Start at South Rim Grand Canyon
One Day Before the Hike into the River Trip: Drive to the South Rim in Grand Canyon National Park and stay the night. You are responsible for making your own room reservations with Xanterra (888) 297-2757. Rooms at the South Rim can be difficult to obtain, so please reserve early. Reservations open one year in advance. If lodging is unavailable in the park, you could stay in nearby Tusayan, AZ. You can leave your vehicle at the South Rim for the duration of your trip, free of charge. A good place is in the backcountry long-term parking lot (Lot D).
The Morning of the Hike into the River Trip: You must check in with the GCW hiking guide at the Bright Angel Lodge lobby at 5:45 a.m. for orientation. You will be hiking on Bright Angel Trail approximately 8 miles; the trail descends 4,400 feet. Please see the Hike In section for more information. When you reach the rafts at Pipe Creek Beach, please identify yourself to one of the river guides. You’ll have time to change clothes and repack into the provided dry bags as you wait for all the hikers to reach the river.
On the River: You will be traveling 136 river miles on your journey through the Grand Canyon. Each day, you will experience whitewater rapids and various side hikes.
The Final Day: The river portion of your trip will end in the morning at Diamond Creek, river mile 225. You will ride on a Hualapai bus for about an hour along a rough dirt road to the main highway in Peach Springs, AZ, where an air-conditioned shuttle will be waiting to return you to the designated hotel in Flagstaff, AZ, and then continue on to the South Rim Grand Canyon. The shuttle, reserved through GCW, is estimated to arrive to Flagstaff around 2:00 p.m. and South Rim Grand Canyon around 4:00 p.m.* If you wish to spend the night after your trip, be sure to make reservations well in advance.
* Due to the remote nature of the trip and multiple forms of transportation, we cannot guarantee our exact return times.
