DAY TWO.   LAUNCH ON THE MIGHTY COLORADO RIVER. After breakfast and the transfer to the put-in at Lee’s Ferry, you’re ready to begin the ultimate white water rafting adventure. A typical day starts with a hearty breakfast, a morning of river running, and then a buffet style lunch at an interesting beach or side canyon. The afternoon will again be spent on the river followed by a great western dinner of steak, chicken, or fish with all the trimmings. We’ll float calm water, run great rapids, see hidden grottos, and explore Anasazi ruins. Along the river we take swimming breaks at waterfall-fed pools and camp under the stars.

DAY THREE.   EXPLORING THE CANYON. This day’s highlight is a visit to Vasey’s paradise, a spectacular cascade of water which supports a lush hanging garden. We’ll explore Redwall Cavern, a vast chamber carved by the river. A hike to scenic Saddle Canyon or Nankoweap with its wonderfully preserved Anasazi Indian granaries, is the first of several canyon hikes on the trip.

DAY FOUR.   PHANTOM RANCH. By mid-afternoon, we’ll be landing at Bright Angel Beach and the famous Phantom Ranch. In 1903, David Rust built a tent camp for hunters & tourists at the bottom of Grand Canyon near the mouth of the Bright Angel Creek. For several years he ferried tourists across the river to his camp in small wooden or canvas boats. In 1907, he strung a cable across the river and that eventually led to the construction of a footbridge. In 1922, the Fred Harvey Company commissioned Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter to design what is now called Phantom Ranch, located beside the creek in Bright Angel Canyon. Today the ranch, nestled among huge robust cottonwood trees, offers the only guest facility at the bottom of Grand Canyon. It is supplied and serviced by pack mules from the rim, and renowned for the family-style meals served in its rustic dining room. Phantom Ranch offers unique, rustic cabins. Each is furnished with a set of bunk beds, all bedding, cold water sink, toilet, and towels. Showers are provided at a central location.

DAY FIVE.   HIKE TO THE SOUTH RIM. You have the entire day to hike out of the canyon. Your bags will be transported by mule train. Along the route are spectacular views, hidden springs, and grand vistas. The trail from the bottom of the canyon to the South Rim is 9.5 miles with 5,000 vertical feet of elevation gain. You should be in good shape for this hike and we suggest preparing months in advance. Most people reach the rim in 5-8 hours.

DAY SIX.   DEPARTURE. You can schedule a morning flight from the Grand Canyon airport to Las Vegas or an afternoon flight out of Flagstaff. Happy Trails!