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Hiking in the Grand Canyon: North & South Rims

Hiking in the Grand Canyon: North & South Rims

From $ 4,785 AUD

Description

Discover the Grand Canyon in all its glory on a 5-day hiking adventure brimming with epic views and unforgettable moments. Jump into Arizona and get acquainted with one of the wonders of the natural world. Explore the trails of the little-visited but massively beautiful North Rim accompanied by the wild animals that call this place home, then head down to the South Rim for big views and big stories. With a local leader by your side, you’ll unearth millions of years of history.

Trip Name
Hiking in the Grand Canyon: North & South Rims
Last Updated
2024-04-17
Days
5
Capacity
9
Highlights
  • Explore the lesser visited but hugely beautiful North Rim of Arizona’s Grand Canyon, tackling the North Kaibab Trail and taking in cinematic views at the Coconino Overlook.
  • Cross the historic Old Navajo bridge and head to the popular South Rim of the canyon where you’ll undertake the spectacular Grandview Trail and Hermit Trail.
  • You won’t just be joined by local leaders and fellow travellers on this adventure – prepare to share your hiking trail with all manner of wild animals, including condors, deer and buffalos.
  • With all meals included along the way, you’ll spend less time worrying about where to get your next meal from and more time relishing in magnificent views.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk. In order to travel on this trip, you: 1. Must be able to understand and recognize the risks and hazards inherent in the activities of the trip, must be able to decide to assume those risks and hazards and must actually and voluntarily assume those risks and hazards. 2. Must be able to withstand exposure to the outdoors including exposure to diverse climactic conditions during the trip, including temperatures ranging from below freezing to +100 degrees F, potentially rapidly changing precipitative conditions from dry conditions to precipitation including monsoons and flash floods, for the duration of the Program. 3. Must be able to monitor and evaluate changes in personal health condition including the onset of dehydration, hyponatremia, heat illness or stroke or hypothermia and must be able to communicate any changes in personal health condition or safety concerns to the guide(s). 4. Must be able to participate in all activities at the time scheduled for each activity; e.g. to beat the heat, guest pick-up and hike start times during summer months may range between 3-6 a.m. 5. Must be able to manage all personal care and mobility during extended periods of exertion of 10-plus hours per day, either independently or with the assistance of a companion or an approved assistive device. 6. Must be able to enter and exit a multi-passenger vehicle either independently or with the assistance of a companion or approved assistive device. 7. Must be able to withstand up to eight hours as a passenger in a multi-passenger vehicle, transporting up to 14 passengers at a time, either independently or with the assistance of a companion or an approved assistive device. 8. Must be able to immediately comprehend and follow verbal instructions either independently or with the assistance of a companion or approved assistive device. 9. Must be able to traverse wet and dry, sandy, rocky, uneven and/or unstable ground over a distance of 10-plus miles per day including elevation differential (gain and/or loss) of +3,000 feet per day, for a period of up to 10 hours per day, while carrying: a) BACKPACKING/BACKCOUNTRY TRIPS- a backpack weighing 25-50 pounds, b) FRONTCOUNTRY/LODGE, BASECAMP AND INN-BASED TRIPS - a fully loaded backpack weighing 10-15 pounds, either independently or with an assistance companion or an approved assistive device. 10. Must be able to self-manage and self-navigate unsupervised while in the designated camp area either independently or with the assistance of a companion or approved assistive device. 11. Must be able to perform basic camping activities including sleeping on the ground, consuming water from back country sources, consuming food prepared in a backcountry setting and maintaining personal health and hygiene in accordance with guide directives either independently or with the assistance of a companion or approved assistive device. The use of an assistive device to meet any element of the essential eligibility criteria must be approved in advance by Intrepid Travel.

Day 1 - Flagstaff to Grand Canyon National Park
This morning you will be picked up from Little America Hotel in Flagstaff to begin your journey to the North Rim of the magnificent Grand Canyon – this may be one of the world’s most iconic landmarks, but the North Rim of the canyon receives just 10% of the visitors as the South Rim, meaning you’ll often feel like you have the place to yourself. With an altitude of 8000 ft, the North Rim also enjoys a cooler climate that’s ideal for hiking. En route we’ll cross the Colorado River near Lee’s Ferry, where the Old Navajo Bridge (built in the 1920’s) is suspended 467 feet above the water where you'll have the chance to walk across. On arrival at the North Rim, check into your lodge then head into the Grand Canyon National Park. Fuel up over lunch, then hit the spectacular North Kaibab Trail. This challenging but rewarding hike will lead you through a diverse range of ecosystems – your leaders will point out fascinating plant life along the way. The trail leads to the Coconino Overlook, where you’ll come upon a truly remarkable view of the canyon. Return to your lodge post-hike to freshen up and enjoy the evening as you please.
Day 2 - Grand Canyon National Park
Today is all about seeing the best of the North Rim. We'll drive to Angel’s Window and Point Imperial stopping along the way for several shorter hikes, with some of the most incredible views the Grand Canyon has to offer. If the group wants to add some distance, we may have the opportunity to hike one of the beautiful trails that winds its way through the coniferous forest along the rim.
Day 3 - Grand Canyon National Park
There’s still so much of the Grand Canyon to explore, so say goodbye to the North Rim and drive on to the South Rim (approximately 4-5 hours). Upon re-entering Grand Canyon National Park on the east side, stop off at the famous Desert View Watchtower, built to resemble the Native American tower that once stood in its place centuries ago. The Desert View Drive then provides some jaw-dropping scenes as you make your way to the jumping off point for today’s hike along the Grandview Trail. The trail didn’t get its name by accident – on a clear day you can see for more than 100 miles from the top. First carved out by the native peoples of the Grand Canyon, the trail was expanded upon by miners in the 1890s, and relics of the mining days can still be seen today. Once today’s walk is done and dusted, take some time to put your feet up at your hotel, then head out to dinner at a historic restaurant perched along the canyon’s South Rim.
Day 4 - Grand Canyon National Park
This morning we'll head out on the Bright Angel trail which offers a meandering descent into the Grand Canyon with amazing views along the way, not to mention some welcome amenities like water, bathrooms and shade available intermittently.  As you descend, your guide will explain the geological and ecological phenomena that surround you. There are two potential turn-around points which can make the hike 3 miles or 6 miles round trip. We'll enjoy a picnic lunch with a view better than any 5-star restaurant before starting our return hike to the rim. Tonight we'll am to catch the sunset on a short hike along the rim either before or after our meal.
Day 5 - Grand Canyon National Park to Flagstaff
Rise bright and early for your final day exploring the Grand Canyon, checking out of your accommodation before travelling to the beginning of the South Kaibab Trail. Descend along the spine of the spectacular Cedar Ridge and come upon sweeping panoramic views of the Grand Canyon – perhaps the best in the whole park. Be sure to look up as well as down as California Condors are often spotted around these parts. After your hike, it’s time to return to where it all began, Flagstaff. You can expect to arrive at around 5pm, at which point your adventure will come to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay here, just get in touch ahead of time and we can arrange additional accommodation (subject to availability).

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
15-05-202419-05-2024AUD $ 4,785-
20-05-202424-05-2024AUD $ 4,785-
27-05-202431-05-2024AUD $ 4,785-
17-06-202421-06-2024AUD $ 4,785-
05-08-202409-08-2024AUD $ 4,785-
02-09-202406-09-2024AUD $ 4,785-
09-09-202413-09-2024AUD $ 4,785-
01-10-202405-10-2024AUD $ 4,785-
09-10-202413-10-2024AUD $ 4,785-

Accommodation

Hotel (4 nights)

Transport

Private vehicle

Map