Arizona Grand Canyon Phantom Ranch Hiking 4 Day - 2025 Tour
Hike Down into the Grand Canyon & Stay at Phantom Ranch
- Available: April, November, December
- Activity: Level 4
- Accommodations: Rustic Lodging, Comfortable Hotel
Highlights
- Discover the Grand Canyon's incomparable geology from top to bottom
- Spend two nights at the legendary Phantom Ranch, deep within the canyon
- Explore the canyon floor and Colorado River with only daypacks
Itinerary
Catch Your First Unforgettable Views of the Grand Canyon
Day 1
Your trip begins this morning near Phoenix, Arizona. Ryendezvous with our guides for introductions and a brief orientation before driving north through the Sonoran Desert towards Grand Canyon National Park. Enter the park from the east and stop for lunch at iconic Desert View Watchtower, a 70-foot-tall stone tower perched on the canyon's edge. Designed by Mary Colter in 1932, Desert View contains a wealth of murals depicting various Hopi traditions and stories. Continue to your hotel near the South Rim, check in with time to stretch your legs on a walk along the Rim Trail, enjoying panoramic views of this awe-inspiring natural wonder. At dinner this evening, get excited as your guides describe what to expect during tomorrow's adventure down to Phantom Ranch. Overnight tonight at a South Rim hotel.
Accommodation: Maswick Lodge
Activity: 3 miles of hiking with 100' elevation gain and loss
Transportation: 4.5-hours private van transfer
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Descend via the South Kaibab Trail to Arrive at Phantom Ranch
Day 2
Get ready to burn off that big breakfast! Today's descent is 7 miles and 4,780 feet into the grandest of canyons. The route takes you down a ridgeline affording 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 before resuming your descent 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. The last part of the hike runs 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 just before its confluence with the mighty Colorado River, this former settlement and hunting camp is a "bucket list" destination for many. The current camp was designed by famous architect, Mary E. J. Colter, and was completed in 1922. This highly sought-after piece of history, where reservations can be a challenge to come by on your own (often sold out a year in advance), will be your home for the next two nights. Overnight tonight and tomorrow night in mixed gender cabins at Phantom Ranch.
Accommodation: Phantom Ranch-Grand Canyon National Park
Activity: 7 miles of hiking with 4,780' elevation loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy a Full Day Exploring on the Clear Lake & River Trails
Day 3
A day in the very bottom of Grand Canyon is all yours, with the canyon walls blocking out the rest of the world and affording a feeling of tremendous peace and tranquility. Today you have the option to hike the spectacular Clear Creek Trail and River Trail. Beautiful panoramas await, as you climb this trail sometimes referred to as one of the canyon's best kept secrets. If you'd like to take it easy and rest up for tomorrow's ascent, you may choose to use this day for relaxation, cheering on the rafters, socializing with other adventurers, or stretching out in the shade with a book and a cold beer. Photographic and bird watching opportunities abound in this lush green riparian habitat fenced in by sheer walls of rock. Your guides will be available all day to share with you the secrets of one of the world's most special places.
Accommodation: Phantom Ranch-Grand Canyon National Park
Activity: 3-5 miles of hiking with 1,000' elevation gain and loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Climb to the Rim via Bright Angel Trail & Return to Phoenix
Day 4
The rising sun finds you preparing to conquer the canyon. Your exit is via the classic Bright Angel Trail. After crossing the Colorado River, follow the trail as it snakes its way up out of the inner gorge to the shady oasis of Havasupai Gardens. Refuel and refill with water here before tackling the steep ascent up Jacob's Ladder through the Redwall layer. While always a tremendous challenge, your guides will provide you with helpful hints, strategies, techniques, and their insider knowledge of the keys to a successful ascent. With proper preparation, hydration, and food, the entire group will soon be on the rim. Take a brief pause to celebrate your accomplishments before hopping in the van to make the return trip to the Phoenix area. Stop in Flagstaff for a light farewell meal, returning to the Phoenix area later this evening.Activity: 10 miles of hiking with 4,300' elevation gain
Transportation: 4.5-hours private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Why Travel With Us?
- Our expert guides provide travelers with helpful hints, techniques and hiking tips, plus knowledge on local wildlife, geology, and history.
- Be one of the few to hike famed trails all the way to the canyon floor and spend two magical nights at the historic and highly coveted Phantom Ranch—the only lodge below the canyon rim.
