Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim 5-Day
Unable to book the trip you want?
You can join the waitlist or even create your own trip.
Overview:
The Rim to Rim is an expedition through the incredible history and beauty of the Grand Canyon. This route is an epic challenge through the inner canyon, an area of intense extremes, from soaring cliffs of schist to the rapids of the Colorado River. Our route follows the North Kaibab Trail down from the North Rim, and up the Bright Angel trail to the South Rim. We’ll have overnights at Cottonwood, Bright Angel, and Havasupai Garden campgrounds. Each one is a lush paradise where we can rest and relax after our hike. Be ready for unforgettable views, intense beauty and the challenge of a lifetime.
Perfect for intermediate to advanced hikers, and those with limited or no experience in desert environments.
Challenge:
Additional Trip Information:
Getting to Grand Canyon: It is best to consider flying in to either Flagstaff, Phoenix [2.5 hour drive] or Las Vegas [3.5 hour drive].
Accommodations: Prior to heading to the backcountry you will need to secure accommodations. This can be found either in Grand Canyon Village [El Tovar Hotel, Bright Angel Lodge, Yavapai Lodge, Maswik Lodge, or Mather Campground] or in Tusayan [10 minutes South of the park entrance].
Park Entry: You will enter Grand Canyon with your guide who will handle the entry fee.
What’s Included:
A certified and highly experienced 4Points Grand Canyon Hiking Guide
All meals on trail
Permits and campsites for the duration of your time in the Grand Canyon Backcountry
Shuttle Ride to or from North Rim.
What’s not included:
Gratuities: 15-20% gratuity recommended for guides.
Group Size: Regular group size is 6 [which includes 1 guide]; large group size is 11 [which includes 2 guides]. Large group sites can be very difficult to secure during peak season [March to September].
Participant Requirements: Clients need to be physically capable of descending into and climbing out of the inner canyon not once, but twice. This is a 10,000 + foot elevation change over 3-4 days. Be mindful of the intense summer heat within the canyon (temperatures can exceed 120°F). Additionally, ensure you can carry a 35-40 lb pack for the duration of your trip.
Itinerary:
-
Meet with your guide at the South Rim for a pre-trip orientation to discuss logistics, hand out gear, and talk about what to expect on the trail. Meals and lodging will be on your own.
-
Shuttle from Flagstaff to our North Rim starting point is a 4 hour drive.
Distance: 7 miles
Elevation Loss: 4,100 feetWe begin our hike on the North Kaibab Trail, and our trip begins to descend immediately from our 8,000 foot elevation starting point. You immediately begin to appreciate the immense scale of the canyon as we hike along soaring cliffs, with epic vistas and ever-changing colors. One of our top views of the day will be Roaring Springs, an incredible waterfall flowing straight out from a rock wall along the trail.
We’ll spend the first night of our journey at Cottonwood Campground.
-
Distance: 7 miles
Elevation Loss: 1,600 feetOn our 2nd day of hiking, we will descend into the inner canyon. We’ll pass close by Ribbon Falls, the perfect day hike before we get back on our route down to Bright Angel Campground. This is situation perfectly near Phantom Ranch and along Bright Angel Creek. This campground is close to the Colorado and gives us plenty of opportunities to cool off in the clear waters.
-
Distance: 4.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,500 feetAn adventurous hike is in store. After a hearty breakfast prepared by your guide, the group will begin the hike up towards the South Rim. After crossing the Colorado, we will take a short break at Pipe Creek Beach and follow Pipe Creek to Garden Creek. Garden Creek winds its way through incredible rock formations as we approach Havasupai Garden, a lush oasis and our campground for the night. We’ll take a side hike to have dinner and watch the sunset at Plateau Point, one of the most incredible vistas in the entire canyon!
-
Distance: 4.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,000 feetYour guide will help you start the day with breakfast and pack up so we can hit the trail for our hike to the South Rim and Grand Canyon Village. This is the busiest trail in the canyon and has water and resthouses as we hike up and out. At the end of this trail we’ll shuttle back to Flagstaff while you bask in the glow of completing this epic adventure!
