Grand Canyon + Ancient Ruins + Volcano Full Day Christian Tour

Grand Canyon, Wupatki Ruins & Sunset Crater Volcano Tour Embark on a full-day adventure with Canyon Ministries exploring geology, archaeology, and history through a biblical Creation perspective. This guided experience begins and ends in Flagstaff and visits three remarkable destinations in one unforgettable day. Stand in awe of the Grand Canyon’s breathtaking vistas, explore the ancient Wupatki Native American ruins, and walk through the rugged lava fields of Sunset Crater Volcano. Along the way, your expert guide shares engaging insights into these unique landscapes, connecting their features to the biblical account of Creation and the Flood described in Genesis. Perfect for families and explorers alike, this tour combines stunning scenery with rich cultural history. Tour price includes entry to all three parks and bottled water. Lunch is not included but may be purchased or brought with you. Additional rim tours, river trips, and backpacking adventures are also available.

1. 1

   Stop 1

   1.5 hours

   Departing the Doubletree Hotel in Flagstaff, our journey to the Grand Canyon takes us through scenic views of the San Francisco Volcanic Field, with cinder cones dotting the landscape and views Humphreys Peak, the highest point in Arizona and capped with snow most of the year.

2. 2

   Grand Canyon National Park

   15 min

   Arrive at the spectacular South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park. Price of park entry is included in the tour. Keep an eye out for elk as we drive 10 minutes through the park to our first stop.

3. 3

   Yavapai Point

   45 min

   Start near Yavapai Point for a restroom break, followed by our first views of the Grand Canyon with an introduction to the canyon's features and spectacular geology. From there, we can see the Bright Angel Trail, Phantom Ranch, and the Kaibab Suspension Bridge, along with views of the Colorado River far below.

4. 4

   Grand Canyon South Rim

   2 hours

   Explore the best of the Grand Canyon's South Rim and Desert View Drive, with stops at key overlooks. During our time at the Grand Canyon, we will discuss the accounts of biblical creation and the global Flood found in the book of Genesis, and how it relates to the features and formation of the canyon's rock layers. We will then talk about the events we believe carved the Grand Canyon—a lot of water, in a little bit of time from massive lake spillover on the Colorado Plateau.

5. 5

   Grandview Point

   30 min

   Stop at Grandview Point with distant views of the Colorado River and Tanner Rapid. While there, learn about the Wild West people history of the Grand Canyon, including copper mining and maybe a river trip story or two!

6. 6

   Grand Canyon Desert View Watchtower

   45 min

   Stop at Desert View for our lunch break, with food options at the Market and Deli. Featuring hot foods, salads, and sandwiches, along with a small grocery store. You may also opt to bring a lunch with you during the tour, though we may not have room for large coolers on the tour vehicle.

7. 7

   Navajo Nation

   30 min

   Descend 3,000 feet from the Kaibab Plateau as we drive down into the lands of the Navajo Nation. With dramatic views of the Little Colorado River Gorge and distant Painted Desert, our journey is filled with stunning scenery and wild west wonderment.

8. 8

   Wupatki National Monument

   1 hour

   Explore Native American Indian ruins nearly 1,000 years old, surrounded by the high desert grasses and red rocks of this landscape. We will talk about the Ice Age and migration of people groups around the world, including the Sinagua Ancestral Puebloans once referred to as the "Anasazi" that lived in this area. We will see the distant Hopi Mesas where these Ancient Ones (Hisatsinom) moved to. Keep your eyes open, as there's always the possibility of seeing pronghorn antelope, coyotes, or birds of prey in this landscape.

9. 9

   Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

   1 hour

   Our drive from Wupatki to Sunset Crater Volcano climbs around 2,000 feet from desert rocks and grasses to tall Ponderosa pines as we explore the otherworldly landscape of the San Francisco Volcanic Field. Our destination is Sunset Crater Volcano, the most recent eruption in the area. Once there, we will embark on a loop trail to get up close and hands-on with the volcanic rocks here, and learn about lava tubes, caves, and spatter cone "hornitos" that surround us. The trail loop is optional, with additional viewpoints or shorter routes for those not wishing to to the walk.

10. 10

    Flagstaff

    30 min

    The scenic views continue on our drive back to Flagstaff. With the best views of the San Franciso Peaks all day, the landscape often holds other surprises to see, such as deer, elk, meadows, and fields of wildflowers. We arrive back at the Doubletree Hotel for drop-off typically around 6:00 p.m.

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.