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      <title>Grand Canyon Tours</title>
      <link>http://www.topgrandcanyontours.com/blog/</link>
      <description>What people are saying about grand canyon tours.</description>
      <language>en</language>
      <copyright>Copyright 2008</copyright>
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         <title>Grand Canyon Appreciation</title>
         <description><![CDATA[There was a lot of debate about whether we should get up early to catch the sunrise (Ashish had asked around and found out that sunrise was to be at 6am). It would take us at least an hour to reach the National Park and we would have to leave around 4:30am if we had any hope of catching sunrise. After a lot of discussion, I prevailed and we slept with the idea of waking up at 4am to take some amazing pictures. After we saw the pictures that we had taken that day, there was no contest on whether we should carry on the next day.

Wake up at 4am we did and left for the National Park entrance. After paying our entry fee of $25, we figured out that Mather Point would be our best bet for the right sunrise pictures as the sun came up over the horizon. We were not disappointed. The only thing is, we were there almost 45 minutes ahead of the actual sunrise, mainly because we did not take into account that sunrise would be a little later at the Canyon.

I had become so shutter happy that I was clicking pictures every couple of minutes. The only thing that stopped me was the fact that it was extremely cold. And the little wind there was not helping either.

So after setting the camera up on the tripod (yes, I carried a tripod for the trip knowing I would need it for some great pictures), I spent most of my time alternating between keeping myself warm and clicking pictures.

It was all worth it when the sun peeked above the Canyon top and I caught the first light of the day at the Grand Canyon's South Rim. It was a great sight and the light that it threw on the Canyon walls and the shadows it created was an amazing site. A photographer's dream! Suddenly, standing in all that cold and waking up early to get to sunrise felt like a small price to pay after being treated with such a glorious display of light and colours.

In the first light of the morning, you could see all the reds and yellows that made the Canyon walls. You could see the rock formations and the abrasions made by wind and water from the Colorado river as it chiseled it's was through rock over millenia. And standing there appreciating the scale of this gigantic structure made me realize why it is called the Grand Canyon. The scale truly makes it grand.

I want to end this post with a picture of the Canyon wall at sunrise. This is just one of the more-than-hundred photos I have clicked during this most amazing trip (and there is no reason to pick this particular one). But it is one of the most breathtaking picture sets I have taken in a long time.

<a href="http://totalbakwas.blogspot.com/2007/10/now-i-can-appreciate-why-its-called.html">Read more...</a>]]></description>
         <link>http://www.topgrandcanyontours.com/blog/2008/04/grand_canyon_appreciation.html</link>
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                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">Commentary</category>
        
        
         <pubDate>Sun, 27 Apr 2008 15:04:35 +0000</pubDate>
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         <title>Imagnary trip to the grand canyon</title>
         <description><![CDATA[Fly to Phoenix by an early morning flight to reach at around 8am. Pick up a rental car in Phoenix and drive north to Grand Canyon. I wonder if this drive passes through Sedona. In 3.5 to 4 hours, we should be in Grand Canyon National Park. Have lunch. Board the free shuttles to take you to various points. Experience sunset at a recommended point. We did it at Yaki point - a stop in the green shuttle. If time permits, watch the IMAX movie in Tusayan (~7 miles from Grand Canyon visitor center). Sleep the night in Grand Canyon (hope that you get a lodge booking in the canyon itself or in Tusayan). Wake up early to catch sunrise at the canyon. Leave at around 7 or so for Page, AZ for smooth water rafting. This drive may take us via Antelope Canyon - I need to check on that. I wonder if the raft goes through the Horseshoe bend or we need to view it from elsewhere. Summer tours are at 6:30am and 12:30pm. 12:30pm is a more humane time to be there if we aren’t in Page the earlier night itself. Page is 2.5 hours from the south rim. Stay that night in Page. Leave for Las Vegas from Page. Try to get a route that passes through Zion and Bryce Canyon (SR-12).

