Grand Circuit Inn Based
Inn-Based Hiking Tours
5 Days, 4 Nights 28MI / 45KM
Reroute Alert!
Due to the Dragon Bravo Fire, we are unable to create any new Grand Circuit reservations for 2025. Existing reservations are anticipated to be rerouted where possible. Bookings for 2026 remain open.
Please support the Grand Canyon Conservancy’s disaster relief efforts. The Intrepid Foundation is matching the first $20,000 donated at our fire relief fundraiser here.
For a Rim to River experience, check out our Grand Canyon Classic backpacking trip, which is currently running as planned.
Trip Highlights
This tour is an opportunity to experience the Grand Canyon from both rims, see Lee’s Ferry (the official beginning of the Grand Canyon), go on a variety of adventurous hikes and relax in style each evening! We take care of everything – reservations, fees, meals and transportation – while you get to relax and enjoy a fantastic hiking experience at one of the most beautiful places in the world!
Your guide will lead you on two hikes off the North Rim and three hikes off the South Rim – the challenge of the treks will vary to allow for recovery and relaxation in between. We’ve hand-picked the hikes specifically for their uniqueness, adventure and scenic beauty. Some of the highlights include breathtaking views, incredible natural and cultural history, views of the Colorado River, stunning conifer forests, ancient fossils, and dripping desert oases.
Each night you’ll return to your hotel in the cool pine forests of the rims. You’ll finish each day with a hot shower, tasty dinners (restaurant and outdoor meals) and relaxing evening. Your guide will also lead moon-lit walks along the edge of the Canyon for those interested. Don’t miss this overall experience of the Grand Canyon – give us a call at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) to learn more!
-
5+ Hikes Covering North & South
-
Accommodations Near the Rims
-
Phenomenal Views
-
Amazing Natural & Cultural History
-
Dinner at Historic El Tovar
-
Dinner at Grand Canyon Lodge
-
Guides Choice Trip
Book This Trip
View Dates
Trip Details
-
Trip Type
Inn-Based Hiking Tours -
Trip Length
5 Days, 4 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
Up to 6 mi -
Group Size
2-9 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 follows well maintained trails that can be a little rugged in places, mostly due to logs that lead to large steps up or down. We tackle significant elevation gains and losses over moderate distances. Like all Grand Canyon hikes, there is heights exposure (moderate on this trip.)
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 North Rim: 4-hour drive from Flagstaff
Hiking Mileage: 1.5-4.0 miles
1-way Elevation Change: 600-1441 feet
Accommodations: Grand Canyon Lodge
On this Grand Canyon hiking tour, we’ll pick you up at your hotel in Flagstaff and begin our drive to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. En route we’ll cross the Little Colorado River and then the Colorado River near Lee’s Ferry, where the Old Navajo Bridge (built in the 1920’s) is suspended 467 feet above the water. Your guide will drop you off so you can walk across the historic bridge and snap pictures of this amazing spot, which marks the beginning of the Grand Canyon. Occasionally we see California Condors perched on the rafters beneath the bridge.
After eating breakfast at the Old Navajo Bridge, we’ll continue on our journey to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and the famous Grand Canyon Lodge. We’ll check in to our rooms, then enjoy the lodge and its massive picture windows before hiking to Bright Angel Point, one of the most impressive views in the Canyon. After a hearty lunch we’ll hike down the famous North Kaibab Trail to Coconino Overlook, another one of the most impressive overlooks in the Canyon.
Once the hiking is done we’ll continue back to the Grand Canyon Lodge, where we’ll shower and meet up for a wonderful dinner overlooking the depths of the Grand Canyon from the Lodge restaurant’s spectacular picture windows.
Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 2-6 miles
Elevation Change: Minimal
Accommodations: Grand Canyon Lodge
Today will be a highlight tour of everything the North Rim has to offer. We’ll take the drive to Angel’s Window and Point Imperial stopping along the way. Today will feature several shorter hikes, with some of the most breathtaking views the Grand Canyon has to offer. For more active groups that wants to add more mileage to the day, we’ll have the opportunity to hike one of the beautiful trails that winds its way through the coniferous forest along the rim.
Day 3
Shuttle to the South Rim: 4-hour drive from the North Rim
Hiking Mileage: 3-6 miles
1-way Elevation Change: 1,200 – 2,500 feet
Accommodations: Historic El Tovar or The Grand Canyon Squire Inn
We’ll check out of our rooms and drive again over the Colorado River at Lee’s Ferry. We’ll turn west and enter 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.
