This group trip exceeded expectation—from booking to completion of the tour.
First, the logistics were handled nicely—from booking online, to confirmation email containing lots of important details, to a phone call to follow-up, to actual tour execution.
The group size of about ten people is perfect for this type of all-day outing (about 7 a.m. to 5-ish p.m.), and we were fortunate enough to have a pretty group dynamic. Our guide Al Bubala really knows his stuff—from the history of the region—the good, the bad, and the ugly of our history with Native Americans—to the geology of the region, particularly of the Grand Canyon, sprinkled with tons of interesting tidbits—the kind that make for interesting cocktail hour or dinner conversation.
The pace was leisurely and unhurried, and I thought there was adequate time for the shopping stops. The driving time, while considerable, was quite enjoyable, both because the van is comfortable, it allows for a good, scenic view, and Al's story-telling and anecdotes were interesting and engaging—and he has a dry wit that I enjoyed. The Arizona topography is simply stunning.
Some might not like inclement weather, but we thought monsoon season (we went in late July) made for an excellent experience even with the risk of getting soaked. It was mostly cloudy with afternoon thunderstorms, but we lucked out and had no real rain during any of our stops for the Wupatki ruins, lunch, shopping, or the Grand Canyon—though we had plenty of rain while driving—which was actually quite nice. The cloud cover made for what I thought were more interesting photos with the diffused light.
The tour allows for plenty of "low-impact" time while driving or shopping (three stops to allow for all the shopping you need), and the included lunch was quite satisfactory; the Navajo Taco was an interesting diversion from what we normally think of tacos. This is not a tour that includes much in the way of real hiking, though I would wear sturdy shoes with soles made for the terrain since you will be at the canyon's edge, and be prepared for heat and sun, i.e., have a good hat and sunscreen for the elevation of about 8,000 feet.
While I thought the price tag was a bit steep when I booked it, it turned out to be totally worth it, and I wouldn't hesitate to take another tour with this company and, particularly, with Al Bubala.