Grand Canyon South Rim Adventure
April 1-7, 2024
A 5/5 rating means that this is a difficult trek. The training plan provided before the trip should be taken seriously and participants should aim to achieve a high level of fitness. Guests should be able to hike 10+ miles per day while carrying a 40 pound backpack. Elevation gain/loss per day can be in excess of 3,000 feet or more. See note from our guide at the bottom of the page.
Backcountry solitude away from the crowds, breathtaking views at every turn, unexpected oases, unparalleled stargazing, and the very best guides in the desert southwest. This will be your adventure into the spectacular wilderness backcountry on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. It's a challenging but extremely rewarding backpacking trip that shows off the hidden heart of the iconic canyon. This route traverses steep, rocky trails with big elevation gains and losses, and the itinerary is designed for experienced and fit backpackers. The effort is well worth the rewards — descending into the geologic history book of planet Earth and exploring its hidden gems that few people ever see. Share this experience with an intimate group of like-minded explorers and outstanding guides.
This adventure starts at an Airbnb in Williams, Arizona and gives everyone an opportunity to get to know one another, go over gear, and get some much needed rest before this 4 day trek!
Day 1:
Welcome to williams!
Today you will meet the rest of your fellow backpackers! We will meet in Williams, Arizona at 4:00 p.m. at our Airbnb accommodations for the next couple nights. If you arrive early, we recommend stopping by and checking out Downtown Williams and the historic Route 66.
The closest airport to the Grand Canyon South Rim is in Flagstaff and less than an hour away from our airbnb. You could also fly in to Phoenix International Airport, rent a car and carpool with fellow adventurers.
Here are some basic details:
Flagstaff, Arizona - 36 miles, approximately 35 minutes drive to Airbnb
Phoenix International airport - 178 miles and approximately 3 hours drive to Airbnb
Las Vegas, Nevada - 221 miles and approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes drive to Airbnb
* Dinner included
Day 2:
Relaxing & Bag check
Today you wake up without an alarm! Sleep in and know that coffee and breakfast will be ready and waiting for you when you wake up.
The day is yours to explore the area, relax at the house and get to know everyone! Our cabin is just 30 minutes from the entrance of the Grand Canyon and sits on 10 acres. We have a fully stocked game room, a large porch and a fire pit for the evening to share stories around.
Later in the afternoon, you will be introduced to our guides! We will enjoy pizza, get to ask any final questions and double check our bags for the adventure. There is a strict backpack weight policy for this trek, so don't be surprised if you're asked to leave a couple items behind.
*Breakfast, dinner included
Day 3:
Isn't She Grand!
We'll meet our guides inside Grand Canyon National Park at South Rim Market Plaza in front of the General Store at 7:30 AM sharp. There will be a brief orientation, gear distribution, and pack check before we caravan to the Hermit trailhead. Your vehicles are able to be left in the park at a designated area. Be prepared for a long day of challenging downhill trails and thrilling views. Hermit trail was originally constructed by the Santa Fe Railroad as a state of the art rim-to-river trail leading to a luxury campsite opened in 1912 near Hermit Creek. Time and erosion have taken their toll on the trail although some sections of the original trail remain and the grandeur of this area continues to impress backcountry adventurers. After our initial descent through the Kaibab limestone, Toroweap, and Coconino sandstone, we’ll reach the red layers of the Hermit Group and stop at Santa Maria Springs before a long traverse past Lookout Point to Breezy Point (mile 5.5 of today’s hike). Here the trail descends steeply on the Cathedral Stairs as we pass through the Redwall limestone to reach the Tonto Trail. We’ll turn west and follow the Tonto Trail a final 1.2 miles to our campsite at Hermit Creek. The creek runs alongside the campsite and offers several relaxing spots to unwind and soak our feet.
*Breakfast, dinner included
Mileage: 8-9 miles; Elevation Loss: 3,740’
Day 4:
Quiet oasis in the canyon
Today after a hearty breakfast prepared by your guides, we will explore the upper Hermit Creek area without our packs. We’ll take water, snacks, and lunch and explore further up creek between the walls of magnificent Hermit Canyon and past waterfalls, maidenhair ferns, watercress, cardinal monkey flower, and yellow columbine. After returning to camp and our packs, the final 1.5 mile hike finds patches of the old historic trail as we follow and cross Hermit Creek several times until we arrive at the Colorado River and our next campsite alongside the impressive Hermit Rapids.
