Rim to Rim: South to North
Most Rim-to-Rim hikes follow the traditional North to South route, but going in reverse adds an exciting twist. It means more time to enjoy Cottonwood Camp and Ribbon Falls, making the journey even more fun! It's perfect for those with Grand Canyon backpacking experience seeking a one-of-a-kind adventure.
- Dates:
May, October
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Trip Length: 5 Days
- Cost: $1,700
- Group size: 9
Trip Highlights
- Embark on the adventure of a lifetime, checking this bucket list trip off your to-dos
- Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring wonders beneath the rim, creating unforgettable memories
- Experience the unparalleled thrill of triumphing over this demanding trail
- Reward yourself with an extraordinary camping experience under a canopy of twinkling stars
- Fall asleep to the melodies of Bright Angel Creek and awaken to vibrant fall foliage dancing in the breeze
- Receive a comprehensive 60-day workout schedule from GCCFI, with mobility, strength, and cardio exercises.
- GCCFI provides logistics information and transportation to and from the trailhead
What's included
Price for the class includes:
Expert and educated instructors who are a treasure trove of knowledge, enhancing your hiking journey with their insightful interpretations and enriching your overall experience
Comprehensive gear list, complete with accompanying videos to guide you through the gear selection process
Food and menu planning ideas
Receive a comprehensive 60-day workout schedule from GCCFI, with mobility, strength, and cardio exercises
Expedition First Aid kits
Rat sacks
Group water filter
Satellite phone
Transportation from North Rim to South Rim
Backcountry permits for backpacking into Grand Canyon
What's not included
You are responsible for:
Your backpacking equipment and gear
Food
Transportation to and from the canyon
Lodging in the park before or after your trip
Guide gratuity (industry recommendation 15-20% of trip cost, read this article to receive more guidance)
Itinerary
Meet your Grand Canyon expert
Alexi Kimiatek
Alexi discovered his love for the outdoors growing up in the hardwood forests of New England. After finishing a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in evolutionary ecology he worked as a seasonal field ornithologist for several research institutes, including the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center before discovering the canyon country of the southwest. Enchanted by the landscapes and cultures of the Colorado plateau, Alexi has been exploring the geology, flora, fauna, and human history of northern Arizona and southern Utah as a backpacking guide and fervent student of the outdoors. In addition to guiding, Alexi also contributes to subterranean bat surveys for Bat Conservation International. Alexi now lives in Sedona, Arizona and spends most of his time in Grand Canyon or recreating in the desert with his dogs.
Kory Kirchner
MSKory grew up in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona and went on his first of many backpacking trips in the Grand Canyon at 11 years old. He studied geology with many great professors at Northern Arizona University, The University of Texas at Austin, and The University of New Mexico. His geologizing has taken him all across the Western United States, thanks to generous support from the National Science Foundation and universities. He has yet to find a place on earth more awe-inspiring than the Grand Canyon and looks forward to blowing your mind with geologic knowledge on a GCCFI trip!
Additional notes
Recent comparable backpacking experience is a prerequisite for all rim-to-rim backpacking programs. Participants must be 17+ years older for this backpacking program.
Cancellation Policy
Please notify our office as soon as possible should you need to cancel your registration. If you cancel or leave a trip early for any reason:
- 60+ Days prior to trip start date: full refund minus a 10% administrative fee.
- 59-45 Days prior to the trip start date: 50% refund will be issued.
- Less than 45 days prior to trip start date: no refund.
Reserved spots are transferable to different trips, if there is availability. This transfer can occur up to 45 days prior to the trip's start date.
Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute reserves the right to cancel all or a portion of a trip due the following circumstances; failure to meet the participant minimum and loss of scheduled staff due to injury or illness. In this event, participants will receive a full refund. In addition, Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute may cancel a trip due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather events, natural disasters, park closures, and health emergencies, and there is no alternative trip is available to you. If GCCFI cancels the trip due to unforeseen circumstances 15 days or more prior to departure, the customer will receive a full refund. If the trip is a multiday program and GCCFI cancels 14 days or less the customer will receive trip credit.
Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute is not responsible for: flight tickets, visa fees if applicable, gear, medical expenses, clothing, and any expenses occurred while preparing for this trip.
We highly recommend the purchase of trip insurance to help offset any cost incurred if cancellation occurs.
Payment Policy
To secure your booking, a 10% deposit of the total tour cost is required at the time of booking. This deposit confirms your reservation and guarantees your spot on the tour. An additional 50% payment of the balance is due 90 days before departure.
The remaining 40% of the balance is due 45 days before departure. Please ensure the final payment is made by this deadline to avoid any delays or complications with your tour.
If you have any questions or need assistance regarding the payment process, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Timely payments ensure we can provide the best possible experience, and we look forward to welcoming you on your tour.
Testimonials
Allana Long
Trusted Travel Advisor Viva Travel Design“Hiking from Rim to Rim has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Sherri’s expert guidance made this extreme adventure safe, easy and fun! She was incredibly knowledgeable about all aspects of Grand Canyon, giving us a much deeper understanding. Traveling through nature on a physically demanding journey is a powerful bonding experience. I highly recommend this itinerary for solo travelers and friends/families looking to bond in a much deeper way.”
Laura Brown
“Time after time, year after year, Sherri O’Neill has guided my group of family and friends from the North Rim to the South. Each year I introduce new friends (sometimes with their children) to this extraordinary place we know as Grand Canyon. Once again this fall, our group had four “40 something” friends on the hike – each one wrote afterwards to let Sherri and me know how “life changing” their experience had been. This is what makes the Field Institute and those committed to its success, such a vital portal for introducing future donors to Grand Canyon.”
Patricia Stone
Trekker + Nature Lover + Travel Advisor“The Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim Trek is one of the top adventures to experience in the USA! Our 4-day trek with Grand Canyon Conservancy took us from the North to the South Rim, crossing the Grand Canyon floor. Our guide Sherri O’Neil taught us about the history of the canyon, taking us into “deep time” as we learned about the geology, rock formations, early settlements, and saw petroglyphs and sacred waterfalls. We were able to experience the canyon and see its enduring beauty while camping under stars at night – we even saw a comet and the Milky Way. This trek enlightens hikers of the importance of preserving our National Park for generations to come and better understand ways we can support the park’s natural and cultural wonders. I highly recommend the Rim-to-Rim Trek to all adventure seekers who appreciate nature and our National Parks.”
Todd Campbell
“I recently went on a Rim to Rim with Grand Canyon Conservancy, and it was truly the trip of a lifetime! Being in the canyon with such knowledgeable guides made this experience something different. They told stories and had all sorts of facts to teach us about how the canyon was created and who lived there before us. Being in such a remote area can be scary for some, but GCC thinks of everything so you are well prepared and can feel confident in the safety of the group with the amazing guides to show you the way! I would highly recommend this trip to anyone I know and to YOU too!”