Welcome to the Grand Canyon!

Hiking the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim is an unforgettable way to experience the beauty and wonder of the canyon from top to bottom. The route takes you through stunning landscapes, from cool forests on the rim to colorful rock formations and the Colorado River below. Along the way, you’ll discover scenic viewpoints, quiet stretches of trail, and unique desert wildlife. It’s a challenging but rewarding adventure that’s perfect for those who love exploring creation.

This celebrated historic hotel located directly on the rim of the Grand Canyon first opened its doors in 1905. The hotel was designed by Charles Whittlesey, Chief Architect for the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway. The Chicago architect envisioned the hotel as a cross between a Swiss chalet and a Norwegian Villa. This was done in an effort to appeal to the tastes of the elite from that era, who at the time considered European culture the epitome of refinement. El Tovar was one of a chain of hotels and restaurants owned and operated by the Fred Harvey Company in conjunction with the Santa Fe Railway. The hotel was built from local limestone and Oregon pine. It cost $250,000 to build, and many considered it the most elegant hotel west of the Mississippi River. In 1987 the Hotel was designated a National Historic Landmark. In the past, the hotel has hosted such luminaries as Theodore Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, Western author Zane Grey, President Bill Clinton, Sir Paul McCartney, Oprah Winfrey, and countless others.

Today, El Tovar retains its elegant charm and is widely considered the crown jewel of Historic National Park Lodges.

Awe-inspiring, challenging, exhausting, unforgettable…these are all words to describe the trek across the Grand Canyon. If you are up for a big adventure, hiking the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim is one for the bucket list.

This is the land of extremes. In the summer months, the temperature can fluctuate along the trail as much as 80 degrees in one day. You will descend nearly one mile to the Colorado River and then climb back up the other side.

Along the way, you will face heat, cold, fatigued legs, exhaustion, joy, and maybe even despair. You’ll rejoice at the jaw-dropping views, hike on steep, dusty trails, walk through narrow canyons and shady, lush oases, and thoroughly immerse yourself in one the United States most iconic landscapes.

Once you hike rim-to-rim, you will never look at the Grand Canyon the same way again.

Most people hike rim-to-rim on a two or three day backpacking trip. If you are extremely fit and fast, it is possible to hike the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim in one day.

It’s a massive day hike and not a decision to be made lightly. A total of 23.5 miles, with a descent and then climb back up nearly a mile in elevation, all while battling high temperatures. 

Jacob Lake Inn is known for it’s rustic comfort and convenience! Aside from our incredible location, our comfortable lodging, beautiful mountain scenery, Native American art, delicious food, and famous bakery bring thousands of visitors to Jacob Lake every year.

Enter a world made in the image of Italian-inspired grandeur, where possibility waits around every corner. You're invited to explore dynamic experiences in opulent surroundings, from lavish suites and electrifying casinos to world-class dining and entertainment. Here's to la bella vita.

Please Note:

The sample itinerary and budget provided are based on a specific number of participants and chaperones. Final pricing per person will vary depending on your group size and any adjustments made to the itinerary. Please keep in mind that prices may fluctuate depending on travel dates, seasonality, and other factors.

Please email us at info@kairostours.com or call us at 512.596.1642 for more information.

All of our trips are fully customizable—this sample itinerary is simply a starting point to give you a sense of what is possible! We are happy to tailor every detail to fit your group’s unique needs, interests, and preferences.

Group travel can be a difficult and frustrating experience. The group is only as fast as the slowest participant, and that is why our clients spend most of their time in Chaperone Groups. These small groups consist of roughly 4-5 students and 2-3 adults, and move much more efficiently (and happily!) through the cities, allowing students to focus on their unique interests. Keeping entire groups together while following a yellow umbrella around cities (‘amoeba style’) creates missed opportunities and makes unfortunate use of valuable time.

