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For the experienced, fit backpacker who is looking to explore the heart of the Grand Canyon with the guidance of professional guides and the solitude of backcountry trails. We take on a route seldom travelled, and visit during the ‘off peak’ season when the North Rim is completely closed to tourists. The journey begins with a day of introduction to the canyon when we visit the South Rim’s village and geology museum. We quickly leave the tourist crowds and travel to the east end of the south rim, where our trek begins. From here, we make our way down to the Colorado River where we follow the great waterway westward via the beautiful ‘Escalante Route’ before joining the East Tonto and Grand View Trails for one final look back over this surreal landscape.
Not for the faint of heart, our route takes us along narrow paths with drop offs on either side, over sections of loose rock, and scrambling through a 300‐foot‐tall labyrinth slot. Evenings are spent in awe under the stars, with the feeling of having this incredible place all to ourselves. Due to the time of year, nights can be quite cool and there is even potential for snow and ice at higher elevations. In addition to nutritional meals, we will supply high quality tents, YakTrax, and trekking poles for your use in this environment.
Day 1 JOURNEY TO THE GRAND CANYON
Day 2 INTO THE WILDERNESS (9MI/14.5KM, 1400M DESCENT)
Day 3 FOLLOW ESCALANTE’S FOOTSTEPS (9MI/14.5KM; +/-350M)
Day 4 75 MILE CANYON TO RED CANYON (3.2MI/5KM; +/-125M)
Day 5 RED CANYON TO HANCE CREEK (6.5MI/10.5KM; +400M)
Day 6 HORSESHOE MESA AND GRANDVIEW TRAIL (4.6MI/7.5KM; 1130M ASCENT)
Day 7 RETURN TO PHOENIX
Safety certified local guides (max 6 trekkers to 1 guide)
Safety equipment and first aid kid
Private transportation
4 nights backcountry camping
2 nights front country camping
Park entry fees and permits
6 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners
Backpacking tents, kitchen gear, water filters, etc.
Trekking Poles
Sleeping bags (rental available)
Sleeping pads and pillows
Airfare and airport taxes
Airport transfers
Hotel accommodation before and after the tour
Any meals not listed in itinerary
Alcoholic beverages
Items of a personal nature
Gratuities
We plan for an early departure from camp each morning to take advantage of cooler temperatures and daylight hours. We choose idyllic locations mid to 2/3rd of the way through our hike for our lunch break and plan to be setting up at our next site by about 4‐5pm when we will be served a snack and settle into camp before dinner is prepared and served under the stars. At the time of year when we operate this tour, days are particularly short with the sun setting early behind the canyon walls.
Participants will be responsible for setting up their tents and are invited to (but not required to) participate in camp chores like collecting and filtering water and cleaning dishes. The guides will do the rest including all food handling.
The area of red rocks in Southwest USA is known as the “Colorado Plateau”, “Canyon Country” or the “Grand Circle”. This area is the size of the United Kingdom and spans 4 states: Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. It is a wonderland of eroded sandstone rock like no where else on earth. Layers of different colored sandstone in hues of red, pink and purple, thousands of feet thick have been exposed by ice age erosion. Glacier run off 12,000 years ago has carved a true wonderland of rocks into these amazing sandstone deposits. These include 800 metre tall sheer dark red cliffs, slot canyons carved by flowing water into sinuous slots, tall mesas rising out of flat valleys and rock spires glowing in hues of pink and purple, arches, formed by frost erosion standing free above an abyss.
The Grand Canyon, specifically, is 277 river miles (446km) long, up to 18 miles (29km) wide, and 1 mile (1.6km) deep. It is an overwhelmingly large area displaying unique combinations of geologic color and erosional forms including the imposing Palisades of the Desert cliff formations and the “Grand Canyon Supergroup.” A Mesoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic sequence of sedimentary and volcanic strata that were deposited on top of the Precambrian crystalline basement rocks ‐ One of the only rock exposures from its time period in all of North America.
