On our trips we use whats called a duffel line to help unload the boats and set up camp, let’s talk about what it is and how to set one up.
What is a Duffel Line?
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6 Day Upper Canyon Hiking Focused Trip Packet
PLAN AND PREPARE FOR YOUR GRAND CANYON RAFTING TRIP
This online trip packet contains the information you need to plan and prepare for Hatch’s 6 Day Upper Canyon Hiking Focused Trip, including packing, meals, lodging, transportation, physical requirements, and the hike out on the Bright Angel Trail.
Last reviewed: August 2026.
6 Day Upper Canyon Trip at a Glance
LENGTH
6 days / 5 nights
DISTANCE
89 miles
GROUP SIZE
16 or 29
START
Lees Ferry
END
near Phantom Ranch
NIGHTS
5
- Lodging: Complimentary double occupancy stay in Marble Canyon the night before your launch (usually at Cliff Dwellers Lodge)
- Food: All meals, snacks, and beverages during your rafting trip (excluding specialty beverages like alcohol and soda)
- Camping Gear: Use of camp chair, 3-person tent for 2 people, sleep kit (ground cloth, cot, sleeping bag, sheet, pillow), dishware & utensils
- Rafting Gear: Use of life jacket, day dry bag, and night dry bag
- Guides: Professional guide service on the river and for your hike up the Bright Angel Trail
- BONUS: Souvenir Hatch mug
Plan & Prepare
Important physical requirement
This trip ends with a mandatory 9.5-mile hike up the Bright Angel Trail, about 4,440 feet from river to rim. It is strenuous and needs preparation.
Trip experience
See what the days on the river and the trip itinerary look like.
Daily needs
Food, lodging, getting there, and what to pack.
Before departure
Steps, safety, and forms to complete before you go.
What to Expect on the River
A Typical Day on the River
See how mornings, rafting and hiking stops, meals, camp setup, and evenings usually unfold.
Read moreCamping with Hatch
Learn what camp is like, what Hatch provides, and what guests do when arriving at and leaving a campsite.
Read moreRafting with Hatch
Understand the rafts, seating, whitewater, river safety, and the active nature of traveling through Grand Canyon.
Read moreSample Itinerary
Get an idea of what your trip could look like. Note: This is a sample only. We can never guarantee specific stops.
Check in at your assigned pre-trip lodge and confirm your orientation meeting time for the following day (listed on your invoice).
Meet Hatch staff in front of Cliff Dwellers Lodge for orientation at the time listed on your invoice. Take a 20 minute van ride to Lees Ferry. Complete a safety briefing, then launch and begin your first day of rafting.
Travel downriver through the Upper Canyon making stops along the way and camping each evening. Stops with hikes will be prioritized over other options. Particular stops are chosen based on the conditions and the group. Specific stops can be requested but not guaranteed. On the final river evening, camp upstream from Phantom Ranch and prepare your hiking pack for the next morning.
Begin early and complete the mandatory 9.5-mile guided hike up the Bright Angel Trail. The hike gains approximately 4,440 feet and commonly takes 6–8 hours. Carry at least three liters of water and all items you need during and immediately after the hike.
Note: This is a sample itinerary. River conditions, weather, campsite availability, trail conditions, and other factors determine the final itinerary.
Food, Drinks & Dietary Restrictions
The food on a Hatch river trip is different from what a lot of people expect to eat while camping for multiple days. Meals are well-balanced with a variety of fresh food options prepared by the trip’s guides.
Sample Menu
For a full list of sample meals and more details about dietary restrictions, review our 12 Day Sample Menu with Dietary Info.