The beauty of any school trip is the opportunity for the student to build self-confidence, problem solve, and learn how to navigate in a new environment. The adults are present to help keep students safe, but otherwise should ‘lead from behind’. At Kairos Tours we focus heavily on student leadership and responsibility for their trip experience.

Is there a minimum number of guests required for this trip?

• There’s no minimum number of participants required, but please note that the fewer people in the group, the higher the price per person. Larger groups help keep individual costs lower by sharing fixed expenses like transportation and guides.

What information will be provided before the trip?

• Each traveler will receive a complete, dynamic itinerary that includes travel logistics, hotel details, tours, entrance information, meeting points, and more - everything you need to feel fully prepared.

Will there be a group meeting before departure?

• Yes! We’ll schedule a pre-trip meeting (either in person or via Google Meet) to go over final details, answer questions, and ensure everyone is ready and excited.

Does Kairos Tours provide a Tour Director?

• A Tour Director can be arranged to accompany your group upon request. Please note this may affect the overall cost of the trip.

Will the itinerary change from what’s currently listed?

• Kairos Tours will make every reasonable effort to provide this trip in accordance with the descriptions provided. Although it is unlikely that we will have to make any changes to your reservation or cancel confirmed reservations, we reserve the right to do so should it become necessary or advisable, in our sole discretion. We’ll always prioritize the best possible experience for your group!

Are trip prices guaranteed?

• All pricing is based on current estimates and subject to change due to factors like group size, travel dates, currency exchange rates, and seasonal variations.

Are meals included in the trip price?

• Lunches and dinners are typically not included in the trip price, allowing for flexibility and the opportunity to explore local dining options. Personal incidentals, such as snacks, souvenirs, and optional activities, are also the responsibility of each traveler.

What if there are unexpected delays or issues?

• Kairos Tours is not responsible for costs or disruptions resulting from circumstances beyond our control, such as flight delays, changes or cancellations, injuries, weather, war, natural disasters, strikes, social discourse, pandemics, etc., and/or other unforeseeable matters.

My name is David Mebane and I am a lifelong traveler that experienced my first international trip as a 2nd grader, and I haven’t stopped since. I founded Fat Tire Tours in Paris, France in 1999 and love showing people around the City of Light. That passion has grown to include other incredible destinations around the globe, and is the genesis for Kairos Tours. I don't know every destination on the globe, but I do know several well, and I love to take people with me to create experiences and memories that last a lifetime. 

I live in Austin, Texas with my wife Kelly and our son Weston and daughter Caroline. However, we spend as much time as we can elsewhere since there is nothing better than an adventure with family and friends.

The Grand Canyon, one of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders of the world, has a rich history that spans millions of years. The canyon itself was carved by the Colorado River over the course of approximately six million years, though the rock layers exposed within its walls date back as far as two billion years. These rock layers reveal a complex geological history of ancient seas, volcanic activity, and shifting continents.

Long before modern exploration, the Grand Canyon was home to Indigenous peoples. The Ancestral Puebloans (previously called the Anasazi) were among the first known inhabitants, leaving behind dwellings, pottery, and petroglyphs. Other Native American groups, including the Havasupai, Hopi, Hualapai, Navajo, and Paiute tribes, have deep cultural, spiritual, and historical ties to the canyon, many of which continue today.

European exploration began in the 1540s when Spanish explorer García López de Cárdenas, part of Francisco Vázquez de Coronado’s expedition, became the first European to lay eyes on the Grand Canyon. It wasn’t until the late 19th century that scientific expeditions, such as those led by John Wesley Powell, brought greater awareness of the canyon’s vast scale and beauty to the world.

In 1919, the Grand Canyon was officially designated as a National Park, ensuring its protection for future generations. Today, the park preserves both its natural wonders and its rich cultural history, attracting over six million visitors each year. The Grand Canyon remains not only a stunning geological marvel but also a place of deep significance for Indigenous communities and a symbol of natural heritage worldwide.