Classic Hike to the River
Grand Canyon Backpacking Tour
Backpacking Gear Included
|Fresh Meals Prepared Daily
|Professional Wilderness Guides
Classic Hike to the River
Grand Canyon Backpacking Tour
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Cost:
$1497 (3 Day)
(All park & permit fees included) -
Type:
Backpacking
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Length:
3 days
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Difficulty:
Moderate
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Mileage:
17+ miles
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Elevation change:
5200 Ft.
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Season:
Year-Round
*IMPORTANT* – Due to the overwhelming popularity of the Grand Canyon, this tour should be booked no less than 5 months out to obtain permits. We accept and encourage bookings less than five months out but permit availability may be limited.
Adventure Details
This classic 3-day Grand Canyon guided backpacking tour takes you from the South Rim to the Colorado River and back, offering one of the most iconic hiking experiences in the world. Following legendary corridor trails, the route descends nearly a vertical mile through layers of ancient rock that reveal the story of Earth’s deep history.
From sweeping rim-top panoramas to the power and stillness of the Colorado River, each day delivers a new perspective on the canyon’s immense scale. Along the way, your expert guide(s) share insight into the canyon’s geology, ecology, and human history, while nights spent camping deep in the canyon offer star-filled skies and a true wilderness experience.
Designed for adventurous hikers, this trip goes far beyond the viewpoints—traveling on foot through the heart of one of the world’s greatest natural wonders and delivering an unforgettable inner-canyon journey.
Tour Highlights
- Hike from the South Rim to the Colorado River on iconic Grand Canyon trails
- Descend nearly 5,000 feet through exposed geologic layers spanning almost two billion years
- Cross historic suspension bridges over the Colorado River
- Camp overnight at Bright Angel and Havasupai Gardens Campgrounds
- Climb the famous Devil’s Corkscrew on the Bright Angel Trail
- Sunset dinner and panoramic views from Plateau Point
- Guided interpretation of Grand Canyon geology, ecology, and history
Adventure Itinerary
Day 1: Scottsdale to South Kaibab Trail & Bright Angel Camp
Distance: ~7.5 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: ~4,800 ft loss
Experience: We meet at our Scottsdale hotel partner and drive north to Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim. Our adventure begins at the South Kaibab Trailhead, where we start our descent into the heart of the Grand Canyon. The trail drops steeply toward the canyon floor, offering sweeping views across the main corridor—nearly 18 miles wide in places. Along the way, your expert guide will interpret the canyon’s exposed rock layers, revealing nearly two billion years of Earth’s history as we descend. As we hike down the South Kaibab Trail we will wind down a series of dramatic switchbacks past the Tipoff before crossing the iconic suspension bridge over the Colorado River. Once across the bridge we arrive at Bright Angel Campground, where we settle in for the evening beside the river.
Highlights: South Kaibab Trail descent, sweeping corridor views, geologic interpretation, and camping along the Colorado River.
Day 2: Bright Angel Trail, Devil’s Corkscrew & Plateau Point
Distance: ~7.5 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: ~1,300–1,600 ft gain
Experience: We wake to fresh coffee and breakfast before breaking camp and heading up the Bright Angel Trail toward Havasupai Gardens Campground. After crossing another suspension bridge over the Colorado River, we begin the steady climb through the Devil’s Corkscrew, where the canyon walls rise dramatically above us. We reach Havasupai Gardens in the afternoon and settle into camp before heading out on a late-day hike to Plateau Point. This overlook sits high above the river and offers one of the most breathtaking perspectives in the canyon. We enjoy dinner here as the sun sets and the canyon walls glow with changing colors, before returning to camp for the night.
Highlights: Bright Angel Trail ascent, Devil’s Corkscrew, sunset views from Plateau Point, and classic inner-canyon camping.
Day 3: Havasupai Gardens to South Rim & Return to Scottsdale
Distance: ~4.5 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: ~3,000 ft gain
Experience: On our final morning, we enjoy a nutritious breakfast before continuing our climb out of the canyon toward the South Rim and Grand Canyon Village. Upon reaching the trailhead, we take time to reflect on the vastness of the canyon before enjoying our final lunch with the group. After a quick stop or two for souvenirs, we begin our return drive to Scottsdale, arriving back at our hotel partner by mid-afternoon to early evening.
Highlights: Final rim ascent, Grand Canyon Village, celebratory lunch, and scenic return to Scottsdale.
Pickup Locations
Our Grand Canyon Classic Hike and guided backpacking tours start and end in Phoenix, AZ; saving you travel time and money on your travel expenses compared to leaving from Flagstaff, AZ. Transportation from our Phoenix Hotel Partner is included in the cost of the tour. We do not pickup in Flagstaff, AZ as orientation is mandatory and takes place in Phoenix, AZ the night prior to the hike.
What to Bring
Our camping and hiking trips include round trip transportation, all pro-quality gear and meals required for your adventure. This includes tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cooking supplies, trekking poles, and daypacks and/or backpacks. We are happy to accommodate food allergies and most dietary restrictions. Please include your preferences in your Registration Form so that we can prepare accordingly.
Gear Included
Discovery Treks tours are all inclusive tours which include:
- All meals from lunch day 1 through lunch day 3
- An experienced Wilderness First Responder Certified Grand Canyon Backpacking Guide
- Transportation From Phoenix, AZ
- Necessary pro-quality backpacking gear including 65 - 75L Osprey backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, trekking poles, double occupancy tent (Single tent upgrade available for $50)
- All permits and fees
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
Don't see a tour date that works for you?
We may still be able to schedule additional tour dates that fall within your travel window.
Please call our office to inquire at 480-247-9266.