With its ever-changing and dramatic scenery of enormous proportions, the Grand Canyon is one of the world’s most spectacular landscapes. Beyond its scenic overlooks, this mile-deep geologic wonder features hikes, mule rides and rafting.
How to get there:
Grand Canyon National Park is split into two sections: The South Rim and the North Rim, located more than four hours apart by car. Most visitors to the Grand Canyon fly into Las Vegas or Phoenix. There’s also a small airport in Flagstaff, just an hour from the South Rim, and some North Rim travellers fly into Salt Lake City. No matter where you land, you’ll need to rent a car, as public transit is extremely limited in this part of the U.S.
What to do:
Even the most sceptical of travellers becomes awestruck at the sight of the Grand Canyon’s massive expanse of gorges, ridges and rock formations. One can explore the canyon in numerous ways such as by hiking, by riding a mule on popular trails like the Bright Angel and South Kaibab trails, by riding a train, by floating through it by the way of raft, by desert jeep, or by taking a helicopter tour for a unique and spectacular vantage of this vast, deep natural wonder.
Where to stay:
El Tovar, Grand Canyon’s Premier Lodge, is located directly on the rim of the Grand Canyon. El Tovar has 78 rooms, many of which are suites. Due to the historic nature of the hotel, no two rooms are alike, giving the hotel distinctive charm. In the past, the hotel has hosted such luminaries as Theodore Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, Bill Clinton, Sir Paul McCartney, Oprah Winfrey, and countless others.
