'Grand' doesn’t cut it. Mind-blowing? That’s more like it.
At 29 kilometres wide, 1.5 kilometres deep and 446 kilometres long, nothing can ever prepare you for the vastness of the Grand Canyon. The views from the lookouts along the rim will take your breath away, but we like to go a little deeper — like hiking into the canyon depths and seeing the burnt-orange cliffs soar above you, falling asleep under spectacular night skies, and learning about the park's Indigenous history to connect with this ancient landscape. Make sure your camera's fully charged... you won't be able to put it down.
Havasu Falls is a famous waterfall that tumbles over burnt-orange cliffs into a turquoise swimming pool. It's a desert oasis in every sense of the word. The water is geothermally heated and remains a pleasant 21°C throughout the year. Jump in and soak up the beauty surrounding you or swim behind the cascades to hear the water rumble and echo off the walls.
This is the Grand Canyon’s most popular hike, and for good reason (it's epic). Zig-zag down steep switchbacks to the river at the base of the canyon. Your leader will fill you in on all the geological and ecological phenomena that make up the landscapes here, including its unique desert plants, wildflowers and wildlife.
This trail offers an incredible journey into the lesser-visited inner canyon of the North Rim. This challenging but rewarding hike leads you past diverse desert ecosystems and showcases incredible views, including the Coconino Overlook, where you can see down to Roaring Springs Canyon.
Have your camera at the ready because the South Rim boasts some of the best viewpoints. Here, you'll get a front-row vista of the enormity and grandeur of the Grand Canyon. It's hard to believe your eyes when you see the tapestry of colours and textures created by millions of years of geological activity and erosion by the Colorado River.
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Western USA National Parks Loop
Kelly · Traveled June 2024
This was an amazing trip! The hiking and kayaking immersed us in some breathtaking places! Our guide, Bradley, took great care of us, kept things running, and shared a wealth of knowledge. I'm already looking to do another trip with Intrepid.
Review submitted 28 Jun 2024
Wild Western USA
Karen · Traveled June 2024
Fantastic itinerary, taking in amazing sites and with a good mix of organised activities and free time. I loved having free time in Yosemite to just relax in nature while others did big hikes. There was a good range of ages in our group and a good mix of nationalities, which made it extra nice.
Review submitted 25 Jun 2024
Western USA National Parks Loop
Kathleen · Traveled June 2024
This experience is well worth the expense for those who enjoy everything planned out. Not having to worry about driving, accommodations, daily plans,directions to each park and check-in. The convenience is well worth cost. Exceptional experience with the chance at meeting wonderful international travelers from New Zealand, Australia. Loved every moment.
Review submitted 13 Jun 2024
Western USA National Parks Loop
Donna · Traveled June 2024
I highly recommend this trip. It was run very efficiently & covered a lot of ground in a relatively short period of time. The itinerary covered some very scenic parks & we travelled across some very scenic landscapes. Our leader, Haley, was excellent - well organised, knowledgeable, professional & a great person. I recommend this trip.
Review submitted 17 Jun 2024
Western USA National Parks Loop
Herman · Traveled June 2024
This trip showcased some of the diverse landscapes of Utah and Arizona. Our tour leader, Bradley, did a phenomenal job of leading our group of 8 travelers over 5 action-packed days. Bradley was a compendium of knowledge about the history, culture, and natural environment of the area. The kayaking guide and the Navajo guides were excellent. All in all, I enjoyed not only the places that we visited, but also the camaraderie within our group.
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.
Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
The Grand Canyon is one of the seven wonders of the world. It’s a 29 kilometres wide, 1.5 kilometres deep and 446 kilometres long gorge carved by the Colorado River over 5-6 million years. Scientists estimate that humans have lived there since the last Ice Age.
The closest airports to the Grand Canyon are Las Vegas and Phoenix, but you can also fly into Flagstaff (a one-hour drive from the South Rim) or Salt Lake City (about seven hours away by car). Public transport is limited, so the best option is to drive or join us on a tour.
The Grand Canyon has a free shuttle bus around the South Rim. The shuttles take you to the best viewpoints which are inaccessible to private vehicles.
There is also a Trans-Canyon-Shuttle service between the North and South Rims between May and October.
Guided bus tours also operate in the park, as well as taxi services between the South Kaibab Trailhead, Grand Canyon Village and Tusayan/Airport.
The best time to visit the Grand Canyon in terms of weather and avoiding huge crowds is between March and May, and September through November.
During the peak season (June-August), thousands of tourists flock to the park for the summer vacation. That being said, all hiking trails and park facilities are open, so it's the best time to experience all the park has to offer.
Temperatures drop in the winter and it snows in some areas, but it’s a great time to visit as there’s hardly anyone around and you’ll have the trails and views mostly to yourself.
No matter what season you visit the Grand Canyon, bring a sturdy pair of hiking boots or trainers with good grip, light and comfortable layers, a waterproof jacket, warm layers, a fleece, a sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
Also, make sure you bring a reusable water bottle and plenty of snacks to refuel throughout the day.
Some animals you might encounter include desert bighorn sheep, deer, coyotes, mountain lions, mules, gray foxes and bears. There is also a diverse range of reptiles, amphibians and birds.
Your mobile phone will probably have coverage near the park’s main tourist hubs, but there will be little or no coverage once you start hiking past the canyon rim.
We are committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. We do our best to help you see the world, regardless of physical or mental limitations.
We are always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.