Arizona – South Rim & Havasupai Trip Summary Start your five-day Grand Canyon adventure exploring the gems of Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim. In the coming days, trek along narrow side canyons, through underwater grottos and past gardens of ferns and watercress, pausing to soak up the awe-inspiring overlooks of the Grand Canyon as you make your way to your Havasu base camp, accessible only by foot. Pause for a dip at the base of the 100-foot Havasu Falls and visit the Native American village of Supai. Experience for yourself ‘One of the Top Ten Day Hikes in the U.S.’ as rated by Outside Magazine as you wade across blue streams and through lush meadows of wild grapevines on your way to Beaver Falls. Search for fossils and explore a historic mine in the depths of Carbonate Canyon. By night, relax in the mineral-rich waters of a natural pool before feasting on a delectable dinner and wallowing in the quiet comfort of your deluxe base camp, tucked away against the walls of the Grand Canyon.
Itinerary Day 1: Scottsdale / Grand Canyon South Rim This morning, we depart Scottsdale at 8:00 am for a drive up north to Grand Canyon National Park (4 hour transfer) • Enter in through the east entrance and stop off at Desert View Watchtower for your first magnificent panoramic vista of the Grand Canyon and a delicious picnic lunch with a “grand” view • Another half hour’s drive brings us to the beginning of a beautiful trail at the Grand Canyon, which you’ll hike with your knowledgeable guides • Late afternoon, check into your room for some relaxation time before dinner at El Tovar • Overnight Kachina or Thunderbird Lodge (L, D)
Day 2: Grand Canyon South Rim / Hualapai Hilltop / Supai Village Wake early for a 6:00 AM departure time from South Rim Village for our three hour drive to the Havasupai trailhead • Hualapai (pronounced “Walapai”) Hilltop is perched on the edge of the Canyon and is the only land travel access to Havasupai • Starting at 5,200 feet, the trail begins with switchbacks until it reaches a dry streambed where it begins to level out • After a trailside lunch, descend deeper into the Canyon’s red sandstone labyrinth • At mile eight, the Canyon begins to widen and the vegetation turns lush as you enter the village of Supai, the most remote village in the U.S., where the mail still arrives by packhorse! • Here at 3,200 feet, cottonwood-lined paths lead us through the village and into the Canyon’s backcountry • An easy two mile hike to our base camp takes us past a new 75-foot waterfall, 35-foot Rock Falls, and 100-foot Havasu Falls – swimming beneath each during your stay here is a must! • At base camp, your guides will set up a backcountry kitchen and help you set up your oversized tent and plush sleeping pads before preparing dinner • After settling in, enjoy some free time to explore around camp on your own • Sleep under the stars or retire to your spacious tent for a restful night’s sleep • Overnight Deluxe Havasu Base Camp (B, L, D)
Days 3 & 4: Adventure and relaxation in the “Gem of the Grand Canyon” Awaken in our base camp, nestled along a stream, beneath towering cottonwood trees and a short walk to enormous waterfalls • You will find fresh brewed coffee and a hearty breakfast waiting in the camp kitchen • Every morning and afternoon your guides will lead you on some of the most spectacular hikes in the world • Cross tropical blue streams and wade through lush meadows of wild grapevines • Clamber up narrow side canyons with red rock walls towering thousands of feet overhead • Even take a swim beside a 200 ft. waterfall • Each day you will dine on healthy, hearty meals prepared by your guides • All the hikes are optional and you are welcome to skip any • You can just spend a lazy afternoon or morning reading a book by the creek • Remember, it’s your vacation, make of it what you wish • We have options from high adventure to peaceful relaxation • Overnight Deluxe Havasu Base Camp (B, L, D)
1 SM The toughest part is going home.
Arizona – South Rim & Havasupai
Day 5: Back to the rim / Scottsdale The scenery and magic of the canyon will make you never want to leave, but after breakfast, it’s time to conquer the Canyon! • Today’s hike is a rigorous one, but the exhilaration of reaching the rim is a feeling you won’t forget • Hikers can expect to arrive at the rim around 2:00 pm • If you don’t want to hike out of the Canyon, you have an option to helicopter or ride horses back to the Hualapai Hilltop (extra charges apply) • We will return to Scottsdale between 6:00 and 8:00 PM • (B, L)
* The minimum age limit on this trip is 10 years old.
