Grand Canyon New Years Adventure

Grand Canyon New Years Adventure Itinerary:

• Day 1

  Your trip begins today in Phoenix, Arizona. Arrive into Phoenix by 5 p.m. and transfer independently to our hotel in nearby Scottsdale. There is complimentary shuttle service from the airport to our Scottsdale hotel, which is within easy walking distance of dozens of great shops, restaurants, galleries and site-seeing opportunities. We'll meet in the hotel lobby at 6 p.m. for a group orientation, followed by dinner at a nearby restaurant on this first festive evening. Overnight in Scottsdale. Dinner included.

• Day 2 

  This morning, we'll depart from Scottsdale and drive north to the Grand Canyon. Our total drive time today is about 4 hours and every bit of the drive is scenic. We travel through four unique biomes, beginning in the Sonoran Desert filled with towering saguaro cactus and leading up thousands of feet in elevation onto the Mogollon Rim. Above the rim we'll likely see our first glimpses of snow on the high plateau. We'll make our way across the plateau through snow-filled ponderosa pine forests and past the shimmering white San Francisco Peaks. Along the way our guides offer insight into the geological and natural history of this unique landscape. Arriving at the canyon, we'll set out on foot on the marvelously scenic West Rim Trail, featuring views from many different vantage points and connecting the main points of interest along the Grand Canyon's South Rim. From points along the trail, we'll enjoy a bird's eye view of the hiking routes planned into the canyon's depths in the coming days. Our hike ends at Kachina Lodge, where we'll spend the next four nights of this adventure. Located on the rim of the canyon you will enjoy spectacular views throughout your trip. You will also be just a short shuttle away from the Visitor Center and the Market Plaza, which includes a general store, bank, and U.S. Post Office. All meals included.
  
  Hiking: 4-7 miles; Terrain: Maintained trail with 200' elevation gain/loss total.

• Day 3 

  After an early morning rise and a hearty breakfast, we will set off for one of the Grand Canyon's most famed routes. The Havasupai tribe built the Bright Angel Trail so they could access Garden Creek from the rim above. This area below the rim served as a critical seasonal hunting ground where they would travel on foot in the winter in search of game. We'll follow in their ancient footsteps, descending to the much warm oasis called Indian Garden where the tribe would settle each winter in favor of the warmer temperatures and the ability to farm year-round. Bring your trekking poles for added stability, and if the trail is snowy or there is ice present at the top, our guides will distribute one-size-fits-all traction devices to wear on our shoes. We'll not need them for long, though, because the canyon warms remarkably as we descend. By the time we reach Indian Garden, expect mild temperatures and warm sunshine! We'll rest here and soak up the sun, refill our water supply and then offer those who want a bit more adventure the opportunity to continue on another 1.2 miles (mostly flat terrain) to Plateau Point for truly awe-inspiring views deep into the Inner Gorge and along the Colorado River 1,300 feet below. We then return tonight to our comfortable lodge for another amazing dinner and plenty of rest. All meals included.
  
  Hiking: 8-12 miles; Terrain: Maintained but rocky and occasionally steep trail descends from 6,860 feet at the trailhead to 3,800 feet at Indian Garden (the first 4.6 miles of hiking), then remains relatively flat to Plateau Point, descending only another 220 feet in the next 1.2 miles. From there, we ascend back to the trailhead on the same route.

• Day 4

  Rise today to enjoy another delicious breakfast before we head off to Yaki Point to view the labyrinth of amphitheaters, temples and buttes nestled deep in the canyon between the North and South Rim. From Yaki Point, we set out on another of the canyon's classic day hikes – the South Kaibab Trail. Setting out again from the snowy rim, we wind our way down through the switchbacks to arrive at breathtaking Ooh Aah Point, where the trail opens to 360-degree breathtaking views of the Grand Canyon and the air begins to warm again. Then we resume our descent another 1,200 feet, traveling back 40 million years in the geologic record to Cedar Ridge. This unique stretch of trail is perched high along a ridgeline, unlike most Grand Canyon trails that descend along side canyons, and this feature affords hikers unobstructed views of the surroundings. Our guides enjoy sharing their insight on the geologic and human history of the canyon as we hike. After lunch, we return to the rim and this evening enjoy dinner together once again before retiring to the lodge. All meals included.
  
  Hiking: 6-8 miles; Terrain: Maintained but rocky and occasionally steep trail descends from 7,200 feet at the trailhead to 6,060 feet at Cedar Ridge and then returns to the rim.

• Day 5

  Today is New Years Eve, and you can be assured that our guides have come prepared to make your holiday wishes come true. We'll bundle up and begin the day with a trip to the lookout at Yavapai Observation Station where we'll watch the last sunrise of 2009 together. This is one of the most spectacular places on earth to witness the beginning of a new day. Returning to the village after the sunrise, the Grand Canyon has something special for everyone, from scenic trails and overlooks to unique shops and historic architecture. Nearby there are historic museums, restaurants, stunning photography studios and art spaces and an abundance of natural beauty, peace and solitude as can only be found at the canyon during this special time of year when the crowds are not around. Today is your day to spend enjoying the canyon the way you want, and our guides will work with the group to create a day filled with memories that will last for years to come. Tonight, look forward to a very special New Years celebration with all of our guides and new friends!
  
  Hiking: 1-2 miles; Elevation gain/loss: 100-200 feet.

• Day 6

  After breakfast this morning we depart the Grand Canyon and head south to return at last to the Phoenix area. We plan to arrive back at the same Scottsdale hotel from where the trip began between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. this evening. Please do not schedule a departing flight prior to 7 p.m. You will transfer to the Phoenix airport on your own and the Holiday Inn Express in Scottsdale (where our trip ends) provides a free airport transfer. Breakfast and lunch included.

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control including weather and terrain conditions.

If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations (hotels and tent), you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted on this itinerary. If you wish to share accommodations (hotels and tent), we will assign you a roommate if one is available. If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee, which is one-half of the full single supplement. Please be advised that there are a limited number of single rooms and tents available on most departures.

Five nights in a hotel/park lodge (double occupancy); guide leadership; van transportation from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon and return; all meals from dinner on Day 1 through lunch on Day 6; beverages including coffee, hot tea and hot chocolate; traction devices for hiking on snowy/icy terrain; park fees and local taxes.

Flights to/from Phoenix, AZ; travel insurance; trekking poles (bring your own); airport transfers; alcoholic beverages; guides gratuities.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. Trip members should have some previous hiking experience and be in good physical condition. We recommend a conditioning regimen beginning at least 2-3 months prior to departure that includes hiking (preferably), walking or some other form of cardiovascular exercise (swimming, cycling) in order to prepare for the activity in this adventure. There are some steep sections and exposed overlooks on the various trails we hike. All hikes are optional and our guides will be sure to brief trip members on the vigorousness and exposure of each hike prior to setting out. Please note that our minimum age requirement is 12 years.

During this special winter departure, the canyon will typically receive very little precipitation. However, please be prepared for a stray snowstorm/rainstorm. You should mostly plan for cold, clear days with daytime highs ranging from 35-45 degrees at the top of the South Rim and warming to 55-65 degrees as we descend into the canyon. Expect temperatures on the rim at night to drop into the teens. Pack layers of clothing for this trip that will allow you to adapt to the wide swings in daytime temperature that you will experience while hiking at the Grand Canyon in winter.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

Weather

Gear Checklist

Things to Consider