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Grand Canyon Hiking Adventure - 5 Days

Join us in camping beneath the stars, and exploring this iconic National Park

Grand Canyon Hiking Adventure - 5 Days

Join us in camping beneath the stars, and exploring this iconic National Park

Join us for a 5 day hiking trip in Grand Canyon National Park, camping beneath the Arizona stars on the North and South Rim of this incredible canyon.

Our hiking trip in Grand Canyon National Park  is perfect for those that would like to see the highlights of this world famous landmark. Not having to worry about meals, trails, gear or getting lost, we will make sure you can focus 100% on enjoying your visit. By experiencing and camping on both rims of the canyon, we gain a unique perspective and understanding of the canyon that most don’t experience.

Like many of our multi day trips, this adventure is perfect for active families, couples, groups of friends or single travelers. This guided adventure of Grand Canyon National Park provides access to iconic and hard-to-reach wilderness areas, high adventure, while all logistics, planning, and camping and hiking equipment is either provided or available for rent. With the complex details taken care of, you can relax and enjoy your vacation.

Trip Start: Meets in Scottsdale, AZ at 7am on day 1.

Trip End: Finishes in Scottsdale, AZ between 5-7pm on day 5.

Departures: May - October

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Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Drive to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon

Distance: 3-6 km (2-4 mi)

7:00am - We will start our first day by shuttling from the Phoenix/Scottsdale area to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. For lunch with a view, we will stop at Mather Point, and iconic location indeed! After lunch, our first hike will be an easy stroll on the Rim Trail. Take in some incredible views of the canyon, and make any adjustments to your hiking gear for the days to come, and after our hike we will visit the geology museum, continuing on to Grand Canyon Village. After exploring the village a bit, we will head to Mather Campground to set up our temporary, yet comfortable home! Tonight, enjoy a hearty meal prepared by your guide.


Meals-Breakfast on own, lunch and dinner included

Lodging-Mather Campground in Grand Canyon National Park

Day 2: The Grand Descsent

Distance: 6-10 Miles

Day 2 - will see us enjoying an early breakfast, and getting an early start on the iconic Bright Angel Trail. Starting off in the shade, and headed downhill, the Bright Angel Trail makes for a comfortable and easy to moderate hike for most. Seasonal water availability also makes this an idea trail in the canyon. Depending on the pace of the group, we may make it down to Indian gardens, which sits at 4.6 miles, and 3,040 ft from our starting point! That said, there are many options to turn back before then, a unique aspect of Grand Canyon hiking. Indian Gardens is a fantastic lunch spot, and a great spot to begin our ascent back to camp. The feeling of accomplishment on your return to the canyon rim is extraordinary, leading to another incredible camp meal prepared by your guide.

Meals- All Meals Included

Lodging-Mather Campground in Grand Canyon National Park


Day 3: Hike Grandview Trail, Drive to North Rim

Distance: 5-8 km (3-5 mi)

Today we rise with the Arizona sun once again, watching as the canyon becomes illuminated  with a warm glow in the early hours. We will breakdown camp, and enjoy another hearty breakfast as we do. When we are ready to move on, we will take a short transfer to Grandview Point, and shortly after begin our hike down Grandview Trail. Stunning views, and a sense of solitude await on this magnificent trail. After we have descended an impressive 1,600 feet, we will arrive at Coconino Saddle. After our return to the trailhead, we will have another short transfer to the Desert View Watchtower, where we will have yet another lunch with a view.

The Watchtower was designed by Mary Colter and is an impressive 70-foot stone structure that winds its way into the skyline. Within the tower there is a wealth of murals depicting several Hopi traditions and stories.

After lunch, we will head to Navajo Bridge near Lee’s Ferry where a close up view of the mighty Colorado River awaits. After this incredible view, we will head to our campsite on the north rim of the Park. A sunset walk to Bright Angel Point is optional tonight, and after enjoy yet another meal prepared by your guide.

Meals- All Meals Included

Lodging-North Rim Campground in Grand Canyon National Park


Day 4: North Rim Campground in Grand Canyon National Park

Distance: 8-10 km (5-6 mi)

After our breakfast, we will take a short drive to North Kaibab Trail. We will make our way to Coconino Overlook today, descending about 800 feet into the canyon. Reaching this point, we will be rewarded with views of the canyon around us, and also the San Francisco Peaks.Once we ascend to the rim once again, we will head to Cape Royal for lunch, and then have a chance to explore Angel’s Window, a stunning natural arch.

After lunch we take a forested hike out to Cape Final where we can see one of the Grand Canyon’s more iconic formations, the Vishnu Temple. Tonight, we will celebrate our trip with dinner at the North Rim Lodge.

Meals- All Meals Included

Lodging-North Rim Campground in Grand Canyon National Park



Day 5: From North Rim to Scottsdale/Phoenix

Distance: Exploratory hiking (up to 1.5 km (1 mi))

This morning we will enjoy our last breakfast on the canyon’s edge, and bid farewell to this spectacular National Park.

As we hop in the van and make our way on our lengthy drive back to the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, we still have plenty to see! Our drive will lead us to two different national monuments today.

After breakfast and breaking down camp we say goodbye to Grand Canyon and hop back into the van. Though we do have a lengthy drive ahead of us, there are still sights to see and worthy detours. Our drive will bring us to two different national monuments, Wupatki National Monument  and Sunset Crater National Monument. Along the way, we will enjoy a picnic lunch with all of the fixin’s. We will finally arrive back in the Saguaro rich Sonoran desert of the Phoenix area between 5:00 and 7:00 pm.

Meals-Breakfast and Lunch

Lodging- On your Own


Additoinal Details:

Comforts of Home

Cell service: The Grand Canyon area has very limited cell phone service, you should expect to be unreachable by phone.

Electricity: While camping at Grand Canyon, the only electricity is in the public restrooms at the campground. Bring a portable phone charger so you’re not reliant on this power source.

Camping

On this trip we camp in public National Park campgrounds that provide the best access to trails and canyon sights. We select sites with great bathroom and shower access, but we will have other travelers as neighbors and can occasionally hear the noise of cars passing by the campground.

Van Transports

This trip involves long van transports, expect to be in the van about 4-4.5 hours on the way to the South Rim and about 6-6.5 hours on the return from the Grand Canyon’s North Rim.

Hiking

This trip hikes some of Grand Canyon’s most classic trails, most of which involve downhill hiking with some exposed cliff edges. The Grandview trail on day 3 is very steep and can be quite challenging.

Trip Ratings

Fitness 3 | Comfort 3 | Solitude 3 | Guest Participation 4

Additional Trip Info

  • 4 nights camping (2 at Mather Campground and 2 at North Rim Campground)
  • Roundtrip transportation from host hotel in Scottsdale, AZ
  • Basecamp gear (kitchen equipment, hand washing station, dish washing station, camp chairs, etc.)
  • Meals starting on lunch Day 1 through lunch Day 5
  • Water and snacks
  • Professional Wilderness First Responder certified guides
Permit & Land Use Fees Include
  • Grand Canyon National Park entry and commercial fees
  • Wupatki National Monument entry and commercial fees
  • Travel Insurance - We recommend  World Nomads, or Global Rescue
  • Airfare to and from Scottsdale, AZ
  • Pre- or post-trip lodging
  • Breakfast Day 1, dinner Day 5
  • Tent (available to rent)
  • Sleeping bag (available to rent)
  • Sleeping pad (available to rent)
  • Day hiking pack (available to rent)
  • Gratuities for your guide


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