Hermit To Bright Angel
Grand Canyon Backpacking Tour
Backpacking Gear Included
|Fresh Meals Prepared Daily
|Professional Wilderness Guides
Hermit To Bright Angel
Grand Canyon Backpacking Tour
-
Cost:
$1850 (4 day)
-
Type:
Backpacking/Camping Adventure
-
Length:
4 days
-
Difficulty:
Moderate – Advanced
-
Mileage:
30+ miles
-
Elevation change:
4000 – 6000 Ft.
-
Season:
Year Round
*IMPORTANT* – Due to the overwhelming popularity of the Grand Canyon, this tour should be booked no less that 5+ months out to obtain permits. We accept and encourage bookings less than five months out but permit availability may be limited.
Adventure Details
Hermit to Bright Angel Loop - 4 Day Guided Backpacking Tour
The Hermit to Bright Angel Loop in the Grand Canyon is a challenging and rewarding guided Grand Canyon backpacking tour that covers some of the most scenic terrain in the park. This four-day guided backpacking tour in the Grand Canyon combines the quiet solitude of the Hermit Trail with the 360 degree views on the Tonto Trail and finally ascends the iconic Bright Angel Trail, offering a comprehensive Grand Canyon experience. Over the course of this guided backpacking adventure, you’ll descend rugged canyon walls, traverse rolling terrain along the Tonto Plateau, camp beside secluded creeks, and cross through verdant oases before completing your ascent to the South Rim. The route highlights dramatic geology, roaring rapids, and sweeping vistas, all while providing the opportunity to experience both remote and classic parts of the canyon. Expert guides lead the way, interpreting the layers of Earth’s history and ensuring a safe, memorable adventure “below the rim.” Go guided with a Discovery Treks backpacking tour on the Hermit to Bright Angel loop!
Adventure Itinerary
Day 1: South Rim to Hermit Creek Campground
Mileage: ~8.2 miles
Elevation Loss: -3,700 ft loss
Experience: Upon arrival at the South Rim, we begin our guided backpacking tour on the historic Hermit Trail, constructed in 1911 by the Santa Fe Railroad Company to provide access to the Colorado River. The trail descends through Hermit Canyon, offering spectacular views above the Redwall before dropping down to the Tonto Plateau. The final stretch is a flatter walk along the plateau to camp at the Hermit Creek Campground, where you can soak your tired feet and enjoy the serene creekside setting surrounded by the towering canyon walls.
Highlights: Historic Hermit Trail, panoramic Hermit Canyon views, Redwall cliffs, Tonto Plateau scenery, creekside camping.
Day 2: Colorado River and Granite Rapids Exploration
Mileage: ~4.4 miles
Elevation Loss: 600 ft loss
Experience: After a relaxed morning, we continue along the Tonto Plateau toward the Colorado River. Hiking past the striking 160-foot sandstone Monument, we descend into the dry bed of Monument Creek. The canyon walls rise dramatically as we approach the river, and the thunderous roar of Granite Rapids announces our arrival. After taking in the spectacular views of the rapids, we continue to a secluded riverside campsite for the night, enjoying the peace of this remote setting.
Highlights: Monument sandstone spire, descent through Monument Creek, Granite Rapids, secluded riverside camping.
Day 3: Monument Creek to Horn Creek Campground
Mileage: ~9.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,100ft gain
Experience: Today is our longest mileage day. After refilling water at Monument Creek and a quick, steep climb, we traverse nearly 10 miles over rolling Tonto Plateau terrain, which gives a true sense of the canyon’s immense scale. The landscape unfolds in all directions, providing breathtaking canyon vistas throughout the day. We’ll arrive at Horn Creek Campground in the late afternoon, where we’ll be the only campers, allowing for complete solitude amid the canyon.
Highlights: Expansive canyon views, long traverse across Tonto Plateau, private camping at Horn Creek.
Day 4: Horn Creek to South Rim via Bright Angel Trail
Mileage: ~6.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,200 ft gain
Experience: We rise early to take advantage of sunrise light and cooler temperatures as we hike toward Havasupai Gardens for breakfast. From there, we continue our hike up the Bright Angel Trail, one of the Grand Canyon’s busiest trails. An early start allows us to enjoy the trail with minimal crowds, stopping at each rest area along the way. The final climb brings us to the South Rim, where we celebrate completing this epic loop with a stunning view of the canyon below.
Highlights: Sunrise hike, Havasupai Gardens oasis, ascent on Bright Angel Trail, triumphant arrival at South Rim.
Pickup Locations
Our Grand Canyon Hermit Creek 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
Gear Included
Discovery Treks 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 Phoenix
- 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
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.
October
ON SALE! SAVE $500
ON SALE! SAVE $300
November
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.