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?
Escape the ever-present crowds gathering on the outer rims
Test your tenacity on intense hikes with significant altitude change
Uncover sections of the Grand Canyon that most visitors will never see
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!
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.
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.
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.
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 we have permits in hand. In the event that we are unsuccessful in obtaining permits for the trip, your guides will provide an alternative or a refund.
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!
