Private Grand Canyon Day Tour





Description
Let us guide you to the most spectacular overlooks at the Grand Canyon on this private day tour. You will learn about the history, flora, fauna, geology and folklore. Enjoy views of the Painted Desert and the Little Colorado River Gorge on our way to historic Cameron Trading post after leaving the park. Entry fees for the park and lunch at the historic El Tovar Hotel are included. Duration of this tour from Sedona is approximately 9 hours, from Flagstaff approximately 8 hours. We will make a lunch reservation for you at the historic El Tovar Lodge (lunch cost is not included).
Tour Options
Itinerary
Drive through Oak Creek Canyon, voted one of the prettiest roads in America
Enjoy the views of the largest Ponderosa Pine forest in the world on our drive towards Flagstaff
View the first overlook at the Grand Canyon Village and enjoy your lunch at the historic El Tovar Dining Room
Take a 0.7 mile stroll from Mather Point to Yavapai Point
Take spectacular photos at Duck on the Rock overlook
The Grand finale at the Grand Canyon, Desert View Watchtower
Shop for authentic Indian handmade Artwork if wanted
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Complimentary pick up and drop off at all hotels in Sedona, the Village of Oak Creek and Flagstaff
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- A minimum of 4 adults per booking is required
- Professional guide fluent in English or German
- Dress code is smart casual
- Everybody over 15 years is considered an adult
Reviews(368)
Wow! He’s amazing. Chris was so informative, flexible with children, and knowledgeable . He had so many snacks available for kids. He took us to the secret spots and gave us VIP treatment at EL Tovar restaurant. He recommended places that supported small business or native made items. 1000/10 stars!
Dear Leslie, thank you for your wonderful review. Always happy to hear the kids had a good time as well. Hope to see you and your family again next time you come to Sedona. Until then, Greetings from Red Rock Country. Chris Kelly
Our family has a fantastic day on the private tour with Chris. He had water, Gatorade and snacks. He was very informative and took us to some amazing spots where he captured photos of our family! His knowledge of the area and the history was something we appreciated. Lunch at El Tovar was delicious and we even got to see a piece of culture with a performance of the Hoop Dance outside. Truly a bucket list and memorable day for our family!
Dear Loris, thank you for your raving review of our day at the Grand Canyon. We were lucky to see one of the Hopi Hoop dances, what a pleasure. Please call us the next time you are in Sedona. Greetings Chris
My wife and I had the extreme privilege of spending an amazing day with Chris Kelly from Grand Canyon Journeys. Chris picked us up from our hotel in Sedona promptly at 7 am and we headed up to the Grand Canyon through Oak Creek canyon. Chris had plenty of water, Gatorade, and snacks for us and stopped at clean bathrooms along the way. He is so personable and shared his incredible depth of knowledge throughout the day. We stopped at many overlooks with beautiful views of the canyon and were able to get so many great photos. The trip is absolutely worth it and we had the best experience possible! Chris is such a professional and we look forward to our next trip to Sedona and another adventure with Chris.
Dear Richard, thank you guys for the super sweet review. I am glad that you enjoyed your day at the Grand Canyon as much as I did. What fun. I hope to see the two of you again one day. Greetings from Sedona. Chris
My family and I booked a private, full-day tour with Grand Canyon Journeys from Sedona to the Grand Canyon—and it exceeded every expectation. Our guide, Nina, was nothing short of incredible. Her knowledge is truly remarkable—she brought every part of the journey to life, from the landscapes of Sedona to the awe-inspiring vistas of the Grand Canyon and everything in between. We made a stop at a local trading post, where Nina thoughtfully guided us on what to look for—no pressure, no sales pitch, just helpful context. Throughout the day, she kept us comfortable and prepared with drinks and snacks. She even arranged a lovely lunch for us at the historic El Tovar restaurant. Wasn’t sure what to expect food-wise, and we were pleasantly surprised by how delicious everything was. At the canyon, she curated several perfectly timed stops, each offering a different breathtaking perspective. And as a bonus—she’s a phenomenal photographer. She captured our family in ways we never could have on our own (our next holiday card photo is officially taken care of!). Nina also went above and beyond to accommodate my 77-year-old mom, who has limited mobility and some difficulty with higher elevations. At the same time, she made sure my husband, daughter, and I had opportunities to explore and walk a bit more. Net net, she made the day enjoyable for all of us. And while a two-hour drive each way might sound long, Nina made it fly by. Her stories, knowledge, and warm personality kept us completely engaged—you truly lose track of time. This was more than just a tour—it was a meaningful, unforgettable experience that our family will forever remember. Definitely the highlight of our trip. Highly recommend!