Breakfast
Daily hot breakfasts consist of:
- Eggs made to order
- A breakfast meat each day such as sausage, bacon, or ham
- One side each day such as bagels, pancakes, hash browns, or English muffins
- Additional items available daily: cereal, fresh fruit, tortillas
Lunch
Take a midday break from rafting and build your own sandwich. Ingredients include:
- Multiple bread options, such as wheat, sourdough, rye, tortillas/wraps
- Sliced deli meats and cheeses, tuna or chicken salad, hummus, peanut butter & jelly
- Sandwich spreads & condiments, tomatoes, lettuce, red onion, and pickled items
- Pringles, M&Ms, cookies, and other snack items
Dinner
Dinners are three course meals, including appetizers and desserts. For example:
- Grilled steak, green salad, zucchini and yellow squash, and mashed potatoes; dessert: Dutch oven brownies
- Thai chicken and veggies in coconut curry sauce, Asian slaw, egg rolls, white rice, and fortune cookies; dessert: lemon cake
- Grilled pork tenderloin, coleslaw, ranch beans, stuffing, applesauce; dessert: chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting
- Spaghetti with Italian sausage, Caesar salad, and garlic bread; dessert: pound cake with strawberries
Also available daily
- Snacks include: nuts, trail mix, and dried and fresh fruit
- Hatch provided beverages:
- Filtered water and lemonade or Gatorade (for electrolytes) – always available on the raft and at camp
- Coffee, tea, milk, and juice – served with breakfast
- Decaf or hot herbal tea – served after dinner upon request
- Guests can also purchase and bring their own specialty beverages
Accommodating Dietary Restrictions
We do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions when it is possible and reasonable given the limitations of traveling in the backcountry. The best way to ensure your dietary needs are met is to disclose them early and have open conversations regarding your needs with our reservations staff and the guides on your trip.
We commonly provide the following substitutions and accommodations:
- GLUTEN-FREE Hatch is typically able to provide gluten-free salad dressing, cereal, cookies, crackers, and bread. We may also be able to provide rice pasta, quinoa, and corn tortillas. If specifically requested, we can provide gluten-free cake for special occasions.
- DAIRY-FREE Hatch is typically able to provide an alternative milk (usually almond). Most dishes with cheese or other dairy components can be served with the dairy items separate.
- MEAT FREE/LIMITED MEAT Hatch is typically able to swap in other meats or meat substitutes for guests who do not eat the meat being served on a given night. This might mean salmon/chicken instead of steak for guests who don’t eat red meat or portabella mushroom/a plant-based meat substitute for meat-free guests. In cases where the meat is a built-in component of a meal (such as spaghetti with meat sauce), a meat free portion can be prepared.
Precautions for guests with allergies, sensitivities, or particularly rigid restrictions:
- Due to the buffet-style meal service, limited storage space, and limited kitchen equipment, we are not able to guarantee an environment free from cross contamination. Guests should plan for a trip where there is a chance of inadvertently ingesting their restricted foods either directly or through cross contamination.
- We strongly recommend guests check food labels and maintain open conversation with their guides about their needs and the food being prepared.
- Guests should discuss this trip with their healthcare providers to ensure they bring adequate supplies of necessary medications.
- Due to limited vendor access in our remote area, we cannot guarantee any particular brand or specific type of food will be available.
- Guests with very limited diets should talk to Hatch reservations staff about the possibility of bringing some of their own, shelf-stable, ready-to-eat foods to supplement what we provide.
Physical Requirements
An upper canyon hiking focused trip is specifically designed for guests who are willing and able to hike on a daily basis in between stretches of rafting. On this trip, we spend additional days on the river to allow more time for hiking. Guests can expect more stops to be tailored toward hiking than on other trips, and should be prepared for hikes that vary in distance, difficulty, and time.
To safely participate in the Bright Angel Trail hike, you’ll need to prepare for:
- A full day’s hike – Most hikers take 5-6 hours to get down the trail and 6-8 hours to get up it. Those times will be significantly impacted by pre-trip preparation and self-care while on the trail.
- A long, steep trail – The Bright Angel Trail is 9.5 miles long with an elevation change of 4,440 feet from rim to river (that’s nearly 4 times the height of the Eiffel Tower).
- Temperatures that may reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Uneven, rocky, and sandy terrain with steep steps up and down and occasionally narrow pathways.
- Carrying personal gear – We recommend that guests use our UPS duffel service to lighten their loads. Remember that no matter what, you should be carrying at least 3 liters of water and any gear you want access to on the trail or immediately after your hike.
Please review the additional physical requirements and risk information from our Risks and Requirements page to further understand and prepare for your trip.
