Itinerary Details
MT Sobek: Arizona Grand Canyon Phantom Ranch Rim to Rim Hiking 5 Day - 2025
Day 1 Enjoy Grand Canyon Views From the North Rim
7-hours private van transfer (frequent stops)
1-2 miles of hiking with minimal elevation gain and loss
Your trip begins early this morning in the Phoenix area. Rendezvous with your MT Sobek guides for a brief orientation before driving north through the Sonoran Desert, past Lee's Ferry (the launch point for Grand Canyon rafting trips), and towards the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Arriving in mid-afternoon, set up camp at our campground near the North Rim and stretch your legs on a short hike along the Transept Trail before enjoying a dinner with your group and guides at the North Rim Lodge.
Accommodation: Grand Canyon North Rim Camping
(L, D)
Day 2 Take a Hike Through Ponderosa Forest to the Canyon Rim
5 miles of hiking with 425' elevation gain and loss
After an early start and hearty breakfast at the North Rim Lodge, set out on a morning warm-up hike along a mostly forested trail to Cape Final, a spectacular viewpoint overlooking the Grand Canyon. From Cape Final, you can make out some of the canyon's iconic formations, including Vishnu Temple and Jupiter Temple, and distant views of the Vermillion Cliffs and Navajo Mountain. Although the hike is not a particularly challenging one, it's a chance to begin acclimatizing to the North Rim's 8,000-foot elevation and its arid desert climate. After returning to the trailhead, take a short van ride to Cape Royal, another fabulous North Rim viewpoint, where you'll eat lunch and discuss the plans for tomorrow's big adventure with your guides. Back in camp by mid-afternoon, you have the rest of the day relax and prepare for a very early wake-up call and the hike down to Phantom Ranch.
Accommodation: Grand Canyon North Rim Camping
(B, L, D)
Day 3 Hike Down Stunning North Kaibab Trail to Phantom Ranch
14 miles of hiking with 5,900' elevation loss
Rise before dawn and get ready for a challenging trek into the heart of the Grand Canyon. Dropping 5,900 feet in 14 miles, today's hike down the North Kaibab Trail descends from the alpine to the desert, each step taking you thousands of years back in geologic time through ancient oceans, deserts, lakes, and swamps. With mind-blowing vistas, 100-foot tall waterfalls, green spring-fed oases, and astonishing trail design and workmanship, the North Kaibab Trail is truly a national treasure. The end of your epic hike brings you to Phantom Ranch, nestled on the banks of Bright Angel Creek, not far from its confluence with the Colorado River. Phantom Ranch was founded in 1903 as a hunting camp and named by Mary Jane Colter after nearby Phantom Creek. You will sleep in mixed gender cabins at Phantom tonight.
Accommodation: Phantom Ranch
(B, L, D)
Day 4 Complete Your Traverse, Ascending Bright Angel Trail
10 miles of hiking with 4,300' elevation gain
Up before the sun once again, have breakfast at Phantom Ranch before setting your sights on the South Rim. Your rim-to-rim adventure culminates with a 4,300-foot ascent up Bright Angel Trail, an iconic Grand Canyon hike! After crossing the Colorado River, the trail snakes its way up and out of the inner gorge to Havasupai Gardens, a welcome oasis and rest stop. Refuel and refill with water here before tackling the steep hike up Jacob's Ladder through the Redwall layer. While always a tremendous challenge, your guides provide interpretation and encouragement to keep you engaged and energized throughout the climb. With proper preparation, hydration, and timing, we push through the final uphill section of trail and are soon high-fiving on the South Rim. Take a moment to reflect on your grand accomplishment, then head to your nearby hotel for a celebratory dinner with our hiking companions and newfound friends.
Accommodation: Kachina Lodge
(B, L, D)
Day 5 Hike the Rim Trail or Relax & Return to Phoenix
4.5-hours private van transfer
3 miles of hiking with minimal elevation gain and loss (optional)
If you are interested in packing in a few additional hiking miles before departing this morning, your guides will be waiting after breakfast to lead a short hike along the Rim Trail. While the elevation gain is minimal, the trail provides outstanding bird's-eye views of the canyon and offers some perspective on the fantastic route hiked during the previous two days. Or if you prefer to relax and learn more about the natural history of the Grand Canyon (or doing some last-minute souvenir shopping), you can spend the morning hours in Grand Canyon Village at the village's museums and shops. Regroup mid-morning and begin the drive back to the Phoenix area, stopping for lunch in Flagstaff en route.
Accommodation: Kachina Lodge
(L)
Vacations by Lisa Scrimger
