Grand Canyon Classic Hiking

Arizona USA

Hike the Grand Canyon and Havasu Canyons - an Inn-to-Inn Hiking Adventure into one of the World's Greatest Natural Wonders

Theodore Roosevelt called the Grand Canyon "the one great sight which every American should see." No other place captures the spirit and fascination of the American West more than this magnificent wonder of the world. There is no better way to experience it than on foot, at a pace that invites exploration, awakens the senses, and captures the essence of the outdoors.

Inn Highlights
Our first three nights are spent at Yavapai Lodge, nestled within the pinyon and juniper woodlands, only a quarter mile from the rim of the Grand Canyon. Located in one of the most beautiful and remote corners of the Grand Canyon on the Havasupai Indian Reservation in Supai, Havasupai Lodge is accessible only by foot, horseback or helicopter.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1. West Rim Trail, Yavapai Lodge on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon (private bath)
Our group assembles at 9:00 a.m. at the Little America hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona. After a shuttle across the Kaibab Plateau to the Grand Canyon, we'll have a brief orientation at the rim of the Canyon. Following lunch we walk along the West Rim Trail. Our route leads us to a series of viewpoints, each offering a different perspective of the ever-changing, colorful 5,000-foot chasm. If the timing is right, we will watch the setting sun dance across the temples and intricate sandstone formations.
Following dinner, enjoy a walk under the clear star-lit skies along the canyon rim. Our home for the next three nights is Yavapai Lodge, located a short walk from "land's end."

• Rim Hike [4.5 miles, elevation gain negligible]

Day 2. South Kaibab Trail, Yavapai Lodge
This morning we descend into the heart of the Grand Canyon on the South Kaibab Trail. Our winding path leads us to Cedar Ridge and the spectacular Skeleton Point. For those looking for a leisurely day, we will return to the lodge for an evening of relaxation and exploration along the rim.

After sunset, enjoy a gourmet dinner at the acclaimed 5-star El Tovar Restaurant, overlooking the canyon's rim!
• Shorter Option: South Kaibab Trail to Cedar Ridge [3 miles round trip, 1160 feet of elevation loss, then gain]
• Longer Option: South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point [6 miles round trip, 1800 feet of elevation loss, then gain]

Day 3. Hermit Trail, Yavapai Lodge
Today we hike the historic Hermit Trail, named after Louis Boucher who mined copper in this small side canyon for over 20 years at the turn of the century. Our descent passes through a visual timetable of geologic formations. Santa Maria Springs is our lunch time destination. As an option, we may continue on to Dripping Springs, a spectacular panorama of the canyon's North Rim.
In the evening, we will dine in one of the South Rim's restaurants after watching the setting sun light up the canyon.

• Hermit Trail [7.5 miles round trip, 1400 feet of elevation loss, then gain]
• Optional hike to Dripping Springs [additional 2.5 miles, 400 feet of elevation loss, then gain]


Day 4. Hualapai and Havasu Canyons, Havasupai Lodge (private baths)
Today we begin our three-day exploration of Havasu Canyon, an oasis of lush vegetation, sparkling cascades and waterfalls, and turquoise pools encased in travertine. We experience a culture lost in time as the Havasupai Indians have wisely decided not to allow a road to invade their wild and pristine canyon home. The only way in is by foot, mule or helicopter. We descend the different sedimentary layers carrying only light daypacks (our luggage will be transported by mule train) to the remote and unique village of Supai and the Havasupai Lodge. This hike follows Haulapai Canyon, twisting beneath red desert walls down into lush woodlands set along the turquoise-tinted Havasu Creek that feeds the falls.

• Hualapai Hilltop to Supai hike [8 miles, 2000 feet of elevation loss]

Day 5. Navajo, Havasu and Mooney Falls, Havasupai Lodge
After breakfast at the local café, we walk beyond the village alongside Havasu Creek. You hardly notice the six-mile hike today as we pass a series of waterfalls in this Shangri-la setting: first cascading Navajo falls, then the twin towering falls of Havasu, and finally down the cliff's edge to the base of 200-foot Mooney falls. The travertine-encased pools beneath each waterfall provide ideal settings for a welcome swim. Havasu, the most picturesque, and Mooney, the most spectacular, can both make for perfect lunch locations, where the warmth of the sun is in direct counterpoint to the cool mist of the falls.
We take our time to relax this afternoon with a final stop at Havasu Falls before returning to Havasupai Lodge and a sumptuous barbecue.

• Navajo, Havasu and Mooney Falls [6 miles, 300 feet of elevation loss/gain]

Day 6. Havasu and Hualapai Canyons, Flagstaff
Bidding farewell to this canyon paradise, we hike back up to Hualapai Hilltop. Before you leave Supai, be sure to send off a postcard--Supai is the only village in America where mail is still transported via a mule pack train and they provide a special, commemorative stamp. Back on the plateau rim, we shuttle back to Flagstaff, stopping in Seligman on historic Route 66 for lunch, before concluding our action-packed and fun-filled week at approximately 5:00 p.m.

• Supai to Hualapai Hilltop hike [8 miles, 2000 feet of elevation gain]

Other Details

Accommodation Details

Our first three nights are spent at Yavapai Lodge, nestled within the pinyon and juniper woodlands, only a quarter mile from the rim of the Grand Canyon.

For day 5 and 5: Located in one of the most beautiful and remote corners of the Grand Canyon on the Havasupai Indian Reservation in Supai, Havasupai Lodge is accessible only by foot, horseback or helicopter.