Rim to Rim
Grand Canyon Backpacking Tour
Backpacking Gear Included
|Fresh Meals Prepared Daily
|Professional Wilderness Guides
Rim to Rim
Grand Canyon Backpacking Tour
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Cost:
Summer Pricing: $2050
(May 15th – Sept. 15th)
Fall Pricing: $2250
(Sept. 16th – November) -
Type:
Backpacking
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Length:
4 days
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Difficulty:
Moderate
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Mileage:
25+ miles
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Elevation change:
10500 Ft. (Down 5800 | Up 4700)
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Season:
May – November
Adventure Details
A guided Rim to Rim hike with Discovery Treks 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! This trip begins in the cool pines of the North Rim on the North Kaibab Trail and heads down into the desert landscape of Phantom Ranch near the Colorado River before climbing back up the Bright Angel Trail into the pines on the South Rim.
Our guided 4 day Grand Canyon Rim to Rim hiking tours are all inclusive, including transportation from Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ to and from the canyon. Join us for an adventure of a life time and immerse yourself in one of the seven natural wonders of the world!
What's 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
Round trip transportation to the Canyon is included and departs from Phoenix/Scottsdale, so unlike other tour options departing from Flagstaff, you do not need to rent a car for this trek - saving you hundreds on car rental fees!
NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED PROMOTION
We are accepting reservations for 2026 Rim to Rim Treks without requiring a deposit. These reservations put your name on the application list but do not guarantee that we will receive a permit for you, however, we will do our best to get a permit for your desired trek date. Call today to Book!
*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 four months out but permit availability may be limited.
2027 Treks
We are taking reservation for 2027 Rim to Rim treks and do not require a deposit to add your name to our permit application list. We simply require your name, email, phone number and a mailing address to submit with your permit application!
Your reservation holds your place in line and ensures we will submit a permit application for you; however, due to the permit lottery process at the Grand Canyon, we cannot guarantee that we will receive a permit for you. If we are unable to receive a permit for your availability dates, any deposits (if made) are fully refundable.
Adventure Itinerary
Day 1: North Rim to Cottonwood Campground
Your Grand Canyon guided Rim to Rim backpacking tour begins with an early morning pickup at your Phoenix hotel. We then transport you to the North Rim during a scenic five-and-a-half-hour drive to the North Kaibab Trailhead. Along the way, we pass over the Marble Canyon Gorge, travel beneath the Vermilion Cliffs, cross the remote Arizona Strip, and climb through the Kaibab National Forest.
Our hike begins at approximately 8,200 feet above sea level in the cool forests of the North Rim. From here, the North Kaibab Trail descends more than a vertical mile before eventually reaching the Colorado River. You will be carrying a backpack weighing approximately 35 to 37 pounds, containing your personal belongings along with a portion of the food and camping equipment provided for the tour.
The North Kaibab Trail is the primary hiking route between the North Rim and the inner canyon. During our descent, we pass through dramatic layers of limestone and sandstone as the forested environment gradually gives way to the warmer, drier landscape of Bright Angel Canyon.
On this first day, we hike approximately seven miles to Cottonwood Campground. By the time we arrive, we have left the dense forest of the North Rim far behind and descended into the semi-arid environment of the lower canyon. Bright Angel Creek flows nearby, providing a welcome contrast to the surrounding cliffs and desert landscape.
- Daily Mileage: Approximately 7 miles
- Elevation Gain: Minimal
- Elevation Loss: Approximately 4,160 feet
- Starting Elevation: Approximately 8,240 feet
- Ending Elevation: Approximately 4,080 feet
- Campground: Cottonwood Campground
Highlights
North Rim forests, Coconino Overlook, Supai Tunnel, the Redwall Limestone, Roaring Springs Canyon, Bright Angel Creek, and the dramatic transition from alpine forest to the inner canyon desert.
Day 2: Cottonwood Campground to Bright Angel Campground
On the second day of our Grand Canyon Rim to Rim hike, we leave Cottonwood Campground after an early breakfast and continue approximately seven miles down the North Kaibab Trail toward the Colorado River. The trail follows Bright Angel Creek through a narrowing canyon as towering walls rise on both sides of us.
Depending on trail conditions, group pace, and seasonal creek levels, there may be an opportunity to visit Ribbon Falls. This beautiful waterfall spills over a mineral-covered alcove surrounded by moss and vegetation, creating a surprising oasis in the heart of the desert.
As we continue toward the river, the canyon narrows and the trail enters the Inner Gorge. Here, the lighter sedimentary cliffs give way to the dark Vishnu Schist, some of the oldest exposed rock in the Grand Canyon. Several bridges carry us back and forth across Bright Angel Creek before we arrive at Bright Angel Campground, located near Phantom Ranch and just a short walk from the Colorado River.
