Houston travelers
Craig & Kim
Rozlyn & Michael
Rozlyn & Michael
At a glance
Trip overview
Long Beach travelers
Mason & Kat
Trip rhythm
Vegas → Dam → Canyon
Flights
Outbound United UA1799: IAH 9:47 AM CDT → LAS 11:06 AM PDT, Saturday.
Return United UA1496: LAS 6:55 PM PDT → IAH 11:58 PM CDT, Monday.
Rental vehicle
Lincoln Navigator
Vegas hotel
Hilton Grand Vacations Club
Grand Canyon hotel
The Grand Hotel
Time zonesLas Vegas and the Grand Canyon will be on the same clock during this trip. Houston is two hours ahead.
Saturday, October 24
Arrival, Hoover Dam & Las Vegas
The tightest day of the weekend; timing assumes the recommended 2:30 PM tour.
9:47
Houston group departs IAH
United UA1799. Arrive at LAS at 11:06 AM local time.
11:06
Arrive in Las Vegas
Collect bags and transfer to the consolidated rental-car center.
12:15
12:45
Drive to Hilton
Leave all Houston-group luggage with the confirmed bell desk. Keeping luggage concealed in the Navigator is the fallback only.
1:15
Group separates
Rozlyn and Michael handle their own transportation to and from the Strip. Craig and Kim depart for Hoover Dam.
1:30
Mason and Kat arrive at Hoover Dam
Target arrival window: 1:30-2:00 PM after driving from Long Beach.
2:00
2:30
Guided Power Plant Tour
Four tickets at approximately $25 per person. Purchase when the October date opens.
3:15
Observation deck and photos
Keep this stop brief enough to protect the hotel and dinner schedule.
3:40
Depart Hoover Dam
Craig, Kim, Mason and Kat return to Las Vegas.
4:30
Meet at Hilton and check in
Expected arrival is 4:30-4:45 PM rather than exactly 4:00 PM. Collect luggage from the bell desk.
6:30
Group dinner
Choose a restaurant convenient to the Hilton. Reservation remains to be selected.
Evening
Optional show
Rozlyn and Michael may attend a show. The rest of the group returns to the hotel.
Saturday guardrailDo not book a Hoover Dam tour earlier than 2:30 PM. Flight, baggage, rental-car and Strip traffic leave too little dependable margin.
Sunday, October 25
Las Vegas to the South Rim
A scenic transit day with the first canyon views and sunset.
7:00
Breakfast and checkout
Load the Navigator and Polestar. Hilton checkout is Sunday morning.
8:00
Depart Las Vegas
Craig, Kim, Rozlyn and Michael in the Navigator; Mason and Kat in the Polestar.
9:30
Short Kingman stop
Restrooms and a brief stretch. Charging choices are managed by Mason.
11:15
Lunch in Williams
Allow approximately one hour before continuing north to Tusayan and the park.
1:15
Arrive at Grand Canyon South Rim
Park at the Visitor Center area and begin with the classic first view.
1:30
2:15
Rim Trail to Yavapai Point
Easy, mostly level walking with continuous views. Continue only as far as the group is comfortable.
3:00
Yavapai Geology Museum
Broad panorama and a useful explanation of the canyon's geology.
3:35
Drive to The Grand Hotel
Check-in begins after 4:00 PM. Leave time to settle in before returning for sunset.
4:30
Return to Yavapai or Mather Point
Arrive well before sunset. Bring warm layers; late-October temperatures can fall quickly.
5:40
Sunset over the canyon
Approximate sunset time. Yavapai Point is recommended for straightforward access and return.
7:00
Group dinner at Canyon Star Steakhouse
At The Grand Hotel. Reservation reminder is scheduled for July 27.
Walking planThis itinerary stays on the rim. It does not include a below-rim hike, which would consume too much time and add unnecessary risk before Monday's long return.
Monday, October 26
Sunrise, Final Views & Home
A controlled morning at the canyon followed by the return to Las Vegas and Long Beach.
5:45
Depart hotel for sunrise
Drive to Mather Point or Yavapai Point. Dress for cold and wind.
6:45
Sunrise over the canyon
Approximate time. Arrive at least 30 minutes early for parking and changing light.
7:15
Return to hotel
Breakfast and final packing.
8:15
Optional final canyon visit
One short stop near Mather or Yavapai Point only. Avoid Hermit Road or a below-rim walk.
9:45
Return, load and check out
The Grand Hotel checkout deadline is 11:00 AM.
10:00
Depart Tusayan
Navigator heads to Las Vegas; Polestar heads toward Long Beach. Protect this departure time.
12:45
Kingman lunch stop
Short meal and rest stop. Mason manages charging independently.
3:15
Houston group reaches Las Vegas
Refuel as needed, return the Navigator and take the rental shuttle to the terminal.
4:00
At LAS terminal
Target terminal arrival leaves a healthy buffer for the 6:55 PM flight.
6:55
United UA1496 departs
Scheduled arrival at IAH: 11:58 PM CDT.
Monday guardrailDepart Tusayan by 10:00 AM. The morning is not suitable for a long shuttle excursion or substantial hike.
Before departure
Trip checklist
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