On this epic Grand Canyon backpacking adventure we’ll traverse remote and rugged inner-canyon loops between the South Rim and the Colorado River and see parts of the canyon most never do. This trip is great for experienced and new backpackers alike, just be sure to pack your sense of adventure! It’s a true backpacking trip, which means everyone will be required to carry their own weight- including tents, sleeping bags, and food (all together these items will amount to about 30-40 lbs)! Rest assured you’re in great hands with our professional guides with experience and passion for the region and backpacking!

The exact route and trails utilized will vary based on conditions, permit allowances and the group, which makes expedition-style adventure especially unique! Our hike will be made up of variations of the Hermit-Bright Angel Loop, Hermit-Boucher Loop, and New Hance-Grandview Loop. The camps and explanations in our itinerary are representative of what you can expect and give you a good idea of the day to day. Remember, mileage is not indicative of difficulty, and you should expect very steep downhill and uphill climbs for at least two hiking days (and a total of ~6,400 ft of elevation loss and gain through out the whole trip). Be sure to thoroughly read the Daily Breakdown and make sure you’re fully prepared for the distances and elevation gains and losses this trek entails.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The adventure dates may be adjusted +/- one day until permits are finalized 4 months in advance of departure (when Grand Canyon permits are issued). We will be in touch then to confirm your dates so you can book your flights and plan accordingly!

We rated our Grand Canyon trip a 4 out of 5 on the WHOA Adventure difficulty scale due to the steep elevation gains and losses and potential extreme heat. This is all while carrying all your own backpacking gear weighing approximately 30-40 lbs, which is no joke!

The Grand Canyon can be hot, sunny, and unforgiving to say the least! But we’ll be well prepared, setting out early each day to avoid excessive midday heat. It can still get chilly in the evenings, so layers will be your best friend. We plan our trips in the fall and spring to reduce the chances of rain and hot temps, but that said be ready to embrace what Mother Nature throws our way, and put on a layer and dance when things don’t go as planned! Remember, the difference between an adventure and an ordeal is your attitude!

Descending and ascending nearly 4,000 feet isn’t for the faint of heart—or knees! As with all WHOA Adventures, the better trained you are, the more enjoyable your experience will be. While training, make sure you are breaking in your boots and backpack. Wear your pack with weight inside, and work your way up to 30-40 lbs for extended periods of time to ensure you are prepared to carry your gear in the canyon for long days.

Bottom line, stay active, break in your gear, and start conditioning your legs now for steep and steady uphills AND downhills. Prep yourself as much as possible - your future self will thank you!

NOTE: This map is a good representation of what our hike will be, but the exact route and camps will vary based on conditions and permits - it’s all a part of the adventure!

We plan our adventures with most of the logistics taken care of, so you can focus on lacing up your hiking shoes and being your best adventure self! Here’s a complete list of everything that’s included, and what’s not.

INCLUDED:

• 4 day female-led guided backpacking hike in The Grand Canyon

• 2 nights in Flagstaff hotel (1 before + 1 after hike, double occupancy)

• Signature WHOA Welcome and Celebratory Meals

• All meals during the hike and listed as included in the Daily Breakdown

• All necessary permits and fees to camp and hike in the park

• Sleeping bag and mat

• 60-65 L backpack

• 2 person tents

• Professional and passionate hiking guides

• Tips to show gratitude to our amazing guide team (and to save you from having to carry extra cash)

• Fair and generous tips for our amazing guides and drivers

• Transfers from Flagstaff to trailhead/finish

• Tons of WHOA TLC and a passionate and experienced WHOA GAL (Group Adventure Leader) on the ground to make sure things run smoothly

• The support of the WHOA team leading up to and during your adventure to make sure you feel as mentally and physically prepared as possible!

• 1% for the planet, as in 1% of what you pay goes towards grassroots environmental groups making a difference in their local communities.

• Offsetting of this trip’s negative impact on the environment and carbon footprint, from the transportation to lodging to meals

  
  NOT INCLUDED:

• Flights

• Early arrival accommodation and transportation

• Travel Insurance (mandatory)

• Gear (not listed as included above)

• Additional food, drink and tips (not listed as included above)

*For our carbon offsetting, we do our best to crunch the numbers and accurately calculate the carbon footprint the best we can with the information that we have. It’s not a perfect system and carbon offsetting isn’t an exact science, but we believe it’s more important to take action now, in every way that we can. All our offsetting programs are certified by our partners at Sustainable Travel International. At the moment, our traveler’s international airfare to the destination is beyond our scope, and not included. Flights are the largest carbon emitter on most of our adventures, so we encourage all our travelers to consider doing it independently through the airline or with our partners at STI.