Hiking in the Grand Canyon Is Harder Than You Think
Even seasoned hikers find the Grand Canyon more challenging than they anticipate. Hiking in the Grand Canyon is a strenuous—and potentially dangerous—activity suitable only for guests in excellent physical condition. Temperatures typically exceed 100°F (38°C) and, during summer, can reach 120°F (nearly 49°C). Trails can be steep, rocky, covered in loose gravel, and may require light climbing or scrambling. All trails on a Hatch trip other than the Bright Angel Trail are unmaintained.
Please consult with your physician if you have a medical history that includes any of the following:
- Ankle, knee, hip, or other joint problems
- Asthma
- Heart-related conditions
- Recent surgery
- Other physical or health conditions that could impact your ability to hike
How to Prepare for Your Hiking Trip
- Review the Grand Canyon National Park “Hike Smart” webpage for Grand Canyon hiking tips
- Do physical conditioning activities to prepare for your trip. By the time you start, you should be comfortable hiking at least 9 miles.
- Review the Bright Angel Trail Hiking Acknowledgment
Hatch Provides Hiking Guides on the Bright Angel Trail
On the last day of your trip, you’ll hike out of the canyon on the Bright Angel Trail—but you won’t be on your own. A river guide will hike up the trail to the midway point where a Hatch hiking guide will take over and accompany you the rest of the way to the rim.
Hiking guides will:
- Stay at the back of the pack, to make sure no one gets left behind.
- Provide first aid for minor injuries.
- Initiate emergency response should an incident take place on the trail.
Hiking guides will NOT:
- Carry guests’ gear, water, or food.
- Physically transport guests up the trail.
Pre-Trip Lodging in Marble Canyon
On upper canyon trips, Hatch provides lodging the night before the trip’s launch in Marble Canyon, Arizona. Most commonly, rooms are booked at Cliff Dwellers Lodge right next door to the Hatch River Expeditions warehouse. (Other area lodges are used for overflow when necessary.)
- Rooms are complimentary for double or more occupancy; there’s an additional fee for single occupancy (on an as available basis).
- Check-in is at 4pm; if you expect to arrive after 9pm, contact Cliff Dwellers.
- Cliff Dwellers Restaurant is available for dinner and breakfast (at your own expense).
- Guests can order alcohol and other beverages in advance using the Cliff Dwellers Lodge beverage order form.
- The fly shop is stocked with last minute staples like sunshirts, hats, sunscreen, and a limited supply of sodas and alcohol.
- Additional nights, fly-fishing trips, kayak rentals, or other services available at Cliff Dwellers Lodge can be booked directly by guests.
Cliff Dwellers Lodge
Milepost 547 N Hwy 89A
Marble Canyon, AZ 86036
Transportation for Your River Trip
Getting to the Start of Your Trip
Arrange for transportation that will put you in Marble Canyon the day before your trip’s launch date.
Option 1: Shuttle from Las Vegas to Marble Canyon
Drive or fly to Las Vegas then schedule an executive van shuttle from Harry Reid International Airport to Cliff Dwellers Lodge using Bar 10 Transportation.
There is typically one midday van departure each day. Book in advance and arrive well in advance to be sure you make your departure.
Option 2: Shuttle from the South Rim to Marble Canyon Before Your Trip
Drive to the South Rim and park in the backcountry permit office lot. (You will have to pay a fee to enter the park.) THEN meet the Trans-Canyon shuttle in the Bright Angel Lodge lobby for your ride to Marble Canyon. When you finish your end-of-trip hike, hop in the car and drive home.
The shuttle departure time is typically early afternoon and the ride takes about 2 hours. Typically this service does not begin until mid-May. Check with Trans-Canyon Shuttle for availability.
Note: Although you can leave a vehicle in Marble Canyon before your trip and catch the Trans-Canyon shuttle back to it, we don’t recommend it. Trying to hike quickly enough to catch your shuttle can add undue stress and leave no room for accidents or delays. Unless you are planning to book an extra night at the South Rim and shuttle a day later, it’s better to leave your vehicle at the South Rim so that you can take your time on the hike.
