There was an error with your log in

5-Day Rim-to-Rim Grand Canyon Hiking Adventure

If walls could talk, the Grand Canyon would have stories to fill libraries. This 5-day Rim-to-Rim hiking tour is your backstage pass to nature’s greatest show. From camaraderie in starlit camps to jaw-dropping views that make your social feed jealous, every step will leave you speechless. We’ll hike the iconic corridors, chase waterfalls, and enjoy guide-prepared gourmet meals worthy of their own fan club. By the time we hit the other rim, you’ll be looking back with sore legs, but with a heart full of awe, and with memories worth their weight in gold. Let’s rewrite what you think “grand” really means!

Adventure highlights

  • Canyon classics

    Explore iconic routes and experience layers of geological wonders

  • Under starry skies

    Camp in the backcountry while gazing at the stars

  • Amazing food

    Relish gourmet meals prepared trail-side by expert guides

Itinerary

Discover the Grand Canyon like never before on this Rim-to-Rim hiking adventure with expert guiding. Over five days, traverse legendary trails through steep corridors and lush oases, with stops at secret waterfalls and sweeping vantage points. Camp under the dazzling night sky, feast on freshly made gourmet meals that revive both body and spirit, and soak in the serenity of nature far from the crowds. Once the tour finishes, you’ll have earned every breathtaking view and every precious memory made. Let’s do this!

  • After the transport from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon, you’ll meet with the tour guide at the Grand Canyon Visitors Center for a pack check. After that, the group will make their way into the canyon for the first night in a backcountry camp under the stars.

    Meals: Dinner
    Accommodation: Backcountry campsite

    Grand Canyon Visitors Center
  • Over the next two days, dive deep into the heart of the Grand Canyon along its iconic main corridor trails. You’ll navigate switchbacks, cross rugged terrain, and take in breathtaking views that stretch endlessly into the horizon. Stops along the way include cascading waterfalls, hidden oases, and picture-perfect lookouts. Your guide will prepare fresh, satisfying meals to keep your energy high for the day’s adventures. Nights will be spent in cozy backcountry camps, where you can swap stories, stargaze, and revel in the canyon’s serene beauty.

    Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
    Accommodation: Backcountry campsite

    Havasu Falls in the Grand Canyon
  • The journey to the other rim begins, with trails that challenge and inspire as we ascend toward the canyon’s edge. Along the way, the sun-drenched views and ever-changing colors of the rock formations will remind us why this landscape is a global treasure. After hours of rewarding hiking, the day concludes with a stunning sunset view from the rim, painting the canyon in shades of gold, orange, and purple. We’ll share a hearty meal and reflect on the incredible path covered so far.

    Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
    Accommodation: Backcountry campsite

    Grand Canyon rim view
  • After a breakfast feast, we’ll shuttle back to the other side of the canyon, say our goodbyes, and depart back home filled with memories of this amazing 5-day hiking tour.

    Meals: Breakfast

    Grand Canyon aerial view
Adventure brochure
Download for sharing and offline access to full adventure itineraries, important information, FAQs, guides info and more.
Brochure sent, check your inbox
If you have questions or need help with planning a trip, schedule a call with one of our adventure experts.

Meet your guides

James Gallant
5.00
James Gallant
Certificates: AMGA
As a guide with 10 years of experience, James has helped create life-long memories across the country with mountaineering, rock climbing, canyoneering, and backpacking across some of the best landscapes our world has to offer. His mission is to take the guesswork out of your trip, fulfill your thirst for adventure, and invite you into nature's quiet places. As a Wilderness first responder and AMGA guide, you can rest assured you are in qualified hands.
Gallant Wind Guiding
5.00
Gallant Wind Guiding
Gallant Wind Guiding
Gallant Wind Guiding is James Gallant’s guiding company. His goal with running Gallant Wind Guiding is to provide a space where anyone can take steps to achieve their “impossible” thing. The company provides a space where people can do just that, with lots of guidance, fun, and support.

Food

5.00 (3 reviews)
Itzik (source: Guide’s Website)

We had a great time. Our guide James Gallant was awesome. He was patient, knowledgeable, and gave us all individual attention. It was like having a private lesson, He was willing to continue as much as we wanted to keep going and made sure we had the basic skills down.

Priya (source: Guide’s Website)

Our class went fantastic! James was super patient and friendly. I would highly recommend this course and James to all my friends. Thanks.

