Join SOKO Outfitters on an expert guided back country camping trip to Grand Canyon National Park. Professional guide Mike Campbell has curated a once-in-a-lifetime experience for us venturing into the depths of the Grand Canyon. We will be embarking on a 4-day, 3-night adventure on the very remote Hermit Trail Loop. Mike will provide us with a backstage pass to historic trails, the banks of the Colorado River and wilderness solitude. The first day of our planned route takes you down Hermit Trail to a remote-inner canyon campsite along Monument Creek, named by explorer John Wesley Powell for its towering rock formations. On the second and third days, we’ll take a side trip to view Granite Rapid at the very bottom of Grand Canyon, then traverse a long, exposed section of the Tonto Trail to arrive at the desert oasis of Indian Garden. On the final day of the trip, hikers return to civilization via the historic Bright Angel Trail.
This rigorous adventure is for fit and experienced hikers only. You must be able to carry a heavy pack on steep terrain for up to 10 miles per day. Not to say that we will be “glamping” by any means, but you will not have to worry about cooking any meals or setting up camp. Once we get to camp, your only job is to relax and get settled in for a good night’s sleep in one of the most majestic places in the world. Our experienced guides will make sure camp is set up and you are well fed!
Your hosts, SOKO Outfitters Co-owners Dr. Ryan Sundermann and Steve Shriver will be there every step of the way to make sure you are getting the most out of your experience. Backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads and trekking poles will be provided if needed.
Itinerary
Dates: April 8-13, 2019
Duration: 6 Days
Monday, April 8
Fly from Cedar Rapids to Las Vegas. Upon arrival, depart by private van for the Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel. Pre-hike introductions and gear review will take place. This evening, meet with our guide, Mike Campbell, for Happy Hour.
Tuesday, April 9 – Friday, April 12
Enjoy a four day hike at the Grand Canyon on the Hermit Trail Loop. On Friday afternoon, we will depart for the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel and enjoy a farewell dinner.
Saturday, April 13
After four exciting days of hiking in the picturesque Grand Canyon, we will depart for the airport by private van and fly back to Cedar Rapids.
*Exact travel dates and hiking itinerary subject to permit availability.
Price
Price: $2,069 per person, based on double occupancy. Single occupancy is available upon request.
Deposit: $350 per person is required to confirm your reservation.
Final Payment: Due on or before February 1, 2019.
Cancellation Policy: Deposit is non-refundable. After February 1, 2019, trip cost is non-refundable.
Optional Not Included in Price:
- Airfare available upon booking.
Inclusions:
- Happy Hour
- Farewell Dinner
- 4 daily hikes
- 2 Night Hotel Accommodations
Booking Details:
Booking through Travel Leaders / Destinations Unlimited. Call Kelsey Gerhold at (319) 393-1359 to reserve your spot.
Additional Details
Guide Mike Campbell
Mike Campbell leads guided day hikes in Grand Canyon National Park. He is the owner of Canyonology Treks, and has written about the canyon for Hit the Trail, Grand Canyon Association’s Canyon Views, and on his company website.
Mike has previously worked for Schrödinger, Inc, a leading provider of computational chemistry software. While there, he worked on projects including the creation of user training videos, presentations at workshops around the world, and the quantitative analysis of a “force field” used for molecular modeling.
After nearly a decade in the high-tech field, Mike sold his house and traveled the United States in his Volkswagen van. Working from the road, he launched a successful Kickstarter project that sent hundreds of custom, one-of-a-kind postcards to participants. Along the way, Iowa Public Radio interviewed Mike, and Mike interviewed the widow of Peanuts cartoonist Charles Schulz. The dramatic highlight of the trip was a razorback boar attack that resulted in the permanent loss of a small portion of his left tibia.
In Portland, Oregon, he met the woman who is now his fiancé. They soon decided to move together to Arizona, where Mike founded Canyonology Treks in 2014.
SPECIAL NOTE
Travelers on this tour should be in good health, as it is a rigorous hiking adventure for fit and experienced hikers. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to guests with walking, dining or other personal needs.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel insurance is highly recommended and available through Travel Leaders / Destinations Unlimited. If the insurance premium is paid within 14 days of deposit, pre-existing conditions are covered, some limitations apply. If you decline the insurance offered by the agency, we strongly advise the purchase of travel insurance through another broker.
GROUP PHOTO POLICY
Travel Leaders / Destinations Unlimited reserves the right to take photos during any part of the tour and to use them for promotional purposes. By booking a reservation with Travel Leaders / Destinations Unlimited, group members agree to allow their images to be used in such photos. Group members who prefer that their images not be used are asked to advise their group escort at the beginning of the tour.
RESPONSIBILITY
Travel Leaders / Destinations Unlimited, SOKO Outfitters and hosts, selected air carrier, selected hotel, ground operators, and their affiliates, shall have no liability for loss or damage to baggage and property, or for personal injuries or delay due to the acts or omissions of any carrier, hotel operator, restaurant, or any other supplier of services or facilities caused by weather, strike, war, quarantine or for any other reason. Travel Leaders / Destinations Unlimited acts only as an agent for suppliers in selling travel-related services, accepting reservations, and booking services that are not directly supplied by this travel agency (i.e. air and ground transportation, hotel accommodations, meals, tours, cruises, etc.).
The itinerary, as published, will be followed as closely as possible. If, it is rendered necessary to make changes in this itinerary, the above named providers will not be responsible for any loss or expense caused to guests by reason of such change. Exact travel dates and hiking itinerary subject to permit availability. The above named providers reserve the right to decline to accept or retain any person, whether with or without cause, at any time. It is understood and agreed that a refund may not be made to guests who do not complete a tour for any cause whatsoever. Please note that information on this flyer is based on details available at the time of printing and is subject to change. Please read this contract carefully. Any payment constitutes your acceptance of these terms and conditions.