Havasupai Premier
Flagstaff, AZ
5.0 (14 reviews)Trip Highlights
- 2 Nights at Havasu Falls
- 1 Night at Grand Canyon
- Iconic Grand Canyon Hike
- Swimming in Idyllic Pools
- Descend below Mooney Falls
- Restaurant Dinner near the South Rim
- Amazing Natural & Cultural History
Description
Do you want to see the best of the Grand Canyon all in one trip? If so, our Havasupai Premier Tour is for you! Combining the magic of Havasu Falls with an experience of Grand Canyon National Park, we hit the top highlights of the Grand Canyon in just four days. This backpacking trip features 2 nights of camping at Havasu Falls, a night of lodging near the South Rim, dinner on the rim, and finally the quintessential views of a day hike down the famous South Kaibab Trail.
The Havasu Falls portion of the trip includes a professional Grand Canyon hiking guide, camping reservations (tribal fees are added separately), hiking and camping gear, roundtrip transportation from Flagstaff, all your meals and more. At Grand Canyon National Park this tour includes transportation from Havasu Falls to the Park, one night of lodging, dinner at the Rim, a guided day hike into the Grand Canyon, and breakfast and lunch the final day.
Need to Know: Currently No Havasu Falls Tours
Due to circumstances beyond our control, we will not be operating Havasu Falls tours until further notice. We hope to continue operating tours to Havasu Falls in the future. In the meantime, we offer award-winning hiking and trekking vacations to other incredible Southwest destinations! Check out more of our Arizona Adventures.
HAVASUPAI TRIBAL FEES
Havasupai Tour rates (per person) are broken down into two fees:
- The Wildland guided tour rate: this rate covers everything we provide, which includes local transportation, guides, meals, transport of supplies and personal items (not on backpacking trip), camping gear, camping reservations, safety equipment, and more.
- Havasupai Tribal Fees: the Havasupai Tribal fees are added when you register and cover a per-person entrance fee, environmental fee, and per night camping fees plus 10% tax (the tribe’s fees are higher for commercial companies than for individuals visiting on their own). These fees are dictated annually by – and passed in their entirety to – the Havasupai Tribe.
Please Note: all discounts apply only to the Wildland rate, not to the Tribal Fees.
If you have any questions about our rates or the tribal fees, feel free to call us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453)!
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 3
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
By Grand Canyon standards the hike to the Havasupai Waterfalls is a moderate trip. Elevation change from the trailhead to the campground is 2400 feet but spread out over 10 miles, making it a gradual descent/ascent. There is an optional day hike to Beaver Falls that requires an extremely exposed, vertical down climb on bolts and ladders secured to a cliff. If you have a fear of heights, you may choose to stay in camp on this day.
Hiking Distances:
7-10 mi
Backpack Weight:
25-35 lbs
Terrain:
Lightly Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
2400 ft
Heights Exposure:
Significant
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 25-35 lb backpack for 7-9 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on lightly rugged terrain
- Hiking in 105+ degree farenheit ambient temps may be required. Learn more about desert heat.
- Hiking with extreme heights exposure if you choose to join the day hike to Beaver Falls (optional)
SOLITUDE LEVEL 2
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Grand Canyon hike a solitude 2 because the trail to Havasupai is well-used, but below Mooney Falls we’ll see far fewer people. You can expect as much as an hour of solitude at a time once we’re several miles into the Canyon. Weekends, and especially holiday weekends, tend to be very busy so if traveling during these periods expect to be around other hikers most of the time.
WHY WE BASE IN FLAGSTAFF VS. PHOENIX 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.
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.Â
Private Rates FOr This Trip
- 2 People: Rate x 2.5
- 3 People: Rate x 1.75
- 4 People: Rate x 1.25
- 5+ People: Rate x 1.15
*all rates are per person
Learn About Our Private Trips
View Private TripsITINERARY
Day 1
- Shuttle to Hualapai Hilltop: 3.5-hour drive from Flagstaff
- Hiking Mileage: 10 miles
- Elevation Loss: 2,400 feet
The excitement of this Grand Canyon tour begins with our hike into Havasu Falls. We depart from Hualapai Hilltop. We hike downhill steeply through a series of switchbacks before leveling off in a beautiful red sandstone canyon. After hiking 4.5 miles this canyon intersects with Cataract Canyon and Havasu Creek, whose enchanting turqouise waters are some of the most inviting in the world. We hike along this creek for 2 miles to the village of Supai before continuing on another 2 miles to the campground. En route to the campground we pass three of the five major waterfalls, Rock Falls, Fifty Foot Falls, and Havasu Falls. The rest of the day is available for photographing and enjoying Havasu Falls.
Day 2
- Hiking Mileage: 7 miles (optional day hiking)
- Elevation Change: 500 feet
We’ll spend Day 2 exploring the stunning waterfalls that make Havasu a world-renown Grand Canyon destination. We’ll hike downstream to Mooney Falls which is perhaps the most magnificent of all of them at 200 feet tall. We’ll then continue hiking downstream another 2.5 miles to Beaver Falls, where the canyon becomes increasingly dramatic with small waterfalls cascading under ash and cottonwood trees. Big horn sheep are often an added bonus, as this area provides them with rare, valuable grazing habitat. Beaver Falls makes for a fantastic lunch spot before we hiking back to camp.
