Grand Canyon FAQ

FAQ for this Tour

What is included in the tour price?

Virtually everything! Hotels, most meals, all of the activities described in the itinerary pages, airport transfers in select cities, gratuities to hotel porters, restaurant staff and local guides. Caravan’s professional Tour Directors and local guides will be with you every step of the way, ensuring a worry free vacation. Back to Top

What is not included in the tour price?

Prices do not include air travel, airport porter fees, visas, phones, laundry, all items of a personal nature, food and beverages not on the regular menu. Tips to the Caravan Tour Director and Driver are not included. General fees and taxes are additional and listed separately beneath each tour’s price. Back to Top

Can your tours be enjoyed by all age groups?

Yes. Usually you find a mix of different age adult travelers on a Caravan Tours. Most tours will be joined by adults of all ages. Childen age five (5) and over are welcome, and children usually join tours offered during Christmas holidays, summer vacation and spring break vacation. Back to Top

Do your tours include any evening activities?

Yes. Park ranger programs are given nightly at the Grand Canyon National Park and at Zion Lodge. Back to Top

How long will each day be?

A well paced and unhurried itinerary is our goal, after all, you are on vacation! Touring days begin and end at reasonable hours and include frequent stops. Tours usually depart in the mornings between 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. and arrive in the afternoon at your destinations. We do our best to ensure a leisurely vacation. Back to Top

How large will my group be?

Group sizes will vary depending on the reserved rooms at the hotels and lodges and the capacity of the motorcoaches used. Usually, the tour group size will range from 36 to 44 passengers. Back to Top

Are meals included?

Included meals for each tour are listed at the end of each day. Meals are shown by B (breakfast), L (lunch) and D (dinner). All meals in Latin America are included. Most meals are included in the USA and Canada. Full, buffet, or deluxe continental breakfasts are included everywhere. Coffee and tea are provided at all meals. In Latin America, bottled water is provided free on the motorcoach and purified water is provided at the meals. Alcoholic beverages are not included unless specified. Back to Top

What is the food like?

Breakfasts are usually full American breakfast buffets. A served breakfast is available at El Tovar lodge in the Grand Canyon and at Zion Lodge. Dinners offer a choice of several entrees from the menu. Back to Top

What is the highest elevation on the Grand Canyon tour?

The highest elevation at a hotel is 7,000 feet at your lodge at the Grand Canyon. The highest elevation visited on the tour is at Bryce Canyon, which ranges from an elevation of 8,200 feet at Bryce Lodge to 8,800 feet at higher vista points. Back to Top

Are children allowed on tour?

Yes, children age 5 and over aare welcomed on tour when accompanied by an adult. Usually, children travel during the school vacation months of June, July and August, and also during spring and winter school breaks. Back to Top

What kind of clothing should I pack?

In the Grand Canyon tour, the dress code is very casual. It is not necessary to wear a suit or dress at any time during the tour. Caravan suggests 2 pairs of pants, 2 pairs of shorts, 3 changes of shirts, a rain poncho, a swimsuit, walking shoes or hiking boots for the parks, and a sweater or jacket for the air conditioned bus. Back to Top

Luggage and Packing

What else should I pack in my suitcase?

Flashlight, binoculars, camera and extra camera battery. Sunscreen, photocopies of necessary prescriptions for eyeglasses or medicines. Please put an ID sticker on your camera and binoculars. Back to Top

What size suitcase can I bring on the tour?

You can bring a medium size suitcase up to 27" maximum length, due to limited space in the motorcoach. There is not enough storage space in the luggage comopartment of the motorcoach for larger suitcases. Suitcases over 27" in length cannot be taken on the motorcoach. Please note that many airlines also limit suitcases to 60 linear inches (width plus depth plus length) and 50 pounds weight, depending on the airline. Please check with your airline regarding suitcase limits before traveling. Back to Top

Should I pack my medical supplies in my suitcase?

Your medical supplies should always be carried in a carry-on that you have with you at all times. Please do not check your medical supplies in your suitcase with the airlines. Back to Top

Activities

What is the Lake Powell boat ride like?

The Lake Powell boat ride lasts 90 minutes cruising through Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon. Your boat has an indoor air conditioned cabin, and an outdoor deck area with seating. You may sit indoors or outdoors, or stand on the outside deck. There is a restroom in the boat. There is free water available on the boat. The boat dock is located about 150 yards from the Lake Powell resort. You may walk to the boat dock or take the free boat shuttle van. Please bring sunscreen if you wish to sit outside. Back to Top

What is the Monument Valley jeep ride like?

