Why tour with us?

Our Philosophy…

Quite simply the Southwest Tours philosophy is to be the best. The best at everything we do. We have been proving scheduled and custom tours of the Southwest successfully for close to 30 years, we are the longest continually running tour operator in the state and we are proud of that distinction. Having toured thousands of visitors to Arizona and the Southwest over the years,  Southwest has become the trusted choice for vacationers, travel agents, destination managers and the hospitality industry when booking their guests and clients. Our vast experience with a wide variety of clients and guests ensures that we provide exceptional experiences on each and every one of our tours.

Our Equipment…

Your well being and comfort are our first priority. Your safety is of the utmost importance to us. Our custom fitted 15 passenger vans are modified to accommodate 10 passengers in the most safe and comfortable way. Our equipment is expertly maintained by our on-staff team of mechanics who specialize in these particular vehicles. 

Accommodations…

 Having developed relationships with Hotel Operators and Innkeepers, and having personally visited and experienced each site prior to booking our guests, Southwest Tours includes in our excursions only those accommodations that meet or exceed our expectations of quality and service. Your comfort and rest time are just as important to us as they are to you.

Our Guides…

 They are the best in the business! We take great pride in our team and know that not only will you enjoy their company; you will also be amazed at their vast knowledge and willingness to ensure that each and every guest makes memories to last a lifetime!

Meet Our Guides…

 Jim Vaughan, Owner Southwest Custom Tours

As a 2nd generation native Arizonan, Jim’s love and knowledge of the great Southwest was his inspiration for leaving the corporate world to start a small tour company where he could do what he loved most; taking people out and showing them in a very personal way the special, out of the way places that few people know about or get to see. Sharing the facts about the state of Arizona and its rich history and historic sights in a fun and interesting way to create not just a tour but also a memory to last forever is Jim’s goal on each and every excursion.

Dan Blake, Lead Guide

Since moving to Arizona at age 5, Dan has spent the better part of his life exploring, discovering and participating in all that the Southwest has to offer. An outdoorsman with a passion for the Sonoran Desert and surrounding area is what makes a tour with Dan an amazing experience. Dan has explored every state west of the Mississippi and has and story to go along with each visit. He hikes, he camps, and he’s a sports fanatic, loves to fish and is just an all around fun guy to spend time with. His desire to ensure that each guest leave with a new love and appreciation for the Southwest is what makes Dan an exceptional guide. On each of his over one thousand visits to the Grand Canyon and having hiked it numerous times, he knows every inch from the geology to the ancient history. His passion for the Southwest, The Grand Canyon and the Grand Circle are unsurpassed.

Mike Quarelli, Guide

For three generations Mike’s family has called Arizona home and with the exception of the 8 years he spent serving our great country as a Marine and another 3 years playing semi-pro rugby in Durban, South Africa.  Arizona and the Southwest are the perfect playgrounds for a guy who loves the outdoors and if he is outdoors he’s happy! Traveling and exploring Arizona has always been a great passion of his. He camps, hikes, loves fishing and rafting in this great state every chance he gets. There is so much to see and do and he looks forward to sharing his love of Arizona with visitors who tour with him!

Rich Martin, Guide

Rich loves Arizona! A history buff with a great sense of humor and willingness to please, Rich began riding motorcycles in 1969 and in his off time explores the Southwest on two wheels. His current ride is a Honda ST1300. Rich’s enthusiasm, wealth of knowledge, vast experiences, and his historical view of the Southwest makes a tour with Rich an educational and uniquely special and exceptional experience.