<a href="http://onesmallstepfor.wordpress.com/2007/11/28/how-to-tour-the-american-southwest/">Read more...</a>]]></description>
         <link>http://www.topgrandcanyontours.com/blog/2008/04/imagnary_trip_to_the_grand_can.html</link>
         <guid>http://www.topgrandcanyontours.com/blog/2008/04/imagnary_trip_to_the_grand_can.html</guid>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">Tips</category>
        
        
         <pubDate>Sun, 27 Apr 2008 15:02:55 +0000</pubDate>
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         <title>Big Bus trip</title>
         <description><![CDATA[The first stop was the Hoover Dam - I've seen programs on it before and seen videos and studied it in geography so I wasn't expecting to be that impressed really but I so was. It is absolutely massive, I can't believe that it was built in the 1930's though I just can't believe that they could have done that then and its still as strong as it was then - there has never been a crack in it at all! The only thing they have done is replaced the mechanical bits actually inside and install computers. They are freaking out about it though, the whole coach had to be searched before we were allowed near it and they are now building a bridge across the top of Black Canyon (which will be another engineering miracle cos it'll be so high) and a bypass because at the minute all the traffic on that particular freeway drives straight across the top of the Dam.

It takes 3hrs on the bus to get to the West Rim of the Grand Canyon (the south rim where the National Park is takes 5hrs) and its all owned by the Indian tribe who live in the area and run it. The West Rim is where the new acclaimed Sky Walk is -I didn't do it, glass bridge with a 4000 ft drop - not a chance! I was quite pleased that I didn't actually because you aren't allowed to take cameras on there, they have a professional photographer on there taking pictures and charge $25 for the privilege! People were not happy because you get rushed along (apparently) I didn't speak with anyone who wasn't moaning about it!

Right where the sky walk is, is an area of the Canyon called Eagle Point where you can see and eagle actually in the Canyon (if you use your imagination) - check the picture. The elders of the Indian Tribe really didn't want the sky Walk built there because they consider it one of the most sacred places in the whole 100 million acres of land that they own but the younger generation argued and it got built and now visitor numbers have increased from 250 per day to 2500 per day so I guess it was worth it.

<a href="http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/emzeeb3/rtw_trip/1188964080.html">
Read more...</a>]]></description>
         <link>http://www.topgrandcanyontours.com/blog/2007/10/big_bus_trip.html</link>
         <guid>http://www.topgrandcanyontours.com/blog/2007/10/big_bus_trip.html</guid>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">Bus Tours</category>
        
        
         <pubDate>Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:18:03 +0000</pubDate>
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         <title>From Vegas</title>
         <description>Depending on which rim of the Grand Canyon you venture to, it will be a good day&apos;s drive from Las Vegas, but well worth the visit. Carved over millennia through the rocks of the Colorado Plateau, the Grand Canyon never ceases to be awe- inspiring, with its beauty and size. If the scenic views aren&apos;t enough, there&apos;s hiking, backpacking, biking, bird watching, boating, camping, cross country skiing, fishing, horseback riding, nature walks and more.</description>
         <link>http://www.topgrandcanyontours.com/blog/2007/10/from_vegas.html</link>
         <guid>http://www.topgrandcanyontours.com/blog/2007/10/from_vegas.html</guid>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">From Las Vegas</category>
        
        
         <pubDate>Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:17:23 +0000</pubDate>
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         <title>Tips under the rim</title>
         <description><![CDATA[2) California Condors. These extremely rare birds are a One of the rare California Condors in flight.treat to watch as they fly overhead at the South Rim. Their wingspan is close to 10 feet. They were near extinction and now 60 call Arizona home. They seem to like watching the park visitors as much as we liked watching them. Many were always in view near the El Tovar resort area.

3) History, Culture, Geology. While every view is spectacular, you may also enjoy learning that the Grand Canyon is all about ancient Indian cultures, geologic formations, ancient seas, unique flora and fauna andHopi House near El Tovar. exceptional archeological finds. Knowing just a bit about these things helps you appreciate the Grand Canyon even more.
5) River Trips. A variety of river rafting trips are also available.
6) Mule Trips and Horseback Rides. Single-day and overnight mule trips can be booked well in advance through Xanterra. Trail rides on horses are available from a private stable.

<a href="http://girlfriendsgetaway.wordpress.com/2007/09/07/the-grand-canyon-hiking-mule-tours-condors-and-whitewater-rafting/">Read more...</a>]]></description>
         <link>http://www.topgrandcanyontours.com/blog/2007/10/tips_under_the_rim.html</link>
         <guid>http://www.topgrandcanyontours.com/blog/2007/10/tips_under_the_rim.html</guid>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">Hiking Tours</category>
        
        
         <pubDate>Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:15:43 +0000</pubDate>
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         <title>Bus tours to the Grand Canyon</title>
         <description>I can&apos;t speak for tours going from California to the Grand Canyon, but I took one from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon (West Rim) last week over Labor Day. I was satisfied with everything, no problems. Only a few minor caveats about these types of bus tours:

