Plateau Point Private Day Hike Tour
South Rim Village, AZ
5.0 (2 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Views of the Colorado River
- Profound Canyon Viewpoint
- Challenging Adventure
- Historic Bright Angel Trail
- Desert Oasis
- Fascinating Interpretation
Description
This very special day hike offers the incredible opportunity to descend to the top of the Inner Gorge and look down directly onto the Colorado River. Plateau Point is the most famous backcountry viewpoint in Grand Canyon National Park, and justifiably so. It offers 360 degree views to the Colorado River below, soaring temples and buttes above, west of the Corridor down canyon, and east of the Corridor up canyon. We can also look down on a famous section of the Bright Angel Trail called the “Devil’s Corkscrew,” which is a series of switchbacks leading hikers up from the River.
This hike descends the historic Bright Angel Trail, Grand Canyon’s most popular hiking path. It offers stunning views for the duration of the hike, but amazingly none of them equal the profound vistas from Plateau Point, which we reach after passing the shady desert oasis of Havasupai Garden. We will enjoy a delicious picnic lunch at Plateau Point (or possibly at Havasupai Garden, depending on the temperature) before turning back and tackling the grueling hike back to the South Rim.
Important: This day hike is the most strenuous we offer in the Grand Canyon and is specifically designed for very fit guests who want to embark on a full-day adventure. 12 miles in the Grand Canyon will feel like 18-20 miles at many other destinations. Due to summer and shoulder season heat in the Canyon, this trip is available from October 1 through April 30.
$250-$650 Per Person
Season: Oct-Apr
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 4
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
This day hike is the most strenuous we offer in the Grand Canyon and is specifically designed for very fit guests who want to embark on a full-day adventure. 12 miles in the Grand Canyon will feel like 18-20 miles at many other destinations. Other than distance and elevation gain/loss, all other aspects of this hike are moderate.
Hiking Distances:
Up to 12 mi
Backpack Weight:
8-12 lbs
Terrain:
Lightly Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
3000 ft
Heights Exposure:
Moderate
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking uphill and downhill with a 8-12 lb backpack for 9-12 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on variable, uneven terrain
- Hiking with occasional heights exposure
SOLITUDE LEVEL 1
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Grand Canyon hike a solitude 1 because it follows the most popular trail in the Canyon. You can expect to be around other hikers most of the time.
Learn About Our Private Trips
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Rates
- 1 person: $650
- 2 people: $340 per person
- 3 people: $325 per person
- 4-5 people: $290 per person
- 6-9 people: $250 per person
- 10 and younger: $175 per person
Private day hike tours are only open to your party.
*Prices do not include gratuity for your guide
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
This tour is booked on a custom basis for private groups. This is why it does not have set dates. Requested dates are almost always available for the designated season: October 1 through April 30. Give us a call at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to schedule your hike!
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
- 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.
- A commitment to make the tour as exciting, challenging, informative, and full as you’d like, and as is possible in a day
- Trail snacks and a picnic lunch
- Use of a top of the line, technical day pack
- Use of trekking poles
- Use of crampons in the winter
- Mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to Grand Canyon
What's Not Included
- Clothing and personal items
- Water (3 liters capacity)
- Transportation to the trailhead
- Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Food: What to Expect
Day hike tours include energizing trail snacks and a delicious picnic lunch. Your guide will customize the food for your hike, but a typical lunch consists of gourmet sandwiches or wraps, fruit, veggies, chips, drinks and a dessert. On wintery or cold days you may be treated to soup or a hot, freshly cooked lunch (if you’d prefer a hot meal, please let us know!)
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.
Trip Logistics
Where Do We Meet?
You will rendezvous with your guide outside The Grand Canyon Association Park Store at the Visitor Center at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Start Times
This tour will depart between 5 and 7 am, depending on conditions. Your guide will notify you of the rendezvous time during the pre-trip contact approximately 7 days prior to your hike.
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:
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval 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° |
Trip Reviews
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Debbie K
Great Hike
Catherine was kind, curious and knowledgeable. She knew so much about so many things and was happy to share. She was curious about who we were and was conversational and sweet. Her lunch was on point! Catherine was eager to point out various vegetation and wildlife. She’s an asset to the Canyon.
Bill K
Terrific
Quinton was terrific. He obviously knows a lot and cares about the ecology and history of the Grand Canyon. He was always professional, informative and took the time to get to know my wife and I.
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