Sedona is a town that attracts adventurers, spiritual seekers, artists, and lovers. It’s a high desert destination of extraordinary natural beauty with surreal red rock formations and powerful vortex energy. There are lots of activities in Sedona, but there’s no better place to stay to experience them all than Ambiente, A Landscape Hotel. This retreat for adults is designed for relaxation, a place to renew your senses and reconnect with nature, yourself, and each other.

In this guide, we spotlight five of the most exciting Sedona AZ activities, elevating each one with an experience at Ambiente to show you what a perfect Sedona getaway can look like.

Spectacular Hiking + Dinner at Restaurant Forty1

In Sedona, a hike isn’t just a form of exercise – it’s an emotional and sensory experience amidst red sandstone spires, silent canyons, and deep forests replete with wildlife and plants unique to the high desert. With more than 200 miles of trails, you’re sure to find something to match or challenge your skill level. 

Scramble up Cathedral Rock for a rigorous hike and a rewarding view, or climb to Devil’s Bridge, the natural sandstone arch suspended in the sky for a photo opp.  For something moderately challenging, hike the beautiful Adobe Jack Trail through a juniper forest with a shallow creek and red rock views. The trailhead lies adjacent to Ambiente, making it the ideal choice for guests.  Adobe Jack also connects with several other trails, allowing you to customize your walking itinerary.

After a day of hiking, indulge in a sunset toast and celebratory meal at Ambiente’s signature restaurant Forty1. Choose a Copper State filet mignon with bearnaise sauce, or the fish of the day with Mexican adobo marinade and enchanted black rice. The artfully-plated, seasonal cuisine highlights organic products from the surrounding Verde Valley, complemented with a fine wine list.

Off-Road Jeep Tour + Velvet Spa

One of the  top activities in Sedona is an off-road Jeep tour. Climb over red rocks in an open-air Jeep driven by a local guide for a thrilling adventure through rugged desert terrain. It’s a fun way to see the backcountry and learn about Sedona’s multi-layered geology. The Ambiente Soldiers Pass, exclusive to hotel guests, is a 2.5-hour excursion with Sedona Jeep Tours to three iconic sites: Soldiers Pass, Seven Sacred Pools, and Devil’s Kitchen Sinkhole. Raise the bar by adding on a helicopter flight by Apex Air Tours and soar through the red rock canyons.

Come back down to earth with a grounding O2 Soaking Bath treatment at Ambiente’s Velvet Spa. Submerge your body in a Japanese-style warm bath filled with oxygen-infused water that nourishes skin and relaxes the body. Follow with a classic Swedish or deep tissue massage that will set you up for a good night’s sleep.

Vortex Visit + Energetic Experience

Sedona is known as a place of spiritual enlightenment, largely due to its vortex energy that attracts healers and practitioners. The entire city is considered to be a vortex, a swirling center of energy that emanates from the red rocks and produces a range of healing effects. Within Sedona there are specific vortex sites where the energy is thought to be especially strong, including Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Boynton Canyon. Each radiates its own particular energy.  Airport Mesa is just across the road from Ambiente and is said to have a masculine energy associated with feelings of creative inspiration, strength, and determination. Hike to the top of the vortex (just follow the signs) for quiet contemplation and reflection. This site is especially gorgeous just before sunset when the golden light makes the red rocks glow.

Continue the energy work at Ambiente with a Celestial Chakra treatment at Velvet Spa, designed to align the body’s energy pathways for a deeply transformative experience.  A 30-minute massage is followed by a series of sound bowls, aromatherapy, crystals and gentle energy work to realign and bring balance to your seven chakras.

Verde Valley Horseback Ride + Wine Tasting

Arizona’s wine culture has matured over the years, and the Verde Valley is its third and newest American Viticultural Area (AVA). With steep slopes, high elevation, and the flowing Verde River running through it, this AVA is a prime region for growing more than 40 varieties of grapes. A  myriad of wineries, tasting rooms and restaurants offer a taste of the local terroir in a glass paired with local cuisine. You can taste some delicious wines at Caduceus Cellars & Merkin Vineyards, Javelina Leap, Page Springs and others, and also purchase a bottle to bring home.

For an immersive journey into the Verde Valley, Ambiente’s Saddle & Sip experience gives you a taste of the landscape through the grape. Enjoy a leisurely, guided horseback ride through rolling hills and scenic trails of the Verde Valley, followed by brunch and a curated wine tasting of local wines at selected vineyards.

Dark Skies + Private Rooftop Stargazing

The stars shine more brightly in Sedona, an International Dark Sky Community since 2014. Artificial light pollution is kept to a minimum, allowing the planets and stars to take center stage.  With a 4500-foot high elevation and thinner air, Sedona’s night sky is exceptionally clear most of the year. Look up and you’ll be amazed at what you can see – not just shooting stars but distant galaxies, planets, and the Milky Way.

Reserve Ambiente’s private rooftop stargazing experience on your guest atrium’s rooftop. Universal Access Tours provides a professional astronomer to guide you on a tour of the stars, clusters, and nebulae using an array of custom telescopes specially selected for Ambiente’s private rooftops. Lounge on the daybed, order something to sip and savor from Restaurant Forty1, and marvel at the universe.

No matter which Sedona adventures you choose—spectacular hiking, a thrilling off-road Jeep tour, vortex vibes, exploring the Verde Valley or the dazzling night sky—let Ambiente double your pleasure with a luxurious activity to complement your next stay.