Getting Home After Your Trip
Make sure your start and end transportation choices align. If you left a vehicle somewhere, choose an option that gets you back to it. If you didn’t leave a vehicle anywhere, make sure you don’t end up stranded.
Option 1: Fly from the Grand Canyon Airport to Las Vegas
If you went through Las Vegas at the start of your trip, you may be able to book a flight from the airport in Tusayan (right outside Grand Canyon’s South Rim) back to Las Vegas. Check with Bar 10 Transportation for availability, timing, and pricing.
If you choose this option, you’ll need to book a taxi from the South Rim to the airport. Taxis have limited availability, are booked on a first come first serve basis, and are cash only. Contact 928-638-2822 to book or get more information.
The airline requires all passengers 18 and older to present a current, government-issued photo ID upon boarding the plane. If your bag weighs over 25 lbs you may be charged a fee.
Option 2: Shuttle from the South Rim to Las Vegas or Another Destination
If you flew at the beginning of your trip, you may be able to book a shuttle that will take you back to Las Vegas or to another destination (such as Flagstaff or Phoenix). Bar 10 does not provide this service, and Hatch has no specific recommendations for shuttle companies.
Option 3: Have Your Vehicle Shuttled from Marble Canyon to the South Rim
Drive to Marble Canyon then arrange for a professional shuttle company to drive or tow your vehicle to the South Rim. Some companies that may provide such a service include: Pirate Dog Shuttle (formerly Wild River Shuttle) and Ceiba Adventures.
Hatch does not partner with or endorse any particular vehicle shuttle provider. If you choose this option, it is your responsibility to arrange all details regarding car/key drop off and pick up ahead of time and to exchange contact information with the shuttle company in case you need to communicate about your plans while traveling.
Packing List for Grand Canyon River Trips
Hatch provides all the camping essentials for your trip, so all you have to bring is your personal gear. The list below is what we recommend you bring to have the best possible trip, but it is only a guide. You know yourself best, so feel free to add or remove items based on your needs. Just remember your personal gear must weigh less than 25lbs.
What Hatch Provides
Hatch provides all your essential rafting and camping gear, including:
- A souvenir coffee mug
- 1 water-resistant “night” dry bag
- 18” in diameter by 31” tall; 127L
- Put your duffel bag in it
- 1 water-resistant “day” dry bag
- 8” in diameter by 20” tall; 16L
- Put your small backpack and day items in it
- Sleep kit
- Cot
- Sleeping bag
- Sheet & pillowcase
- Standard-sized pillow
- Tarp/ground cloth (6’x8’)
- 1 tent for every two people
- 1 camp chair per person
What to Wear on a Typical Day
What you wear each day will vary depending on the weather and activities on the agenda.
- Recreational sports sandals
- Must have good traction/soles & sturdy straps
- Flip flops are not recommended
- Break them in before the trip!
- Swimsuit (under clothing)
- For women, two pieces are easier to manage at pit stops
- SPF and quick-dry clothing
- Polarized sunglasses with retention string (like Chums)
- Sun hat with retention string
What to Pack in Your Day Bag
This gear will be worn or stored in your day dry bag so you can access it throughout the day.
- Small backpack or Camelbak for hikes
- Rain gear (waterproof jacket and pants)
- Velcro/elastic at wrists, ankles, hood
- No ponchos!
- Sarang or another cover-up
- Reef-safe sunscreen & SPF lip balm
- 3 one-liter water bottles (3 L minimum for the hike)
What to Pack in Your Night Bag
This gear will be stored in your night dry bag along with your sleep kit. It will be packed in the center of the duffel pile during the day and accessible in camp each night.
- Medium, soft-sided duffel bag or backpack (around 12″x12″x24″)
- Additional clothing – numbers and styles vary with individual preferences, we recommend:
- a mix of short and long sleeves/pant lengths (more skin coverage = more sun protection)
- A mix of moisture wicking (to stay dry) and cotton (to stay wet and cool)
- Underwear and swimsuits
- We recommend quick dry/moisture wicking for anything you wear while rafting
- Lightweight fleece jacket
- Comfortable camp clothing, pajamas and/or shoes
- Ex: a cotton shirt and pants, a sundress, a pair of flip flops, etc.
