Grand Canyon Hiking Adventures
An Inn-to-Inn Hiking Adventure into one of the World's Greatest Natural Wonders
Theodore Roosevelt called the Grand Canyon "the one great sight which every American should see." No other place captures the spirit and fascination of the American West more than this magnificent wonder of the world. There is no better way to experience it than on foot, at a pace that invites exploration, awakens the senses, and captures the essence of the outdoors.
This imaginative adventure captures the splendor of the Grand Canyon's south rim and its most revered tributary -- Havasu Canyon, an isolated oasis of thundering waterfalls and pristine pools. This getaway is ideal for both the light hiker and the more adventurous, as most days have longer and more demanding options.
Trip Itinerary:
Day 1. West Rim Trail, Yavapai Lodge on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon (928-638-2631 / private bath)
Our group assembles at 9:00 a.m. at the Little America hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona. After a shuttle across the Kaibab Plateau to the Grand Canyon, we'll have a brief orientation at the rim of the Canyon. Following lunch we walk along the West Rim Trail. Our route leads us to a series of viewpoints, each offering a different perspective of the ever-changing, colorful 5,000-foot chasm. If the timing is right, we will watch the setting sun dance across the temples and intricate sandstone formations.
Following dinner, enjoy a walk under the clear star-lit skies along the canyon rim. Our home for the next three nights is Yavapai Lodge, located a short walk from "land's end."
Rim Hike [4.5 miles, elevation gain negligible]
Day 2. South Kaibab Trail, Yavapai Lodge
This morning we descend into the heart of the Grand Canyon on the South Kaibab Trail. Our winding path leads us to Cedar Ridge and the spectacular Skeleton Point. For those looking for a leisurely day, we will return to the lodge for an evening of relaxation and exploration along the rim.
After sunset, enjoy a gourmet dinner at the acclaimed 5-star El Tovar Restaurant, overlooking the canyon's rim!
Shorter Option: South Kaibab Trail to Cedar Ridge [3 miles round trip, 1160 feet of elevation loss, then gain]
Longer Option: South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point [6 miles round trip, 1800 feet of elevation loss, then gain]
Day 3. Hermit Trail, Yavapai Lodge
Today we hike the historic Hermit Trail, named after Louis Boucher who mined copper in this small side canyon for over 20 years at the turn of the century. Our descent passes through a visual timetable of geologic formations. Santa Maria Springs is our lunch time destination. As an option, we may continue on to Dripping Springs, a spectacular panorama of the canyon's North Rim.
In the evening, we will dine in one of the South Rim's restaurants after watching the setting sun light up the canyon.
Hermit Trail [7.5 miles round trip, 1400 feet of elevation loss, then gain]
Optional hike to Dripping Springs [additional 2.5 miles, 400 feet of elevation loss, then gain]
Day 4. Hualapai and Havasu Canyons, Havasupai Lodge (928-448-2111 / private baths)
Today we begin our three-day exploration of Havasu Canyon, an oasis of lush vegetation, sparkling cascades and waterfalls, and turquoise pools encased in travertine.We experience a culture lost in time as the Havasupai Indians have wisely decided not to allow a road to invade their wild and pristine canyon home. The only way in is by foot, mule or helicopter. We descend the different sedimentary layers carrying only light daypacks (our luggage will be transported by mule train) to the remote and unique village of Supai and the Havasupai Lodge. This hike follows Haulapai Canyon, twisting beneath red desert walls down into lush woodlands set along the turquoise-tinted Havasu Creek that feeds the falls.
Hualapai Hilltop to Supai hike [8 miles, 2000 feet of elevation loss]
Day 5. Navajo, Havasu and Mooney Falls, Havasupai Lodge
After breakfast at the local café, we walk beyond the village alongside Havasu Creek. You hardly notice the six-mile hike today as we pass a series of waterfalls in this Shangri-la setting: first cascading Navajo falls, then the twin towering falls of Havasu, and finally down the cliff's edge to the base of 200-foot Mooney falls. The travertine-encased pools beneath each waterfall provide ideal settings for a welcome swim. Havasu, the most picturesque, and Mooney, the most spectacular, can both make for perfect lunch locations, where the warmth of the sun is in direct counterpoint to the cool mist of the falls.
We take our time to relax this afternoon with a final stop at Havasu Falls before returning to Havasupai Lodge and a sumptuous barbecue.
Navajo, Havasu and Mooney Falls [6 miles, 300 feet of elevation loss/gain]
Day 6. Havasu and Hualapai Canyons, Flagstaff
Bidding farewell to this canyon paradise, we hike back up to Hualapai Hilltop. Before you leave Supai, be sure to send off a postcard--Supai is the only village in America where mail is still transported via a mule pack train and they provide a special, commemorative stamp. Back on the plateau rim, we shuttle back to Flagstaff, stopping in Seligman on historic Route 66 for lunch, before concluding our action-packed and fun-filled week at approximately 5:00 p.m.
Supai to Hualapai Hilltop hike [8 miles, 2000 feet of elevation gain]
| Grand Canyon Classic Hiker |
|
| Fee |
$2098.00 |
Single Room Supplement** |
$500.00 |
* Best suited for ages 8 and older. Ages 8-18 receive a 15% discount, youths getting this discount must share a room with a full paying adult. Solo Traveler trips minimum age is 21.