The Monument Valley jeep ride lasts 90 minutes to 2 hours. The jeeps are converted trucks with jeep seating for 16 people each. There is a canopy cover protecting passengers from the sun, and open air on the sides. There are several small steps on the back of each jeep to aid passengers in climbing on and off the jeeps. Your jeep ride will take you into the red desert and red sandstone monuments of Monument Valley. You will have a chance to shop for Navajo Indian jewelry from Navajo Indians, and you will drive by famous monuments and family farms on your jeep ride. Please bring sunglasses, sunscreen and a camera. Back to Top

Will I have time to hike in the national parks?

Yes, you will have time to hike in the national parks if you wish to hike. At the Grand Canyon, you will have several hours of free time in the Grand Canyon to explore the hiking paths if you wish, and your lodge is located near the famous Bright Angel path that leads down into the canyon. You may also walk along the west rim trail on the edge of the Grand Canyon, if you prefer. You will have a free afternoon to explore Zion Canyon, and a free afternoon to explore Bryce Canyon. You will have easy access to the trails at all of the national parks you visit. If you prefer not to hike, you may visit the visitor centers and park lodges instead. Back to Top

Will I have time to join park ranger programs at the parks?

Yes. You will have time to join park ranger programs at the Grand Canyon National Park and at Zion National Park. You may attend programs led by park rangers in the afternoons and evenings at these parks. Back to Top

Is golf available on the Grand Canyon tour?

Yes. There is a 9 hole golf course at your hotel in Sedona, the Poco Diablo resort. You may reserve a tee time with the Poco Diablo resort concierge. There is also golf available in Phoenix near the Doubletree Suites hotel, and your hotel concierge can help you reserve golf in Phoenix. Back to Top

Are there swimming pools at the hotels in the Grand Canyon tour?

Yes, there are swimming pools available at the Doubletree Suites hotel in Phoenix, the Poco Diablo Resort in Sedona, and the Lake Powell Resort at Lake Powell. Please bring your swimsuit! Back to Top

Can I use my cellphone in this area?

Out of courtesy to your fellow tour members, please restrict the use of cellphones to emergency use only when you are on the motorcoach. Please also remember to turn off ringers; cellphone conversations and ringers are intrusive and can spoil other passengers' enjoyment of the tour. Please contact your service provider for information regarding cell phone reception areas: many rural areas do not have cell phone network coverage Back to Top

FAQ for all Tours

How long has Caravan been in business?

Caravan has been offering fully escorted tours worldwide under the same family ownership and management since 1952. Caravan understands and truly cares about your great expectations. Back to Top

Do I have to participate in all of the activities?

No. You may chose to skip an activity and relax at your hotel or do some independent exploring instead. If you do not wish to participate in an activity, simply advise your Tour Director. In most cases, we cannot make refunds for missed activities. Back to Top

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

Many tours sell out each year. The farther in advance that you book, the more likely it is that your preferred tour will be open. Late bookings are welcome if the space is still available. Back to Top

Does information on the web site differ from the brochures?

Caravantours.com is constantly updated and is likely to have more complete and current information about new tours, hotel descriptions, weather, transfers, packing and other useful information. While we strive for perfection, errors are inevitable, both in print and on this web site. If you have any questions or wish to confirm any information, please contact us. Back to Top

U.S. Center for Disease Control

You may check the U.S. Center for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov/travel for the latest travel advisories and disease information on your travel destination. Caravan does not have any medical doctors on staff and cannot provide medical advice. Back to Top

Do you have family trips?

Families are always welcome on any of our tours, but we do not have any programs specifically for or limited to families. Families can make specific requests for connecting, adjacent, triple or quad rooms, when available. Children should be at least 5 years old. Back to Top

What forms of payment do you accept?

Caravan accepts payment (in U.S. funds only) via MasterCard, Visa, Discover or by check. Back to Top

Do you have a travel protection plan?

Yes. Caravan’s Travel Protection Plan covers cancellations made for any reason and also includes comprehensive medical, air and baggage insurance. This optional plan is $99 per person. Back to Top

Can I use my cell phone on tour?

Out of courtesy to your fellow tour members, please restrict the use of cellphones to emergency use only when you are on the motorcoach. Please also remember to turn off ringers; cellphone conversations and ringers are intrusive and can spoil other passengers' enjoyment of the tour. Please contact your service provider for information regarding cell phone reception areas, calling costs and surcharges. Back to Top