- Headlamp (with red light setting)
- Government-issued photo ID (18+), credit & insurance cards (in case of evacuation)
- Cash or checks (for gratuities for guides)
- Nighttime medication
- Camp towel for bathing
- Toiletries
- Lots of lotion and hand salve (it’s REALLY dry here)
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss
Extra Packing Information
We’ve created a packing video and compiled a number of packing-themed blog posts to help guests understand the nuances of packing for a river trip. You’re always welcome to call our office as well. We’re happy to discuss your particular concerns directly.
Here are a few other packing-related things to keep in mind:
- Pack according to the typical weather for your travel time. Then, check the weather before you depart, and make your last minute adjustments.
- We DO NOT recommend bringing any valuables on the river. It is too easy for things to be lost or damaged.
- There is no luggage storage available in Marble Canyon.
- Anything that makes it as far as Marble Canyon must either be left in your personal vehicle or taken on the river. (No wheeled suitcases, please!)
- Guests traveling through Las Vegas can look into luggage storage options at the airport or their hotel.
- Beverages do not count against your 25lb gear limit. They can be brought with you or ordered in advance from Cliff Dwellers Lodge.
- Guide gratuities are provided at the guests’ discretion. If you choose to give a gratuity,
- Give it to the lead boatman. They will divide them equally amongst the crew.
- A typical gratuity amount is between 8-10%.
- Use cash or a check made out to the lead boatman. Guides cannot accept credit cards, and Hatch cannot collect gratuity on a guide’s behalf.
Important Forms and Downloads
Bright Angel Trail Hiking Acknowledgement
Required for Upper Canyon guests. Review, print, sign, and return the Hiking Acknowledgement according to the instructions on the form.
Upper Canyon Duffel Service
Optional. Review the Upper Canyon Duffel Service information to understand how gear can continue downriver and be shipped to you after your hike.
Cliff Dwellers Beverage Order
Optional. Review the current Beverage Order Form for available products, pricing, deadlines, and submission instructions.
Reservation-Specific Documents
Your registration forms, liability waiver, payment information, and reservation-specific materials are available through your personalized Activity Manager.
Risks and Requirements
Review Hatch’s complete information about trip risks, dietary concerns, physical requirements, travel insurance, and reservation policies.
Printable Trip Packet
Download the printable version of this trip packet for offline reference.
Plan Your Trip: From Research to River
Use this checklist whether you are deciding if the trip is right for you or preparing for a trip you have already reserved.
Confirm that this trip fits you
Review the mandatory Bright Angel Trail hike, physical requirements, sample itinerary, camping conditions, and transportation pattern. Use the main trip page for current dates, rates, availability, and booking options.
Reserve your trip
Book from the main trip page or call Hatch. The trip-packet page provides preparation details but does not replace the booking information on the main trip page.
Complete your registration within 14 days
Review your trip materials, complete your registration form, and sign your liability waiver through your personalized Activity Manager.
Consider travel insurance promptly
Review coverage soon after paying your deposit; recommended time-sensitive benefits may only be available for a limited period after your initial payment.
Pay your remaining balance
Your final trip balance is due 120 days before your trip begins and may be paid online or by phone.
Prepare physically and begin packing
Follow the physical-preparation guidance, review the packing list, and break in footwear well before departure.
Make your final checks
Recheck transportation, lodging, weather, medications, identification, and any instructions in your Activity Manager before leaving home.
Health, Safety, and Required Reading
Grand Canyon river trips take place in a remote backcountry environment and involve inherent risks. Before reserving—and again before departure—review Hatch’s complete Risks and Requirements information, including physical requirements, medical considerations, dietary limitations, travel insurance, and reservation policies.
For this hiking-focused Upper Canyon trip: Pay particular attention to the mandatory Bright Angel Trail hike and complete the Bright Angel Trail Hiking Acknowledgement listed in Important Forms and Downloads.
Questions or concerns: Contact Hatch if you have questions about the trip requirements. If a medical condition could affect your participation, discuss the trip with your healthcare provider.
Ready to Reserve Your Trip?
View dates, rates, and availability and book your 6 Day Upper Canyon Hiking Focused Trip.
