Grand Canyon Hiking, South Rim Hightlights

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 depart the diverse Sonoran Desert on our way to Sedona, where we embark on a hike among the iconic red rocks, followed by lunch in the shade. Along our hike, we experience the striking contrast between lush riparian habitat and otherworldly multi-hued rock formations. We continue on our journey and shuttle to the crown jewel of the National Park system – the Grand Canyon. We stop at the Desert View Watchtower as your guides reveal the marvels that have shaped this surreal landscape over millennia. Once we settle into our accommodations along the rim, we gather for our first delicious dinner together, sharing the experience with new friends. • Overnight: Maswik Lodge, Grand Canyon or similar • Drive time: 4 hrs. _____________________________________________________________________________ Hiking: up to 3 mi / 5 km, Elevation difference: +/- 230ft or 70m

Meals:  L,D

We start our day with a nutritious breakfast to fuel us for the vigorous hike down the Bright Angel Trail. As one of the major geologic fault lines bisecting the Canyon, the Bright Angel Fault has allowed animals and humans access into and out of the Canyon for centuries. Havasupai people, pioneering miners, entrepreneurial businesspeople, the National Park Service, and the Civilian Conservation Corps all played vital roles in the history of this trail. As you hike, you experience the immense scale of the canyon, with towering cliffs and deep ravines stretching out in every direction. The interplay of light and shadow throughout the day brings out the ever-changing colors of the canyon walls. After another amazing day, we return to our cozy hotel and savor our time together, gathering for another wonderful dinner. • Due to permit restrictions, if the group size exceeds seven guests, guides will split the group in half between the Day 2 and Day 3 trails to ensure compliance. •Overnight: Maswik Lodge, Grand Canyon or similar __________________________________________________________________________ Hiking: approx. 6 mi / 9.7 km, Elevation difference: +/- 2,100 ft / 640 m. Permit requirement: If the group exceeds 9 guests, guides will split the group in half and alternate between the day 2 and day 3 trails.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today’s adventure takes us to the iconic South Kaibab Trail. Following a ridgeline into the canyon, this trail offers unparalleled views of the Inner Gorge, the distant silhouettes of the North Rim topography, and the sprawling plateaus that tease the limits of our vision. As we descend the trail, each layer of rock reveals a chapter of the earth's history. From the ancient Vishnu Basement Rocks, some of the Grand Canyon's oldest exposed rock dating close to 2 billion years old, to the relatively youthful Kaibab Formation, at only 270 million years old. The Colorado River has sculpted the landscape, carving an unmistakable image of itself through the heart of the canyon. We reach our turnaround point and can glimpse the Colorado River far below before returning the way we came. We enjoy dinner tonight, celebrating our time together. • Due to permit restrictions, if the group size exceeds seven guests, guides will split the group in half between the Day 2 and Day 3 trails to ensure compliance. • Overnight: Maswik Lodge, Grand Canyon or similar • Shuttle time: 1 hr. __________________________________________________________________________ Hiking: approx. 6 mi / 9.7 km, Elevation difference: +/- 2,070 ft / 630 m. Permit requirement: If the group exceeds 9 guests, guides will split the group in half and alternate between the day 2 and day 3 trails.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning, we head to the quiet western reaches of the South Rim. A scenic shuttle ride 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. From sweeping vistas to hidden geological wonders, this trail is a visual journey through time, made all the richer by our guides, who share captivating stories that bring the Grand Canyon’s layered past to life at every stop. Frequent shuttle stops along the route give us the freedom to explore at our leisure, hopping on or off whenever we choose. This afternoon marks the end of our unforgettable journey through the Grand Canyon. As we travel south, the landscape shifts from pine forests to saguaro-studded desert, arriving in Phoenix by evening with vivid memories in tow. • Drive time: 4 hrs. _______________________________________________________________________ Hiking: approx. 6 mi / 9.7 km, Elevation difference: +/- 830 ft / 253 m. _______________________________________________________________________ WINTER DEPARTURES (DEC. 1 – FEB. 28): Enjoy a quick drive to the Hermits Rest Trailhead and continue down steady switchbacks that take you down a less frequented and dramatic side canyon. The sections of the cobblestone pathway date back to 1911 when the Santa Fe Railroad was developing a route to service a luxury camp along Hermit Creek in the early 20th century. Our hike will offer spectacular views of Hermit Basin and Waldron Canyon before we return the way we came with hearts full and new friends. • Drive time: 4 hrs. _______________________________________________________________________ Hiking: approx. 3–5 mi / 4.8–8 km, Elevation difference: +/- 1,750 ft / 533 m.

Meals:  B,L