5-Day Grand Canyon West Bus Tour: Horseshoe Bend, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon and Las Vegas
Address
Flagstaff
GPS
35.1987522, -111.651822
On a four night, five-day guided Grand Canyon Challenge backpacking trip, you can leave your daily routine behind and uncover new inspiration. We gather determined folks and go nearly a mile below the rim through tough Grand Canyon terrain to camp and swim on private Colorado River beaches.
Our spring and fall hikes cover up to 30 kilometers on some of the Canyon’s most remote, least-traveled areas. All of our Grand Canyon Challenge adventures follow remote and rocky inner-canyon circuits connecting the Rim and the River. Individual skill levels, party size, and permit allowances will all influence which routes are conducted on which dates, ensuring a safe and fun trip for everybody.
Each Grand Canyon Challenge backpacking trip is all-inclusive and available to fit and motivated people of all ages. Simply bring your personal belongings and a happy mindset, and prepare for an unforgettable experience.
5-Day Grand Canyon West Bus Tour: Horseshoe Bend, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon and Las Vegas
Highlights
- Hike through the expansive Zion National Park
- Take photos of the iconic Horseshoe Bend
- Learn about Navajo culture at Grand Canyon West
- See the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon
- Explore the breathtaking Antelope Canyon
Itinerary
Day 1 Evening before departure, pack-check overnight in Flagstaff
Grand Canyon National Park
On the evening before your Grand Canyon Challenge trek start date, we’ll convene at 6:00pm for a one hour group orientation and pack-check in the main lobby of Little America Hotel in Flagstaff, AZ. At orientation we’ll hand out backpacks, tents and sleeping bags to those who requested them.
We’ll also get to know our team, preview the trail and talk safety. If we anticipate significant heat in the Canyon during the first day of your trip, we may provide the option to camp near the Rim to ensure a before-sun-up early morning trail start (trek-by-trek basis).
Day 2 – Hiking Day 1 – Intense Downhill
Grand Canyon National Park
After reconvening in the lobby of Little America Hotel, Flagstaff at 5:00am, we’ll head out to the trailhead where our hike begins with a steep 3,000′ descent toward the Tonto Platform, an inner plateau within the Canyon roughly 1,000′ above the Colorado River. The first day is typically the most difficult day of the trek.
There may be narrow sections of trail with significant exposure, sections of steep descent over loose rock, and waist-high drops that require scooting or hand and foot down scrambling. In addition, water sources are typically unreliable until we reach camp. This will make travel on day one slow and methodical. Expect 8-10 hours of trail time (including breaks) from start to finish for the 7 to 9 mile day.
Day 3 – Hiking Day 2 – Undulating Trail 1
Grand Canyon National Park
On day two the trail typically undulates until we drop below the Tonto’s ledge, above the gorge floor, and into one of the many side canyons and washes that lead to the Colorado River. A quick descent will bring us to a creek bed floor which we will follow out to the Colorado River and camp.
Day 4 – Hiking Day 3 – Moderate Uphill
Grand Canyon National Park
After a leisurely evening, or morning by the river, we’ll retrace our steps then continue up and onto the Tonto trail. This day typically offers some of the most impressive views of the Grand Canyon. While hiking the Tonto you can see a thousand feet down into the inner gorge, thousands of feet up to the Canyon’s rim, and miles across the Canyon divide within the same breathtaking glace.
Day 5 – Hiking Day 4 – Intense Uphill
Grand Canyon National Park
An early, before-sun-up start will move us up, and off the Tonto, then into the multi-layered, multi-colored walls of the Grand Canyon as we climb almost 4,000 feet to exit the trail and return to civilization. After celebrating as a team, we’ll return to Flagstaff, then home to brag.
