What you get on this adventure: 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 or Tusayan pre and post trip (double occupancy—inquire about single occupancy) Trailhead transport from and to Kanab or Tusayan Lightweight backpacking tents (unless you prefer to bring your own) Team cooking, camping, and first-aid equipment Breakfasts and dinners on the trail (possible to accommodate dietary restrictions) Water purification and/or water resupply Satellite messenger communication in case of emergency Human waste bags (where required) Pre-trip gear & training advice (as desired) Campsite fees and overnight permits Trekking poles What’s not included: Transportation to Arizona Lunches on trail 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. 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.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and prices: For this backpacking tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 4:1. The maximum group size is 9 guests. It takes a minimum of 2 people for this tour to operate. The cost does not decrease as the group grows. 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.

Deposits and cancellation policy

A 50% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 1 month (30 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies. If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to ninety-one (91) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client is entitled to a full refund minus a $100 fee. For cancellations sixty-one (61) to ninety (90) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of 80 percent (80%) of the full tour price. For cancellations thirty-one (31) to sixty (60) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of seventy (70%) of the full tour price. For cancellations eight (8) to thirty (30) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of sixty percent (60%) of the full tour price. For cancellations forty-eight (48) hours to seven (7) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of thirty (30%) of the full tour price. After that deadline, Client is not entitled to any refund. Any reimbursable expenses arising out of the Booking incurred by Guide prior to the date of cancellation (including but not limited to plane tickets, car rental payments, and lodging or transportation fees) are non-refundable as soon as they are incurred by the Guide. 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 the trip, your guides will provide an alternative or a refund.

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.

Covid measures in the Grand Canyon

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity. We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in the Grand Canyon please refer to Grand Canyon National Park Operations Update . Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

Hiking Grand Canyon Rim to Rim with a Guide

Saguaro cacti at sunrise, with the setting moon in the distance, in the Sonoran Desert near Scottsdale, Arizona

Waterfall cascading over the rocky rim of the Bright Angel Canyon into the mossy green oasis of Ribbon Falls deep in the desert wilderness of the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA.

California Condor at Grand Canyon National Park in a sunny day, Arizona, USA

Sunset Lights Up a Plateau in the Grand Canyon in Arizona from the South Rim

Bridge across a ravine on the Kaibab Trail below the North Rim deep in the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona.

Grand Canyon | Arizona

Rim-to-Rim Backpacking Adventure in the Grand Canyon

Season

May through October

Nearest city

Flagstaff, AZ is just under 2 hours away

Duration

5 days

Difficulty

Guides

Sunny Stroeer, Dreamland Safari Tours

From $1,670 () / 5 days

Got any questions? or Talk with us

Overview
Itinerary
Brochure
Guides
Things to know

Even Teddy Roosevelt claimed that every American should witness Grand Canyon’s unparalleled beauty. Take Teddy’s counsel, ditch the crowds and enjoy the canyon in all its splendor on the 24-mile Rim-to-Rim trail. Hiking from North to South Rim is like using a geological time machine: 250-million-year-old strata lying back to back with 1.2 billion-year-old rocks featuring the mighty Colorado river carving through the gorge. Visitors say pictures don’t do justice to its red-rock chasms, so see for yourself why Teddy’s right—after all, it is one of the World’s Seven Natural Wonders!

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Explore all the wonders of the Canyon

From North to South Rim: cross the Grand Canyon in five days
Spot wildlife along the way

Varied habitats teeming with rare and endangered species
Unique geological features

Feel the mighty Colorado River carving through layers of ombre rocks

Itinerary

This is your chance to traverse the full North-to-South expanse of the Grand Canyon on your own two feet. With incredibly experienced guides by your side and the logistics taken care of, embarking on this ultimate adventure has never been more alluring. Over the course of 5 days, you’ll backpack across 24 miles of the canyon, testing your physical and mental endurance along the way. You can expect very challenging terrain and possibly unpredictable weather, but that’s the price of witnessing all the beauty of the Grand Canyon from up close.

