CLASSIC ADVENTURE

2024 6 Day Upper Classic Adventure cost=$2,880
2024 7 Day Upper Classic Adventure cost=$3,270

2025 6 Day Upper Classic Adventure cost=$3,059
2025 7 Day Upper Classic Adventure cost=$3,459

Specialty trips have an additional cost—see dates list below for specific price.

**Prices above do not include a tip for the guides or your pre- and post-trip hotel accommodations.**

This upper Grand Canyon Classic Adventure requires a beautiful, yet strenuous hike out of the Bright Angel Trail on the last day of the trip.

• 7.5 mile (12 km) trail from Pipe Creek (not Phantom Ranch) to South Rim of Grand Canyon Village
• 4,600 foot (1400 m) elevation climb
• Average pack weight is 15-25 pounds (6.8-11.3 kg) + 3 quarts of water (weighing about 6 pounds or 2.7 kg)
• Average hiking time is 6-8 hours

Is this the best trip option for you? If you and everyone in your party lives an active lifestyle, vigorously exercises multiple times per week, enjoys a physical challenge and hikes often, the Bright Angel Trail will be doable for you. If you’re not currently living this type of lifestyle, the hike may still be doable for you, but you must take it seriously and get prepared. 

Education is key! The trail is well-traveled by hikers and maintained by the National Park Service, but hiking in Grand Canyon is unlike hiking anywhere else. The Bright Angel Trail is very demanding. There are various demanding elements along the Bright Angel Trail such as uneven footing, large steps, rocks, ball bearing-like surface conditions and extreme heat exposure. The hike is very doable for most people if you take it seriously, are in good physical condition, pack lightly, stay cool and eat and drink properly along the hike.

Be prepared to carry anywhere between 15-25 pounds (6.8-11.3 kg) of your personal gear out of the Canyon with you, as well as 3 quarts of water (weighing approximately 6 pounds or 2.7 kg). Although hiking time varies per person, the average hiker makes it out of the Bright Angel Trail in 6-8 hours. The mule duffel service is an option, but must be reserved for the DAY AFTER YOUR HIKE OUT because we cannot guarantee that we can get your gear to the drop-off location early enough for it to go out the same day. This will require you to stay an extra day and wait to pick up your gear at the mule barn at the South Rim. If you decide to use this service, you will still need to hike out all unreplaceable items, as well as your water and lunch. Whether you use the mule duffel service or not, you should be physically able to carry your gear out. If you plan to use the mule duffel service, reserve it early. 

While most of our rafters make the hike without incident, you should also consider other trip alternatives if any of the following conditions apply to you or anyone in your group. These conditions may not exclude you from the hike, but should warrant careful consideration: • asthma (exercise and dust-induced) • history of heat-related problems (heat exhaustion or stroke) • pregnancy  • taking prescription medications which might lead to dehydration or hyponatremia • heart disease • vertigo, balance issues or unusual fear of heights • foot, ankle, knee, hip or back problems • a generally sedentary lifestyle • more than a few pounds overweight • smoker • out of shape • age (be honest to yourself about your current physical capabilities).

Ask yourself and everyone in your group the following questions:

• Do you live an active lifestyle?
• Do you vigorously exercise at least three times per week?
• Do you participate in some sort of strength training exercise?
• Do you have experience carrying a backpack weighing 15-30 lbs?
• Is this the best trip option for you?
• Do you think hiking Bright Angel Trail sounds like fun?

The answer to all of these questions should be YES!

We have a few blog articles on the Bright Angel Trail that we bet will be useful to you, both in the planning process and post-reservation. We recommend that you read through Bright Angel Trail Tips and Bright Angel Trail Etiquette to acquaint yourself with all things related to the “The Big Hike Out”!