We operate this trip in October, after the North Rim has closed to tourists due to the possibility of snow and ice. The South Rim remains open as elevations are lower, but we may still experience early snow at/near the rim. At the rim the daytime high averages about 65F/18C with a chilly overnight low of 36F/2C. The bottom of the canyon is significantly warmer with highs closer to 84F/29C and lows of 58F/14C.
Provided we are advised in advance of your departure we are able to cater for vegetarian diets and can assist with medically recommended diets (allergies and intolerances). Please ensure you discuss your requirements with us well in advance (at least 1 month prior to your trip) to determine whether we can cater to such dietary requirements on your chosen adventure. Please note that options are likely to be limited in very remote locations or alternatives may be more expensive or unavailable. There may be times when those with special requirements may need to provide their own food. We are unable to guarantee a peanut‐free or allergen‐free trip, and therefore, we strongly encourage that travelers with life‐threatening or severe allergies take all necessary medical precautions to prepare for the possibility of exposure. Passengers must travel with all necessary medications for food allergies and be capable of self‐administering these medications.
Accommodation ‐ on a twin share basis when staying in hotels. Refugio or camping accommodation in the national park where you may be required to share with 3 or more persons in bunk style accommodation.
This is a full pack trek. You will be expected to carry all of your personal gear and a share of the food and group camping equipment. Estimate approximately 35‐45lbs (15‐20kg).
Minimum 65L full harness backpack, high quality and broken in hiking boots with ankle support, sleeping bag and mat, hydration system. A full packing list will be provided upon booking.
All travellers will require a valid passport to enter the United States and your passport should still be valid for 6 months after you return from your trip. If you are travelling on more than one passport, please use the same passport for the entire trip. The following information also applies to visitors entering the USA under the Visa Waiver Program (including Australians, New Zealanders, and British):
From 1 April 2016, all travellers wishing to enter the US under the VWP will need to hold a passport with the following criteria:
If your passport was issued before October 26, 2005, it must be ‘machine readable’ (with 2 lines of letters, numbers and <<< at the bottom)
If your passport was issued between October 26, 2005 and October 25, 2006, it must be machine readable and include a digital photo
If your passport was issued on or after October 26, 2006, it must be an e‐passport with a digital photo and an integrated chip (with this internationally recognised symbol <http://www.dhs. gov/e‐passports> on the front cover).
It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct passport and that there are sufficient blank pages for any visas required and for entry/departure stamps.
Many travellers to the United States (including Australians, New Zealanders and British) entering the country require a prearranged, approved Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA). This is obtained electronically for passport holders from countries eligible for the Visa Waiver Program. Travellers must apply at least 72 hours before departure and it can be obtained at the following official website https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov for a fee of US$14, payable by credit or debit card. It is very important to make payments through the official website. Visa Waiver travellers who have not obtained approval through ESTA should expect to be denied boarding on any air carrier bound for the United States.
From 21 January 2016 most people who have travelled to Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria since March 2011, or are dual nationals of these countries, will no longer qualify for entry under the Visa Waiver Program and existing ESTAs could be revoked. You will instead need to apply for a visa from the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. Certain exemptions apply on a case‐by‐case basis. Bottom line: If in doubt, please contact the nearest US Embassy or Consulate.
Please consult your reservation consultant/travel agent if you have any questions regarding your eligibility for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) or the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
All other passport holders should check with the relevant consul.
Please bear in mind that visas may be required for countries you are visiting en route or transiting through on the way to your destination. It is important that you check the requirements of all countries you will visit. Visa costs and requirements do change regularly so we suggest you check with your travel agent or Rogue Adventures reservations consultant. It is your responsibility to obtain all necessary visas.
The adventures featured in our brochures, and on our website, are just a starting point for many of our private group travelers. Working closely with our Groups Department we can organise custom designed itineraries for groups of friends, clubs, charity’s, schools or even work colleagues. Our team will assist you with all aspects of your private group adventure from itinerary design to group flights. Contact our team today.
