Best of Grand Canyon Tour
Flagstaff, AZ
5.0 (83 reviews)Trip Highlights
- 3 Distinct Grand Canyon Hikes
- Dramatic Views
- Historic El Tovar Hotel
- Best Museums & Visitor Centers
- Amazing Natural & Cultural History
- Fascinating History
- Stunning Sunsets
Description
We created this Grand Canyon hiking tour for guests who want to have an adventurous, outdoor experience of the Grand Canyon combined with the comforts of a hotel on the rim each night. Highlights include three challenging day hikes whose locations span over thirty miles of the South Rim, premier lodging at the famous El Tovar Hotel overlooking the Canyon, delicious dinners at the South Rim, and a “sprinkled in” tour of the best Grand Canyon museums and visitor attractions. All fully included in the trip cost!
The day hikes will take you more than half way down into the Canyon, each illustrating the dramatic diversity of this magical landscape. Enjoy BIG Grand Canyon views, fossils, mining history, Native American history, and geologic phenomena. During the three days we’ll “sprinkle” in a tour of the best museums and visitor attractions before enjoying our evening meals. After dinner we’ll retire to our hotel, where you can simply step outside to enjoy dramatic sunsets over the Canyon!
$400 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
Unless otherwise requested, we will attempt to find you a roommate of the same gender. If you would like a single room, the single supplement will apply.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 2
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
This trip follows maintained trails that can be moderately rugged in places, mostly due to logs that lead to large steps up or down or erosional sections. We tackle significant elevation gains and losses over moderate distances.
Hiking Distances:
Up to 6 mi
Backpack Weight:
8-12 lbs
Terrain:
Moderately Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
Up to 2500 ft
Heights Exposure:
Moderate
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 8-12 lb backpack for 6-8 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on variable, uneven terrain
- Hiking in 95+ degree fahrenheit temperatures (May-Sept)
- Hiking with moderate heights exposure
SOLITUDE LEVEL 2
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
You can expect as much as an hour of solitude at a time while hiking.
WHY WE BASE IN FLAGSTAFF VS. PHOENIX
- Reduced drive time by 3 hours on first day of hiking
- Guide support is only an hour away vs. 4-5 hours away in Phoenix.
- Increased flexibility with unforeseen circumstances
- Flagstaff is a scenic mountain town with great hiking and restaurants!
GROOME SHUTTLE
Groome Transportation operates an Arizona Shuttle that makes 9 dependable trips daily each direction between Phoenix and Flagstaff. The duration is 2.5-3 hours. They pickup/drop off at Sky Harbor Airport and the Metro Center in Phoenix, and in Flagstaff at the Amtrak Station (near downtown) and the NAU campus.
Note: Groome also offers daily transportation (3 trips in each direction) from Flagstaff to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
CAR RENTAL
Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix has a fantastic car rental facility that is easily accessible and hosts a great variety of companies. We recommend checking Priceline.com as well for especially good deals.
ARIZONA EXECUTIVE TRANSPORT
Arizona Executive Transport offers private, reliable SUV service between Phoenix and Flagstaff. This option is best if you’re traveling in a group of 3 or 4. As Wildland Trekking guests, your one-way cost for up to 4 passengers is only $275. Simply type “Wildland Trekking Company” in the Discount Code Box at the bottom of the online registration page. You can go to http://www.arizonaexecutivellc.com to make your reservations online.
MINIMUM OF 2 GUESTS
If a trip does not reach the minimum number of guests, you may choose to transfer to another trip date or another trip, be refunded your payments in full, or you may have the choice to pay a supplemental fee to run the trip with fewer guests. We make the final determination for these trips 4-6 weeks before the departure date, and notify guests of changes and options immediately.
Private Trips
Travel in perfect company by booking a private trip exclusively for your group!
Our sliding scale for private trips is based on the final number of guests in your group. Rates are per person and do not include sales tax, national park fees or guide gratuity. The final rate is based on the actual number of guests on the trip and may adjust based on cancellations or additions.
Please Note: you can also enjoy a private trip at our normal scheduled rates by filling any empty tour to capacity. However, if group members drop from the tour those spots will automatically become available on our website for instant booking. By purchasing a private trip at the rates listed below, your trip will remain exclusive to your group regardless of cancellations.