Begin of the descent

Bright Angel Trail at daybreak

Lower Grand Canyon

• Attend your orientation the evening before your trip at 7 PM in Flagstaff, AZ
• We will transport you to Lee’s Ferry (river mile 0) from Flagstaff on the morning of your adventure
• Hike out on the Bright Angel Trail on the last day of your adventure—transportation is not provided from the South Rim

Evening Before
Join us for our 7 PM orientation meeting the evening before your upper Grand Canyon rafting trip begins at the designated hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona. You’ll meet your fellow rafting team, receive your dry bags, go over last-minute details and learn how to pack your dry bags and what to do with your luggage. This orientation does not cover many river life topics because there are many more orientations while on the river to explain what river life is like!

Morning Of
Bright and early, we pick you up by bus at the designated hotel and transport you to Lee’s Ferry. Expect a scenic 2.5 hour drive with a couple of bathroom breaks. At Lee’s Ferry, you’ll unload your gear from the bus, get fitted for a personal flotation device (PFD), meet your crew and begin your adventure!

Last Day

You will disembark on your hike out of Grand Canyon on the Bright Angel Trail sometime between 7 and 9 AM (this time varies significantly from trip to trip depending on many variables). You will repack the contents of your dry bags into your hiking backpack (which we store separately for you) and begin your hike out with your hiking backpack, your provided lunch, some snacks and at least 3 quarts of water. The hike takes on average 6-8 hours, but varies depending on your personal fitness level.

When you complete your hike, you will be at the South Rim of Grand Canyon. If you decided to store any luggage with us for the duration of your trip, it will be available for pick up at the Maswik Lodge bell desk. Transportation is not provided back to Flagstaff from the South Rim (transportation details are below).

There are many travel options for getting to and from your upper Grand Canyon rafting adventure. The below options have worked best for our rafters.

By Air
We recommend flying into Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport or Flagstaff Pulliam Airport in Arizona. Las Vegas is not as convenient as you might think because of the lack of shuttle options and the inconvenient shuttle times.  If you fly into Phoenix, you can either rent a car to get to Flagstaff or book a shuttle through Groome Transportation. We recommend that you investigate your shuttle transportation options prior to securing your flight.

By Personal or Rental Car
Flagstaff is located approximately 2.5 hours north of Phoenix, at the junction of Interstate 40 and Interstate 17. You may arrange to pick up or drop off a rental car at the Flagstaff Airport. You may leave your vehicle parked at the designated meeting hotel for the duration of your trip free of charge (it is not a secured lot). Or, you may leave your vehicle parked in the backpacker’s parking lot at the South Rim.

By Shuttle
Groome Transportation offers multiple daily shuttles between Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and Flagstaff, as well as 3 daily shuttles between the South Rim of Grand Canyon and Flagstaff. Allow 6 hours of travel time from Phoenix to the South Rim. A Friendly Cab also provides shuttle services in Central and Northern Arizona.

By Taxi
A Friendly Cab (928-774-4444), Sun Taxi and Tours (928-774-7400), Apex Taxi (928-779-0000) and Uber all offer taxi services in Northern Arizona.

Greyhound bus and Amtrak train both service Flagstaff, though these are the least convenient transportation options.

To find the most accurate packing list for your specific adventure, access your online trip portfolio, and under the section reading “View Info & Documents”, you’ll find the “Equipment and Pack List” document. You’ll have access to this upon reserving your adventure.

We have prepared packing lists for different times of the season depending on the average temperature that time of year, so they’re accurate to what you’ll need to bring on your adventure specifically. If you have any difficulties finding this document, call our office and we’ll be happy to assist you!

If you are currently in the planning process for your adventure and would like to see an example equipment list, contact our office by phone or email, and we’ll send you one right away.

WE PROVIDE ALL GUESTS WITH THE FOLLOWING

Three dry bags

• Your white day bag is used to hold all of your gear that you’ll want to access to during the day. Think of this as your carry-on luggage. It is approximately 24” tall and 18” wide, and is 30.3 liters.
• Your blue bag holds all of the rest of the gear that you don’t need during the day. This is like your checked luggage. It is approximately 22” tall and 14” in diameter when packed, and is 49.2 liters.
• Your sleep kit bag is also blue and contains your sleeping bag, a sleeping bag liner and a ground tarp. You will receive this bag on the river.

