Arizona Grand Canyon Phantom Ranch South Rim Hiking 5 Day - 2026 Tour
The Ultimate Hike to the Floor of the Grand Canyon
- Available: January, February, March, December
- Activity: Level 4
- Accommodations: Comfortable Hotels, Rustic Lodging
Highlights
- Immerse yourself in the Grand Canyon's incomparable geology from top to bottom
- Spend two nights at the legendary Phantom Ranch, deep within the canyon walls
- Hike to the Colorado River and canyon floor carrying only your daypack
Itinerary
Arrive at the Grand Canyon After Exploring Wupatki Pueblo & Desert View Watchtower
Day 1
Today you will enjoy an exciting drive to the Grand Canyon National Park after meeting up with your guides and group in Tempe or Flagstaff, AZ—both within easy reach of Phoenix. Travel through the tranquil hues of the Sonoran Desert, passing into the stark volcanic terrain of Sunset Crater National Monument, where a cinder cone towers on the horizon. As you reach Wupakti National Monument you'll break for lunch and get a look at the ancient stone Pueblo and an intriguing natural blowhole, where air gusts out of the earth. Groundbreaking architect Mary Coulter's 1932 Desert Watchtower greets you as you arrive at the park. Inside the 70-foot-tall structure you'll discover murals depicting Hopi traditions. At the South Rim you'll have time to take in phenomenal canyon views before dinner and a briefing on your exciting descent to Phantom Ranch.
Accommodation: Thunderbird Lodge-Grand Canyon National Park
Accommodation: Kachina Lodge-Grand Canyon National Park
Accommodation: Maswick LodgeActivity: 3 miles hiking with 100' elevation gain and loss
Transportation: 4.5 hours private van transfer
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Hike to Phantom Ranch on Spectacular South Kaibab Trail
Day 2
Today's amazing descent is 7 miles and 4,780 feet into the grandest of canyons. Your route takes you down a ridgeline, offering jaw-dropping 360-degree views of the labyrinth of amphitheaters, temples, and buttes. The trail begins with a series of switchbacks to breathtaking Ooh Aah Point, descending another 1,200 feet—traveling back 40 million years in the geologic record—to Cedar Ridge. From here, traverse the Tonto platform before dropping into the inner gorge, finally hiking along the Colorado River and over a suspension bridge, where you'll find Phantom Ranch at trail's end. Nestled on the banks of Bright Angel Creek, the bucket-list camp was designed by Mary Colter and completed in 1922. Reservations can be a challenge to come by on your own (often sold out a year in advance) but relax in the knowledge that this piece of history will be your home for the next two nights.
Accommodation: Phantom Ranch-Grand Canyon National Park
Activity: 7 miles hiking with 4,780' elevation loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy a Full Day Exploring on Clear Creek & River Trail
Day 3
Spend a full day at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, surrounded by towering rock walls that create a sense of serenity and seclusion. You can hike the stunning Clear Creek Trail and River Trail or simply relax and soak in the beauty of this extraordinary place. Many choose to unwind, watch river rafters navigate the rapids, chat with fellow adventurers, or lounge in the shade with a book and a cold beer. This lush riparian habitat, framed by sheer red rock cliffs, offers incredible opportunities for photography and birdwatching. Whether you seek adventure or relaxation, the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Your guides will be available throughout, ready to share their knowledge and reveal the hidden wonders of one of the world's most breathtaking landscapes.
Accommodation: Phantom Ranch-Grand Canyon National Park
Activity: 3-5 miles hiking with 1,000' elevation gain and loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ascend Bright Angel Trail through Havasupai Gardens to the Rim
Day 4
As the sun rises, prepare for the ultimate challenge—hiking out of the Grand Canyon via iconic Bright Angel Trail. After crossing the Colorado River, the trail winds upward through the inner gorge to the lush oasis of Havasupai Gardens. Here, you'll rest, refuel, and replenish your water before tackling the steep ascent up Jacob's Ladder through the Redwall layer. This climb is demanding, but your guides will offer expert advice, strategies, and encouragement to help you succeed. With steady pacing, proper hydration, and determination, you'll soon find yourself cheering your group on as you each reach the rim. Relax and regroup at your lodge, close to the canyon's edge before gathering for a celebratory dinner, reflecting on your shared adventure, then retiring to your room for a well-earned rest.
Accommodation: Thunderbird Lodge-Grand Canyon National Park
Accommodation: Kachina Lodge-Grand Canyon National Park
Accommodation: Maswick LodgeActivity: 10 miles hiking with 4,300' elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy More Canyon Views Before Departing
Day 5
For those craving more canyon views, the Rim Trail offers a stunning walk along the South Rim, with panoramic overlooks perfect for reflection. Alternatively, stop by historic Mary Colter-designed Hopi House or visit interpretive centers to dive deeper into the canyon's rich geology and history. Savor a relaxed morning, soaking in the sights one last time before departing for your drop-off location in Flagstaff or Tempe, arriving in the late afternoon. As your adventure comes to a close, you leave full of memories of the awe-inspiring beauty of the Grand Canyon.
Activity: 3 miles hiking with minimal elevation gain and loss (optional)
Transportation: ?4 hours private van transfer
Meals: Lunch
Why Travel With Us?