Wow, thank you for this lovely review! It was such a pleasure to have you all on board and show you around one of the world's natural wonders. I hope to see you again sometime and we can explore some more - with your mom, of course! Until then, all the best to all of you! Cheers, Nina
Our day started bright and early with a prompt pickup from our hotel in Sedona — and Chris set the tone perfectly from the very first mile. On the drive up to the Grand Canyon, he shared fascinating knowledge about the extinct volcanoes near Flagstaff, the Little Colorado River Gorge, and the extraordinary geology of the Canyon itself. He clearly knows and loves this landscape, and it shows. Every stop along the way felt thoughtfully planned — from the overlooks to his spot-on lunch recommendations at the El Tovar in Grand Canyon Village. What really made the trip special was Chris himself. He's knowledgeable but completely laid-back, easy to talk to, and genuinely fun to spend a day with. If you're looking for the perfect day trip from Sedona to the Grand Canyon, stop searching and book with Chris at Grand Canyon Journeys. You'll be glad you did.
Dear Jay, what a pleasure to spend the day at the Canyon with you and your family. Thank you for your sweet review of our tour. Please give my best to everybody and I hope to see you guys again. With kind regards Chris Kelly
My experience was fantastic. Chris was very knowledgeable and treated us very well. Took us to the best lookouts at the canyon and best spots for pictures. Booked us a great lunch. Took us to Williams out of his way so we could see the town. We appreciated very much. Was very kind of him. You can't go wrong with his tour.
Dear Duane, thank you guys for your awesome review. I am glad you enjoyed the Grand Canyon and Williams. What a nice day. Call us when you are back in Sedona. Greetings Chris
My experience was exceptional from start to finish. We had the pleasure of Nina as our tour guide and I could not have asked for a better experience. Nina was an amazing guide, very knowledgeable, open to any and all questions, and a fabulous story teller. She has immense knowledge of the Grand Canyon and history of the area which was invaluable to our experience.
Thanks for your lovely review, Madison! I really enjoyed the day with you all, and your curiosity about the Grand Canyon. Hope to see you all again out here sometime! Cheers, Nina
Nina was our tour guide and she was amazing!! Incredibly knowledgeable and accommodating. Made the 2 hour trip from Sedona to the Grand Canyon entertaining with historical stories and facts about the area we were located in. I would 1000% do another tour with this company and Nina!
Thank you for your sweet review, Morgan! It was so much fun exploring the Grand Canyon with the four of you - do come back to explore some more! Until then, all the best, Nina
My family and I had a wonderful time together. Nina was awesome. Very informative and we learned a lot.
Thank you much for your review, Rita - I am amzed that you turned yourself into a Grand Canyon hiker ;) Please come see us again sometime, there is much more to explore in the beautiful Southwest! All the best, Nina
First time out west with the family. Chris took care of all the logistics and Nina picked us up right on time at our resort in Sedona. We had a spectacular day with Nina who was so attentive to our needs the entire day. On top of that she was informative, insightful and best of all, she made it fun and educational. Worth every penny and wouldn't hesitate for a second to strongly recommend Grand Canyon Journeys for a truly memorable experience.
Thanks guys! It was a great day at the canyon with the 4 of you - wanna hear all about the upcoming hike 😊. Meanwhile, all the best, and we hope to see you again! Cheers, Nina