** It is against Havasupai Tribal Law to bring alcohol onto their reservation. Additionally, no glass bottles are allowed.
*** Trip itineraries are subject to change without notice due to road, weather and other factors outside of our control, for the safety and enjoyment of our guests, as deemed necessary and appropriate by Austin Adventures and Arizona Outback Adventures.
Havasu Canyon of the Havasupai Indian Reservation Havasu Canyon is one of over 600 side canyons forming the 280-mile long Grand Canyon. While over five million people per year visit Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim, far fewer venture to the remote Havasupai Indian Reservation deep in the heart of the Canyon. Home to towering 200-foot waterfalls, beautiful cascades and tropical blue-green pools, this lush oasis is considered the “gem” of the Grand Canyon.
The Havasupai or Havasu Baaja currently has 650 tribal members of which approximately 450 live in the village of Supai. All members speak their native language, a northeastern Yuman dialect that’s a division of the Hokan linguistic family. “Havasupai” means “people of the blue-green water.” Supai is the most remote village in the U.S.; approximately 160 miles from the closest grocery store, most supplies including mail come to the village by packhorse. Prior to the 1900s, the Havasupai people would spend the spring and summer months in the Canyon planting and harvesting gardens of corn, squash and beans. During the fall and winter they would move to high-elevation plateaus around the Canyon to hunt game and gather what the earth provided. The first white man to visit the Havasupai was the Spanish explorer Padre Garces in 1776. It was nearly 100 more years before the Natives again saw a white face.
In 1882, with the creation of the Grand Canyon Forest Reserve, the federal government confined the Havasupai to only 518 acres in the bottom of the Canyon. With their way of life demolished, many tribal members were forced to seek wage labor outside the Canyon. This imprisonment and resulting exodus had a profound effect on their culture and economic status. It wasn’t until 1975 that Congress reallocated 185,000 acres of their ancestral land. Today, with the advent of tourism, the Havasupai are prospering once again. By working closely with the Havasupai Tourist Enterprise we strive to show you their majestic land.
2 SM The toughest part is going home.
Arizona – South Rim & Havasupai
Activities Hiking: Intermediate to advanced – up to 10 miles at time. Mileage for the entire trip generally ranges between 20 and 35 miles. Discovery: Widely considered as one of the world’s most spectacular canyons, the Grand Canyon is one of the “Natural Wonders of the World.” Called Kaibab by the Paiute Indian tribe, meaning “mountain lying down” or “mountain turned upside down,” the creamy white Kaibab Limestone forms the surface on which you’ll stand on while viewing the Canyon. Visit the Native American village of Supai, and learn how the natives have co-existed with nature for generations in such a remote, untouched landscape. Discover why the water in Havasupai shines a pure blue-green color. Hunt for a wide assortment of rock fossils in all different colors, shapes, and sizes in Carbonate Canyon. Listen as your guides describe Havasupai’s numerous waterfalls, some of them created through recent flashfloods. Learn the names of plants specific to the dry country such as barrel cactus, sacred datura, broom snakeweed, and crimson monkeyflower. Take a look at the black night sky as you search for hundreds of constellations in a place where city lights do not exist. Find your way down the twisting narrow caves, steep ladders, iron handholds, and lengthy chains of the 200 foot high limestone cliffs bordering the infamous Mooney Falls. Send your friends or even yourself a postcard via the only packhorse mail system in the United States! Come and visit “The People of the Blue Green Water” in Red Rock Country.
