Published on Nov, 2019
This is not a cheap tour compared to the Gray Line and similar large group tours to the Grand Canyon, but it was well worth the extra money. We had a small group (our twosome and one other threesome), a large jeep and our guide John Holmes to ourselves all day. A minibus came to pick us up early at 6.15am from our hotel (several hotel stops for a total larger group of about 12, but still not many stops), and then took us to a rendezvous point where we dispersed into our smaller groups and guides. We had breakfast in the jeep (a provided bagel with cream cheese, fruit and fruit juice) as John started the long drive to the south rim of the Grand Canyon. He gave us interesting commentary on the way and we made two rest stops and had our provided lunch en route (a sandwich, bag of chips, carrots, cheese and crackers and cookies) before arriving at the Canyon. We then spent four hours at the Canyon itself and had plenty of time to take photos, walk along a trail along the edge, and visit the Kolb Brothers old studio (where the mule rides have gone from for many decades). John was a lovely presence throughout - very gentle, very informative and kind. He took the trouble to accommodate different people’s wishes as much as possible and was helpful without being intrusive, which I imagine is a difficult balance to get. He and his jeep were also a welcome source of iced bottles of water throughout the day.
The long drive back to Las Vegas was accompanied by some interesting DVDs about the Canyon, and then a film for entertainment as it got dark. We were dropped off at our hotel safe and sound at about 6.30pm.
Nothing can prepare you for the Grand Canyon, which is simply stunning, but this trip to see it was also great. Thank you, John!
