All-Women Rim-to-Rim Backpacking Adventure in the Grand Canyon

Things to know

• What’s included?

  Included:

  • • Experienced, medically-trained, Wilderness First Responder hiking guides with extensive knowledge of the area
    • 5 days of backpacking through the Grand Canyon
    • Hotel accommodation in Kanab pre and post trip (double occupancy—inquire about single occupancy)
    • Breakfast and dinner while in Kanab
    • Trailhead transport from and to Kanab
    • Team cooking, camping, and first-aid equipment, water purification and/or water resupply
    • Breakfast, lunch and dinner on the trail (possible to accommodate dietary restrictions)
    • Human waste bags (where required)
    • Campsite fees and overnight permits

  Not included:

  • • Transportation to Kanab, Utah
    • Lunches in Kanab
    • Personal gear (tent, sleeping bag)
    • Personal snacks
    • Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above
    • Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout
    • Guide gratuities — optional
• How fit do I need to be?

  This five-day rim-to-rim traversal might pose a challenge even to avid adventurers. In general, good physical fitness is required, previous hiking experience is required. Previous backpacking experience is helpful.

  As you’ll be hiking for 8-12 miles (13 to 19 km) per day for several days in a row, you must be in great shape. Keep in mind that you’ll also be carrying a +35 lbs (+15 kg) backpack, doing up to 5,000 ft (1,524 m) of vertical ascent per day. The terrain can be rough and very steep at times, so good physical fitness is paramount. Due to the significant elevation changes, you should also prepare for extreme temperature swings and wildly varying conditions on the trail.

• What do I need to bring?

  Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

  • • Backpack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 55-60L bag)
    • Sleeping bag (rated to 20 degrees or warmer)
    • Sleeping pad
    • Personal snacks
    • Personal bowl, cup, and spoon
    • Water bottle or hydration bladder (4L capacity)
    • Hiking attire
    • Hiking boots
    • Spare clothes for layering
    • Down jacket
    • Waterproof rain jacket
    • Sunhat
    • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
    • Headlamp or flashlight
    • Sunglasses
    • Camera — optional (but recommended)

  Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

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• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and prices:

  • • For this backpacking tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 4:1.
    • It takes a minimum of 2 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 9 guests (with 2 guides).
    • Overnight permits for Grand Canyon backpacking adventures become available three months prior to departure and are competitive in nature. Your guides take care of all permitting requirements on your behalf and will reconfirm the details of your departure as soon as they have permits in hand. In the event that they are unsuccessful in obtaining permits for your scheduled dates and itinerary, they will work with you to establish an alternative and/or provide a refund for any fees already paid. ‌

  This Grand Canyon backpacking tours can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements:

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

  If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Can I book a private tour or a day-long Rim-to-Rim hike?

  Private trips are possible to arrange! Even if the displayed dates don’t work for you, please contact us—we’ll work with you to arrange a trip for you and your group (even co-ed is possible in this case).

  As for day-long hikes, please note that commercial guides are not permitted to organize one-day rim-to-rim hikes in the Grand Canyon due to safety concerns. There is a minimum of two days/one night to cross the Canyon, and we would be happy to organize a private trip that meets these regulations, just reach out to us!

• Are pets allowed in the Grand Canyon?

  For the safety of your pet, visitors, and wildlife, pets are not allowed on trails below the rim. For more details on regulations and pet-friendly areas, visit the National Park Service website.

• Getting there and meeting location

  There are multiple options to reach Kanab, the city where you’ll stay a day prior to and after the backpacking trip. Most people fly into one of these three major airports: Harry Read International Airport (LAS) near Las Vegas, Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). From there, the best option would be renting a car—depending on the chosen airport, it will take you anywhere between 3 and 5.5 hours to get to Kanab.

  Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, which will usually be at your hotel at 5 pm.

• Safety measures and insurance

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

  Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Deposits

  You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

  Cancellations

  Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

  Basic

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 90 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-89 days before the trip, there is no refund.

  Flexible

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 90 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 60-89 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, there is no refund.

  Super Flexible

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.

  Though unlikely, an expedition may be canceled for any reason prior to departure. In that event, the deposit and expedition fees paid by the participants will be refunded.

  In the event of cancellation of a program and upon refund to participants of all program fee payments, the expedition organizer shall be released from any further liability to participants, including but not limited to liability for additional costs participants may have incurred, pre- departure expenses, non-refundable advance purchase air tickets, visa fees, equipment purchases and medical expenses.

  Participants agree that beginning on the first date of the program itinerary, there will be no refunds of program fees for any reason whatsoever. Expedition participants agree the cost of any search and rescue undertaken on their behalf will be their financial responsibility. Including costs incurred by the expedition leader, other expeditions, government, and/or other entities.

  Early Bird booking

  Want to be the first one to know when we publish new dates or secure your spot well in advance? Select a future month that suits you best and lock in your Early Bird spot in time with just a 10% deposit.

  As soon as our guides publish new tour dates, you’ll be the first one to know. We’ll hold your spot for 2 weeks until you choose the date that suits you best.

  More about how Early Bird bookings work below:

  • Only a 10% non-refundable deposit must be paid upon booking, but this deposit can be transferred to any other 57hours adventure in case the dates don’t end up working for you.
  • Once our guides publish new tour dates, we’ll reach out to you so you’ll be the first one to choose from newly released dates.
  • When you pick your date, you’ll confirm your booking by paying another 20% of the total trip amount (amounting to the standard 30% deposit).
  • Once the trip has been confirmed, the regular cancellation policy (found above) applies.
  • The remaining balance is due 90 days before the trip.