Hermit Loop
Guided Backpacking Trips
4-5 Days, 3-4 Nights 29MI / 47KMTrip Highlights
This deservedly very popular, point-to-point Grand Canyon hike off the South Rim is excellent for guests looking for a more remote, diverse and absolutely stunning tour of the Canyon. It features fantastic views, historic ruins, a canyon narrows section, and time at one (on the 4-day itinerary) or two (on the 5-day itinerary) of the more spectacular and more photographed rapids on the Colorado River. This is probably the most scenic hike in the Grand Canyon and offers tremendous natural and cultural diversity.
The first day takes us down the famous Bright Angel Trail past Havasupai Garden. From here we’ll hike west across the Tonto Trail, paralleling the Colorado River a thousand feet above it. The breathtaking views on this trip are punctuated by side hikes down narrow canyons to two impressive rapids on the river. We’ll enjoy majestic creek-side camps, desert wildlife viewing opportunities, ancient fossils, and some of the best hiking the Grand Canyon has to offer!
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Guides Choice Backpacking Trip
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Remote & Breathtaking Tonto Plateau
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360° Kaleidoscope Views
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Natural & Cultural History
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Famous Bright Angel Trail
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Rapids on the Colorado River
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Scenic, Narrow Side Canyons
Book This Trip
Trip Details
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Trip Type
Guided Backpacking Trips -
Trip Length
4-5 Days, 3-4 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
8-10 mi -
Group Size
1-9 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
We rate this Grand Canyon hike a solitude 3 because it enters the Canyon on the most popular trail in the park (Bright Angel), but then follows the sparsely populated Tonto and Hermit Trails. You can expect hours of solitude at a time and often a feeling of having the Canyon to yourself.
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 Rim: 1.5-hour drive from Flagstaff
Hiking Mileage: 6.9 miles
Elevation Loss: 3,060 feet
This memorable Grand Canyon backpacking tour begins with a 4.9-mile downhill hike on the Bright Angel Trail to Havasupai Garden, a Havasupai spring site that watered seasonal garden plots for centuries. At Havasupai Garden we’ll relax in the shade of the Cottonwood trees, dip our feet in the ice cold spring water of Garden Creek, and enjoy a peaceful picnic lunch before continuing to our first night’s camp. Tonight’s camp is a beautiful creek-side camp with wonderful solitude, where we’re guaranteed to be the only group since only one group is allowed per night.

Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 8.9 miles
Elevation Gain: 800 feet
We’ll get an early start and begin our westward trek along the Tonto Plateau to Monument Creek. This is a long hike of almost 9 miles, but most of the route is on a well-groomed, relatively flat trail. Our hike takes us around the head of two large drainages: Salt and Horn Creek, and offers an abundance of classic, expansive views of the Grand Canyon, inner gorge, and Colorado River. Our destination for the night is Monument Creek, a cozy camp nestled beneath towering Redwall Limestone cliffs next to a trickling, spring-fed creek.

Day 3 (5-day Itinerary Only)
Day Hike Hiking Mileage: 1.5 miles
Day Hike Elevation Loss: 1,000 feet
Today we enjoy a relaxing morning, then break down camp and hike down Monument Creek to the Colorado River and Granite Rapids. This is a stunning hike through dramatic schist narrows, where we occasionally see bighorn sheep as a small population inhabits the area. Our destination, Granite Rapids, adds another level of drama to our day. This thundering, turbulent section of whitewater gives guests a taste of the power of the Colorado River. We’ll set up camp on the beach and enjoy a sunset dinner overlooking the rapids.

Second to Last Day
Hiking Mileage: 4-8 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1200-2200 feet
We’ll get up reasonably early, eat and pack up. Today’s distance and elevation gain/loss vary depending on whether this is a 4-day or 5-day itinerary. Either way, we end up heading west to tonight’s camp along the charming desert oasis of Hermit Creek. As long as time and energy are abundant, we will set up camp and day hike to Hermit Rapid, an impressive white-water section of the Colorado River. After our day hike, we will return to camp for a final backcountry dinner to celebrate our last evening in the Canyon.

