North America’s greatest natural wonder, the Grand Canyon, is over a mile deep and twists through the Arizona landscape offering sensational views. For those based in Los Angeles, there are a handful of excellent tours that visit the marvel.
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
The sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles is often the first port of call for many visitors to the United States. From the City of Angels, Route 66 heads inland, pushing into the great expanse of the American Southwest. Deep within, the Grand Canyon is a perennial highlight with visitors and a good tour itinerary should never be without it. Given the distance to the Grand Canyon from Los Angeles, the best tours run over multiple days, allowing time to visit it and the other remarkable sights in the region, such as Zion National Park and Las Vegas. Here are three of the best tours.
4-Day Las Vegas & The Western Deserts Tour
A brilliant itinerary from Empire Vacations for this tour sees guests visiting the bright lights of Las Vegas, staying at a hotel on the Strip, before switching the human-made for the natural. Explore the Grand Canyon from the Southern Rim, where Grand Canyon Village is located and where you’ll find numerous lookout points, each offering a unique perspective on the vast canyon. Other sights along the way include Lake Powell, and the two Utah national parks of Zion and Bryce Canyon, which present very different perspectives on the American wilderness. Tours depart on Thursdays and all accommodation is included. From $735 per person.
7-Day Golden Experience from Los Angeles
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
By following a similar itinerary to the previous tour but adding three days of additional sights, you can really immerse yourself in the best of California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona. Head north along the Pacific Coast to San Francisco, take a cruise on the Bay and visit the Golden Gate Bridge. You’ll also visit the impressive Yosemite National Park on the way to Las Vegas. Switch the bells and whistles for the bugle of elk and screech of eagles at the Grand Canyon, rounding out the experience in Utah’s wilderness before returning to Los Angeles via Las Vegas for one last spin of the wheel. From $1,290 per person.
6-Day Excursion of the Grand Canyon and American Southwest
One alternative to departing from Los Angeles is this tour from San Francisco. It visits the Grand Canyon and returns to Los Angeles, making it ideal for anybody looking to fit the trip into a longer onward journey. In the winter, this tour option, by starting out in Frisco, allows time for exploring Monterrey, followed by the coastline of Big Sur and Hearst Castle. Explore the Southern Rim of the Grand Canyon, stopping at all the best viewpoints, then see the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon and get the chance to explore the valley floor in Zion. Tours depart on Tuesdays. From $1,200 per person.
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)