5 days in Sedona Itinerary
Magnetism & Divine time is how I would sum up my time in Sedona.
Beneath the endless beauty beats a healing heart. Sedona has long been regarded as a place both sacred and powerful. People travel from all across the globe to experience the mysterious cosmic forces that are said to emanate from the red rocks. Sedona calls out to people for various reasons. I learned very quickly upon arrival that the energy felt different because of the vortexes. What is a vortex? It is a swirling centre of energy that is conducive to healing, meditation and self-exploration. Many people feel inspired, recharged or uplifted after visiting a vortex.
Attracting artists, spiritual healers, and outdoor enthusiasts. I learned from a local that people either love it or hate it due to the energetic frequency. The best thing to do when visiting is show up with an open mind, open heart, and see what happens!
Day 1
I flew into Phoenix airport, so renting a car is required to drive to Sedona. It's about a 2 hour drive. My friends that I met up with used an app called Turo if you chose this, it allows you to skip the rental counter and rent a car from a trusted, local host instead.
Before hitting the road I grabbed a bite to eat at a restaurant called Flower Child, its menu features natural, organic, locally sourced ingredients. There are 3 locations, I choose the one closest to the airport.
Our airbnb, which was a house, was located in West Sedona. This is the perfect area to stay, as it's close to everything! I did a grocery shop as I made some breakfasts & dinners at the airbnb, plus snacks for when out hiking.
That evening we went on a UFO & Stargazing tour. It was given to my friend and I can say it was a great way to acclimate. Our guide Shay was very entertaining, as well as informative about the land, and the magic of Sedona. I definitely recommend it! 1 hour 45 minute tour provided with the newest & upgraded, 3rd-generation military night vision goggles. You can book here
Day 2
Most popular hikes require you to get there early, because there is limited parking and the trails get busy. Since I was 2 hours behind the time difference it wasn’t too bad, I would be on the trail anywhere from 7am to 8am. I recommend visiting the Red Rock Pass Program as some of the hikes require parking passes. You can also buy it when you park.
Boynton Canyon: Rating: Easy Hike Time: 2-2.5 hours
The Boynton Canyon Vortex is a site of balanced energy. When I looked up what that actually meant the definition is something along the lines of a balance between masculine and feminine energy. It makes sense to me because the hike brought out my masculine & feminine nature. My friend and I hiked to what's called the Subway Caves.
Finding the Subway Cave can be a little challenging as the trail is not officially marked. However there is a Juniper Tree and we had noticed someone had marked two arrows on the ground to help guide new people. You can also ask the people passing you by on their way out.
There are two ways to access the Subway Cave scaling, or an easier path just to the left. Once you arrive you can decide. We ended up scaling which is where we felt our primal masculine energy kick in, and as we left we saw 4 beautiful deer representing the divine feminine.
Boynton Canyon to Subway Cave Stats Distance: 5.3 miles round trip
After a very beautiful but energy output and input hike. We stopped to eat at a place that became my staple and went to a place to eat Local Juicery, organic juices & health food are served with coffee & tea, plus a to-go area. I would grab smoothies from here daily. If it was not for Breakfast it was for lunch, or a pick me up. Also close to Boynton canyon.
In the Afternoon I decided to go for a lovely horseback riding with Wild Western Horseback Adventures This was another one of my favourites. To ride horses through the water to connect to the land, and to slow down.
Day 3
Hike Devil's Bridge: Rating Moderate Time: 2.5-3 hours
HIGHLY recommend doing the Devil’s bridge hike for sunrise because it will be extremely crowded. The parking area is limited and if you show up in the middle of the day on a weekend, it is very likely you will not find a parking spot. The picture below is the famous spot where people line up to have their picture taken. I did this one early so there were only 4 people ahead of me.
Next I had lunch at Chocolate Tree a funky oasis for seasonal vegetarian American fare & sweet treats, free of gluten & processed sugar. They have a beautiful seating area in the backyard. Then we were off to our 2nd hike of the day…
Cathedral Rock Rating: Difficulty Steep Length 1.4miles
At the time when we went the entrance to go up was closed off, but you could still walk around the base and honestly it was perfect. As my friend meditated, I walked and explored. This vortex is known for meditation and self-reflection. It's a place where you might feel a sense of inner peace and emotional balance.
Another close by site to visit that isn’t a hike is The Chapel of the Holy Cross. This is one of the strongest and most easily felt vortexes in all of Sedona. The feeling within the walls of the chapel is one of inspiration and joy. The energy of this vortex site also includes love, harmony, unity and oneness.
Day 4
Birthing Cave: Rating: Easy Length: 2o/30mins
It’s a hike that shouldn’t be missed, since it's short and easy, and close to so many popular hikes. The birthing cave is a site of sacred cultural significance to tap into a sense of spiritual rebirth and embrace your inner sexual energy. It has a strong resemblance to a woman's womb. But if you also look up at it from the canyon floor, you’ll be able to notice anatomic similarities to the female reproductive system.
Grabbed & Go Lunch at Local Juicery,
Headed to Shaman's Cave, also known as Robbers Roost Trail.
It's best to Rent a ATV because your car won't go as far and might get damaged by the stones and rocks to get there. Rent for 3 hours, to give you time to make it to Shaman’s Cave and back. There is a ATV place that specializes in getting there with a tablet, this was very helpful.
The “hike,” which is more of a walk, to Shaman’s Cave is very easy. Reaching Shaman’s Cave is only 0.6 miles roundtrip, but it’s unmarked, we used the tablet to help us get to the point where you might think, is this it!? Because you have to scale the rock around to reach it. This was honestly my favourite place in Sedona!
Shaman’s Cave is where Native Americans who were chiefs or high priests practiced spiritual rituals. These people would stay here for several days, fasting and receiving insight from the spirits of nature as to whether or not they were qualified to lead their tribe. When the tribe faced difficult times, they would come to this place and burn plants and sing and dance as they sought answers from the one and only–Mother Nature. Because of all the energy present in Shaman’s Cave it is considered a vortex.
Day 5
Bell Rock Trailhead Rating: Moderate/Elevated Time: 45mins
I did this one on my own & it involved scaling to get up, so I went as far as I felt comfortable just because hiking alone made me more cautious. The vortex energy at Bell Rock enhances spirit within and helps you increase new perspectives, and be more aware of self and others balancing mind, body, and soul.
Shop & browse the Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village.
Airport Mesa Sunset Rating: Easy Time: 5 to 10 minutes
Sedona’s Airport Mesa Vortex offers stunning views of both “sides” of Sedona and is super easy to reach. To watch the actual sunset from Airport Mesa, you actually have to go to the west side of the airport. Watching sunset from Air Terminal Dr, you likely won’t see a single other soul there.
Dinner at Elote Cafe, you have to book this place a month in advance.
You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to hiking in general in Sedona, but particularly for sunrise and sunset hikes…because the red rocks rise and surround the city.
Other hikes that I wasn’t able to make it to
Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park
Sugarloaf