Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim Backpacking Tour
Adventure Details
A Rim to Rim to Rim hike is the quintessential guided backpacking tour at the Grand Canyon National Park and there is no better way to explore what it has to offer than to hike from one side to the other and back! This trip typically runs in the cooler winter months and begins on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and heads down the South Kaibab Trail into the desert landscape of the Bright Angel Campground and Phantom Ranch near the Colorado River before climbing up to the Cottonwood campground, summiting on the North Rim and then heading back to the South Rim by way of the North Kaibab and Bright Angel Trails. Our 6 and 7 day Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim tours are all inclusive tours, including transportation from Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ to and from the Grand Canyon. Join us for an adventure of a life time and immerse yourself in one of the seven natural wonders of the world!Adventure Itinerary
Day 1:
Your adventure begins with an early morning pick-up at from our Scottsdale hotel partner location. We then transport you to the South Rim via a four hour drive to the South Kaibab trailhead. We begin our descent starting at about 7200 feet elevation. The Phantom Ranch at the Colorado River is over a mile down in elevation and 7.5 miles in distance. You will be carrying a backpack weighing approximately 35 to 37 pounds. It will contain your personal belongings along with the food and camping gear we provide. On this first day, we hike down seven miles to our first campsite at the Bright Angel Campground adjacent to Phantom Ranch. There is so much to see here. The historic Phantom Ranch was built by the well-known architect Mary Colter back in the 1930s and is nestled into a canyon facing the river. Side canyons beg to be explored if you have the energy after a day of hiking, or you can sit by the river waiting for a raft to go by. This is a popular, well-traveled trail, so you will see many visitors from all around the world during our time here. At this point we have already left the dense forest of the South Rim far behind and descended into the semi-arid desert of the lower canyon environment.
Day 2:
On the second day we leave after an early breakfast and hike another seven miles up to the Cottonwood Campground to make camp before undertaking a long day of hiking up to the North Rim and back on day 3.
Day 3:
On the third day of our adventure, we go on a 13 mile hike up to the North Rim and back to our campground at the Cottonwood Campground. On the hike we will hike along the Bright Angel Creek until we begin to ascend quickly into the dense pines of the North Rim and will have the opportunity to see Ribbon falls along the way. After having lunch up on the North Rim, we will descend back down to our camp that we made the night before. Day 3 of the hike can be done with only a day pack for carrying water which makes for a much easier hiking experience.
Day 4:
Day 4 of our hike will take us back down the North Kaibab trail for approx. 7 miles to spend the evening back at the Bright Angel Campground where we can head over to Phantom Ranch for a glass of their world famous lemonade or even a beer!
Day 5:
On the fifth day of our adventure, we cross back over the Colorado River on the extension bridge and hike four miles up the Bright Angel trail to our next camp at Indian Garden. A large artesian spring gushes from a cliff at this verdant campsite. In the afternoon, we offer the option to hike out to a viewpoint above the Colorado River.Day 6:
On our sixth and final day, we finish up our trip with a four and a half mile hike up the trail to the South Rim. By midday we arrive at the South Rim at an elevation of 7000 feet. A great time to stop for an ice cream cone and lunch to celebrate!Pickup Locations
Our Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim hike and guided backpacking tours start and end in Scottsdale, AZ; saving you travel time and money on your travel expenses compared to leaving from Flagstaff, AZ. Transportation from our Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale, AZ the night prior to the hike.
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Cost:
$1700 (6 day)
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Type:
Backpacking
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Length:
6 days
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Difficulty:
Difficult/Advanced
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Mileage:
48+ miles
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Elevation change:
7000+ Ft. (cumulative)
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Season:
November – May
- May – November tours are available but permit availability may be limited
*IMPORTANT* – Due to the overwhelming popularity of the Grand Canyon, this tour should be booked 5+ months out to obtain permits. We accept and encourage bookings less than five months out but permit availability may be limited.
Accepted Credit Cards
What to Bring
Our camping and hiking trips include all pro-quality gear, 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 Grand Canyon Rim to Rim tours are all inclusive tours which include:- All meals from lunch day 1 through lunch day 4
- An experienced Wilderness First Responder Certified Grand Canyon Backpacking Guide
- Transportation From Scottsdale
- 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
-
Cost:
$1700 (6 day)
-
Type:
Backpacking
-
Length:
6 days
-
Difficulty:
Difficult/Advanced
-
Mileage:
48+ miles
-
Elevation change:
7000+ Ft. (cumulative)
-
Season:
November – May
- May – November tours are available but permit availability may be limited
*IMPORTANT* – Due to the overwhelming popularity of the Grand Canyon, this tour should be booked 5+ months out to obtain permits. We accept and encourage bookings less than five months out but permit availability may be limited.
Accepted Credit Cards
Questions? Inquire Below!
-
Cost:
$1700 (6 day)
-
Type:
Backpacking
-
Length:
6 days
-
Difficulty:
Difficult/Advanced
-
Mileage:
48+ miles
-
Elevation change:
7000+ Ft. (cumulative)
-
Season:
November – May
- May – November tours are available but permit availability may be limited