1.) The bus driver is on a schedule; if he gets delayed for whatever reason, including the tour company&apos;s fault, you pay for it in time lost visiting your destination.
2.) Because they are on a schedule, you have to be proactive in planning out your time so that you get to see what you want to see.
3.) A lot of times their add-ons can be purchased cheaper at your destination or through the actual rafting/hiking/helicopter/etc. company itself. My friend and I paid for the cheapest Grand Canyon West Rim bus tour so we could go on the Skywalk. The tour company&apos;s Skywalk Adventure was $40 extra, and the day of they told us our package didn&apos;t allow the Skywalk as an add-on on our package. We arrived at the West Rim and were able to purchase tickets at the Skywalk itself for $27 each.

All in all, these types of tours bundle convenience at a decent price at a bit of a sacrifice for time and bargains. Good luck and have fun.
posted by lychee at 4:05 PM on September 10


With bus tours in general, some people like them and some people don&apos;t. You won&apos;t get much time at each attraction. For example look at this:
Day 6 Kanab - Grand Canyon - Zion National Park - Las Vegas:
For me that seems like a lot for one day. Each of these parks easily warrants a multi-day trip on its own.
Bus tours aren&apos;t totally evil. They&apos;re good to see a lot of places quickly, so you can come back to the ones you like. You can&apos;t stay longer at the places you like, but you don&apos;t stay long in the places you hate. So, ok.

They are best if you go with people you know you travel well with, because they&apos;re no fun at all if you don&apos;t like the group. And one irritating person can make your vacation suck.

A good bus tour has multi-day stays, because they&apos;re a lot more hectic if you have to pack every morning, and drive to somewhere every night. The optional activities are where they make their money... if you ever see &quot;free afternoon at the Grand Canyon to see the sights&quot;, that&apos;s code for &quot;$50 donkey rides&quot;. And everyone on the tour does them, because of peer/tour guide pressure and &quot;I&apos;ll only be here once&quot; syndrome. You can easily spend 50% on top of the tour price on extras.

Anyways, another option is something like Trek America. They are more of a camping trek outfit, but they do have hotel tours. For instance. It&apos;s a slower schedule. And it&apos;s only a 13 person van, instead of a 50 person bus, which means you don&apos;t overwhelm every place you visit. And smaller groups can stay in better hotels. (The camping tours are awesome too, but that&apos;s a different sort of thing.)</description>
         <link>http://www.topgrandcanyontours.com/blog/2007/10/bus_tours_to_the_grand_canyon.html</link>
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                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">Bus Tours</category>
        
        
         <pubDate>Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:10:58 +0000</pubDate>
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         <title>Arizona Grand Canyon Tours</title>
         <description><![CDATA[Explore Arizona Tours has several different Colorado river rafting tours available. If white water rafting is your thing, there are lots of tours available for you. Myself, though, I would prefer a more gentle trip down the river, winding through the Gore Range and mountain ranch land, and visiting historical cabins. Of course, eating lunch on the banks of the Colorado River would be a major bonus for me.

If you don't care for river rafting, you might want to experience the jeep tours, bus tours, atv tours, or even the Grand Canyon helicopter tours that reveal sides of earths largest canyon never seen by other methods. I know all of these would be on my itinerary.

If Arizona is on your travel agenda, be sure to visit Explore Arizona Tours where you can book your tours online before you even arrive.
<a href="http://iwasborn2cree8.blogspot.com/2007/08/explore-arizona-tours.html">
Read more...</a>]]></description>
         <link>http://www.topgrandcanyontours.com/blog/2007/08/arizona_grand_canyon_tours.html</link>
         <guid>http://www.topgrandcanyontours.com/blog/2007/08/arizona_grand_canyon_tours.html</guid>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">From Pheonix</category>
        
        
         <pubDate>Sun, 05 Aug 2007 14:27:54 +0000</pubDate>
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         <title>Grand Canyon, AZ</title>
         <description><![CDATA[ Happy Fourth of July! We searched all over the Grand Canyon to bring you the one image that we felt best represented the spirit of America on this great celebration of our Nation's Independence. Please refer to the first picture featured on this entry and note carefully the selection of socks and sandals.

James is going to share his thoughts on today's discovery that has been cited as one of the seven natural wonders of the world since he's viewing the sight with fresh eyes. Mine our clouded by memories cherished from over twenty years ago (one of my most vivid memories being the soft, bleached snout of a mule pointed downward to the canyon, and at the time I was too young to make the descent.)

