Events / Grand Canyon FAQs

General Questions
Is this a "family friendly" trip? 
Absolutely!  It's a great opportunity for families to experience memories that will last a lifetime.  It will also help parents (and grandparents) mentor their children (and grandchildren) as God commands us in Deuteronomy 6:4-9.  

Is there a minimum age?
The minimum age is 5 (required by the rafting company). 
We ask that children 17 or under be accompanied by a parent or guardian. If a child is joining another family as a guest, we will need a liability release signed by that child's parent or guardian. We would also suggest that the host family obtain written, notarized permission from the child's parents for travel. 

Would this trip be good for inviting unsaved friends and family members? 
Definitely!  It will be a very welcoming, gracious environment where the sincere skeptic would be graciously challenged regarding their worldview.  It is not meant to be a debate environment, because that is not the intent of the trip, and we want to ensure a great and comfortable experience for all who attend.  We will be discussing evidence for the flood and the validity of the Genesis creation account, but the main point will be the authority of Scripture and the Gospel message (which will be directly presented along the way).

When are the lectures given and what will be discussed? 
Information will be shared on the bus while in route; there will be several on-the-rim talks and lectures during the raft trip.  There will also be time for Q&A.  We will primarily be revealing the authority of God’s Word through the Genesis flood and Grand Canyon.  We will also discuss the creation vs. evolution debate and answer questions on Christianity and the Bible in general.

What is the weather going to be like?
This can vary widely.  Generally, temperatures range from 40 to 55 degrees at night; then from 80 to 89 during the day, and we’ve experienced both snow and rain showers. 
How should I pack?
​Please bring your regular overnight suitcase for the hotel and a separate daypack/backpack for daytime touring. Your larger luggage will be unavailable during the day as it will be stored in the bus's cargo bay. There is plenty of room on the bus for your daypack/backpack. 

What should I wear?
Our tours tours are casual. The weather conditions can sometimes be iffy, so bring layers of clothing. You can check out the current Weather Conditions at this link. An overview of what you might expect during the time you are on the tour is available at this link. 

One interesting thing to note is that the temperatures on the rim are cooler than those on the river. What else do I need?
​
Bring your personal toiletries. We also suggest sunscreen and lip balm. You may also want to bring sunglasses and/or a sun hat. Some folks even bring an umbrella to provide some shade. Because the weather is unpredictable, you may also want to bring a cheap poncho for any of those sudden rain showers. 

Comfortable walking shoes for touring and clothing/shoes for the raft portion of the tour. 

Both of the hotel locations have pools. If you would like to take advantage of this amenity, you may want to bring a swimsuit.

A water bottle or Camelback you can fill up at the hotel before you board the bus is a nice thing to have.  Usually, there are water bottle filling stations at designated points where you can refill the bottle as we are on the rim, and the water is very good. However, the COVID Regulations may make these filling stations unavailable. We will also provide water bottles during the tour. 

A camera to take lots of pictures. If you want to take your camera on the raft portion of the tour, we recommend a waterproof container or bag. ​
​Lodging . . .
​Hotel questions
Are all hotel nights included in the price of the tour?
Yes! The tour includes 3-nights of lodging at the following locations:

1-Night (Thu)
Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Airport
3333 University Dr 
Phoenix, AZ 85034
(602) 437-8400

2-Nights (Fri & Sat)
Country Inn & Suites
888 Haul Rd
Page, AZ 86040
(928) 484-1117

What rate do three adults sharing a room pay?
2 or more adults sharing a room (i.e., parents and an adult son or daughter each pay $995).​

​I am a single parent.  Can my children stay with me at the kid's rate? 
Yes!
How many kids can stay in one room? 
Usually, two kids are fine. Please call us directly to discuss this should you have a family of five or more.
(262) 422-1918
 
How much is the price for a single traveler staying in their own room? 
The price for a single adult traveler is $1095 

What time is check-in?
Check in at the Drury Inn & Suites in Phoenix is at 3:00 PM. An earlier check-in on the day the tour begins is available for a $30.00 fee, subject to availability. 

If I drive to the starting point in my RV do I need to pay for the hotels on the first and last night? 
Not if you let us know in time for us to cancel your hotel rooms. A nightly fee may apply for parking your RV in the hotel parking lot on the nights you are not staying at the hotel. 

If I drive to the starting point, can I leave my car at the hotel? 
Yes! However, a nightly fee may apply for each night we are not lodging at the hotel. 
Food Questions
Are the meals included in the price of the tour? 
Yes. An optional Kickback supper on the first night at the Drury Inn is included in the tour. Breakfast, lunch and dinner on the 2nd and 3rd day and breakfast and lunch on the last day are also included. 3-suppers; 3-breakfasts; 3-lunches

What restaurants will we eat at? 
Breakfasts are at the hotels. Lunches will be eaten picnic style in route. We use a variety of vendors for our lunches such as Panera and Subway. Suppers include a visit to the Historic Cameron Trading Post. Supper our 3rd night in Page, AZ is to be determined. 
Are meals gluten free? 
Typically, there will be a gluten free option. Please let us well ahead of time, and we will try to accommodate. 
 
