Feedback on a May 2025 Itinerary

Question

Hello. I've been reading many of these threads over the past few days and I think I've developed an itinerary for early May.

Day 1 - Thurs - Arrive Phoenix airport 8am, drive to Page, AZ

Days 1-3 Stay at Hyatt Page/Lake Powell (use this as a base for 3 nights)

Lower, Upper Antelope tours, One day to Monument Valley for tour (probably the Saturday), no rooms were available at the View and after the 3 hour tour, what would we do? I figured we can drive back to Page plus less moving hotels.

Day 4, Sunday - Leave Page for Grand Canyon,

Days 4-6 stay at Maswik Lodge for two nights, tour GC (already checked and has availability)

Day 6 Leave GC and drive to Sedona for three nights stay

Day 8 or 9 Fly home (depends on cost of sedona room and flights)

Hotels thinking of in Sedona - Hilton at Sedona Bell Rock or Wilde Resort and Spa - opinions? Or other recommendations. I wanted more of a luxury feel to this part of the stay since the other ones were less luxury.

Does it seem like we have enough time at each place? We are not strenuous hikers but can do smaller less rigorous ones.

Thanks for you help and input!

Answer

Your proposed May 2025 itinerary for Arizona and Northern Arizona looks well-structured and realistic, especially considering your interest in less strenuous activities and shorter hikes. Using Page, Grand Canyon, and Sedona as your bases minimizes hotel changes and long packing/unpacking days, which is ideal for a comfortable trip.

Page/Lake Powell (Days 1-3):

Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon tours: Scheduling both is feasible over two days; plan for early morning tours to avoid crowds and strong midday light, which is better for photography.
Monument Valley: A day trip is reasonable. Depart early from Page (around 6-7am) to maximize your time in Monument Valley, especially if you book a guided tour. Returning to Page in the evening is fine, though it will be a long day.
After the Monument Valley tour: Since you’ll return to Page, you could plan a relaxing dinner at your hotel or a local restaurant, or enjoy a sunset view at Lake Powell.

Grand Canyon (Days 4-6):

Maswik Lodge is a convenient choice inside the park near the South Rim, giving you easy access to viewpoints and shuttle services.
Two nights here should allow for a full day of South Rim sightseeing, including easy hikes like the Rim Trail segments or short loops like Bright Angel Trail to the first rest stop. This balances exploration with a relaxing pace.
Consider using the park shuttle system to move between viewpoints, minimizing driving and maximizing scenic stops.

Sedona (Days 6-8/9):

Hilton Sedona Bell Rock and Wilde Resort & Spa are both excellent choices for a more luxurious stay. The Hilton offers spacious rooms and easy access to Bell Rock trails, while Wilde is more boutique-style with high-end amenities and spa services.
Three nights in Sedona gives you time for scenic drives (Red Rock Scenic Byway), short hikes (Devil’s Bridge, Cathedral Rock via easier routes), and relaxation at the hotel. You could also explore local galleries, enjoy a wine tasting, or a casual Jeep tour for light adventure.

Overall Timing and Suggestions:

Page: 3 nights is sufficient for Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley, without feeling rushed.
Grand Canyon: 2 nights allows for a full day in the park and a comfortable pace.
Sedona: 3 nights provides a luxury stay, opportunities for both exploration and relaxation.
Driving distances: Your plan minimizes overly long consecutive drives, which is ideal for comfort.

Optional Tips:

Book Antelope Canyon tours and Monument Valley tours well in advance, as May is busy.
Consider sunrise or sunset viewpoints at Grand Canyon and Sedona for photography and smaller crowds.
Keep a flexible evening in Sedona to enjoy resort amenities or casual local dining after active days.

In summary, your itinerary gives a balanced mix of sightseeing, light hiking, and relaxation, and the hotel choices in Sedona support a luxury experience for the final leg. It’s realistic and should be enjoyable without feeling rushed.

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