Conservation is a core value at MT Sobek, and allows us to operate trips in protected national parks
A delightful two-night stay at historic Phantom Ranch makes you the envy of other hikers descending to the canyon floor
Gain insight into the incredible geology, flora and fauna of the canyon with expert guides who are with you every step of the journey
Know Before You Book
Phantom Ranch Accommodations
During your stay at Phantom Ranch, you will occupy shared, mixed-gender cabins reserved exclusively for MTS guests and guides. Single rooms are unavailable for the nights in the canyon. Each cabin varies in size, accommodating anywhere from two to ten occupants, and is equipped with bedding, a cold-water sink, a toilet, liquid soap, and hand towels. Showers, hot-water sinks, bath towels, and a combined liquid soap and shampoo are provided at a central facility available to all ranch guests.
Dates & Prices
Your Guides
The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.
Casey H.
Casey has been guiding exhilarating outdoor adventures since 2016, leading guests though some of the most awe-inspiring places in the West, from Yellowstone to Zion and the Grand Canyon. He is all about showing people the beauty of the wild while keeping them entertained with captivating stories and cool facts, and ensuring they are well-fed and safe on the trail. Casey is a Wilderness First Responder.
Jerry W.
Jerry started guiding in 2007 after moving to Colorado where he discovered mountain biking in the fresh alpine air. After years of guiding multi-day hiking and cycling trips, he has built up a depth of hands-on experience and wilderness wisdom that he brings to each adventure. He was raised in Florida, followed by four years in the military, then moving to Colorado, where the magnificent wilderness inspired him to guide.
Activity Level
This trip is rated activity level 4. Be prepared to carry your large daypack weighing 15-25 pounds for 7 miles (4,780' elevation loss) down to Phantom Ranch and 10 miles (4,300' elevation gain) back up to the rim of the canyon, maintaining a 2+ mile per hour pace.
Learn more about activity levels here.
Activity Snapshot
Day 1
3 miles hiking with 100' elevation gain and loss
Day 2
7 miles hiking with 4,780' elevation loss
Day 3
3-5 miles hiking with 1,000' elevation gain and loss
Day 4
10 miles hiking with 4,300' elevation gain
Day 5
3 miles hiking with minimal elevation gain and loss (optional)
*Mileage and elevation change information is approximate and may vary slightly depending on trail conditions, weather, and route adjustments, and the guide’s discretion.
Accommodations
Stay within the park while on the South Rim of the canyon. Your lodging at Phantom Ranch is in shared, mixed gender cabins reserved exclusively for MT Sobek guests and guides.
Weather
Be prepared for anything as the weather varies. South Rim temperatures range from 27 F to 62 F. Phantom Ranch temperatures range from 42 F to 82 F.
FAQs
Who will meet me on arrival?
We recommend guests arrive in Phoenix, AZ the day prior to Day 1 of the itinerary due to the early pick-up time in Tempe. Your guides will meet you Day 1 at 8:00 am at Fairfield Inn and Suites Tempe and TownePlace Suites Tempe or, if you prefer to fly into Flagstaff, AZ, they will pick you up there at 10:30 am on Day 1, on the way to the park.
What is the best time of year to hike to Phantom Ranch?
MT Sobek offers this trip January-Mid-May and Mid-October-December, when winter can bring snow to the rim, creating a uniquely beautiful scene to start your hike from the South Rim. Fewer visitors and increasingly pleasant hiking weather accompany you down to Phantom Ranch, where average daily high temperatures in the inner canyon typically range from the 50s-60s in winter to the 70s-80s on spring and fall trips. The North Rim is closed in winter, so those seeking a rim-to-rim hiking experience may want to consider our summer and fall Phantom Ranch trip: Arizona Grand Canyon Phantom Ranch Rim to Rim Hiking 5 Day.
How should I train for this Grand Canyon Phantom Ranch hike?
Each guest on this trip will descend from the canyon rim to the Colorado River and then, importantly, complete the full hike back out. There are no options for alternative hikes. You should do significant training and feel confident in your ability to hike uphill for as long as 8 hours. There is a steep elevation loss of 4,800 feet over 7 miles. The hike out ascends 4,300 feet of elevation over 10 miles. The trails in the Grand Canyon are well-used and maintained, but are uneven with significant daily elevation change, so it is important that hikers are fit and confident. Remember, the South Rim is also at an elevation of 8,000' so hiking will feel more strenuous near the top. If you don't have access to hikes with large elevation change, stair climbing and carrying your daypack with some water in it can help you get ready. Always train with the boots and socks that you'll be wearing on the trip for the best results.
Can I skip some activities on this trip if I want more downtime?
How is this trip different from the other MT Sobek Phantom Ranch Trips?
On this trip, we’ll spend one night at a lodge at the South Rim, then descend to Phantom Ranch for a two-night stay, with the chance to explore the spectacular Clear Creek Trail, or take a day off to relax before hiking back up to the South Rim and enjoying a celebration dinner and a relaxing evening on the South Rim. The following day you have time to enjoy amenities and activities on the South Rim, before departing the park in the afternoon. For an even more compact escape, consider our shortest Phantom Ranch trip in 2026 Arizona Grand Canyon Phantom Ranch South Rim Hiking 4 Day - with just one night at Phantom Ranch before returning to the South Rim. Or, for a greater variety of scenery and a longer adventure, consider our rim-to-rim hiking adventure in summer or fall: Arizona Grand Canyon Phantom Ranch Rim to Rim Hiking 5 Day.
Where can I find more information about Phantom Ranch?
Check out our Phantom Ranch information page for more on reservations, length of stay, weather, history, amenities, gear considerations, wildlife and to learn more about all the ways to visit Phantom Ranch with MT Sobek.
What is the minimum age for MT Sobek Phantom Ranch hiking trips?
The standard minimum age for these trips is 18, and hikers must be fit to complete the challenging hikes into and back out of the Grand Canyon. Families with fit younger teens may consider private and custom trip options.