Beth and I both thought that the Grand Canyon would be completely packed on the 4th of July; full of giddy Americans come to celebrate the nation's independence at the country's most magnificant landmark. While it was busy it wasn't as crowded as we had expected and there did seem to be a lot of non-Americans there which was a nice touch. So the lesson we learn from this is that Americans stay home and watch Joey Chestnut beat defending champ Kobayashi in the Nathan's hot dog eating contest and stay far away from our national parks.

<a href="http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/bhendrickson/roadtrip_2007/1183613940.html">Read more...</a>]]></description>
         <link>http://www.topgrandcanyontours.com/blog/2007/07/grand_canyon_az.html</link>
         <guid>http://www.topgrandcanyontours.com/blog/2007/07/grand_canyon_az.html</guid>
        
        
         <pubDate>Thu, 12 Jul 2007 19:29:15 +0000</pubDate>
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         <title>Morning at the Grand Canyon</title>
         <description><![CDATA[Yesterday was pretty spectacular. We took Phoebe off to get a tire here in Williams, early in the morning, and got a call from everyone while we were there to say that we had to catch the earlier train to the Grand Canyon rather than the one we had reserved. So we left the car at the tire place, with the tire guy (named PeeWee) and took off.

The train ride from Williams to the Grand Canyon Village is about an hour and a half, and they have entertainment on the train; guys walk around singing western tunes. You can pick an 1920's era passenger car to ride up to the canyon in, or a later, air-conditioned one; we chose the air-conditioning because it was threatening to be a record heat day. We got a bus tour at the top of the canyon that included lunch, so they fed us a buffet and drove us to a couple of different points at the south rim of the canyon to take pictures.

The Grand Canyon is definitely one of the most spectacular, awe-inspiring things I've ever seen. The size of it is mind-boggling and almost impossible to take in. I tried to do some shots from west to east and took 10 shots that I'll try to stitch together into a single picture later. And that's just of the rim; I did the same thing from the horizon down into the canyon and took six photos from the skyine down to the canyon bottom.

We took pictures from Hopi Point and Mohavi Point. The bus driver couldn't get into the Bright Angel point to stop, unfortunately. Bright Angel is where people take the mule rides down into the canyon, and would have been pretty interesting, because at that point you can watch people on the mule tours. So he took us back to the village and we visited the El Tovar hotel, which is a 5-star hotel on the south rim. We took more photos from there, and visited the gift shop.

I'm really terrified of heights, and visiting the Canyon did nothing to change that; amazing to view, but if you aren't careful, very dangerous. A couple people here and there seemed pretty unconcerned about their kids, which made me nervous, because this isn't Disneyland. A few months back, I heard an NPR program interviewing Michael G, the author of a book called "Over the Edge: Deaths at the Grand Canyon" that scared the heck out if me; the book he wrote was in all the gift shops so I got a copy. Between 4 and 5 million people visit the Grand Canyon every year, and they average about 350 rescue missions each year - 80 percent of those are for people hiking down into the canyon, and the other 20 percent are people falling from the top. Some years no one dies, other times it can be 8 to 10 people a year. After reading some of the book on the train home, I was more afraid after leaving.

<a href="http://www.commonplacebook.com/journal/route_66_tour_d_1.shtm">Read on...</a>]]></description>
         <link>http://www.topgrandcanyontours.com/blog/2007/07/morning_at_the_grand_canyon.html</link>
         <guid>http://www.topgrandcanyontours.com/blog/2007/07/morning_at_the_grand_canyon.html</guid>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">Bus Tours</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">From Las Vegas</category>
        
        
         <pubDate>Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:56:06 +0000</pubDate>
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         <title>The Grand Canyon from the UK</title>
         <description><![CDATA[I'm from the UK and will be making my first visit to Las Vegas in September. My boyfriend and I want to take a trip to the Grand Canyon and was wondering if it would be best to book a trip before we go or wait until we're there and book the trip then?
Can anyone recommend a company or a type of trip? (I know there are different kinds of transport etc involved).
<a href="http://www.aardvarktravel.net/chat/viewtopic.php?p=106772">All comments appreciated...</a>
]]></description>
         <link>http://www.topgrandcanyontours.com/blog/2007/06/the_grand_canyon_from_the_uk.html</link>
         <guid>http://www.topgrandcanyontours.com/blog/2007/06/the_grand_canyon_from_the_uk.html</guid>
        
        
         <pubDate>Tue, 19 Jun 2007 20:52:50 +0000</pubDate>
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