There is plenty to explore around camp. Historic Phantom Ranch, designed by renowned architect Mary Colter and completed in the early 1920s, is tucked beneath the canyon walls near Bright Angel Creek. Those with energy remaining may explore the surrounding area, relax beside the creek, or walk to the Colorado River and watch for rafting groups traveling through the canyon.
This is one of the most popular areas of the Grand Canyon backcountry, and we are likely to meet hikers and travelers from around the world during our stay.
- Daily Mileage: Approximately 7.2 miles
- Elevation Gain: Minimal rolling elevation
- Elevation Loss: Approximately 1,600 feet
- Starting Elevation: Approximately 4,080 feet
- Ending Elevation: Approximately 2,480 feet
- Campground: Bright Angel Campground
Highlights
Bright Angel Creek, the optional Ribbon Falls side trip, towering canyon walls, creek crossings, the ancient Vishnu Schist of the Inner Gorge, Phantom Ranch, and the Colorado River.
Day 3: Bright Angel Campground to Havasupai Gardens
On the third day of our Grand Canyon guided backpacking tour, we leave Bright Angel Campground and cross the Colorado River on one of the canyon’s suspension bridges. From the bridge, we enjoy impressive views of the river flowing through the narrow walls of the Inner Gorge before beginning our climb toward the South Rim.
We follow the River Trail for a short distance and then begin ascending the Bright Angel Trail. The route climbs steadily through the lower canyon, passing Pipe Creek and following a series of switchbacks into increasingly open terrain. Although today’s hike is shorter than the previous two days, we begin gaining back some of the elevation we lost during our descent from the North Rim.
Our destination is Havasupai Gardens, formerly known as Indian Garden. This green oasis is supported by a large natural spring and stands in striking contrast to the surrounding desert. Cottonwood trees provide welcome shade, while flowing water and abundant vegetation make this one of the most distinctive camping areas below the South Rim.
After setting up camp, hikers who have the energy may join an optional afternoon hike to Plateau Point. This exposed viewpoint extends over the Tonto Platform and provides expansive views of the Colorado River, the Inner Gorge, and the canyon walls rising toward both rims. Those who prefer a more restful afternoon can relax beneath the cottonwood trees and prepare for our final climb.
- Daily Mileage: Approximately 4.5 to 5 miles
- Optional Mileage: Approximately 3 additional miles to Plateau Point
- Elevation Gain: Approximately 1,300 feet
- Elevation Loss: Minimal
- Starting Elevation: Approximately 2,480 feet
- Ending Elevation: Approximately 3,800 feet
- Campground: Havasupai Gardens Campground
Highlights
Crossing the Colorado River, views from the suspension bridge, the Bright Angel Trail, Pipe Creek, the Havasupai Gardens oasis, natural springs, cottonwood trees, and the optional hike to Plateau Point.
Day 4: Havasupai Gardens to the South Rim
On our fourth and final day, we begin early and prepare for the last major climb of our Grand Canyon Rim to Rim backpacking tour. From Havasupai Gardens, the Bright Angel Trail climbs approximately four and a half miles to the South Rim, gaining more than 3,000 feet along the way.
The trail becomes progressively steeper as we ascend through the canyon’s upper rock layers. We pass the Three-Mile Resthouse and Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse before continuing through a series of switchbacks carved into the cliffs. As we climb, the views expand across the canyon, giving us a final look at the immense landscape we have crossed over the previous four days.
The changing vegetation and cooler temperatures signal our approach to the rim. By midday, we arrive at the Bright Angel Trailhead on the South Rim at an elevation of approximately 6,860 feet. Reaching the rim marks the completion of an incredible journey across the Grand Canyon, from the forests of the North Rim to the Colorado River and back up to the South Rim.
After photos and congratulations, it is a great time to celebrate with an ice cream cone before beginning our return transportation to Phoenix.
- Daily Mileage: Approximately 4.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: Approximately 3,060 feet
- Elevation Loss: Minimal
- Starting Elevation: Approximately 3,800 feet
- Ending Elevation: Approximately 6,860 feet
Highlights
The Bright Angel Trail switchbacks, Three-Mile Resthouse, Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse, expanding canyon views, changing geological layers, reaching the South Rim, and completing the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim journey.
Pickup Locations
Our Grand Canyon Rim to Rim 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 roundtrip transportation from our Phoenix hotel partner, all pro-quality gear, permit and entrance fees and all 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 Phoenix
- Necessary pro-quality backpacking gear including 65 - 75L Osprey backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, trekking poles, single (solo hikers) or double occupancy (groups of 2 plus) tent
- 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.