Check into your hotel in Kanab after 5 pm. You’ll then have a trip briefing and a gear check with your guide. Meet your trip buddies over a welcome dinner at 7 pm.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Kanab
Meet your guide and your group at 9 am at the Dreamland Safari Tours office at 406 East 300 South, Kanab, Utah 84741. You can leave cars or extra bags there. Get transferred to the North Rim and start the backpacking trip! After lunch on the trailhead, continue the descent into the canyon. Establish camp for the night.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Camp
Today you’re doing inner canyon explorations. This includes The Box, Bright Angel Creek, and Phantom Ranch. Campsite selection and precise itinerary are dependent on permit allocations.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Camp
On the last day in the Canyon, you’ll be ascending to the South Rim. Expect up to 4,400 ft (1,341 m) of vertical gain. You’ll get picked up at the trailhead and returned to Kanab. Check into your hotel for a well-deserved rest. Meet with your team and your guide one last time for a celebratory dinner.
After breakfast, it’s time to leave. If you’d like to spend more time in the area, just ask your guides for recommendations!

Meals: Breakfast

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Meet your guides

5.00

Sunny Stroeer

Sunny led a career-oriented life as an international strategy consultant with a Harvard MBA until a formative adventure on Aconcagua made her drop everything and take on the outdoors full-time. Before long, her exploits on high-altitude hiking and climbing routes saw her breaking speed records worldwide. When she’s not traveling and setting FKTs left and right, Sunny organizes guided adventures, celebrates the sporting life and promotes female empowerment through her writing and photography.

5.00

Dreamland Safari Tours have been guiding outdoor enthusiasts along Utah’s most spectacular trails since 2001. Through the last 20 years, Dreamland received customer accolades and grew to become the largest and most comprehensive tour company in the Kanab Area. Paul and Sunny, current owners of Dreamland, are lifelong backcountry adventurers with a long history of exploring the Southwest. They are excited to introduce you to the secrets of the spectacular desert landscapes in Dreamland’s backyard.

Watch our webinar

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Over the Edge: Rim-to-Rim Hiking Tour in the Grand Canyon

Sunny Stroeer

Owner of AWExpeditions

Things to know

What you get on this adventure:
- - 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 or Tusayan pre and post trip (double occupancy—inquire about single occupancy)
  - Trailhead transport from and to Kanab or Tusayan
  - Lightweight backpacking tents (unless you prefer to bring your own)
  - Team cooking, camping, and first-aid equipment
  - Breakfasts and dinners on the trail (possible to accommodate dietary restrictions)
  - Water purification and/or water resupply
  - Satellite messenger communication in case of emergency
  - Human waste bags (where required)
  - Pre-trip gear & training advice (as desired)
  - Campsite fees and overnight permits
  - Trekking poles
What’s not included:
- - Transportation to Arizona
  - Lunches on trail
  - Guide gratuities — optional
This five-day rim-to-rim traversal might pose a challenge even to avid adventurers. 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.
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.
Group sizes and prices:
- - For this backpacking tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 4:1. The maximum group size is 9 guests.
  - It takes a minimum of 2 people for this tour to operate.
  - The cost does not decrease as the group grows.
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.
A 50% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 1 month (30 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.
- - If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to ninety-one (91) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client is entitled to a full refund minus a $100 fee.
  - For cancellations sixty-one (61) to ninety (90) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of 80 percent (80%) of the full tour price.
  - For cancellations thirty-one (31) to sixty (60) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of seventy (70%) of the full tour price.
  - For cancellations eight (8) to thirty (30) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of sixty percent (60%) of the full tour price.
  - For cancellations forty-eight (48) hours to seven (7) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of thirty (30%) of the full tour price.
  - After that deadline, Client is not entitled to any refund. Any reimbursable expenses arising out of the Booking incurred by Guide prior to the date of cancellation (including but not limited to plane tickets, car rental payments, and lodging or transportation fees) are non-refundable as soon as they are incurred by the Guide.
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 the trip, your guides will provide an alternative or a refund.
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.
57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in the Grand Canyon please refer to Grand Canyon National Park Operations Update.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!