Winter Hiking and Backpacking in Grand Canyon: Rim to Rim

6 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
View all 9 photos
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
93%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
premier

Health Safety +

USTOA

Small Group Tour
Hike the Grand Canyon’s most famous trails, see both rims in winter and experience diverse micro-climates on an epic six-day hiking adventure. This trip takes you down the South Kaibab Trail, which has arguably the best views in the Grand Canyon, up the North Kaibab Trail to the North Rim and back to the South Rim via the spectacular Bright Angel Trail. Start...
29%
$3,129
From$2,235
See departure dates

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Extreme

Highlights

    • During winter at the Grand Canyon, there are less tourists and snow regularly dusts the ground and the dramatic canyon valleys and peaks, creating a spectacular sight.
    • See both the South Rim and the less-visited North Rim of the Grand Canyon and cross the Colorado River near Phantom Ranch.
    • Soak up the pristine natural surroundings in camping spots that put you right in the heart of stunning wilderness areas with top-of-the-line tents and all your camping gear provided.
    • Enjoy freshly prepared, delicious backcountry dinners prepared by your leader and admire sparkling stars overhead if the weather is clear.

What's this trip about?

    Hike the Grand Canyon’s most famous trails, see both rims in winter and experience diverse micro-climates on an epic six-day hiking adventure. This trip takes you down the South Kaibab Trail, which has arguably the best views in the Grand Canyon, up the North Kaibab Trail to the North Rim and back to the South Rim via the spectacular Bright Angel Trail. Starting and finishing on the South Rim, you’ll see waterfalls, Native American ruins, box canyons and more – it’s an incredible adventure. Sleep under the stars, see all the best sights and take in spectacular Grand Canyon views without the crowds on this very special small group hiking trip.

Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeIntimate group - max of 9 people
Age range12 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityFlagstaff
End CityFlagstaff

Travel Themes

  • Hiking & Walking
  • Trekking & Expeditions

Destinations

  • North America
  • United States

Attractions

  • Grand Canyon

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Flagstaff/Grand Canyon National Park - South Kaibab Trail Hike

Meet your guide between 4am and 7am at the Little America Hotel in Flagstaff and begin your Grand Canyon adventure on the South Kaibab Trail, a popular hiking route that offers spectacular views both up and down the Grand Canyon. You’ll hike along a well-maintained tr...

Day 2 Grand Canyon National Park - South Kaibab Trail

After breakfast, break camp and join your leader and group for the hike via Angel Box Canyon to Cottonwood Campground. The box canyon's sheer granite walls rise hundreds of feet above us as we hike along the crystal clear Bright Angel Creek to reach our campground. After a delicious camp dinner you might want to turn in early to rest up for tomorrow's hike to the North Rim.

Day 3 Grand Canyon National Park - North Rim Hike (ascent)

After a hearty early breakfast, you’ll start your hike towards the North Rim. This hike is fantastic for natural history buffs as you’ll hike up through a semi-arid High Sonoran desert environment at mid-canyon to a dense mixed conifer forest on the rim. If you think ...

Day 4 Grand Canyon National Park - Cottonwood Campground to Bright Angel Campground

After breakfast, you’ll break camp and retrace your steps to Bright Angel Campground. What goes up must come down so - unlike your previous walk along this trail - you’ll mostly be heading downhill this time around. Enjoy a different perspective on the stunning scenery that surrounds you as you hike to your camp for tonight.

Day 5 Grand Canyon National Park -Bright Angel Trail to Havasupai Garden Campground

After breakfast, break camp and set off on the Bright Angel Trail alongside the Colorado River and arrive at Pipe Creek where you’ll enjoy a rest. From here, you’ll hike up Pipe Creek past its junction with Garden Creek to Havasupai Garden – a spring site that watered...

Day 6 Grand Canyon National Park - Bright Angel Trail Hike & Flagstaff

A relaxed morning and delicious breakfast will precede a beautiful hike as we continue our ascent via the Bright Angel Trail to the South Rim where we’ll look back over our trip and reflect on the beauty of this place and our accomplishment in achieving something that...

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $2,235
Price per day$373
Last Updated: 5/5/2024
Start Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
16 Nov 2024
21 Nov 2024
$2,235
6 spots left
01 Dec 2024
06 Dec 2024
$2,235
5 spots left
02 Dec 2024
07 Dec 2024
$2,235
5 spots left

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Intrepid Travel.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Travelstride Gift Card
One card, thousands of extraordinary trips
Gifts Card

Intrepid Travel Reviews & Ratings

4.5/5  Excellent
Excellent
3,267
Great
664
Average
144
Disappointing
80
Terrible
194
Write a Review

Other Intrepid Travel Reviews

M

Mike Lau

Nov 2023

Written on

We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food…

We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information....