Sleeping pad: 72” long, 22” wide and 1 ½” thick
Tent: one per every two guests on a reservation. Separate tents can be requested.
Mug
Guidebook
Life Jacket
Groovette: quart-sized paint cup to be used when urinating in the river or camp toilet is not ideal.
Basic First-Aid Kit
Library of Grand Canyon reading materials
Eating utensils
Camp chair
Drinking water & electrolyte replacement mix
Lunch on the first day to lunch on the last day
Snacks
Breakfast beverages (coffee, tea, juice & hot chocolate)

If you would like a Grand Canyon rafting trip that offers a variety in types of boats, this is the ideal adventure for you! This is a great option for those that would like to both paddle and sit back and relax in the oar boats. The Classic Adventure is also an ideal choice for guests of different abilities and interests, keeping in mind that 6-7 days in the backcountry environment will take its toll on everyone. With a minimum age of 12, this is a fun family expedition unlike any other, where families spend quality time together, unplugged from the outside world.

We welcome first-time rafters, experienced rafters and everyone in between. This is our most popular adventure, as the variety of boats offer experiences to excite everyone!

We often get asked what the best time of year to raft the Grand Canyon is, and our answers is always, “it depends on what type of weather you prefer!” You’re going to get different weather every month. Some months are more variable weather-wise, whereas others are more reliable. Below is a general guideline as to what type of weather to expect each month in Grand Canyon.

April: Average high is 80-85 degrees F (26-29 degrees C), with lows in the mid-50s F (10s C). Rain is possible, though unlikely. Wind is likely.

May: Average high is mid-80s to the mid-90s (29-32 C), with lows in the mid-60s (18-20 C). This is a variable month, and can be cold and possibly rainy if we’re experiencing a long spring, or it can be warm and dry if we’re having an early summer.

June: Average high is 100-115 degrees F (37-46 C), with lows ranging from mid-70s to mid-80s (23-29 C). This is, on average, the hottest and driest month in the Canyon. Rain is possible toward the end of the month.

July: Average high is 100-115 (37-46 C), with lows ranging from mid-70s to mid-80s (23-29 C). This is our monsoon season in Grand Canyon. Rain is often expected and offers a reprieve from the heat.

August: Average high ranges from upper-90s to 110 (35-43 C), with lows ranging from mid-70s to mid-80s (23-29 C). Our monsoon season extends into August. Rain is often expected.

September: Average high is 95-105 (35-40 C), with lows in the upper-60s (18-20 C). Rain is likely at the beginning of the month, but as the monsoon season tapers, expect clear skies and comfortable weather.

October: Average high is in the 80s (26-29 C), with an average low in the mid-50s (10s C). Rain and wind is unlikely. Expect shorter daylight hours.

Unexpected situations arise every year that cause our rafting participants to cancel. Because our deposits and final payments are non-refundable (after payment due dates pass), we highly recommend trip cancellation insurance. Although spaces are transferrable to another person, they are not transferrable to future years. Those who don’t purchase trip cancellation and cannot find anyone to refill their space(s) will lose their money. We provide information for Travelex, but there are many other choices available, such as TravelGuard, USAA or Alliance. These policies also include evacuation and medical insurance should the need arise. It is an additional cost on top of your rafting adventure, but we have found that it is worth the price!

It’s best to start investigating trip cancellation insurance plans at the same time you put down your deposit. This will cover you for any pre-existing conditions you may have or protect you before something happens that may prevent you from going on your adventure. We are not qualified or authorized to answer technical questions about the benefits, exclusions or conditions of any of the insurance offered, or evaluate the adequacy of the prospective insured’s existing insurance coverage. Please direct specific questions to the Travelex customer service department.