Grand Canyon Backpacking - South Rim - Women's Hermit Rapids Loop

Trip Length4 Days
Group Size4-9
Activity level
Starting from
$1,229for REI Members
$1,349 for non-members
DeparturesApr 2025-Oct 2025

A breathtaking women-only backpacking adventure off the beaten path.

A trip below the rim of the Grand Canyon opens the door to a landscape of magic and wonder. In it, you'll join like-minded women who appreciate big challenges with even bigger rewards. For four spectacular days, you'll build backcountry skills, forge new friendships and trek through one of the world's greatest natural wonders. Indigenous flora and fauna surround cool swimming holes and hidden oases to create an environment ripe for learning and adventure. And with challenging terrain like this, come seasoned backcountry guides who know the land and its secrets. From the basics of pack fitting to more advanced survival skills and techniques, their expertise will help you build a solid foundation to journey through this unmatched bucket-list worthy experience.

Learn More about what makes Women’s Adventures Special

A quick dip provides a perfect reward for all your hard work.

Trip Highlights

  • Get off the beaten path exploring one of the world's most breathtaking natural wonders
  • Travel with brilliant and expert female backcountry guides
  • Build up your existing backcountry skills or learn new tips and tricks
  • Learn about the various plants and animals that call this unique terrain home
  • Decompress with daily sessions of reflection, stretching and meditation
  • REI Women's Adventure—designed for women, guided by women

Activities

This trip is rated Strenuous [5]. Participants will be carrying backpacks of 30-45lbs over steep and rocky terrain 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 3,700'-5,000' per day on most days. 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. We strongly recommend practicing with 30-45lbs 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 experience is highly recommended and we ask you to review your personal health and preparation plan with your medical physician prior to traveling.

  • Backpacking

What's Included

Professional instruction and guiding; breakfasts and dinners as noted in the daily itinerary; campsite and backcountry permit fees.

Accommodations

Backcountry camping, 3 nights

Your Adventure Itinerary

Itinerary map for Grand Canyon Backpacking - South Rim - Women's Hermit Rapids Loop
Route Variation

Our specific hiking route and campsites on each departure are dependent on permit availability.

REI will include a detailed itinerary in your final departure materials. Our two most common routes include highlights such as:

Day 1

Start your descent into the Grand Canyon and end on a relaxing yoga note.

Meet your guides and the other group members early this morning inside Grand Canyon National Park. Before we begin our journey the guides will hold a brief orientation, distribute group gear , and perform a pack check. Shortly thereafter we'll transfer to the trailhead where our adventure begins. Our steep and challenging descent into the canyon gives our legs a great warm up for the days to come. Once in camp we'll take time to practice helpful yoga poses intended to stretch out our tired muscles. Dinner included.

Backpacking: 8-10 miles; Elevation loss: 4,400'.

Days 2-3

Explore the desert basin's floor, finding hidden trails and treasures.

For the next two days we'll continue our challenging yet unforgettable adventure at the floor of the Grand Canyon. Our destination each night will be permit dependent, but regardless of our route, we will explore some of the most breathtaking hidden treasures the park has to offer. Along the way we'll incorporate valuable lessons on flora and fauna identification while weaving in opportunities to hone backcountry and survival skills. We'll also take time to reflect on this incredible journey by incorporating moments of meditation, reflection, stretching and yoga. Breakfast and dinner included.

Backpacking: 5-11 miles; elevation gain/loss varies depending on route.

Day 4

Summit from the canyon's depths and bid farewell to new friends.

Our climb out of the canyon starts early in order to take full advantage of the coolest part of the day. If possible we'll explore additional vantage points along the way. Once at the rim we'll take our time to bid new friends farewell and to share last glimpses of this amazing destination. Finishing time is generally in the late afternoon but can vary greatly based on trail conditions, weather, group pace, and other circumstances beyond our control. We highly recommend postponing travel plans until the following day. Breakfast included.

Backpacking: 8-9 miles; Elevation gain: 3,500-4,000'.

Important Meal Note: Trip members will need to bring a variety of quick foods for snacks and lunch each day. Granola bars, drink mixes, trail mix, bagels, hard cheeses, salami, jerky, tuna packets (not cans), crackers, packets of nut butter (not jars), apples, etc. are all good choices.

Itinerary map for Grand Canyon Backpacking - South Rim - Women's Hermit Rapids Loop

Gear List

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. Try to bring only what is necessary—this will help you and the field staff.

Already booked this trip? Sign into your online traveler profile for a more detailed list of what you'll need.

REI members can shop for gently used gear online or at most REI stores. Members can also trade in pre-loved used gear online or at any REI store in exchange for REI gift card credit. Check out Re/Supply at REI to learn more.

We provide

  • All Group Cooking Gear
  • Group First Aid Kit
  • Stoves and Fuel
  • Tent(s)
  • Trekking Poles
  • Water Filter

What to pack

Contact Us

Feel free to give us a call at 1 (800) 622-2236 should you have any questions regarding the gear list. The staff at our stores and Direct Sales ( 1 (800) 426-4840 ) will also be happy to help you with gear questions. Or check out REI Expert Advice , which has great information to help you prepare for your trip.

Trip specifics may change over time. Reviews reflect the version of the trip that was active at the time the reviewer took it. Please review the itinerary as described above and call our team for any additional details.