A

Audrey Tavares

Nov 2023

Written on

Central Asia Explorer

This was my third trip with Intrepid, and I'll continue to plan future trips with them. I choose Intrepid to travel to parts of the world where I don't feel comforta...

N

Nic

Feb 2024

Written on

Do not book a tour with Intrepid

Do not book a tour with Intrepid. Their “policy” on deposits is unreasonable, inflexible and downright thieving. I booked a tour in India with them over seven month...

Write a Review

Travelers also viewed

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel

premier
View Profile

The Intrepid Travel Experience

If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve come to the right place. For the past 25 years, we’ve been taking small groups of travelers on unforgettable trips around the world. What makes them unforgettable? Take a look for yourself and discover the Intrepid experience.

Our travelers have three styles of tour to choose from: Basix, Original and Comfort. Each has a different level of inclusions and accommodation, but all have unforgettable real life experiences as part of the package. Travellers can also choose themed trips, such as Family, Sailing or Food, to suit their interests.

Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.

Why Intrepid?

  •   Small groups - average of 10 people per trip
  •   Sustainability - pioneers for the industry
  •   Local leaders - authentic perspectives
  •   Local transport - get close and personal
  •   Local accommodation - experience real living
  •   Intrepid travelers - like-minded companions 

History

Intrepid Travel has come a long way since its beginnings in 1989. From two university friends, a typewriter and a kitchen desk, it is now a proud member of The Intrepid Group, taking over 100,000 travelers every year.

Intrepid Travel is part of The Intrepid Group of companies, alongside leading small group adventure companies Peregrine, Urban Adventures and PEAK DMC.

Despite growing into a global business with over 1,000 staff based all over the world and over 800 different trips across every continent, we’ve remained devoted to the same grassroots values and responsible travel philosophies that we had at the very beginning.

 

Values

On every trip we operate and in every interaction we have with a client, supplier or local, we live our core values everyday:

  • Integrity – Doing the right thing
  • Responsible – Think global, act local
  • Growth – Stakeholders in our own success
  • Innovation – Thriving on new ideas and embracing change
  • Fun – It’s engrained into who we are and what we do
  • Passion – We are inspired by the work we do and the trips we offer

 

Why we love this operator
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
What they’re known for
Small group tours for active and adventurous travelers at a range of different price points and service levels.

Associations

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

Accommodation

Camping (5 nights),

Transportation & Flights

Private vehicle,

Transportation & flights

Private vehicle
Guides
Your Intrepid group leader’s role involves organising the overall operation and smooth-running of the trip, managing trip logistics and camp responsibilities. Our leaders are also fully qualified and experienced to lead all the treks included in this trip, therefore, your leader is also your trekking guide. in addition, they are responsible for driving the van and navigating across the country/state. The allowable driving times for drivers is strictly controlled in North America. This ensures our drivers are well rested and are not over-tired from too many hours on the roads. Please note that guides are required to take 8 hours off each 24 hour period to sleep, recuperate, take personal/down time/ etc. In addition, as part of the 8 hours off they must sleep/rest or be in their tents uninterrupted for a minimum of 5 hours each night. We ask our travellers to respect these requirements and to not interrupt guides’ time off and sleep time unless there is a true (life threatening) emergency.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative. If you have credit card insurance your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or USA the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside of their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise. For assistance with travel insurance or other services, please visit the link below: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-resources/our-services
Visa requirements
PASSPORT You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date. We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends. VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here:  www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements
Health & Safety
Most national governments provide regularly updated foreign travel advice on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trips here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/travel-alerts We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, flight tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Your group leader or local representative will accompany you on all included activities, however, during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests or relax and take it easy. While your group leader or local representative will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your Intrepid itinerary, and Intrepid makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your group leader or local representative has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Intrepid's operational safety policies can be viewed on our website at the link below. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how safety is being managed on our trips. https://www.intrepidtravel.com/safety-guidelines PETTY THEFT AND PERSONAL SAFETY While travelling there is always the risk of pick-pocketing and petty theft, particularly in the more touristy cities. We recommend that you exercise caution when walking alone at night and encourage you to walk together and only on main, well-lit thoroughfares. Be particularly vigilant on public transport. Simple measures like carrying your day pack on your front, not hanging your bag over the back of your chair or on the floor and wearing a money belt will reduce any chance that your valuables should go missing.
Age Requirements
12 years and up
Additional Information

Finish point

  • The Little America Hotel
  • 2515 East Butler Avenue
  • Flagstaff
  • 86004
  • UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Trip ID
intrepid-SKXWG

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save

Popular Trips

Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >
Sign in to reveal savings up to $700 per person!