Private Rates FOr This Trip
- 2 People: Rate x 2.5
- 3 People: Rate x 2
- 4 People: Rate x 1.5
- 5+ People: Rate x 1.15
*all rates are per person and single supplements apply
Learn About Our Private Trips
View Private TripsITINERARY
Day 1
- Shuttle to the South Rim: 2-hour drive from Flagstaff
- Hiking Mileage: 3-6 miles
- 1-way Elevation Change: 1200-2040 feet
On this Grand Canyon hiking tour, we’ll pick you up at your hotel in Flagstaff and drive to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon through the South Entrance, where the initial views are sure to blow you away! We’ll accentuate our drive with stops at some carefully selected viewpoints that make for phenomenal views of the Canyon and exceptional photographs.
The South Kaibab Trail descends the spine of spectacular Cedar Ridge and allows for BIG Grand Canyon views as the ridge drops off on both sides and in front of you. It is the trail to do if you’re looking for some of the best panoramas in the Grand Canyon. These panoramas and the moderate nature of the hiking make the South Kaibab Trail one of the most photographed trails in the country and a great first day for us. Possible sightings of California Condors and truly fascinating geologic history will round out the day.
Day 2
- Hiking Mileage: 3-6 miles
- 1-way Elevation Change: 1000-2000 feet
Walking in the footsteps of prehistoric Native Americans, we follow an ancient trail through the Bright Angel Fault. Today’s trail offers a meandering descent into the Grand Canyon and is the most accessible trail that goes far below the rim. There are two potential turn-around points which can make the hike 3 miles or 6 miles round trip. This is a great trail to get down into the Grand Canyon and has great amenities like water, bathrooms and shade 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. 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 hike we just accomplished.
Tonight’s dinner is at the famous and historic El Tovar Hotel, overlooking the depths of the Grand Canyon, after which we’ll settle down for some much deserved sleep. (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.)
Day 3
- Hiking Mileage: 2.4-6 miles
- 1-way Elevation Change: 1200-2500 feet
- Shuttle to Flagstaff: 1.5-hour drive from the South Rim
The well-named Grandview Trail takes us down a series of exciting switchbacks with seemingly endless views of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River. The trail was built by one of Grand Canyon’s most famous miners, Pete Berry, in the late 1800’s 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 amazing, hand-cobbled trail. We’ll descend down through geologic and cultural history, gazing into the depths of the Canyon and discussing the immense beauty and intrigue of this landscape.
We’ll turn east and exit the Park from the East Entrance this time, where we’ll stop at the famous Desert View Watchtower. This amazing structure is a replica of a Native American tower found in the same location by early explorers centuries ago.
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.
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.
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
- 2 nights of double occupancy lodging at the historic El Tovar Lodge at the South Rim (single occupancy requires an additional single supplement)
- Dinner at the El Tovar Restaurant and another South Rim venue (weather permitting)
- Breakfasts, picnic lunches prepared by your guide, and trail snacks
- Use of a day pack, trekking poles and Microspike crampons during winter months
- 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.
- Transportation for the duration of the tour originating and concluding in Flagstaff
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device (InReach Explorer or satellite phone)
- Mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to Grand Canyon
- A Lifetime Hiking Membership entitling you, your spouse and dependents to a discount of 10% off any Wildland hiking trip after your first one (must book directly with us to receive the discount)!
What's Not Included
- Clothes, raingear, and footwear (see recommendations)
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
- Alcoholic beverages
- Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about what to pack.
Meals: What To Expect
This tour features a combination of restaurant meals and meals prepared by your guide. We’ll have dinner at the famous and historic El Tovar Hotel one evening and a sunset dinner on the Rim (prepared by your guide) as well if weather permits.
For optimal taste and energy, we supplement all our meals with spices, herbs, oils, cheeses, butter, sugar, and fruits and vegetables. In addition, we provide you with with an assortment of trail mix, snacks, and dried fruits to eat at your own discretion.
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.
Gear We Provide
We provide all group gear which includes the following:
- Deuter or Osprey backpacks
- Leki trekking poles
- Microspike crampons when necessary
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Satellite phone
Guest Packing List
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with a detailed packing list specific to this trip (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, a recommended clothing system, a headlamp or flashlight, a hydration system (water bottles and/or bladder) and other items specific to each trip.
