Rim to Rim - Grand Canyon Backpacking Tour
Adventure Details
October 2023 Tour Reservations due by 5/31/23 so that permit applications can be submitted prior to permit deadline
A 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! 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 3 and 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
Book Now for September and October 2023 Rim to Rim hikes - Permit applications are due by April 30th and May 31st respectively. Secure your spot today!
Upcoming Tour Dates
- June 30th - July 2nd: 5 spaces
Book your 2023 Rim to Rim tour 8+ months prior and receive $50 off the tour price!
- We are taking reservations for Rim to Rim tours in 2023; early signup increases odds of getting a permit and you must signup prior to the application deadline for the month that you want to hike during. Late signups will be put on a waitlist in case of cancellations.
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, your deposits are fully refundable.
Adventure Itinerary
Day 1:
Your Grand Canyon guided backpacking tour begins with an early morning pick-up at your Phoenix hotel. We then transport you to the North Rim via a five and a half hour drive to the North Kaibab trailhead, passing over the Marble Canyon Gorge and through the Arizona Strip below the Vermilion Cliffs and up through the Kaibab National Forest. We begin our descent starting at about 8000 feet elevation. The Phantom Ranch at the Colorado River is over a mile down in elevation and fourteen 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. This is the only trail on the North Rim that has pack horses and mules allowed on it and it is considered the main route to the river below. On this first day, we hike down seven miles to our first campsite at Cottonwood Camp. At this point we have already left the dense forest of the North Rim far behind and descended into the semi-arid desert of the lower canyon environment.
Day 2:
On the second day of our Grand Canyon Rim to Rim hike, we leave after an early breakfast and hike another seven miles down to 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.
Day 3:
On the third day of our Grand Canyon guided backpacking tour, we cross the Colorado River on an 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 4:
On our fourth 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 to celebrate!
Pickup Locations
Our Grand Canyon 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:
$1547 (4 day)
-
Type:
Backpacking
-
Length:
4 days
-
Difficulty:
Moderate
-
Mileage:
25+ miles
-
Elevation change:
10500 Ft. (Down 5800 | Up 4700)
-
Season:
May – November
*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.
Accepted Credit Cards
What to Bring
Our camping and hiking trips include roundtrip transportation from our Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale
- Necessary pro-quality backpacking gear including 65 - 75L Osprey backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, trekking poles, single or double occupancy tent
- All permits and fees
-
Cost:
$1547 (4 day)
-
Type:
Backpacking
-
Length:
4 days
-
Difficulty:
Moderate
-
Mileage:
25+ miles
-
Elevation change:
10500 Ft. (Down 5800 | Up 4700)
-
Season:
May – November
*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.
Accepted Credit Cards
Questions? Inquire Below!
-
Cost:
$1547 (4 day)
-
Type:
Backpacking
-
Length:
4 days
-
Difficulty:
Moderate
-
Mileage:
25+ miles
-
Elevation change:
10500 Ft. (Down 5800 | Up 4700)
-
Season:
May – November