Phoenix: Off the Beaten Path

Day 1

Arrive in Phoenix by 3pm and your Trip Leader will meet you at the airport. We’ll get checked in and have our meet and greet, then it’s off to enjoy a delicious welcome dinner at one of the many splendid restaurants. This is an ‘unpack once and chill’ trip! Overnight Gold Canyon.

Day 2

After breakfast we’ll find out about the fast growing sport of bodyflight! At IFly we’ll learn proper body positioning and hand signals used by the instructors to guide our flight.  We’ll gear up and it’s time to fly! We’ll head into the Flight Chamber and once you nail the basics, the wind tunnel becomes our playground! Then it’s off to The Goldfield Ghost Town for lunch, shopping and fun sightseeing. Walk down Main Street, explore the many shops and historic buildings. We’ll also witness an old west gunfight performed by the famous Goldfield Gunfighters! Back in the 1890′s Goldfield boasted 3 saloons, a boarding house, general store, blacksmith shop, brewery, meat market and a school house. Just when it looked like the town would outgrow Mesa, the vein faulted, the grade of ore dropped and the town died a slow death. After several unsuccessful attempts to reopen the mines, the town did come to life again from 1910 on and off until 1926. Travelers from all over the world still visit this gold mining town located on the historic Apache Trail and enjoy the excitement and grandeur of Arizona’s wild west!

Day 3

After breakfast we’re off on our white water rafting trip on the Upper Salt River. This is a full day trip full of fun and excitement. Our activity begins with a safety orientation and rafting basics lesson. It’s okay if you are a beginner, the excursion starts off gently and the guides are there to help. It’s also good if you’re an experienced rafter, as the scenery and rapids will thrill you. There is a herd of beautiful wild horses that live and frequent the Salt River. We’ll have our cameras in a splash bag and hope to capture these beautiful animals along the way. We’ll stop for a riverside lunch before conquering some white-water rapids to finish off this fun-filled day.  As we take the hour drive back to our hotel, we’ll laugh again at the stories that come out of these trips on the river.  Time to clean up and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 4

After breakfast, we’ll drive a short way for a scenic 4 mile hike. The brochures state the trail is less than 3 miles, however our wristband technology begs to differ. This hike is rated moderate due to some rock scrambling near the pools and petroglyphs. Our hike brings us to view ancient petroglyphs left by Native peoples.  The natural spring pools here attract small desert critters to photograph too. We’ll enjoy a healthy snack and refresh ourselves for the hike back, enjoying the beauty of the Sonoran Desert. This afternoon after lunch, it’s off to the award winning Desert Botanical Garden.  We’ll stroll through thematic trails to explore the fascinating beauty of the Sonoran Desert, from towering cacti and alluring succulents to brilliant wildflowers and lush trees. A photographer’s dream! With a stop for dinner before heading back to the hotel, we’ll be ready for a dip in the pool or hot tub before sleep.

Day 5

After breakfast, we’ll head out for a 1.5 hour horse back ride. Birthplace of the Legend of the Lost Dutchman Mine, and our starting point for a horseback riding adventure you’ll not soon forget. The majesty of Saguaro cacti towering over the Sonoran Desert combined with the stunning views of the Superstition and Goldfield Mountains, make for a unique and memorable horseback ride through some of Arizona’s most beautiful countryside!  We’ll go back to the hotel to freshen up (get the horse off us) and visit a local craft brewery. We’ll have an included beer flight tasting of their latest offerings, or perhaps a cider. We’ll have time to enjoy some last minute shopping, then it’s back to our hotel. We’ll have some relaxation time before heading out to our fabulous Farewell dinner.

Day 6

Enjoy breakfast and the hotel’s amenities before you depart for the airport or choose to spend more time in beautiful, sunny Arizona

• 5 days/ 5 nights fully guided tour by a Canyon Calling Trip Leader
• All land transportation as outlined in this itinerary
• Hotel accommodations, double occupancy
• All meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 6
• All activities and excursions and activity guide gratuities
• All entrance fees and permits

• Round-trip transport to/from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport
• Alcoholic beverages and items of a personal nature
• Optional gratuity to your Trip Leader at the end of the trip