Are meals peanut free? 
We cannot guarantee that everything will be peanut free.
 
Are there vegan or vegetarian food options? 
Typically, there are such options. Please let us know well ahead of time, and we will try to accommodate.
Sightseeing . . .
Physical Requirements
How physically challenging is this trip?  Do I need to be a triathlete to go? 
This is a very user-friendly tour.  Most places require a walk of less than half a mile on fairly level ground. You should be able to walk a distance of a half mile at 7,500 feet elevation and step into a raft. 

What about Lower Antelope Canyon?
The tour of Lower Antelope Canyon is optional. While there is no discount for not joining us on this part of the tour, there are some additional physical requirements. On this guided hike, there are stairs ranging from 3 ft to 25 ft in length, with handrails for stairs over 8 ft. Due to the nature of the canyon terrain, the guided walking tour requires guests to be able to move and climb moderately steep ladders with minimal assistance​. 

What if I don't want to participate in the tour of Lower Antelope Canyon?
If you choose not to participate in the tour of Lower Antelope Canyon, you may remain at the hotel to enjoy the amenities offered. 
Can I stay on the bus if I am not physically capable of participating in a portion of the tour? 
Unfortunately, no. Federal regulations do not allow the driver to leave the bus with unattended passengers on board.

​What if I am afraid of heights?
Not to worry… you never have to get that close to the edge of the canyon and there are guard rails.  In addition, if you think about it, the canyon isn't actually high... it's just very, very deep!
 
What if I am afraid of widths?
Sorry, can’t help you with that!

*Please consult your physician should you have any questions regarding your physical capabilities to participate on this trip.
Raft Trip . . . 
Raft questions
Is this considered a whitewater trip?
No. This is a family-friendly float in motorized rafts (more like being on a pontoon boat) that will hold up to 24 people each.

​Do I need to wear a life vest?
Children 12 and under are required to wear a life vest. Vests are both optional and available for everyone else.
​
​Will my camera get wet? 
Your camera should be fairly safe, but this is outdoors and around water! We suggest you have a waterproof container or bag for it as you may get wet while the raft is motoring along.
Will I get wet?
The rafting company has recently made modifications to how they route their tours. As a result, there will be a time, mainly on the first portion of the river, where the raft will go a bit faster than normal. This causes more than normal mist or splash, mostly for those sitting towards the front. We highly recommend bringing a simple, lightweight rain poncho or windbreaker. Even though it will be very warm for most of the rafting trip, it can actually be a bit too cool if you get wet. A long sleeve shirt can help and would also serve as additional sun protection for the entire time on the river. ​
Bus . . .
Transportation Questions
Arrival

How do I get to Phoenix?
You are responsible for your own transportation to and from Phoenix (the starting & ending point of the tour).

What time should I arrive?
Please plan to arrive at the hotel any time after 3:00 PM. An earlier check-in may be available at the hotel's discretion for an additional fee of $35.00. The tour officially begins with an orientation meeting at 7:00 PM.

Departure

When is the trip over?
The tour is over at approximately 2:00 PM on the final day.  Upon our return to Phoenix, the bus will drop everyone off at the airport. From there, tour participants may depart on their scheduled flights or return to the Drury Inn via the airport shuttle to pick up their vehicles or to extend their stay. 

Airport/Airline

If flying, please fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). 

How do I get to the hotel?
Airport transfers are provided at no cost. No shuttle service is available from Mesa/Gateway International 

​How do I request the airport transfer?
​After you have picked up your luggage, please call Drury Inn Phoenix Airport Location P: 602-437-8400 and request the airport transfer. 
​Let them know you are with The Starting Point Project Grand Canyon Tour and which terminal you are located at. They will send the shuttle to pick you up and let you know where to meet it. 

Bus
​
Can we follow the bus in our car?
Sorry, but no. You would miss too much valuable information while in route.

​Is there a bathroom on the bus?
Yes. We will also be stopping at locations where you can get off the bus and use the facilities. 

What equipment does the bus have? 
There will be a DVD and microphone system on the luxury coach.

​Car 

What should I do if I am driving to Phoenix?
Please plan to arrive at the hotel any time after 3:00 PM to check-in. An earlier check-in may be available at the hotel's discretion for an additional fee of $35.00. A laid back, casual supper is available at the hotel beginning at 5:30 PM. The tour officially begins at 7:00 PM with an orientation meeting. 
More Questions???
Email: [email protected]