- MT Sobek's legacy of preservation and protection enables us to operate over 30 Global National Park adventures.
Know Before You Book
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
- 2025
- Go Custom
- Inclusions
2025
Scheduled Dates
Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
The earlier you book, the more choice of available dates you’ll have and once you book, your price is guaranteed.
- $3,299 price per person dbl occ
Optional:+$225 Single OccupancyWaitlistConfirmed - $3,299 price per person dbl occ
Optional:+$225 Single OccupancyGoing FastConfirmed - $4,899 price per person dbl occ
Optional:+$225 Single OccupancyAvailable
Looking for a different date? Check out our Arizona Grand Canyon Phantom Ranch South Rim Hiking 5 Day Tour!
Arizona Grand Canyon Phantom Ranch South Rim Hiking 5 Day – 2026
Go Custom
Create Your Very Own Adventure
Dreaming of an adventure designed exclusively for you? With insider access and decades of experience, our travel experts create custom tailored adventures that are perfect for families, couples, and large groups. MT Sobek's custom adventures are designed to our exacting standards and led by our award-winning adventure guides.
When to start planning? Earlier is always better when designing a custom trip. More time allows for better availability of preferred accommodations, guides and your desired activities. Ideally, start the conversation with us at least 6 months before you want to travel. If you are looking for a custom trip that departs within three months, chances are greatly diminished in securing requested accommodations and the best guides.
*Custom trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit once an itinerary is agreed upon.
Start PlanningInclusions
Price Includes
- Expertise and services of our experienced adventure guides
- All accommodations as noted in the itinerary
- All breakfasts, almost all lunches and dinners as noted in the itinerary
- Snacks and water between meals
- Additional regional guides and experts on many trips
- Comprehensive Trip Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at historic sites, museums, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the itinerary
- Special events and other select attractions as mentioned in the itinerary
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Equipment and experienced guides for activities as described in the itinerary
- Park and other entry fees (unless otherwise noted)
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the itinerary
- Select transfers as mentioned in the itinerary
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Price Does Not Include
- International airfare, airport taxes, and excess baggage fees
- Alcoholic beverages (MT Sobek provides wine at select events)
- Gratuities for MT Sobek guides and guide-drivers
- Travel Protection Program
- Personal expenses
Need help picking your next adventure? Call us to answer your questions.
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.
Jordan M.
Guiding since 2006, Jordan has led guests across six continents—from the rugged trails of the Grand Canyon to the high passes of the Himalayas. He grew up hiking, backpacking, and boating and at age 18 he climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. What he loves most about guiding is seeing others connect with the outdoors, each other, and with themselves. He is a Wilderness First Responder, LNT Level 2 Instructor, and AIARE 1.
Activity Level
This trip is rated activity level 4. Trip members will carry their 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 of hiking with 100' elevation gain and loss
Day 2
7 miles of hiking with 4,780' elevation loss
Day 3
3-5 miles of hiking with 1,000' elevation gain and loss
Day 4
10 miles of hiking with 4,300' elevation gain
*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
Spend two nights at renowned Phantom Ranch and a night at a comfortable park lodge near the South Rim of the canyon
Phantom Ranch-Grand Canyon National Park
Founded in 1903 as a hunting camp, Phantom Ranch is a National Park Service-owned and operated outpost in the depths of the Grand Canyon, and the only lodging below the canyon rim. Made up of a main lodge and shared dorm-style cabins, it's known for its hearty meals prepared by the rangers. The cabins are traditional and very comfortable, providing a peaceful place to rest your head.
Maswick Lodge
Weather
Be prepared for anything as the weather varies. Inner-canyon temperatures are generally very mild. South Rim temperatures range from 34 F to 62 F. Phantom Ranch temperatures range from 55 F to 82 F.
FAQs
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Guest Reviews
Thank you for a wonderful trip! The guides, the meals and the prep materials were great.
Fay S.
MT Sobek Guest, Grand Canyon: Hiking to Phantom Ranch
Our Grand Canyon: Hiking to Phantom Ranch trip was an amazing adventure that I will never forget. Our guide gave us 110% and everything was over the top. I can't wait for my next adventure.
Melanie D.
MT Sobek Guest, Grand Canyon: Hiking to Phantom Ranch