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mooney falls hike

Havasu Falls Tour: Backpacking in Grand Canyon

4 days | Easy | 5.00
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Four days in the Grand Canyon is all it takes to fall completely under Havasu’s spell. It’s a relaxed, beginner-friendly backpacking adventure into a hidden world of blue-green water, echoing waterfalls, and warm canyon light. Our journey unfolds at an easy pace, with permits, camps, group gear, and hearty backcountry meals all taken care of—making it a welcoming first step into the backcountry! The route leads into the Havasupai Tribe Reservation, where the connection between land and water runs deep and deserves care and respect. With logistics handled and support throughout, the focus stays on slowing down, soaking it in, and discovering just how rewarding time in the backcountry can be.

James
James
AMGA Apprentice Rock & Alpine Guide, WFR

Adventure Highlights

  • Everything taken care of: Permits, campsites, tents, group gear, and backcountry meals are all included, so you can focus on the hike, not the planning
  • A hidden corner of the Grand Canyon: We’ll descend into a remote world of turquoise pools, waterfalls, and canyon walls few visitors ever get to see
  • Beginner-friendly, expertly guided: A relaxed pace and a knowledgeable, supportive guide make this an ideal first backpacking experience
Duration
4 days
Season
Spring & Fall
Accommodation
Standard: Tents
Difficulty
Easy: Beginner-friendly, basic fitness required for hiking up to 7.6 mi (12.2 km) per day
What's included
Guide, tents, all food, trailhead transfers, group camping equipment
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Meet your guides

Seasoned pros, local legends, and passionate adventurers—your trip is in the best hands.
James
5.00
James
AMGA Apprentice Rock & Alpine Guide, WFR
Meet James, a professional mountain guide with over ten years of experience exploring and leading in some of the most iconic landscapes of the American West, from Arizona’s red rock canyons to the alpine peaks of California and Colorado! An AMGA Apprentice Rock & Alpine Guide, Wilderness First Responder, and Leave No Trace Master Educator, James blends technical precision with a deep respect for the natural world. Known for his backcountry gourmet touch and thoughtful, safety-first approach, he crafts adventures that challenge, inspire, and restore—helping others feel at home in the mountains and confident on their path to the summit.

What others say about this adventure

5.00 (4 reviews)
R
Rick LaCaille

James is a great, personable guide who’s enthusiastic and patient. Really appreciated his balance of adventure with safety and willingness to share his knowledge. Would definitely climb with him again and again!

M
Melanie Sandlarz

James is an outstanding guide and really knows his stuff! I hired his services to try climbing outside for the first time. He made me feel very safe and taught me so much. He is also a great listener and has a positive energy that carried throughout the day. He made the experience super fun, and thanks to him I feel confident enough to go back and climb outside again. I strongly recommend him for any outdoors adventures. He rocks! (no pun intended)

A
Anthony Fantane

Backpacking with James was an excellent experience! I’ve done some backpacking myself, and already knew the basics, but James brought it to another level. Never before had I even considered eating pizza 3 days into a backpacking trip, but James made it happen! He planned every part of our trip but made sure I was informed every step of the way. It made it possible to fit this trip into an already busy schedule and to not worry about a thing. But my favorite part of all is that he let me bring my dog! Overall I’d highly recommend James to anyone who wants to do a backpacking trip, but might need a little extra help to make it happen. You’ll be in good hands!

5.00(4 reviews)
R
Rick LaCaille

James is a great, personable guide who’s enthusiastic and patient. Really appreciated his balance of adventure with safety and willingness to share his knowledge. Would definitely climb with him again and again!

M
Melanie Sandlarz

James is an outstanding guide and really knows his stuff! I hired his services to try climbing outside for the first time. He made me feel very safe and taught me so much. He is also a great listener and has a positive energy that carried throughout the day. He made the experience super fun, and thanks to him I feel confident enough to go back and climb outside again. I strongly recommend him for any outdoors adventures. He rocks! (no pun intended)

A
Anthony Fantane

Backpacking with James was an excellent experience! I’ve done some backpacking myself, and already knew the basics, but James brought it to another level. Never before had I even considered eating pizza 3 days into a backpacking trip, but James made it happen! He planned every part of our trip but made sure I was informed every step of the way. It made it possible to fit this trip into an already busy schedule and to not worry about a thing. But my favorite part of all is that he let me bring my dog! Overall I’d highly recommend James to anyone who wants to do a backpacking trip, but might need a little extra help to make it happen. You’ll be in good hands!

D
Donal Lowsley-Williams

The best! Very knowledgeable about all things mountains & super friendly.

