Bright Angel Trail Private Tour
South Rim Village, AZ
5.0 (74 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Mind-blowing Canyon Views
- Water & Shade
- Famous Historic Trail
- Top-shelf Backpack & Trekking Poles
- Staggering Geologic History
- Tasty Trail Snacks & Picnic Lunch
Description
Walking in the footsteps of prehistoric Native Americans, we follow this ancient trail through the Bright Angel Fault. Bright Angel Trail offers a meandering descent into the Grand Canyon and is the easiest trail that goes far below the rim. There are two turn-around points which can make the hike 3 miles or 6 miles round trip. Both options are fantastic choices for families and people who want to push themselves into the Grand Canyon but would like water, bathrooms and shade to be available intermittently.
As you descend the sinuous trail into the depths of the Canyon, your guide will explain the miraculous geological and ecological phenomena that surround you. After either 1.5 miles or 3 miles (or anywhere in between – this is YOUR hike!) we will enjoy a delicious picnic lunch with a view better than any 5-star restaurant. Eventually we will start our return hike to the rim, this time staring up at the towering cliffs above us until we are finally standing back on top of them, gazing down in amazement at the wonderful journey we just took.
(Important: We run hikes in almost all weather conditions and very rarely cancel. See our terms and conditions for information on cancellations and refunds.)
$190-$550 Per Person
Season: Year Round
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 2
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
This trail is the easiest trail in Grand Canyon National Park that goes down into the Canyon vs. staying on top of the rim. It is very well maintained, but does have logs across it which make for high steps up and down. As with all private Grand Canyon day hikes, there is flexibility with the difficulty depending on how far down we go.
Hiking Distances:
3-6 mi
Backpack Weight:
8-12 lbs
Terrain:
Lightly Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
Up to 2000 ft.
Hiking Distances:
Moderate
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 8-12 lb backpack for 4-7 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on variable, uneven terrain
- Hiking in 95+ degree fahrenheit temperatures (May-Sept)
- Hiking with moderate heights exposure
SOLITUDE LEVEL 1
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Grand Canyon hike a solitude 1 because it follows the most popular trail in the Park. You can expect to be around other hikers most of the time.
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Rates
- 1 person: $550
- 2 people: $290 per person
- 3 people: $260 per person
- 4-5 people: $215 per person
- 6-9 people: $190 per person
- 10 and younger: $135 per person
Private day hike tours are only open to your party.
*Prices do not include gratuity for your guide
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
Tour dates reflect general availability. You will select your desired hike during the registration process. The season for this hike is Year Round.
Please Note: Bright Angel Trail is closed between December 1, 2023 and April 14, 2024. During this time period, please select a different day hike. We strongly recommend the South Kaibab Trail as an excellent alternative.
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
What's Included
- Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
- A commitment to make the tour as exciting, challenging, informative, and full as you’d like, and as is possible in a day
- Trail snacks and a picnic lunch
- Use of a top of the line, technical day pack
- Use of trekking poles
- Use of crampons in the winter
- Mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to Grand Canyon
What's Not Included
- Clothing and personal items
- Water (3 liters capacity)
- Transportation to the trailhead
- Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Food: What To Expect
Day hike tours include energizing trail snacks and a delicious picnic lunch. Your guide will customize the food for your hike, but a typical lunch consists of gourmet sandwiches or wraps, fruit, veggies, chips, drinks and a dessert. On wintery or cold days you may be treated to soup or a hot, freshly cooked lunch (if you’d prefer a hot meal, please let us know!)
We regularly accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee.
Trip Logistics
Where Do We Meet?
You will rendezvous with your guide outside The Grand Canyon Association Park Store at the Visitor Center at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Start Times
- October 1 to March 31: 8am
- April and September: 7am
- May and August: 6am
- June and July: 5am
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval on a case by case basis
Weather in the Grand Canyon
The weather in the Grand Canyon varies tremendously from the rim to the canyon floor, with as much as a 30 degree Fahrenheit difference. For this reason, the Canyon is truly a year-round hiking destination. To be fully prepared, please follow the recommended clothing list closely (this list comes as part of your trip packet when you register). Read below for average high and low temperatures at the South Rim and the Canyon bottom:
Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
| Month | South Rim | Canyon Bottom | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| hi | low | hi | low | |
| Dec-Feb | 41° | 18° | 60° | 38° |
| March | 51° | 25° | 71° | 48° |
| April | 60° | 32° | 82° | 56° |
| May | 70° | 39° | 92° | 63° |
| Jun-Aug | 82° | 53° | 108° | 75° |
| September | 76° | 47° | 97° | 69° |
| October | 65° | 36° | 84° | 58° |
| November | 52° | 27° | 68° | 46° |
Trip Reviews
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Robert D
Great way to experience the Grand Canyon.
Our guide Katy was patient and thorough considering we were not experienced hikers. She made sure we felt comfortable the entire way and really made the experience a positive one. A great way to experience the Grand Canyon.
Pati R
Not only fun but also educational
Wildland Trekking is a great company to hike with! Their guides are very knowledgable and experienced. They make the stunningly beautiful Grand Canyon hike not only fun but also an educational experience. Thank you!
Wendi M
Would not hesitate to recommend this company
We are so glad we went with a guide on this hike, and that we did a private hike at that. It allowed us to take as many breaks for as long as we needed, go at our own pace, and when the record-breaking heat wave proved to be too much for us, we were able to cut our planned 3-mile descent a bit short. Catherine was friendly, knowledgeable, and prepared, and made sure we stayed hydrated, took frequent breaks, and even helped us get some great pictures. I would not hesitate to recommend this company, this hike, or this guide to anyone!
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