Grand Canyon Easy-Active Hiking and Camping

Your guides welcome you and your fellow travelers at our meeting location in the Phoenix area. After introductions and an outline of the day ahead, we shuttle to the crown jewel of the National Park system – the Grand Canyon. On our scenic drive, we watch the shift from the Sonoran Desert and its towering saguaro to the semi-arid desert of the Grand Canyon adorned with its pinion, juniper and ponderosas. Our first stop at the Desert View Watchtower offers expansive views that stretch across the horizon, where we indulge in an al fresco lunch while soaking in the grandeur of our surroundings. After, lunch we shuttle to begin our first hike along the Rim Trail. Along this scenic pathway tracing the canyon's edge, your guides unveil the geological marvels that have shaped this surreal landscape. Following our hike, a 45-minute shuttle brings us to REI's exclusive Signature Camp, nestled south of the Grand Canyon. Once settled, we savor a delicious dinner expertly crafted by our guides. Then, gather around the campfire and bask in its welcoming glow. Lunch and dinner included.

Hiking: 4 miles; Total ascent/Total descent: 230’; Low point/High point: 6,884’/7,068’; Van transfer: 5 hours

Awakening to the tranquility at our secluded Signature Camp, we find a French press of freshly brewed coffee outside our tent. It's an invitation to savor the quiet moments as we bask in the soft, golden hues of the early morning. As our guides prepare breakfast, we gear up for the day's adventure, knowing we can choose to challenge ourselves or cover as much mileage as we feel comfortable with. As we set off for the Bright Angel Trail, we're treated to sweeping vistas and historical insights from our guides. Set along a natural fault line, the trail's switchbacks guide us downward through millennia, descending over 2,100 feet in just 3 miles to pause at the Redwall Limestone layer, a remarkable 335 million years old. Amidst breathtaking views, we enjoy a picnic lunch, we learn about John Wesley Powell's pioneering exploration of the Grand Canyon in 1869. We think on the historical significance of this remarkable trail as we ascend back to the rim. After a shuttle we return to our cozy camp, we gather for another delicious dinner, exchanging tales of adventure and camaraderie under the starlit sky. All meals included.

Hiking: up to 6 miles; Total ascent/Total descent: up to 2,100’; Low point/High point: up to 4,774’/6,856’; Van transfer: 1.5 hours

Today's adventure takes us to Hermit's Rest, a National Historic Landmark situated at the end of the Canyon Rim Trail, commissioned by the Fred Harvey Company in 1914. We board a scenic park shuttle to reach this iconic destination. From here, we embark on a hike along the rim trail back toward the heart of the village. This trail offers a feast for the eyes, with our guides punctuating each sublime viewpoint with insights into the history of the Grand Canyon, with each stop more stunning than the last. And with regular shuttle stops along the way, we can hop on whenever we please and enjoy the day how we choose. This afternoon, we bid farewell to the Grand Canyon on this short and sweet adventure, utterly captivated by its many spectacular vistas. We’ll journey south, from pine to cactus, and return to Phoenix in the evening, including a stop at the Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) for those who have flights out tonight. Breakfast and lunch included.

Hiking: 4 – 6 miles, Total ascent/Total descent: up to 600’; Low point/High point: up to 6,536’/7,127’; Transfer: 5 hours