In the Grand Canyon, the views from above might draw the crowds — but true adventure lies beneath the rim. Spanning the entire length of America’s largest canyon, the so-called “Corridor” hosts tons of classic trails like Bright Angel, historic sites such as Phantom Ranch, shaded narrows like The Box, and secret oases like Ribbon Falls. Thru-hiking the whole thing twice is a grand undertaking, with a cumulative 20,000 feet of vertical change. However, those that can walk the walk are rewarded with engrossing silence, profound solitude, and sights that casual visitors can only dream about. Of the 6 million tourists that visit the Grand Canyon every year, fewer than 1% venture below the rim. Ready to join the fearless few?
Spend a week hiking and camping in the heart of the Grand Canyon. Escape the crowds and explore the hidden side of America’s greatest canyon on challenging, but rewarding hikes led by seasoned, certified guides. Visit iconic trails, explore secret walkways, uncover secluded waterfalls, and find absolute tranquility in the inner canyon.
Meet your guides and the rest of the group at your hotel in Tusayan at 5 pm. After checking in, you’ll go through a trip briefing and gear check, before enjoying a welcome dinner with your team. Then, hit the hay and get rested for the adventure ahead!
On day 2, around 9 am, your guides will transfer you to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. From there, you will start the long descent into the canyon, where you’ll set up camp for the night.
Hiking: 6-9 miles/ 9.5-14.5 km
Elevation loss: 2,000-4,500 ft/ 600-1,370 m
The following three days will be spent exploring the highlights of the inner canyon, such as Phantom Ranch, The Box, Ribbon Falls, and Manzanita. You will also enjoy a day trip to the North Rim and back.
NOTE: Campsite selection and the precise itinerary of this part of your trip will depend on permit allocations.
After three days of exploration in the inner canyon, you will ascend the South Rim and get transferred back to your hotel in Tusayan. Enjoy a team celebration dinner and say your farewells before getting some well-deserved shut-eye.
Altitude gain: up to 4,400 ft/ 1,340 m
Leave Tusayan and the Grand Canyon. But you’ll be back!
Maddi was a super fun, energetic guide who was fun to be with, knowledgeable, and professional, and made the trip even better than it should have been. She worked well with all the personalities and ability levels in our group and kept the vibe upbeat. Plus she carried our lunches! We aren’t normally guided group people and she just made it totally awesome. She knows how to commandeer a suburban through those rutty slippery roads as well! Thanks, Maddie!
Maddi was an excellent guide, and Dreamland’s prices are very reasonable. The best part was being able to stay overnight without having to set up / take down the campsite or cook. Everything was taken care of.
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
This adventure is meant for avid hikers with excellent cardio levels. You will be hiking for 8-12 miles (13-19 km) a day for five consecutive days, encountering up to 5,000 ft (1,520 m) of vertical ascent per day, all the while carrying a 35+ lb (16 kg) backpack.
The terrain can be rough and the initial descent and final descent are very steep, 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.
If you’re new to hiking, check out our beginner-friendly hiking day tours in the Grand Canyon.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
The following equipment will be provided by your guide:
Once you book the tour, your guides will provide a comprehensive gear checklist, as well as recommendations for the gear you should buy or rent for this trip.
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season.
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.
Group sizes and prices:
Hiking in the Grand Canyon can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Tusayan, AZ, the starting point of this trip, most people fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport 3.5 hours away. From there, you can rent a car and drive straight there, or take a bus or shuttle service to Flagstaff, and another bus to Tusayan.
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 in Tusayan 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, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in the Grand Canyon, Arizona, please refer to the National Park Service’s guidelines for travelers to Grand Canyon National Park.
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!
To secure your spot, a deposit in the amount of 30% is required at the time of booking. The remaining amount must be paid 90 calendar days prior to the trip departure. Should your guides be unsuccessful in obtaining permits for your trip, you are entitled to a full refund of your deposit minus the booking fees. If the client cancels the booking…
Please note that booking fees are non-refundable in all cases and will be deducted from the refund amount.
Mattie was supreme! Safe and experienced driver to get us to the trailhead… super muddy and rutted. Very knowledgeable about the flora and fauna. Knew where to go for those special photos. Would ask for her again!