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7 Day Lower 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 7 Day Lower Canyon Hiking Focused Trip, including packing, meals, lodging, transportation, physical requirements, and the hike in on the Bright Angel Trail.
Last reviewed: September 2026
7 Day Lower Canyon Trip at a Glance
LENGTH
7 days / 6 nights
DISTANCE
99 miles
GROUP SIZE
16 or 29
START
near Phantom Ranch
END
Whitmore Wash
NIGHTS
6
- 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 and 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 down the Bright Angel Trail
- Transportation:: Helicopter and plane flight back to Las Vegas or the South Rim after the trip
- Bonus: Souvenir Hatch mug
Plan & Prepare
Important physical requirement
This trip begins with a mandatory 9.5-mile hike down the Bright Angel Trail, about 4,440 feet from rim to river. 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 more
Camping with Hatch
Learn what camp is like, what Hatch provides, and what guests do when arriving at and leaving a campsite.
Read more
Rafting 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 whichever hotel you booked, and get plenty of rest. Your hike will start at 5am the next day.
Check in with your hiking guide at 5am in front of the Bright Angel Lodge fireplace before you begin. Complete the mandatory 9.5-mile guided hike down the Bright Angel Trail. The hike drops approximately 4,440 feet and commonly takes 5-6 hours. Carry at least three liters of water. Meet up with the boats and get access to your rafting gear and items you sent ahead of time. When all hikers have arrived, begin traveling downriver.
Continue traveling through the Lower 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 beside the Whitmore Wash helipad.
Pack up your campsite, grab some continental breakfast items to fuel you for the day, and say goodbye to your guides. Helicopters will transport guests to the Bar 10 Ranch five people at a time beginning at 7am. From there, board a plane to the destination you selected when booking (either the South Rim or Las Vegas).
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
A lower 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 first day of your trip, you’ll hike down into the canyon on the Bright Angel Trail, but you won’t be on your own. A Hatch hiking guide will hike down the trail with you to the midway point, where a river guide takes over and accompanies you the rest of the way to the river.
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 down the trail.
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.
Pre-Trip Lodging at the South Rim
Your hike down the Bright Angel Trail will start at 5:00am, so you’ll need to stay at the South Rim the night before your hike-in date. Guests are responsible for booking their own South Rim accommodations.
Xanterra Parks & Resorts operates a number of accommodations including: Maswik Lodge, Thunderbird Lodge, Kachina Lodge, Bright Angel Lodge, and the historic El Tovar hotel. These lodges can book up quickly, so make sure to contact Xanterra right away to inquire about availability.
NOTE: If you are unable to get a room on the South Rim, there is additional accommodation available in the nearby town of Tusayan. However, there are limited transportation options before 5am if you don’t have your own vehicle.
Transportation for Your River Trip
Getting to the Start of Your Trip
Arrange for transportation that will put you at the South Rim the evening before your hike-in date.
Option 1: Fly from Las Vegas to the South Rim
Drive or fly to Las Vegas then book a flight to the South Rim using Bar 10 Transportation. Contact Bar 10 for availability and pricing.
If you choose this option, you’ll need to book a taxi from the airport to your South Rim hotel. 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. You will also need to pay a fee to enter the park, so keep your receipt for post-trip re-entry.
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: Drive to the South Rim
Drive your personal vehicle or a rental car to the South Rim and park in the Backcountry parking lot. You will need to pay a fee to enter the park, so keep your receipt for post-trip re-entry.
Note: Some guests will fly to an area near the Grand Canyon, rent a car and drive the rest of the way. Nearby cities with airports and rental car companies include Flagstaff, Phoenix, and Las Vegas.
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.
Post trip flights are included in the cost of your trip and booked by Hatch. Indicate in your registration form whether you will fly to Las Vegas or the South Rim.
Option 1: Fly to Las Vegas
Helicopter from inside the canyon to the Bar 10 Ranch starting at 7am. From there, board a fixed wing flight to Las Vegas.
Your flight will take you to the Boulder City airport. Then you’ll take a ground shuttle to Harry Reid International Airport. Flights commonly arrive around 1pm, but we strongly recommend not booking any flights out of Las Vegas until after 3:00pm to accommodate unexpected delays.
Option 2: Fly to the South Rim
Helicopter from inside the canyon to the Bar 10 Ranch starting at 7am. From there, board a fixed wing flight to the South Rim.
You’ll need to book a taxi from the airport into the park to collect your vehicle. 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. Use your entrance receipt to re-enter the park without paying an additional fee.
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.
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)
- 2 sturdy carabiners (not keychain style)
- Lightweight, synthetic hiking/running shoes
- Quick dry or neoprene socks
- Daytime medication (consult with your doctor)
- Waterproof bag/case for camera or phone
- Gloves (for protection from sun, hot rocks, and ropes)
- Bandana or buff (keep cool or use as a napkin)
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)
- TSA compatible power bank(s) for charging personal devices
- Hatch no longer provides charging stations. Guests are responsible for all their own charging.
- 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.
- 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.
Beverages
Beverages can be ordered in advance from Cliff Dwellers Lodge and loaded on the boats by Hatch guides. Instructions are on the beverage order form.
Important Forms and Downloads
Bright Angel Trail Hiking Acknowledgement Required
Required for Lower Canyon guests. Review, print, sign, and return the Hiking Acknowledgement according to the instructions on the form.
Lower Canyon Duffel Service Optional
Optional. Review the Lower Canyon Duffel Service information to understand how to ship gear that will be packed onto the boats in advance of your trip.
Cliff Dwellers Beverage Order Optional
Optional. Review the current Beverage Order Form for available products, pricing, deadlines, and submission instructions.
Reservation Specific Documents Required
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.
Arrange transportation and lodging
Use the transportation and lodging sections of this packet to coordinate the trip’s different start and end points. Book early.
Pay your remaining balance
Your final trip balance is due 120 days before your trip begins and may be paid online or by phone.
Complete required forms and requests
Review the Important Forms and Downloads section for the Bright Angel Trail Hiking Acknowledgement, optional duffel service, beverage orders, and reservation-specific documents.
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
For this Lower 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.
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.
Questions or concerns: Contact Hatch at 928-526-4700 if you have questions about the trip requirements. If a medical condition could affect your participation, discuss the trip with your healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. On the first day you hike into the canyon on the Bright Angel Trail. It is mandatory, about 9.5 miles with roughly 4,440 feet of elevation loss, and it requires good physical condition and preparation.
It is strenuous. Most hikers take 5 to 6 hours to hike in. Temperatures can reach 120°F and the trail is long and steep, so carry at least 3 liters of water. Hatch hiking guides accompany you but do not carry your gear.
Under 25 pounds. Beverages left on the boats do not count toward the limit, and a UPS duffel service is available to lighten your load for the hike.
Often, yes. Hatch commonly provides gluten-free, dairy-free, and meat-free or limited-meat options. Disclose your needs early. Because of the backcountry setting, a cross-contamination-free environment cannot be guaranteed.
No. Guests will need to book their own lodging at the South Rim for the evening before the hike.
Guests must find their own transportation to the South Rim before the trip. Options include flying or driving to the South Rim. After the trip, Hatch includes return flights to the South Rim or to Las Vegas.
Ready to Reserve Your Trip?
View dates, rates, and availability and book your 7 Day Lower Canyon Hiking Focused Trip.
