Help with 2 weeks itinerary South and North AZ. April.

Question

Arriving and departing from Phoenix. Most research I've done online are suggesting similar routes but with too much driving involved in between destinations. I would prefer to see less and spend more time. So far I am drafting 3 nights in Tucson, 3 nights in Phoenix, 3 nights in Sedona or Flagstaff, 2 nights in Grand Canyon 1 night in Page , 2 nights in Monument Valley and one last night in Phoenix. As for the program in each destination, pretty much the local recommendations from guides, cultural and historical sites, monuments, city vibes, landscapes, hikes and good food. Am I on the right path or is it still too much? I'd really like to get a good sense of southern and northern AZ. Also not so long ago we've done the Utah's "mighty 5" in also 2 weeks and enjoyed everything. I understand that it's going to be very similar in terms of landscape and scenery so more open to see other aspects in AZ if any. Suggestions are welcome.

Answer

Your draft itinerary for a 2-week Arizona trip in April is ambitious but doable. The route covers a broad swath of the state, giving you both southern and northern highlights. Since you want to see less but enjoy each destination more, a few adjustments can help reduce driving stress and give you a richer experience.

General Observations:

2-3 nights in Tucson is ideal for Saguaro National Park (East and West), Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, and exploring downtown and nearby towns like Tubac or Bisbee.
3 nights in Phoenix allows for city culture, hiking in the Camelback/Papago Mountains, Desert Botanical Garden, and day trips to nearby attractions like Tempe, Scottsdale, or even a day in Sedona if you choose.
3 nights in Sedona or Flagstaff: Sedona is great for red rock hiking, vortex sites, and art galleries. Flagstaff offers historic downtown, Lowell Observatory, and access to northern attractions. Consider splitting between the two if you want both landscapes and northern amenities.
2 nights in Grand Canyon (South Rim) is sufficient to hike rim trails, do a shuttle or guided tour, and catch sunrise/sunset.
1 night in Page may feel rushed but is doable if your priority is Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Consider staying two nights if you want to explore Lake Powell or other slot canyons more leisurely.
2 nights in Monument Valley allows for scenic drives, photography, and optional Navajo guided tours without rushing.
Ending with a night in Phoenix works logistically for your departure.

Suggested Adjustments:

Consider dropping one Phoenix night at the start and adding it to Page or Sedona to reduce the driving burden.
If you are open to alternative northern Arizona experiences, consider including Petrified Forest/ Painted Desert, Walnut Canyon, or Meteor Crater instead of some repetitive landscapes similar to your Utah trip.
Southern AZ highlights could include a day trip to Kartchner Caverns or a wine tour in Sonoita/Elgin instead of city days if you want less driving and more unique experiences.
When planning between Tucson → Phoenix → Sedona → GC → Page → Monument Valley, note that the Tucson to Phoenix drive is about 2 hours, Phoenix to Sedona 2 hours, Sedona to GC 2.5-3 hours, GC to Page 2.5 hours, Page to Monument Valley 2.5 hours, Monument Valley to Phoenix 5-6 hours. Adjust pacing based on comfort with these distances.

Activity Suggestions:

Tucson: Saguaro East & West, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Sabino Canyon, Mt. Lemmon drive.
Phoenix: Desert Botanical Garden, Camelback hike, Roosevelt Row art district, Tempe Mill Avenue.
Sedona: Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Chapel of the Holy Cross, scenic drives, short hikes, stargazing.
Flagstaff: Lowell Observatory, Walnut Canyon, Sunset Crater, historic downtown.
Grand Canyon South Rim: Bright Angel Trail, Rim Trail, Desert View Drive, sunset at Hopi Point, sunrise at Mather Point.
Page: Antelope Canyon tour, Horseshoe Bend, optional Lake Powell boat tour.
Monument Valley: Scenic loop drive, Navajo guided tour, photography, sunrise/sunset.

Overall, your itinerary is solid, but minor tweaks—like moving a night from Phoenix to northern Arizona or Page—will help reduce long drives and give you more immersive experiences. If you prefer a slower pace, dropping one destination (e.g., staying in Sedona and skipping Flagstaff) can make your trip more relaxed while still showing both southern and northern Arizona.

Help with 2 weeks itinerary South and North AZ. April.

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