Grand Canyon Backpacking – South Rim
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Overview
Highlights
- Backpack from the South Rim to the canyon floor
- See stunning rock formations at an astonishing scale
- Challenge yourself with 4 days of hiking through unsurpassable terrain
- Get a new perspective on the Grand Canyon looking up from the bottom
- Learn local history and see a surprising diversity of plants and wildlife
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Trip includes
- Professional instruction and guiding
- Meals as noted in the daily itinerary
- 2-person tents
- Group cooking gear
- Group first aid kit, water filter
- Campsite and backcountry permit fees
Itinerary
REI will include a detailed itinerary in your final departure materials. Our two most common routes include highlights such as:
Meals: Dinner
Backpacking: 8-10 miles; Elevation loss: 4,400'
Meet your guides and the other group members inside Grand Canyon National Park at South Rim Market Plaza in front of the General Store at 8am sharp. We'll use this time for a brief orientation...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Backpacking: 5-11 miles; elevation gain/loss varies depending on route.
After a hearty breakfast each morning, we pack up and hike to our next camp. Depending on our route, we'll see spectacular sites like Hance Rapids, the Gr...
Meals: Breakfast
Backpacking: 8-9 miles; Elevation gain: 3,500-4,000'
Today we make our exit ascent to the canyon rim. An early start takes advantage of the coolest part of the day as we climb up the rocky trail. Depending on time, we may make a brief si...
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with REI Adventures.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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Tour Operator
At REI, we love to get outside and play, and we know first-hand the importance of quality outdoor gear. We stand behind all our products with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and we design our own line of award-winning REI brand gear and clothing. Whether you're new to outdoor adventure or a seasoned pro, we gladly share our enthusiasm for our products—and the trails, slopes and waterways where we play.
Each year, REI donates millions of dollars to support conservation efforts nationwide and sends dedicated teams of volunteers—members, customers and REI employees—to build trails, clean up beaches, restore local habitats and more. Through responsible business practices across the company, we strive to reduce our environmental footprint.
What began as a group of 23 mountain climbing buddies is now the nation's largest consumer cooperative. But no matter how large we grow, our roots remain firmly planted in the outdoors. Our passion for outdoor adventure is clear, whether you visit any of our stores across the country, phone us, or interact with us online.
By staying true to our roots, we've earned a place on Fortune magazine's list of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" every year since the rankings began in 1998. We work hard to earn our reputation for quality and integrity every day. Our core purpose guides everything we do: we all work to inspire, educate and outfit for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship.
Why has REI offered adventure travel trips for more than 25 years? To get people outdoors! It's really that simple. For us, getting people outdoors is our mission, our goal, and our passion. And it's been that way for over 75 years! So whether you dream of cycling the winding roads of Zion National Park, exploring the unique flora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands, trekking through the Himalayas, or joining us for a close-to-home weekend getaway, we're here to help you live that dream. With more than 150 different trips on every continent, you're sure to land on the trip of a lifetime, every time you travel with us.
REI Style Defined
Fantastic Travel Companions:
One of the best parts of travel is who you meet along the journey. With an REI Adventures trip, you have a head start because you're traveling with fellow REI members who more than likely share your values and your passion to explore the world around you. Not only will you make connections with local people across the globe, you'll be traveling with new friends that you'll want to keep for life.
Active Trips that Explore the World:
We can take you to all the places you've always wanted to go, to do the activities you love. You will be immersed in the natural beauty and culture of a place. And we do it in the REI way, welcoming those serendipitous travel moments that can't be planned and ultimately result in your best stories and memories from a trip. Chance encounters with wildlife, conversations with local residents, camaraderie with active like-minded travelers—these are the hallmarks of an REI Adventures trip.
Guides Worth Following:
Travel with us and you'll get to know a place like the back of your hand. You'll plunge into a region with access only a resident guide can offer. Our guides are musicians and scientist, Sherpas and chefs, each one passionate about the outdoors. Follow our guides away from the beaten path and you'll discover the unexpected. There's a world of truth and beauty waiting out there that's not found in any guidebook.
Friendly, Knowledgeable Staff:
Every REI Adventures journey begins with one of our travel-savvy staff. When you call, you'll get first-hand knowledge about your trip. Not only can REI tell you what to bring and how to prepare for your adventure—we do know a thing or two about gear—we'll also share our own passion for the destination and the activities you'll be doing. You can trust our knowledge and attention to detail to make your trip the best you've ever taken.
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Logistics
What's excluded
- Transportation from your hometown to group meeting point
- Park entrance fees ($25 per private vehicle or present your National Parks pass)
- Transfers to/from trailhead
- Insurance of any kind
- 3 lunches
- Snacks and energy food
- Energy drinks
- Alcoholic beverages (please do not bring)
- Soft drinks
- Guide gratuities and items of a personal nature
Accommodation
Full payment is due at sign up, fully refundable up to 30 days prior to departure.
If you decide to cancel your trip, the following fees apply and are due when we receive notice of your cancellation: 30+ days prior to departure = $0 15 to 29 days prior to departure = 50% of the total trip cost is non-refundable 0 to 14 days prior to departure = 100% of the trip cost is non-refundable
If you instead transfer to another trip, the following fees are due at the time of the request: 15+ days prior to departure = $0 0 to 14 days prior to departure = 100% of the trip cost is non-refundable
2 Breakfasts and 2 Dinners
This trip is rated Strenuous [5]. Participants will be carrying backpacks with weights of 30-45 lbs for up to 11 miles per day. Participants should be prepared to hike over steep, rocky and sometimes exposed terrain, with constant and dramatic elevation gains and/or losses of up to 5,000 feet per day on most days. We strongly recommend practicing with 30-45 lbs in the pack you intend to use for the trip and making sure your hiking boots are broken in before departure. This is not a beginning backpacking trip. Previous backpacking experience is a prerequisite for participation and a physician's release is required.
- Backpacking
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