Final Day
Hiking Mileage: 8 miles
Elevation Gain: 3400 feet
Shuttle to Flagstaff: 1.5 hours
The first mile of hiking takes us to the junction of the Tonto Trail and the Hermit Trail. At the junction we begin our ascent out of the Grand Canyon on the Hermit Trail. We’ll switchback throught the immense Redwall, then contour a series of shelves high above Hermit Creek. This section of hiking features increasingly stunning views of the Grand Canyon behind us. The last bit of hiking is on beautifully constructed, hand-fitted rock slabs – a true work of masonry art – and takes us past 250+ million year old footprint fossils that are some of the best in the Canyon. Once we reach the South Rim, we’ll shuttle back to the South Rim Village where our shuttle awaits us.
Trip Dates
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Pre-Permit Trip Dates
| Start | End | |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Apr 2, 2026 | Mon, Apr 6, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Sat, Apr 4, 2026 | Tue, Apr 7, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Thu, Apr 9, 2026 | Sun, Apr 12, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Sun, Apr 12, 2026 | Wed, Apr 15, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Fri, Apr 17, 2026 | Tue, Apr 21, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Mon, Apr 20, 2026 | Thu, Apr 23, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Thu, Apr 23, 2026 | Sun, Apr 26, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Sat, Apr 25, 2026 | Tue, Apr 28, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Thu, Apr 30, 2026 | Mon, May 4, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Start | End | |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, May 1, 2026 | Mon, May 4, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Sun, May 3, 2026 | Thu, May 7, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Thu, May 7, 2026 | Sun, May 10, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Sun, May 10, 2026 | Wed, May 13, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Thu, May 14, 2026 | Mon, May 18, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Start | End | |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Sep 17, 2026 | Sun, Sep 20, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Mon, Sep 21, 2026 | Thu, Sep 24, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Thu, Sep 24, 2026 | Sun, Sep 27, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Sat, Sep 26, 2026 | Wed, Sep 30, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Mon, Sep 28, 2026 | Thu, Oct 1, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Start | End | |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Oct 1, 2026 | Mon, Oct 5, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Mon, Oct 5, 2026 | Thu, Oct 8, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Thu, Oct 8, 2026 | Mon, Oct 12, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Sun, Oct 11, 2026 | Wed, Oct 14, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Thu, Oct 15, 2026 | Sun, Oct 18, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Mon, Oct 19, 2026 | Thu, Oct 22, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Thu, Oct 22, 2026 | Mon, Oct 26, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Mon, Oct 26, 2026 | Thu, Oct 29, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Thu, Oct 29, 2026 | Sun, Nov 1, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Start | End | |
|---|---|---|
| Tue, Nov 3, 2026 | Sat, Nov 7, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Sat, Nov 14, 2026 | Wed, Nov 18, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Sat, Nov 21, 2026 | Tue, Nov 24, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Tue, Nov 24, 2026 | Sat, Nov 28, 2026 | Request Reservation |
What's Included
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Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
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High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use)
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Use of trekking poles and Microspike Crampons if necessary
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All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
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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.
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Roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona to the Grand Canyon and back
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Grand Canyon National Park entrance fees and wilderness permits (read about Grand Canyon's permit system)
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
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Mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to Grand Canyon
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear, and footwear
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Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
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Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed information about what to pack.
Accommodations
Backcountry Sleeping
TENT CAMPING
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 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 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 information 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
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Maeve L
3 years agoSuper fun experience!
Seamless experience from start to finish, thanks to everyone we worked with! Appreciate the heavy lifting that Wildland did to make this so convenient and easy for us. Super fun experience! Loved the solitude on this trip and October was the perfect time to go!
Tina M.
6 years agoKnowledgeable Guide Should Set the Pace
The guide was friendly and knowledgeable and tried hard to accommodate everyone’s preferences. My only constructive criticism from the trip is this, at times, the guide let guests set the pace for the hike and lead the group. I have no issue with this as the trail is super easy to follow and we’re all adults. With that said, we had a marathoner on our trip who set the pace for several hours on the hike out. The end result was, we were all burnt out on the way back (including the marathoner) and it was a struggle to finish the hike out. It made the hike out pretty unenjoyable for me.
Lisa K
5 months agoPhenomenal! Loved every second.
This hike was amazing! Loved the solitude and the views. Day 3 with the afternoon at the swimming hole at Hermit Creek Camp and the early evening hike to the Colorado is one of my favorite days, ever! Our guides Tolman and Michael were fantastic - couldn't be improved upon. I loved every second of this trip!
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