Trip Logistics
How do I Register?
Reserve your spot today! In the Trip Dates & Booking section of this page, the green and red dates are bookable online by simply clicking on the date, and blue dates must be booked through our customer service team for a variety of possible reasons. To email our customer service team, you can click here to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if you’re ready to register we’ll email you a link to a registration profile. You’ll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit.
Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!
Where Do We Meet?
Unless we tell you otherwise, you will meet your guide and group at the Little America Hotel in Flagstaff (use this reservation page for a 10-60% discount at Little America) for an orientation meeting at 5:00 PM the evening before the trip begins. We’re happy to give you a ride to this meeting if you’re not staying at Little America, but staying at one of our other recommended hotels. Your guide will then pick you up at your hotel the next morning for transport to the trailhead. For Private Grand Canyon Tours your guide will meet you at your hotel in Flagstaff 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.
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.
Essential Eligibility Criteria
Essential Eligibility Criteria (“EEC”) have been specifically identified to help you understand the skills and abilities necessary to participate on each Wildland trip, and they apply uniformly to all potential trip participants, irrespective of the presence or absence of any disability.
Once you identify a trip in which you may be interested, please carefully review the EEC and itinerary details. If after reviewing the EEC that apply to your desired trip, you determine you need an accommodation in order to meet the EEC, please contact us prior to registering to discuss your requested accommodation.
The EEC exist for your own safety and that of all participants. If you are unable to meet the EEC for the trip, with or without an accommodation, you are not eligible for that trip. If you register and arrive for a trip for which you do not meet the EEC, you will be disqualified from participation on the trip and will be dismissed or evacuated from the trip without a refund.
Guide Working Parameters
Guides are required to take 8 hours off each 24-hour period to sleep, recuperate, take personal/down time…etc. In addition, as part of the 8 hours off they must sleep/rest or be in their tents/rooms uninterrupted for a minimum of 5 hours each night. We ask guests to respect these requirements and to not interrupt guides’ off time and sleep time unless there is a true emergency.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 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
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° |
Accommodations
El Tovar Hotel
2 nights
This legendary hotel is Grand Canyon’s premier lodge. First opened in 1905, El Tovar is a celebrated, historic hotel right on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Staying here offers a unique lodging experience that takes us back in time, and allows guests to easily enjoy evening sunsets or night walks on the rim by simply stepping outside.
* These exact accommodations are not guaranteed. In some instances alternative accommodations of similar quality and location may be used.
Trip Reviews
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Kristine H
Perfect
We greatly enjoyed everything about our trip! Registration was a breeze. We were provided with detailed information regarding logistics, packing, and preparation well in advance of the trip. Our hotel and food were perfect too. Our guide, Doug, was awesome! I plan to do more trips with Wildland Trekking in the future.
Michael M
Great Trip
Unique hiking, great accommodations and guide...we were happy with our hike. Our party of 4 was in good physical condition and have been on a number of hiking tours before this. This was our first cold winter hike with snowy trail segments in the shade leftover from the previous week's snow. Crampons were a really good idea, though experienced hikers might have been fine without them. We would not have been comfortable hiking some of these trails without a guide as mornings were cold (bundled up) and some trails had steep ledges in addition to snowy and sometimes icy spots. Navigating the mules was interesting. The footing was secure even in the snow/ice and many trails were relatively wide, though there were enough steep/narrow and sometimes snowy/icy segments to make one of our group uncomfortable. If any in your party have issues with heights then you really should let the guide know before the trip because these trails are inherently steep and there aren't too many options. We were lucky with the weather and had clear days that warmed up nicely by noon, but be prepared for cold weather if hiking in December.
Carol W
Terrific Adventure
Emily Rolando brings the perfect combination of technical skill & personal touch. Having both the outdoors technical chops as well as nurturing encouragement is rare, and Emily exemplifies both in a big way. Her enthusiasm for the outdoors, knowledge of history & geology, her subtle yet constant mother-hen vigilance to ensure our comfort and safety at all times, all coupled with her uncanny ability to stay sweet and client-focused can't be stressed enough as the backdrop for a terrific adventure. This unique and important combination of skills and characteristics that she manages to make seem effortless, while doing so with a big ole’ smile, are a real gift!!
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