Things to know

  • Included:

      • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
      • 4-day Havasu Falls tour
      • High-quality tents
      • Most meals during the tour — all breakfasts, dinners, and dessert
      • Rental & group gear — cooking equipment, bear canisters, trekking poles, extensive first aid kit, repair kit, navigation tools, satellite rescue device, etc.
      • Purified drinking water
      • Shuttle service to and from the trailhead
      • Hoodie featuring one-of-a-kind route map design

    Not included:

      • Transportation to the starting point
      • Mules or pack assistance — if you don’t hire this, you’ll be expected to carry up to 7 pounds of group gear on the first and on the last day
      • Personal equipment
      • Snacks
      • Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout
      • Guide gratuities — optional
  • This Havasu Falls tour is beginner-friendly, perfect for first-time backpackers or those looking for a relaxed adventure!

    On the first and last days, you’ll hike 7.6 miles (12.2 km), while the two middle days are much more relaxed. You can choose to walk anywhere from 1-3 miles (1.6-5 km), depending on your preference, and spend the rest of your time exploring iconic waterfalls, soaking up the sun, swimming in crystal-blue pools, and more.

    Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more Grand Canyon hiking adventures here!

  • Clothing & footwear

      • Long-sleeve sun hoodie (non-cotton, for sun and warmth)
      • Fleece such as R1 (makes a great pillow)
      • Lightweight jacket or windbreaker (for wind protection and sometimes bugs)
      • Sunhat & sunglasses (essential for sun protection
      • Pants or shorts (convertible options for versatility
      • Leggings or long underwear (for colder nights)
      • Moisture-wicking underwear (stay dry & comfortable)
      • Sports bras/regular bras (support for active movement)
      • Puffy jacket (for cold weather)Rain jacket or poncho (because the weather can surprise you)
      • Hiking boots or sturdy trail runners shoes (break them in beforehand!)
        2-3 extra pairs of socks (wool or synthetic for moisture control)

    Gear & equipment

      • Backpack (60L, fits all your essentials)
      • Trekking poles (optional, but helpful for stability)
      • Gardening gloves (for cables on Half Dome)
      • 2-liter water carrying capacity (hydration is key!)

    Sleeping gear

      • Tent (rentable at no additional cost, just request)
      • Sleeping bag (season-appropriate for warmth 15–35)
      • Sleeping pad or mat (Z Lite foam pad, or Therm-a-Rest, double up for luxury!)
      • Headlamp or flashlight (don’t forget extra batteries!)

    Cooking & eating

      • Utensils (spork)
      • Lightweight dishes & cups (thin Tupperware works great)

    Health & hygiene

      • Prescription medications (bring enough for the trip)
      • Hand sanitizer (keep things fresh; mind the weight though)
      • Toothbrush & toothpaste (oral hygiene matters, even in the backcountry!)
      • Sunscreen & lip balm (SPF protection for all-day exposure)

    Extras for comfort & fun (optional)

      • Notebook & pen (for journaling or sketching)
      • Book (great for downtime)
      • Deck of cards or travel games (bonding time at camp)
      • Camera or smartphone (capture the adventure!)
      • Swimsuit (for alpine lakes or refreshing river dips)
      • Lightweight hammock
      • GoPro for exciting moments
      • Wipes
      • Sandals or flip-flops (for relaxing at camp)
      • Quick-dry towel (optional, but useful)

    What’s provided by your guide

      • Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert
      • Tent (rentable at no additional cost, just request)
      • Cooking equipment (no need to pack stoves or cookware)
      • Shuttle tickets (we handle the logistics)
      • All trip planning & extra activities
      • Backcountry permit (so we can legally explore these wild places)
      • Extensive first aid kit (your safety is our priority)
      • Repair kit (for gear fixes on the go)
      • Bear vaults
      • Navigation tools (maps, compass, GPS)
      • Satellite rescue device (just in case)

    Please note that if you don’t pay for the mules or pack assistance, you’ll be expected to carry up to 7 pounds of group gear on the first and on the last day.

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  • Group sizes and pricing

      • For this Havasu Falls tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 7:1. 
      • It takes a minimum of 2 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 7 participants.

    Havasu Falls 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 Havasu Falls tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

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

  • The starting point of your Havasu Falls tour is Grand Canyon Village. To get there, most people fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). From there, it’s best to rent a car to reach Grand Canyon Village, lot 4.

    You will meet your guide in the morning of Day 1.

  • 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 

    Secure your spot either by paying in full or with a 50% deposit! The remaining 50% of the trip price must be paid 120 days prior to departure, at the latest. If booking within 120 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.

    Cancellations

      • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
      • If cancelled 120 or more days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
      • If cancelled within 119 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
      • Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period.
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