Ray (source: Guide’s Website)

Thank you so much for the experience! I had so much fun! I am definitely doing this again!

Things to know

  • Included:

      • An experienced hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
      • 5-day Rim-to-Rim hiking adventure in the Grand Canyon
      • Accommodation: 4 nights of camping in tents
      • All meals, as indicated in the itinerary
      • Permits and permit lottery announcement email
      • Shuttles during the trip
      • Sun hoodie with your route on it
      • Professional instructions on how to backpack

    Add-ons

      • Additional tent rental

    Not included:

      • Flights to the area
      • Meals not indicated in the itinerary
      • Guaranteed routes or dates, due to the camping permit being a lottery
      • Guide gratuities — optional
      • Travel and medical insurance — optional
  • This Rim-to-Rim hiking adventure of the Grand Canyon is rated moderate, meaning that previous backpacking experience and overnight camping is encouraged. Some routes can be a bit challenging, so they may not be enjoyable for beginners. Although the classic hiking route is beginner-friendly, everyone will carry a backpack on this tour, and that fact alone can make the tour somewhat harder.

    For more hiking adventures in the Grand Canyon, click here!

  • All group trips are decided by a lottery system set by the parks. When a person signs up, the guide takes care of all the permits so you don’t have to. The exact date and route depend on the lottery results required by the NPS for Grand Canyon trips.

    The rim-to-rim hike is one of the most popular trips in the Grand Canyon and is thus subject to an extremely competitive permit lottery system. Even if you book the trip, securing a permit is not guaranteed.

    The Grand Canyon’s permit process is complicated, but your guides will take care of everything so you don’t have to worry about it! The park issues backpacking permits through a lottery system 4+ months in advance. As permits for popular trips sell out immediately during the initial lottery, it’s important to sign up for wanted dates before the process begins.

    Early bird booking doesn’t guarantee a spot but you will be the first one to know once the permits are secured.

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

      • Backpack large enough to carry everything you might need throughout the adventure (around a 25-40L bag)
      • Hiking poles — optional
      • Sleeping bag
      • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
      • Lightweight hiking boots or shoes
      • Comfortable hiking clothes
      • Spare clothes for layering
      • 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 pricing

      • For this Rim-to-Rim hike of the Grand Canyon, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:1.
      • It takes a minimum of 2 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 6 participants.
      • The cost per person decreases as the group grows (for 5 or 6 persons), so it’s the perfect opportunity to hike with friends and family!

    Rim-to-Rim hikes 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.

  • The starting point of your rim-to-rim hike is Flagstaff, AR. To get there, most people fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). From there, you can use public transport or rent a car to reach Flagstaff.

    Once you’re there, a shuttle will transfer you to meet your guide at a predetermined time in the Grand Canyon Visitors Center, Lot #4. Your guide will provide more details before the trip starts.

  • We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

    Redpoint tailors their 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.

    Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

  • 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 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
      • For cancellations 0-59 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 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
      • For cancellations 30-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
      • For cancellations 0-29 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 30 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
      • For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
  • 57hours partners with Redpoint Travel Protection, offering you a fully integrated program with a single point of contact for all your needs, from emergency services to travel assistance and protection claims. We highly recommend purchasing a comprehensive protection policy from Redpoint, which will protect you both before and during your travels. Before your departure, your investment is protected by the trip cancellation benefit. Once you depart, your policy provides coverage for trip interruption, medical assistance and rescue, baggage loss, trip delay, and more. Once you complete booking with 57hours, we'll create bespoke quote for you (and your group), making sure you're fully protected for the adventure ahead.
Have more questions? Read our FAQ, or Talk with us
From $2,125 ()
Saved to bucket list
Removed from bucket list

Choose a currency

  • USD - $
    US Dollar
  • EUR - €
    Euro
  • AUD - AU$
    Australian Dollar
  • CAD - CA$
    Canadian Dollar
  • GBP - £
    British Pound Sterling
  • CHF - CHF
    Swiss Franc
  • JPY - ¥
    Japanese Yen
  • SGD - S$
    Singapore Dollar
  • HKD - HK$
    Hong Kong Dollar
  • DKK - Dkr
    Danish Krone
  • NOK - Nkr
    Norwegian Krone
  • SEK - Skr
    Swedish Krona