A Couple of Last Minute Questions

[DizMagic]

Counting down the days until our adults only Arizona/Utah trip in May. We are trying to finalize everything and have a couple of questions.

1. does anywhere along the route rent walking poles/sticks? I.e Grand Canyon / Arches. I really didn't want to pack them.
2. What is the longest amount of continuous walking/hiking? I think i may have read about an hour round trip??
3. i know what the standard ABD Guide gratuities are, anyone want to share what they tip the driver?

Thanks!

 

[sayhello]

3. I didn't tip the driver (it didn't occur to me). After the fact, I wished I had, because he was excellent. But the driver's tip is included. and I've been told ABD tips them well.

Sayhello

 

[lucky1]

Not aware of any places to rent walking sticks.. Purchasing yes at grand canyon, either at the gift shop in Bright Angel Lodge (I feel these more more decorative) or General Marketplace in the village (which is has more hiking gear). Maybe someplace in Sedona, not aware of the time you will have.

If you plan to go into the Canyon at all even just hour down, I find at least one stick helpful in the walk back out. Not at all necessary, but helpful. In Arches, we used the polls to help us through difficult footing, especially on the way to delicate Arch. If you plan to hike Delicate arch, I would plan for maybe at least of 2 hours plus round trip.

I would bring them, if you really don't want to, REI can ship to your hotel to be held for you.

You can also call your vacationista to see what they recommend.

 

[AquaDame]

3. I didn't tip the driver (it didn't occur to me). After the fact, I wished I had, because he was excellent. But the driver's tip is included. and I've been told ABD tips them well.

Sayhello

We just got our box yesterday and in the book it says both the drivers and bellhops are all tipped by ABD.

 

[SingingMom]

Only tipped the driver once (we've done 5 ABDs) and that was this last time back to LAX airport because DD was flying out of a different terminal and we asked that she be dropped off first so we could make sure she got inside ok. Driver hadn't realized that she had three passengers, not 2. She was very accommodating, so we gave her $10. She thanked us profusely.

 

[carpenta]

We always tip the driver. I’m a “ working stiff” and appreciate the extra recognition. We packed our collapseable walking sticks and some places glad we did. We did your trip a number of years ago and ours didn’t have any prolonged hikes. Still one of my favorites. Happy travels.

 

[DizMagic]

Carpenta - what brand are your collapsible waling sticks? looking for a nice set. but not too pricey.

 

[Rapunzellover]

Re: tipping. I only tip the adventure guides. Everyone else is supposed to be included and if Disney doesn't tip them well enough, that's not my problem. It's harsh, but I'm already spending enough money, and I pay for a package to avoid having to worry about things like tips. So, no, I never tip drivers, porters, etc, unless they do something really special for me that is normally not within their duties.

 

[Chirple]

We did not use walking sticks, and I don’t think anyone on our trip brought them. In fact, my knee was still a bit weak from having shingles on my leg, and I had no problems with any of the hiking we did.

Regarding hike lengths, you do take short breaks. Our hike into the Grand Canyon went a little further than normal because only 5 out of our 11 took the trip down and up. We had a nice break at Delicate Arch, which I did at a pretty fast pace solo.

For tips we just gave them to our guide. However, I did follow up via email with the companies that provided us services to praise their employees.

 

[carpenta]

The hiking stick is trade marked outdoor products. It is collapseable and fits in a travel suitcase. I think I bought it from LL Beans but google it and it may show you where they sell them. Really come in handy especially since they get so small and easy to transport.