** Rooms are based on double occupancy. You can opt to have your own room and pay our Single Room Supplement fee. With reservations 90 days or more in advance, you can book just one person and pay the regular rate if you will share a room.
All trips require a minimum of 4 people for the trip to run and the trip maximum is 12.
Trip Fees Include:
All meals (lunch Day 1-lunch Day 6), all accommodations (double occupancy), T-shirt, water bottle, support vehicle, National Park fees, professional guides.
Trip Fees Exclude:
Airfare, personal insurance, miscellaneous hotel expenses (phone, fax, laundry, etc.), additional optional tours, services not specified in the tour itinerary, and guide gratuities (An appropriate gratuity to each trip leader is $75-$100 per guest).
To register for a trip, please click on the trip date.
*Kids need to be (8-18) years of age for the kid discount.
You can search all the trips that we offer:
Special Requests + What to Bring:
If you have any special dietary needs or any special request that will make your trip more enjoyable, please be sure to notify your Trip Consultant or travel agent after booking. One of our trip consultants will be contacting you to go over options and the details with you.
The World Outdoors will provide you with extensive pre-departure information, including your reservation payment receipt and confirmation, travel insurance application, suggestions for preparing for your trip, a packing list, information on pre- and post-trip arrangements, a guest questionnaire and a liability release agreement.
General Information, Questions & Answers
What type of weather should I expect?
Be prepared for variations in the temperature, from 60º-75ºF during the day on the rim and in the 40s at night. Temperatures will be warmer as you descend into the canyon.
How difficult is this trip?
This trip is more challenging than our Easy tours. It is intended for the average active adult who feels comfortable being active 4-6 hours a day. The hikes are 3.5-8 miles with an option of up to 13 miles and has climbs of up to 2000-feet with an option of up to 3200 feet. Please note that on days two and three we begin with an easy hike into the canyon but end the day with a more difficult hike up and out of the canyon.
Solo Travelers
If you're traveling on your own and want to share the experience with other solo travelers, we've set aside special departures for many of our trips. Itineraries are identical to our those of our open trips but, because these departures are composed entirely of independent travelers, there's a unique, fun dimension to the group dynamic. Of course, solo travelers are more than welcome on all of our open departures as well, where often half of our guests are traveling alone.
Meeting Place & Time
9:00 a.m. at Little America, Flagstaff, AZ. (Reservations 800-865-1401, 2515 East Butler Avenue, Flagstaff, AZ 86004). Please arrive ready to hike. We recommend wearing hiking boots with ankle support that have been broken-in, and wool or wool-blend socks coupled with a thin liner sock.
Driving to the Meeting Place: Flagstaff is located 141 miles north of Phoenix on I-17 and 133 miles south of Page and Lake Powell on Highway 89. The Days Inn I-40/Woodlands is very near the intersection of I-70 and I-40, in a cluster of hotels on the north side of I-40 off S. Milton Road. During the trip, cars can be left at Days Inn I-40/Woodlands, Radisson Woodlands Hotel, or Ramada Limited West.
Please see our directions and driving times in the upper right hand corner to get additional directions.
Gateway City Transfer:
From Flagstaff Airport - Several Flagstaff hotels, including the Little America and the Radisson Woodlands Hotel, offer complimentary shuttle service from the airport for registered guests (inquire at time of reservation. The taxi company most often used is Sun Taxi (928-779-1111) although any taxi company will do. A Friendly Cab is another reputable taxi company (928-774-4444). Fares from the airport to downtown locations are approximately $7-$10.
From Phoenix Airport - Open Road Tours (800-766-7117) offers a shuttle from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to the Flagstaff AmTrak Station Visitor's Center in downtown Flagstaff five times daily. One-way: $31.00. Round-trip: $56.00. Call for reservations. Rates subject to change.
Trip Conclusion:
Approximately 5:00 p.m. at the Flagstaff Airport or at Little America, Flagstaff, AZ. (2515 East Butler Avenue, Flagstaff, AZ). It is important that airline departures be scheduled no earlier than 7:30 p.m. If you are flying out of Phoenix, plan to depart the next day.
How do I book airfare for this trip?
Once you have booked your reservation, Sherry will contact you to help arrange your air. You can also call James TravelPoints, a local travel agency, at 800-538-7461 and ask for Georgia (ext 251) or Di (ext 252) or email GeorgiaT@travelpoints.com or DianeJ@travelpoints.com. Be sure to tell her you are traveling with The World Outdoors. Alternatively, you are welcome to book your airfare online, directly with the airline or through your personal travel agent.
The Best Value in Active Travel Guarantee:
We commit to you that all of our trips are of the highest quality at the best value. If you find a trip of equal quality that matches our itinerary and inclusions at a lower fare within 30 days of booking your trip with us, we will gladly refund the difference. A simple guarantee that assures you of the best trip at the best fare!
Refund Policy
If you cancel your trip, you must notify us in writing. We calculate your refund from the day we receive written notice of your cancellation. There is no refund for arriving late or leaving early from a trip.
Number of Days Prior to Trip Departure
| Cancellation Fee |
| 90 days or more |
$100 per person |
| 89 to 60 days |
50% of total price per person |
| 59 to 30 days |
75% of total price per person |
| 29 to 0 days |
100% of total price per person |
We highly recommend trip insurance. This is an option we will discuss with you.
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