After driving along the famous Desert View Drive, we’ll reach the jumping off point for our amazing hike on the Grandview Trail! As the name implies, phenomenal views abound on this hike! You can see for more than 100 miles on a clear Grand Canyon day from the top. Originally used by native peoples of the Grand Canyon, the Grandview Trail as we know it today was built as access to the Last Chance Mine when copper was discovered on Horseshoe Mesa in 1890. Along with prehistoric sites, much of the old mining operation remains, including the original miner’s cabin walls and fireplace.
After our hike we’ll check in to our hotel, have another hearty dinner at one of the South Rim’s historic rim-side restaurants, enjoy showers, and relish in some much-deserved relaxation time.
Day 4
Hiking Mileage: 3-6 miles
1-way Elevation Change: 1000-2000 feet
Accommodations: Historic El Tovar or The Grand Canyon Squire Inn
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.
We’ll enjoy a short walk along the Rim either before or after our meal as the sun dips behind distant ridgelines and the Canyon’s shadows grow long across the landscape.
Day 5
Hiking Mileage: 3-6 miles
1-way Elevation Change: 1200-2000 feet
Shuttle to Flagstaff: 1.5 hours
On our final morning we’ll get an early start, check out and head to the South Kaibab Trail, which descends the spine of the 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. Possible sightings of California Condors and truly fascinating geologic history will round out the day.
It’s a relatively short shuttle drive back to Flagstaff after today’s hike, during which time you can relax and reminisce over the last 5 amazing days.
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
What's Included
-
4 nights of double occupancy lodging: 2 nights at the Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim, 2 nights at the Grand Hotel or the Squire Inn near the South Rim (single occupancy requires an additional single supplement)
-
Dinners including ones at Grand Canyon Lodge, El Tovar and a sunset dinner on the Rim (weather permitting)
-
Breakfasts, picnic lunches prepared by your guide, and trail snacks
-
Use of a day pack and trekking poles
-
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
-
Mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to Grand Canyon
What's Not Included
-
Clothes, raingear, and footwear -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
-
Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
-
Alcoholic beverages
-
Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Accommodations
* These exact accommodations are not guaranteed. In some instances alternative accommodations of similar quality and location may be used.
Grand Canyon Lodge
2 nights
Famous and historic Grand Canyon Lodge sits literally at the edge of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, with spectacular picture windows and incredible access to the Canyon. It is a wonderful treat to stay at this stunningly situated lodge.
(views, heat, A/C)
El Tovar Hotel
0-2 nights
This legendary hotel is Grand Canyon’s premier lodge. A celebrated, historic hotel right on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, El Tovar first opened in 1905. Staying here offers a unique lodging experience that in many ways takes us back in time.
(views)
Grand Canyon Squire Inn
0-2 nights
A short drive from the edge of the Canyon, this modern, appealing hotel puts us right in the action where we can make the most of our Grand Canyon adventure! Expect a very comfortable lodging experience with all the modern amenities.
(pool, spa)
Trip Logistics & FAQs
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.
Travel to Flagstaff
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.
Pre and Post-Trip On Request Lodging
We secure limited amounts of pre and post trip lodging in Flagstaff, Arizona as an optional add-on for guests of this trip. This lodging is on request, and is available on a first come, first serve basis. If interested, please reach out directly to our team to check availability.
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)
- 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
Reviews
- SORT BY:
- Most recent
- LOW - HIGH
- HIGH - LOW
Lisa M
6 months agoCan't wait for my next Wildland adventure!
This was an absolutely fantastic way to experience the Grand Canyon! The hikes, the historic inns, the food, the excellent guide - it all was just amazing and couldn't have been better! Doug was so helpful, knowledgeable, encouraging, flexible, and competent - he set a perfect pace for our group and was so generous in sharing his knowledge (and encouragement). Can't wait for my next Wildland adventure!
Maddison P
1 year agoHonestly Amazing
Our guide, Tolman, was incredible! He was so friendly and welcoming, and taught us so much about the Canyon, its history, the natives and more. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide or a better experience it was honestly amazing. I would recommend this company to anyone and everyone
Marcy J
2 years agoGood Trip
The fall season is the perfect time for hiking on the North and South Rim of the Grand Canyon. We hiked through gorgeous golden aspens and red vine maples up North, and had fantastic sunsets on the S. Rim. Staying at historic El Tovar on the S.. Rim was the icing on the cake!
You Might Also Like...
"*" indicates required fields
Leave a Reply