*Breakfast, dinner included
Mileage: 1.5 miles backpacking + ~6 miles day hiking; Elevation Loss: 600’
Day 5:
All the views of hermit rapids!
From Hermit Rapids, we retrace our steps back up Hermit Creek. From Hermit Creek we follow the Tonto Trail eastwards back towards the Hermit Trail junction. From here, we’ll continue eastward on the Tonto Trail. Just before reaching Monument Canyon, we’ll pause for a break at a rise in the trail and a view all the way back to Hermit Rapids. From here, we’ll continue on the Tonto as it follows the contour of Monument Canyon before descending to our campsite at Monument Creek. The group campsite is tucked next to a cliff face with a direct view of the camp’s namesake, the Monument, a 130-foot marvel of balanced Tapeats Sandstone and Zoroaster Granite that has managed to stand upright while being sculpted into a tower of rock by the changing course of Monument Creek. In the afternoon, we can explore a beautiful section of narrows beneath the towering Monument where the creek has smoothed a narrow passage through the dark schist and pink granite of the canyon’s basement rocks. We will continue the hike 1.6 miles through the streambed of Monument Creek to see Granite Rapids and gaze on the waters of the Colorado River one more time before returning to camp to a delicious meal and our last night in the canyon.
*Breakfast, dinner included
Mileage: 5 miles backpacking + ~3.2 miles day hiking; Elevation Gain: 695’
Day 6:
It's time to make our climb out of the canyon!
We’ll rise a bit earlier this morning to get a head start on the day and our epic exit ascent to the canyon rim. Today, we will climb over 3,600’ vertical feet before reaching the trailhead. To get there, we head back west on the Tonto Trail to its junction with the Hermit Trail. We’ll grab a short break here before taking on our first big climb of the day, gaining 1,200’ along a challenging traverse over to the base of the Cathedral Stairs which will then lead us back up to Breezy Point.
If time permits, we will stop to day hike out to the end of Lookout Point for a helicopter view standing atop 1,000’ Redwall cliffs and look back down to Hermit Creek winding its way far below us. We’ll stop for lunch at Santa Maria Springs before pushing up the last 1,640’ towards the top, layer by layer, until our feet step onto the rim once again at the Hermit trailhead.
We’ll collect any group gear you may be carrying, have the opportunity for a few last group photos, and wish each other happy trails until next time.
We will then make our way back to Williams for one last night together, after you've enjoyed a hot shower and rested your feet! After everyone is cleaned up, we will meet at a local brewery for dinner.
*Breakfast, dinner included
Mileage: 9.3 miles; Elevation Gain: 3,645’
Day 7:
Farewell!
Rise and shine! We're in no hurry to leave, unless you have an early flight! Breakfast is included in the hotel and checkout is at 11am. Safe journey back home and we hope to see you again soon on another adventure!
*Breakfast included
Please note that the itinerary provided for your adventure is subject to change. While we strive to adhere to the proposed plan, unforeseen circumstances such as weather conditions, safety concerns, or other factors beyond our control may necessitate adjustments to the itinerary. We prioritize your safety and enjoyment throughout the adventure, and any modifications made will be done with careful consideration. We will make every effort to inform you in advance of any changes and provide suitable alternatives to ensure a fulfilling experience.
Ready to Book?
Ready to Book?
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$2,395 USD with option to rent all necessary backpacking gear for $150 so you can travel light. Hotel rooms are double occupancy.
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• 4 days/3 nights guided backpacking through South Rim of the Grand Canyon
• 2 nights in a beautiful home located in Williams, Arizona. Everyone has their own bed.
• 1 night in a 3-star hotel; double occupancy in a double queen room. Everyone has their own bed.
• Experienced local guides (1 guide for every 4 hikers) with extensive knowledge of the area
• All guide fees, permits and parking. Entrance to the national park not included.