Day 3
- Hiking Mileage: 10 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2,400 feet
- Shuttle to the South Rim: 3.5-hours
- Accommodations: Grand Canyon Squire Inn
We begin day 3 with another very early start (getting up around 2 AM and hiking by 4 or 5 AM) to again take advantage of the cool morning air. Watching the sun rise as we hike is an incredibly serene and memorable experience. Hiking back through the Supai Village, Cataract Canyon and up to Hualapai Hilltop we conclude the Havasu portion of our trip. We’ll enjoy lunch and cold drinks.
A shuttle driver will be waiting to drive us to Grand Canyon National Park, which is a time for reflection as the next phase of our journey unfolds. We’ll check in at a cozy hotel about 10 minutes drive from the South Rim and get cleaned up before driving to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon for a short evening walk along the Rim Trail as the sun sets. Afterward we’ll enjoy dinner in a wonderful South Rim restaurant overlooking the depths of the Grand Canyon.
Day 4
- Hiking Mileage: 3-6 miles
- Elevation Gain: up to 2,040 feet
- Shuttle to Flagstaff: 1.5-hour drive to the Flagstaff, Arizona
We’ll get a fairly relaxed start before spending the day hiking on the South Kaibab Trail. It is a 4 to 6 hour moderate hike with BIG Grand Canyon views, and amazing natural and cultural history. The South Kaibab Trail is one of the most photographed trails in the country because it descends the spine of a long ridge with 360-degree views. Exciting hiking, fascinating geologic history and, with any luck, a California Condor will round out the day on this classic Grand Canyon hiking experience.
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
Due to circumstances beyond our control, we will not be operating Havasu Falls tours until further notice. We hope to continue operating tours to Havasu Falls in the future. In the meantime, we offer award-winning hiking and trekking vacations to other incredible USA destinations!
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
- Top-of-the-line tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and multi-day backpack
- Camping in a comfortable basecamp near Havasu Creek
- Use of trekking poles
- All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
- One night of lodging near the South Rim and dinner on the Rim
- 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.
- Havasupai camping reservations
- Transportation for the duration of the tour
- Transport of most food and gear in and out of the Canyon via a certified, privately contracted pack horse outfitter (not included in 2019, the Havasu Falls portion will be backpacking)
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device (InReach Explorer or satellite phone)
- 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
- Havasupai tribal fees (mandatory per-person entrance, environmental, and camping fees) are added separately and collected at time of registration (more info above)
- Clothes, raingear, and footwear (see recommendations)
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- A lightweight stuff sack for your belongings
- 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
All of our hiking and backpacking tours include a diversity of tasty meals packed full of critical carbohydrates, proteins and fats. We carry foods that travel well in the backcountry – rice, pastas, lentils, beans, couscous, packaged meats, nuts, breads, oatmeal, granola, and more.
For optimal taste and energy, we supplement all our meals with spices, herbs, oils, cheeses, butter, sugar, and fruits and vegetables (fresh and dried). 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
- Sierra Designs, Kelty or Big Agnes tents
- Sierra Designs, Kelty, Big Agnes and Mountain Hardware sleeping bags
- Thermarest or Big Agnes sleeping pads
- Leki trekking poles
- Cooking stoves and cookware
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Emergency communication device(s)
Guest Packing
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.
Additionally, some guests choose to bring their own sleeping bag. We supply high quality, synthetic fill bags that are professionally laundered after every trip. Synthetic fill is non-allergenic, insulates when damp and stands up well to repeated washings, but is heavier and bulkier than down. If you’re able to bring your own down sleeping bag, there are multiple benefits. If not, we’ve got you covered!
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 Considerations
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.
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
Backcountry Camping
2 nightS
Sleeping on backpacking trips 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 sleeping bags (professionally laundered after every trip) are also provided.
Grand Canyon Squire Inn
1 night
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!
(pool, spa)
* 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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Sue K.
Superb Company and Employees
Superb company and employees. Commitment to excellence is evident. The Canyon’s magic, beauty, power, is breathtaking every step of the way. Havasupai village a privilege to experience this rare opportunity and witness a glimpse of what was and has survived many hardships. South Kaibob trail offered another unique perspective of the beguiling Canyon, enveloping you with its redwalls, severe drops, green valleys, and wide open spaces. All in all an absolutely spectacular fun filled awe inspiring trip. Thanks to Rory and Dan for making it all possible and new friendships.
Monica D.
Great Trip
Rory and Dan were great. Our group was quite diverse. They did an awesome job of making sure everyone’s needs were met. They were very knowledgeable and were also fun. They worked really well together and I was surprised they’d never done a trip together before. It’s very clear they enjoy what they do. The trip was awesome. Food was great. Equipment was great.
Stephanie V.
Supportive, Excellent Guides
I'm amazed that two 70-year-olds (us!) did this hike. It was a stretch but well worth the effort. We literally could not have done it without all the support and encouragement from our two excellent guides. They were so positive and helpful in every possible way.
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