Family Spring Break Tour

DIFFICULTY LEVEL 3+
Our difficulty ratings are based on a scale of 1-5, tours with a rating of 1 being least difficult, tours with a rating of 5 being most difficult

Backpack Weight:

25-35 pounds

Daily Hiking Distances:

7-10 miles

Most Elevation Loss:

2400 feet

Most Elevation Gain:

2400 feet

Quality of Trails:

Well used

Additional:

This trip requires hiking 10 miles (with 2400 feet of elevation loss) to the campground with 25-35 lb backpacks. Once in camp all hiking is done with light packs until we hike out on the final day (again, 10 miles, with 2400 feet of elevation gain, 25-35 lb backpacks).

The hiking trail begins with downhill switchbacks but after the initial descent is at a very moderate grade most of the way. On our day hike below the campground the trail descends a tall cliff at Mooney Falls on bolts and ladders. This section is very exposed but going below Mooney is optional.

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Participants should:

1. be active and healthy
2. regularly exercise vigorously
3. be comfortable hiking 8-10 miles per day with a 25 pound backpack

SOLITUDE LEVEL 2
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude

We rate this Grand Canyon hike a solitude 2 because the trail to Havasupai is well-used, but below Mooney Falls we'll see far fewer people. You can expect as much as an hour of solitude at a time once we're several miles into the Canyon. Weekends, and especially holiday weekends, tend to be very busy so if traveling during these periods expect to be around other hikers most of the time.

WHY WE BASE IN FLAGSTAFF VS. PHOENIX VS. PHOENIX

1. Reduced drive time by 3 hours on first day of hiking
2. Guide support is only an hour away vs. 4-5 hours away in Phoenix.
3. Increased flexibility with unforeseen circumstances
4. Flagstaff is a scenic mountain town with great hiking and restaurants!

ARIZONA SHUTTLE
Arizona Shuttle (http://www.arizonashuttle.com) makes 9 dependable trips daily each direction between Phoenix and Flagstaff. The duration is 2.5-3 hours. They pickup/drop off at Sky Harbor Airport and the Metro Center in Phoenix, and in Flagstaff at the Amtrak Station (near downtown) and the NAU campus. Note: Arizona Shuttle also offers daily transportation (3 trips in each direction) from Flagstaff to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

CAR RENTAL
Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix has a fantastic car rental facility that is easily accessible and hosts a great variety of companies. We recommend checking Priceline.com as well for especially good deals.

ARIZONA EXECUTIVE TRANSPORT
Arizona Executive Transport offers private, reliable SUV service between Phoenix and Flagstaff. This option is best if you're traveling in a group of 3 or 4. As Wildland Trekking guests, your one-way cost for up to 4 passengers is only $275. Simply type "Wildland Trekking Company" in the Discount Code Box at the bottom of the online registration page. You can go to http://www.arizonaexecutivellc.com to make your reservations online.

Our Havasupai tours are all-inclusive packages that allow you to travel and hike stress-free to the Southwest's most amazing waterfalls! Here's a list of everything that's included:

• Roundtrip transportation beginning and ending in Flagstaff, AZ
• All your meals from breakfast the first day through lunch the last day (and our guests rave about our meals - check out Trip Advisor!)
• Trail snacks for the duration of the trip
• All your gear, which includes backpacks, tents, sleeping bags (professionally laundered), sleeping pads, trekking poles...etc.
• Safety equipment (1st aid and satellite phone)
• Havasupai camping reservations
• Professional Grand Canyon guides (ratio of 1 guide for every 6 guests)
• The personal attention afforded by small group travel (max group size of 12 guests)
• Dedicated shuttle drivers during summer months for maximum safety
• Confidence, comfort and convenience of hiking the Grand Canyon with an award-winning tour company

Havasupai Tour rates (per person) are broken down into two fees:

1. The Wildland guided tour rate: this rate covers everything we provide, which includes local transportation, guides, meals, transport of supplies and personal items (not on backpacking trip), camping gear, camping reservations, safety equipment, and more.
   
   
2. Havasupai Tribal Fees: the Havasupai Tribal fees are added when you register and cover a per-person entrance fee, environmental fee, and per night camping fees plus 10% tax (the tribe's fees are higher for commercial companies than for individuals visiting on their own). These fees are dictated annually by - and passed in their entirety to - the Havasupai Tribe.

• Exceptional Reviews
  
  Our trips have earned #1 spots on 5 national park Trip Advisor pages, and 5-star status on Google and Yelp. We were also featured on the Discovery Channel as "The Best of Arizona" due in large part to our positive reviews, and have been featured in the New York Times, Mens Health, Sunset, Backpacker Magazine, Outside Magazine, AARP Magazine and more.
  
  
• Always Small Group Adventures
  
  Our hiking and backpacking tours are always small group adventures with never more than 12 guests, and most of the time between 5-10, per trip. What this means for you is you're joining a personalized hiking vacation that prioritizes quality of experience above all else.
  
  
• Trip Support
  
  With 8 field offices located near our areas of operation, we have local personnel able to provide support to trips if a problem arises. This level of support is virtually unmatched in the adventure travel industry.
  
  
• Fantastic Gear and Food
  
  On average Wildland guests go into the field with equipment valued at over $1000 per person, and our guests regularly comment on how exceptional their meals were in their online reviews and post-trip evaluations.
  
  
• Exceptional Guides
  
  Our commitment is to hire and train the best guides in the industry. To ensure this we seek out career-minded guides, conduct periodic staff trainings, and require current medical certifications. In addition to technical competency and credentials, we also require excellent people skills. These extraordinary men and women have the ability to turn a great get-away into an unforgettable, inspiring - and sometimes truly life changing - adventure
  
  
• Risk Management
  
  Every trip carries a field-issued first aid kit, comprehensive list of medical protocols, and a satellite phone. We require new guides to attend a comprehensive training to ensure they meet our standard of quality before putting them in the field, then we monitor their performance closely through post-trip evaluations and debriefs. Finally we have a 24-hour on-call line that our staff, guests, and family members of guests can call any time (literally) to speak with a company representative.
  
  
• Forgiving Refund Policy
  
  We understand life can be unpredictable at times, and that plans can change. Some companies require 50% or more non-refundable deposits, but we ask for only $500 deposits and have a tiered refund policy that allows you to cancel more than 60 days out with only a $100 administration fee. For last minute emergencies we offer future trip credits on a case by case basis.
  
  
• Lifetime 10% Discount
  
  When you hike with us you'll receive a Lifetime Family Membership entitling you, your spouse and your kids to a 10% discount off any future Wildland Trekking trip. Our diversity of trip offerings allows you to enjoy the U.S.'s and the World's inspiring landscapes in a variety of ways and at different times in your life, and at a discount!

• day by day itinerary
• logistical and travel information
• gear and clothing lists and more

Please complete this form to request a reservation (we also offer online registration in the Dates section of this trip page). We will respond, in the order received, to confirm availability and/or provide other options. If there is availability and you would like us to register you immediately, please check the "Express Sign Up" box and provide the names and emails of your traveling companions. Your spot is not confirmed until you've paid your deposit and completed your registration profile. Feel free to call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) with any questions or to confirm availability over the phone.

We're here to help! Please complete this form to email us a question. One of our Adventure Consultants will respond as quickly as possible (normally within 2 business hours). We're here 9 am to 4 pm Mountain Time every day, so you can expect a timely answer.

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