• Meals: 6 breakfasts and 6 dinners
• Water, tea, coffee, etc.
• Tents plus group campsite gear - water filters, cooking equipment, first aid kits, Garmin InReach, wag bags
• Pre-travel checklists, packing list and support
• Pre-Trip Q&A via Zoom
• Small group; maximum of 8 women plus your trip host and 2 local guides
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• Transportation to and from the meeting location in Williams, Arizona
• Personal backpacking gear if selected to rent at booking (option to rent) - backpacks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, headlamps, mess kit (bowl/cup/utensil).
• Gear - Sleeping bag liner, pillowcase, water bottle/hydration bladder, camp shoes, clothing, toiletries/sunscreen/sun protection; optional/suggested gear includes hiking poles. Gear may be available for rent, please reach out with any specific gear requests.
• Entrance fee for Grand Canyon National Park
• Alcohol, specialty beverages, snacks and lunches (5)
• Guide tips (available at discretion of guest)
• Travel (and medical) insurance is required for anyone traveling on a Women Who Explore adventure. Your insurance should include adequate protection for medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. Your insurance policy should also include specific Covid-19 cover, including cancellation and curtailment cover if you or a close relative are diagnosed with Covid-19.
• For recommended travel insurance providers click here.
• Medical expenses, immunizations and any Covid-19 required testing
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Daily permits are limited for camping in the Grand Canyon National Park. This trip is NOT CONFIRMED until the permits have been secured. We will know roughly 4 months in advance of your trip date. Please do not book airfare until you have received confirmation from us to move forward.
If the permits are not secured we will work together to organize a new date OR offer a full refund of the trip. -
Travel (and medical) insurance is required for anyone traveling on a Women Who Explore adventure. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. Your insurance policy should also include specific Covid-19 cover, including cancellation and curtailment cover if you or a close relative are diagnosed with Covid-19.
For recommended travel insurance providers click here.
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All meals will be provided as noted in the itinerary. Please reach out to the trip host after booking if you have any food allergies/sensitivities. We always do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions but cannot make any guarantees.
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This trip requires a minimum number of ladies to register in order for it to be confirmed. Once the trip reaches the minimum participant number, you will receive a trip confirmation email and a link to be added a private WhatsApp group just for trip guests. In this group further trip details will be provided along with pre-travel support.
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Women Who Explore guests will be required to follow the local Covid-19 guidelines and requirements as set forth by the local governing body of the destination being visited.
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Please see our Terms of Service.
*Please note: some of our trips have a non-refundable fee that will be stated in the trip description.
Notes From Our Guide
This trip is VERY STRENUOUS. Training for this trip is REQUIRED and not optional. You are required to engage in backpacking-specific training sufficient for you to complete this trip as safely and as comfortably as possible. Your training program must include backpacking with a weighted backpack, in the hiking footwear you will wear during the trip, over long and steep trails. Further training guidelines will be sent by email after you have registered for the trip.
You will be carrying about 35 pounds in your backpack and hiking on rocky, steep, and unmaintained trails through remote areas of the Grand Canyon backcountry.
Sections of the trail will be exposed and pass near cliff edges. This trip is not recommended for those with vertigo or an extreme fear of heights.
Daily mileage can be up to 10-12 miles with elevation change in excess of 5,000’ gain or loss in a single day. There may be brief sections of scrambling up or down.
In addition to your own gear, you will be asked to carry 8-10 pounds of group gear/food. Your pack weight should not be more than 40 pounds inclusive of the group gear/food. We aim for 35 pounds total.
Travelers who do not adequately prepare for this trip place themselves, their fellow travelers, and their guides in danger. Evacuations from the Grand Canyon backcountry can be very time-consuming and complicated. While the guides carry a satellite communication device, evacuations by helicopter are never guaranteed. Your advance preparation is required for this trip to be a safe and fun experience for everyone.
Leave No Trace - Wag Bags Required. Participants will be required to follow Leave No Trace principles. Everything packed in will be packed out including all solid human waste (that means poop). Wag bags are sealed and contain a chemical compound to reduce odors. Wag bags will be provided and you will be responsible to carry out your own waste/garbage.