Hiking the Best of the Grand Canyon – 3 days
Get into nature and experience the best of the Grand Canyon by day and retire to your comfortable hotel on the canyon’s rim by night. Take on three exceptional hikes across just three days and get to know this landscape and its fascinating history under the guidance of your local leader. Visit local museums and visitor attractions and dine at one of the area’s most iconic restaurants with sweeping views of the canyon below. End your trip with a hike along the hand-cobbled Grandview Trail and a visit to the Desert View Watch Tower.
Trip overview
- Start – Flagstaff, United States
- Finish – Flagstaff, United States
- Destinations – United States
- Physical rating – 4/5
- Group size – Max 9
- Hike the expanse of Arizona’s Grand Canyon and take in the sweeping views of this iconic landscape with a small group of like-minded travellers by your side.
- Get the inside scoop on the geological and cultural history of the land surrounding you with local guides who are passionate about the area and love sharing their knowledge.
- Tuck into dinner at a charismatic local restaurant that overlooks the canyon below.
- After days spent on your feet, be rewarded with comfortable accommodation and hearty meals that rejuvenate your weary legs.
- This is a hiking trip, so a good fitness level will help you enjoy all included hikes and activities.
- This trip involves hiking up to 6 miles/10 km per day, and up to a total of 18 miles/29 km per trip. You can expect significant elevation gain/loss.
- On this trip, you’ll be required to carry a daypack weighing approximately 8-12 lb / 3.5- 5.5 kg.
- Please note for December 2023 – April 2024 Departures: The trail for Day 2’s hike, the Bright Angel Trail, is closed between December 1, 2023 and April 14, 2024. During this time period, we will descend the Hermit Trail, which features big views, fossils, Native American history and a unique look at the geology of the Grand Canyon. Distance is 3-6 miles (5-10 km), elevation gain/loss of up to 2150 feet (655 m).
Itinerary
Welcome to Arizona, home to the Grand Canyon and a myriad of exceptional hiking trails ready for you to explore. You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Flagstaff this morning to hit the road en route to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Today’s drive will give you a taste of the views you’ll experience over the coming days. Make sure your cameras are at the ready, there’ll be plenty of chances to stop and marvel at some of the best viewpoints along the way. On arrival, we’ll stretch out our legs on the South Kaibab Trail that descends the spine of the spectacular Cedar Ridge and affords some exceptional views of the Canyon as the ridged drops off on both sides in front of you. These panoramas and the easy-going nature of the trek make the South Kaibab Trail a great day one introduction for us. This evening you’ll settle into your accommodation that will be your home away from home for the next two nights.
You will meet your guide and group at the Little America Hotel in Flagstaff for an orientation meeting at 5:00 PM the evening before the trip begins. Your guide will then pick you up at your hotel the next morning for transport to the trailhead.
Your trek today will be approximately 3-6 miles/5-10 km with 1200-2040 ft/366-622 m of elevation change.
Your itinerary can change depending on temporary access restrictions, weather events, lodging availability and guest ability or injury.
Fuel up on a hearty breakfast today before we embark on a trek that meanders below the canyon’s rim along the Bright Angel Fault. On your descent, your leader will fill you in on all the geological and ecological phenomena that make up the landscapes here. Along the hike, you’ll stop to tuck into a delicious picnic lunch with views better than any 5-star restaurant could deliver. With full bellies and fuller hearts, you’ll start the return hike to the rim, this time staring up at the towering cliffs above. This evening, you’ll enjoy a special dinner at the famous and historic El Tovar Hotel, overlooking the depths of the Grand Canyon.
Your trek today will be approximately 3-6 miles/5-10 km with 1000-2000 ft/305-610 m of elevation change.
Please note for December 2023 – April 2024 Departures: The trail for today’s hike is closed between December 1, 2023 and April 14, 2024. During this time period, we will descend the Hermit Trail, which features big views, fossils, Native American history and a unique look at the geology of the Grand Canyon. Distance is 3-6 miles (5-10 km), elevation gain/loss of up to 2150 feet (655 m).
El Tovar reservations are extremely competitive. We secure them 30 days in advance, and they are occasionally unavailable. If unavailable, we will dine at an alternative restaurant at or near the South Rim.
Our final hike of the trip is Grandview – with a fitting name, you’ll soak up some of the best views of the trip today with endless panoramas across the Grand Canyon and Colorado River. One of Grand Canyon’s most famous miners, Pete Berry, built this trail in the late 1800s to extract some of the richest copper ore in the world. Eventually, when his mine failed, he turned to tourism for a living, taking guests down his unique, hand-cobbled trail. As you descend, you’ll learn about the geological and historical history of the landscapes here from your local leader. After the trek, we’ll exit the Park from the East Entrance, stopping at the famous Desert View Watchtower. This impressive structure is a replica of a Native American tower found in the exact location by early explorers centuries ago. In the afternoon, we’ll say our final goodbyes upon arrival back in Flagstaff where your 3-day trekking adventure will come to an end.
The trek today will be approximately 2.4-6 miles/4 to 10 km with 1200-2500 ft/366-762 m of elevation change. There is no accommodation included tonight. If you would like to stay in the area, just speak to your booking agent.
Inclusions
Activities
- South Rim – South Kaibab Trail Hike
- Grand Canyon – Bright Angel Trail Hike
- Grand Canyon National Park – Dinner at Historic El Tovar
- Grand Canyon – Shuttle to Flagstaff
- Grand Canyon-Desert View Watchtower visit
- Grand Canyon-Grandview Trail hike