All Arizona Outback Adventures guides are experienced facilitators and regional experts. They will take the time to explain the details of each activity answer any questions and demonstrate the use of all equipment. Each activity has been carefully planned to include options for all levels. Most importantly, your guides will help select the distance that’s right for you.
On this trip, packhorses carry the heavy gear so you can hike unhindered. In this way, we can also provide amenities and food not often found in such remote areas. Activities include day hiking, swimming beneath waterfalls, mild canyoneering, cave exploration and simple R&R. While you may come across other people in the Canyon, our guides know the inside scoop on the Canyon’s secrets – the beautiful spots hidden from all but the most experienced travelers – narrow side canyons, lush fern gardens, underwater grottos, natural showers and awe-inspiring overlooks.
3 SM The toughest part is going home.
Arizona – South Rim & Havasupai
Distinctive Accommodations Night 1: Kachina Lodge or Thunderbird Lodge Built in the late 1960’s Kachina Lodge and Thunderbird Lodge sit directly on the rim of the Grand Canyon. For guests seeking a more contemporary lodging option, either of these lodges is a great choice. The guest rooms have a comfortable modern ambiance and are all similar in size and amenities. Many guests choose Kachina or Thunderbird due to their prominent location in the center of the South Rim Village historic district. They’re a great choice for active guests as they are located directly on the Rim Trail. This trail spans from Hermits Rest to the Kaibab Trailhead, approximately 12.8 miles. From your room you can hike in either direction.
Nights 2 – 4: Deluxe Havasu Base Camp A well-appointed Base Camp in the Grand Canyon, Deluxe Havasu Base Camp is situated near a 100-foot waterfall. Fully-provisioned and thoughtfully appointed, the camp is equipped with freshly laundered sleeping bags, camp chairs, a wash station and picnic tables. Imagine dining on a photo-worthy gourmet spread and being lulled to sleep by the sound of rushing water in a private roomy tent outfitted with an ultra-comfortable camp mat.
Meals Backcountry gourmet – our guides are experts on how to prepare and present culinary creations. Expect hearty, healthy meals with fresh vegetables, fruits and proteins. If you have any special dietary needs or restrictions, we can easily accommodate – just let us know when you book your adventure. Meals are included as indicated in the daily itinerary. (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).
Our Partner: Arizona Outback Adventures Austin Adventures is proudly offering this trip in conjunction with Arizona Outback Adventures (AOA). In business since 1993, AOA specializes in multi-day adventure tours all over the southwest. Unsurpassed in customer service – AOA attributes their strength and success as a result of finding experienced, passionate and talented people with a commitment to the outdoors working together to create extraordinary experiences for their guests. From the individual traveler to the family vacation, they take pride in offering a true outdoor experience with an unrivaled level of service. AOA aims to create unparalleled memories for you, your family and your friends.
4 SM The toughest part is going home.
Arizona – South Rim & Havasupai
Arrival and Departures Day one of your itinerary starts at 8:00 am in the lobby of the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Old Town Scottsdale. After hiking out of the canyon on Day 5, you can expect to reach the rim around 2:00 pm. Your trip ends with a drop-off at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Old Town Scottsdale between 6:00 and 8:00 pm. If you are flying out of Scottsdale on Day 5, please make your reservations for 10:00 pm or later.
If you do not wish to hike out of the canyon, you have an option to horseback ride or helicopter back to the Hualapai Hilltop (extra charges apply). Expect to arrive in Phoenix between 6:00 and 8:00 pm, regardless of hiking, horseback riding, or taking a helicopter out of the canyon.
