Premier Grand Canyon Tour
Hotel-Based Tour
From $5430/group
3 Days
Easy-Moderate
Jan-Dec
9-18 Miles
Up to 6K feet
On this 3-day, hotel-based hiking tour of the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, we will embark on 3 diverse day hikes. Our hikes are tailored to your group's interested and can feature dramatic views, incredible natural and cultural history, desert oases and more. In the evenings we will retire to our hotel near the South Rim and enjoy delicious dinners at hand-picked restaurants.
Highlights
Rates
2 People: $6890
3 People: $8760
4 People: $9100
5 People: $10970
6 People: $11310
Rates are in USD and are per group.
Gratuity not included (recommended 5-10% of rate)​
Itinerary
Day 1
On our first day we'll explore the dramatic South Kaibab Trail, which descends an exposed ridge with breathtaking views in all directions. (Up to 6 miles, Up to 2,000' elevation loss/gain)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2
On our second day we will hike the famous Bright Angel Trail, with Native American rock art, amazing geology, shade, water and bathrooms. (Up to 12 miles, Up to 3,000' elevation loss/gain)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner
Day 3
On our final day we will hike either the Hermit Trail to a dripping desert oasis, or the Grandview Trail with gorgeous views of the Colorado River and deep side canyons plummeting off the South Rim. (Up to 7 miles, Up to 2,000' elevation loss/gain)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
What's Included
Local Transportation
Professional Guide
Snacks & Lunch
Trekking Poles
Entrance Fees*
Fascinating Interp
* Entrance fees are not included if meeting us inside the Park.
What's Not Included
Clothing & Footwear
Backpack
3 Liters of Water
Headlamp or Flashlight
Sun Protection
Guide Gratuity*
* Recommended guide gratuity is 10-20% of the tour cost, depending on your level of satisfaction
Dates and Booking
Logistics
Where Do We Meet?
​​Your guide will pick you up at your accommodations in Flagstaff, Williams, Tusayan or at the South Rim. Your guide will reach out approximately 48 hours before the hike to answer any questions you have and confirm the pick-up time and location.
Start/End Times
This tour begins with pick-up at your hotel between 5 and 8 am, depending on the time of year. We will drop you back off at your accommodation no later than 5 PM.
Dietary Restrictions
We can accommodate all dietary restrictions. Please notify your guide of any restrictions when they contact you 48 hours prior to your tour.
Gallery
Reviews of the Premier Grand Canyon Tour
"The entire experience with Grand Canyon Hiking Co. was amazing. Our guide, Jamie, was top notch and made it as wonderful as it could be! The views are mind-blowing on this hike and even the same strata of the canyon seemed to change as we ascended or descended. Highly recommend!"
Kathy W., Appleton, WI
Is This Tour Right For You?
Asking whether this is the right hike for you is important! Please read below for some straight talk about what to expect and whether this hike is the best option for you and your group.
Breathtaking Views
This trail has arguably the best views in the Canyon and offers the most "bang for your buck" if you're going to to do one hike.
Bathroom
There is a bathroom located at Cedar Ridge, 1.5 miles down. We will hike past it on the way down and on the way back up. The bathroom is a national park pit toilet.
Moderate Heights Exposure
We hike on trails that are close to sheer drop-offs. They are well-maintained trails and wide enough for mules, but there is moderate heights exposure.
Sun & Shade
This hike does not have much shade. We are in the sun most of the time. To protect yourself we recommend having a sun hoody, sunglasses and sunscreen.
Popular Trail
This is one of the most popular trails in Grand Canyon. The beginning of the trail is often quite busy, but the deeper we go the quieter it becomes.
No Water Sources
There is no water on this hike. You will be carrying a minimum of 3 liters of water (more in the summer). There is nowhere to refill your water and staying hydrated is critical.
More About the Trails on this Tour
This hotel-based tour includes three hikes on diverse trails in Grand Canyon National Park. We hike the South Kaibab Trail, Bright Angel Trail, and either the Grandview or Hermit Trail. While Grand Canyon has its own history, each of these trails also has a unique and fascinating history involving greedy businessmen, the federal government, Native American tribes, miners, pioneers and early Grand Canyon tourism entrepreneurs.
History of the Trails
up to 1890
The earliest settlers of Grand Canyon were Native Americans. Radio carbon dating shows that humans first traveled through the area up to 6,500 years ago and began settling in the Canyon up to 4,000 years ago. The tribes that first settled Grand Canyon were the Havasupai, Hualapai, Navajo, and Ancestral Puebloans. The Hopi, Paiute and Zuni peoples also lived in around the Canyon and relied on aspects of it for their thriving communities. All of these tribes, but particularly the Havasupai and Hualapai, traveled the routes that are now the hiking trails we follow on this 3-day tour.
1890-1930
The early pioneer history of Grand Canyon is concentrated on schemes of development people had to make an income off the mystery, beauty and vastness of the Canyon. These schemes primarily included mining, and building trails and resorts for early visitors.
In 1890 businessman Ralph Cameron reconstructed a traditional Havasupai route by widening it and improving it down to "Indian Gardens" (now "Havasupai Gardens"). This is now the Bright Angel Trail that we hike on Day 2. He charged a toll to travel this trail into the canyon. The famous Kolb brothers ran their photography service and studio on this trail, photographing tourists as they started down the trail, and selling the photos to the tourists on their way back up to the South Rim. By 1898 the trail extended all the way to the Colorado River at the junction with Pipe Creek.
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In 1911 the Santa Fe Railroad built a camping resort at the bottom of Hermit Trail near Hermit Creek. In order to access the camp, they built the Hermit Trail - a sturdy, reliable path wide and developed enough for horses and mules. (Today the Hermit Trail, while a fantastic hiking trail, is far more rugged due to over a century of less maintenance.) At its peak, the Hermit Resort was serviced by a tram from the rim, had an automobile at the bottom used for transporting supplies around the camp, and even a professional chef! The resort was discontinued in 1930 when Phantom Ranch (the only current lodge INSIDE the Grand Canyon) was finished and began operating.
1930-Now
Today the South Kaibab Trail, Bright Angel Trail, Hermit Trail and Grandview Trail are the four most commonly hiked trails used to access the inner canyon from the South Rim. Each trail offers unique vantage points and historical context from which to experience the magic of Grand Canyon. We owe many thanks to the people of the past who improved, stewarded and cared for this amazing place such that we can experience its wonder and beauty today.