to join a tour from a city that is not listed as a departure point. Please contact our friendly reservations team to discuss available arrangements. For departure cities not listed, airfare is typically $100 more than the published fare for domestic tours and $200 more for international tours.

TSA PreCheck and Airline Rewards Numbers: TSA PreCheck, Known Traveler Numbers, and airline rewards numbers must be provided to our reservations team at least 60 days before departure. Numbers received after this deadline may not be applied to your reservation.

Airline Seating: Preferred seating may not be available with group airfare. In some cases, seats are not assigned until travelers arrive at the airport. Your tour fare includes an economy-class seat but does not include advance seat selection. Seat upgrades may be available for an additional cost.

Motorcoach Capacity and Seating: To provide one of the most comfortable motorcoach experiences in the industry, Sunrise Tours generally limits motorcoaches to 80% capacity. This allows for a maximum of 44 passengers on a motorcoach designed to accommodate 55. Sunrise Tours reserves the right to amend this practice. Your Tour Director will rotate motorcoach seating each day of the tour. Payment of a single-occupancy fare does not guarantee two motorcoach seats, and you may be seated beside another friendly Sunrise Tours guest.

Terms and Conditions
Please refer to our policies HERE for more information on our terms and conditions.