Trip Price $2,598 ($280 single supplement) Child Price: $2,338
Trip Length 5 days/4 nights
2017 Dates June 8 - 12 September 21 - 25
Host City Scottsdale, Arizona *Recommended airport Phoenix, AZ (PHX)
Reservations & Availability 1.800.575.1540
A Grand Canyon Oasis…
You’ll have to hike it to believe it
5 SM The toughest part is going home.
Arizona – South Rim & Havasupai
Trip Reservations Reservations, Deposits and Balances Due To make a reservation, contact Austin Adventures with your choice of trip and dates. A $500 per person deposit is required to confirm your reservation. Full payment is required at the time of booking if your trip departs within 90 days. Choose one of the following contact methods:
Toll free: 800.575.1540 Phone: 406.655.4591 Online: austinadventures.com Email: [email protected] Mail: Austin Adventures, P.O. Box 81025, Billings, MT 59108
You may also book your AA adventure with your preferred travel professional. We accept most major credit cards and personal checks (U.S. funds made payable to Austin Adventures). Please do not send cash.
Included in the Trip Price • Lodging on Night 1 at the Kachina Lodge (double occupancy). • Fully equipped base camp with tents, sleeping pads, sleeping bags, and base camp amenities. • All meals from Lunch on Day 1 to Lunch on the last day. • Fully trained, first-aid certified professional guides and knowledgeable local partners. • Round-trip land transportation. • Austin Adventures T-shirt, luggage tags, and AOA gifts. • Pre-departure and packing information. • Havasupai reservation & overnight permits, taxes, dining & housekeeping gratuities. • Grand Canyon National Park entrance fee. • Packhorses to carry your gear and supplies.
Not Included in the Trip Price • Gratuities to Austin Adventures/Arizona Outback guides. • Alcoholic beverages outside of the canyon (alcohol is illegal in Havasupai).
• Horseback/helicopter ride into or out of the Canyon (optional addition). • Pre-and post-trip accommodations and associated expenses. • Air and land transportation to/from host cities. • All types of personal insurance.
• Personal expenses.
Pre-departure Information After receiving your reservation and deposit, we’ll send you a pre-trip planner with general information about the area you’ll be visiting, a packing list, exercise guidelines, a guest information questionnaire and a liability release agreement for you to sign and return within 10 days.
6 SM The toughest part is going home.
Arizona – South Rim & Havasupai
Private Custom Trips Maybe your vacation schedule doesn’t fit our list of trips and dates. Or perhaps you’d prefer a slightly different itinerary or level of luxury and activity. A Custom Adventure is the perfect answer. You pick the date and destination and brief us on the size of your group, what activities you want, your “must haves” and just how you like to relax and unwind. No detail is too small, no idea too outrageous. Our staff of experts will help create a tailor-made vacation that’s just right for you and your group. In short, if you can dream it, we can make it happen.
Room Occupancy, Single Supplements, and Shared Room Assignments All trip prices are based on double occupancy. Single rooms are available for an additional charge, referred to as a “single supplement.” If you’re traveling alone and wish to share a room, make the request at the time of booking. Austin Adventures will attempt to find a suitable roommate for you.
Child Age and Pricing on Family Adventures Our Havasupai Family Adventure is suitable for children 10 years old and up (6 years and older for our Costa Rica and Yellowstone Family Adventures, 7 years and older for all other family adventures). Children who share a room with one or more adults receive reduced rates. The minimum age on our non-family designated adult and teen adventures is 16 years old.
Cancellations and Refunds The following cancellation policies and cancellation fees are in effect: ***As with deposits on some international and custom programs, refund schedule may vary, speak with your Adventure Consultant for details. Cancellation 91 days or more before trip departure – Full trip payment refunded less a $300 per person administration fee Cancellation 61-90 days before trip departure – Full trip payment less 25% per person is refunded Cancellation 31-60 days before trip departure – 50% of the trip payment is refunded Cancellation 0-30 days before trip departure – No refund is given
Our Guarantee Exceeding your expectations is our number one priority. In the unlikely event that you are dissatisfied with something during your trip, immediately notify your guide(s). If he or she is unable to resolve the issue, call our main office and give us the details of the problem, and a chance to correct it. We will do our best to find a resolution. If we are unable to do so during your trip, we will work with you upon your return home to arrive at a fair and equitable solution, including up to a full refund.
7 SM The toughest part is going home.