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South Kaibab Trail
Backpacking Trips , Natural & Cultural History

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 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

Kory Kirchner

MS

Kory 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

Age Restrictions: 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 for any reason:

  • 60+ days of program start date: full refund, minus a $100 administrative fee will be issued
  • 59 - 45 days prior start date: 50% refund will be issued
  • Less than 45 days to start date, or once trip has begun: we will retain your entire program fee with no exceptions.

Reserved spots are non-transferable to different programs. However, you may substitute members of your party, specific to the trip date with GCCFI approval, with no penalty, up to 30 days prior to departure date.

GCCFI reserves the right to cancel all, or a portion, of a trip for circumstance beyond our control. Circumstances might include, but are not limited to—public land closures, road closures, weather events, fires, or other natural events. Refunds are not offered in these situations. A full trip credit will be issued, minus any non-refundable expenses occurred by GCCFI if the program is cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control. GCCFI staff will work to change itinerary to another trail or move hiking locations to a safer area.

We reserve the right to cancel any trip if sign-up is inadequate to make the trip economically feasible for us to operate. In this event, we will give a full refund of the trip price.

GCCFI is not responsible for: air tickets, visa fees if applicable, gear, medical expenses, clothing, and any expenses occurred while preparing for this trip.

We HIGHLY encourage the purchase of trip insurance to help offset any costs incurred if cancellation occurs

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!”