Mule Assisted Classic
Packstock or Porter Supported
3 Days, 2 Nights 17MI / 27KM
Trip Highlights
Fantastic for families, people with limited time, and for a broad range of ages and abilities, the Mule-assisted Grand Canyon Classic Tour (100% a hiking trip) is an opportunity to experience the fullness of Grand Canyon National Park with a higher level of comfort than a backpacking trip. You get to fully soak up the beauty as you hike with just a small, top-of-the-line backpack we provide, while mules carry your gear down and back up!
Enjoy starting at the popular South Rim, hiking classic trails with quintessential views, visiting historic Phantom Ranch, camping at breathtaking Bright Angel Campground, spending time at the Colorado River, and hiking by ancient Havasupai Gardens. You can just relax and enjoy yourself, as we provide all the gear, tasty meals, and a professional guide. This hike is an all-around taste of the Grand Canyon in a relatively short amount of time – don’t miss it!
-
Famous Hiking Trails
-
Mules Carry Gear & Supplies
-
HUGE Canyon Views
-
Mighty Colorado River
-
Layover Day to Explore
-
Oasis of Havasupai Garden
-
Mind-blowing Geology
Book This Trip
View Dates
Trip Details
-
Trip Type
Packstock or Porter Supported -
Trip Length
3 Days, 2 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
Up to 9.5 mi -
Group Size
1-9 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
"*" indicates required fields
Is This Trip Right For me?
This trip consists of longer distance hikes (up to 9.5 miles) and extreme elevation changes (over 4000 feet) on good, maintained trails. Logs crossing the trails create tall steps up/down, which increases difficulty. The final important point is that doing this trip between May and September may require hiking in 105+ degree fahrenheit temperatures.
Difficulty Level
Learn More
Solitude Level
Learn More
Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 1
Shuttle to the South Kaibab TH: 15 minutes
Hiking Mileage: 7.5 miles
Elevation Loss: 4,800 feet
This classic Grand Canyon hiking tour begins on the South Kaibab Trail, a deservedly popular hiking route that offers spectacular views both up and down the Grand Canyon. It’s 7.5 miles of moderate hiking to the Bright Angel Campground, our destination and camp for the first night. This camp is one of the most charming in the Park as it’s situated at the bottom of the Grand Canyon near the Colorado River and adjacent to Bright Angel Creek. Campsites are shaded by tall, spreading cottonwoods, piped drinking water is available, and nearby Phantom Ranch offers a snack bar and ranger-led evening interpretive programs.
Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 0-7 miles day hiking
Elevation Gain/Loss: < 1,000 feet
This is a layover day and a chance to relax and absorb the magic of the Canyon or go on a memorable day hike. Remember your swimsuit for a soak in the cool waters of Bright Angel Creek, catch up on that book you’ve been wanting to read, spend quality time with your family exploring the area, or join your guide for a customized day hike. Hiking options include an off-trail trek up a side canyon with cascades, pools and oases; a breathtaking hike paralleling the Colorado River a thousand feet above it on the Clear Creek Trail; or a relaxing walk on the River Trail.
Day 3
Hiking Mileage: 9.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 4,500 feet
An early breakfast will precede a long but beautiful hike out as we make our ascent to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim via the Bright Angel Trail. It’s 9.3 miles from camp to the Rim, where we’ll look back over our hike and reflect on the beauty of this place and our accomplishment in achieving something that few have had the privilege of experiencing.
Trip Dates
Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.
Scroll horizontally to view all dates
Pre-Permit Trip Dates
| Start | End | |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Apr 3, 2026 | Sun, Apr 5, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Wed, Apr 8, 2026 | Fri, Apr 10, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Tue, Apr 14, 2026 | Thu, Apr 16, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Tue, Apr 21, 2026 | Thu, Apr 23, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Sat, Apr 25, 2026 | Mon, Apr 27, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Mon, Apr 27, 2026 | Wed, Apr 29, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Start | End | |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, May 1, 2026 | Sun, May 3, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Mon, May 4, 2026 | Wed, May 6, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Thu, May 7, 2026 | Sat, May 9, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Sun, May 10, 2026 | Tue, May 12, 2026 | Request Reservation |
What's Included
-
Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
-
High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use)
-
Use of trekking poles and Microspike Crampons if necessary
-
All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
-
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.
-
Grand Canyon National Park wilderness permits (read about Grand Canyon's permit system)
-
Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
-
Mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to Grand Canyon
What's Not Included
-
Clothes, raingear, and footwear -
National park entrance fee
-
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
-
A lightweight stuff sack for your belongings during mule transport
-
Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
-
National park entrance fees
-
Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Accommodations
Backcountry Sleeping
Tent Camping
Sleeping on this trip is in premier 1-person, 2-person or 4-person backcountry tents. Solo travelers, and anyone else who requests it, are issued single tents. Top-of-the-line self-inflating sleeping pads and synthetic-fill sleeping bags (professionally laundered after every trip) are also provided.
Backcountry Cuisine
Fresh & Delicious
Meals from breakfast Day 1 through lunch the last day are fully included and prepared by your guide. We never use dehydrated backpacking meals, instead serving freshly prepared, delicious backcountry cuisine made with a variety of common and specialty ingredients that travel well in the wilderness.
Amazing Campsites
In the Action
Campsites vary by destination, trip and even by the individual day of a trip. However, you can expect to camp in beautiful areas that put you right in the action to make the most of your trekking adventure. We carefully design our itineraries with campsites in mind.
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
Unless we tell you otherwise, you will meet your guide and group in the lobby of the Bright Angel Lodge at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon at 5:00 PM the evening before your trip begins. For Private Mule-assisted Classic Grand Canyon Tours your guide can meet you at your hotel in Tusayan or at the South Rim at an agreed upon time.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to the South Rim
All Mule-assisted Classics begin and end at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The South Rim is located 60 miles north of Williams, Arizona (via highway 64) and 80 miles northwest of Flagstaff (via highway 180). You can fly into Phoenix, Flagstaff, or Las Vegas and either rent a car or take shuttles to reach the South Rim.
Groome Transportation provides 9 trips daily between Phoenix and Flagstaff, and 3 trips daily between Flagstaff and the South Rim. The majority of our guests, however, find it most convenient to rent a vehicle and drive from Phoenix or Flagstaff to the South Rim.
Feel free to give us a call at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information on getting to the South Rim.
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s pick-up time at the orientation meeting. Generally, you can expect it to be between 4 and 7 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day normally before 5 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time).
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:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 8 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Reviews
- SORT BY:
- Most recent
- LOW - HIGH
- HIGH - LOW
Kelsey K
3 years agoHighly Recommend This Company
The hike was one of the best experiences in my lifetime. Our guide was tremendously knowledgeable; helpful and full of fascinating information about all the beauty we witnessed. I highly recommend this company for experiencing the Grand Canyon in the most awe inspiring way!
Julie H
3 years agoI highly recommend this trip
Tiffany was wonderful. She made my epic 60th birthday one I’ll never forget. Her meals were great. She has great knowledge of the canyon, plants, rock formations and the trails. With over 20+ years of experience I felt totally at ease with the trip. I highly recommend this trip and Tiffany.
Andrew S
3 years agoLifetime of good memories
The hiking experience in the age and a canyon was excellent. Super knowledgeable guide, great hiking pace- left a lifetime of good memories
You Might Also Like...
"*" indicates required fields
Leave a Reply