Itinerary

Day 1 Sept 20 – Old Town, Scottsdale, AZ (-/-/-)

Whoever is flying into town the first night and staying at the Holiday Inn Express  in Old Town, Scottsdale, AZ.  We’ll gather up around 6:00pm to meet each other and have our dinner. Our hotel does provide complimentary airport shuttles.

Day 2 Sept 21 – Phoenix, Sedona & the Grand Canyon (-/l/d)

Depart Phoenix early in the morning and travel north through the Sonoran Desert and onto the high elevation plateaus and red rock canyons of north central Arizona. As we gain elevation, we will pass through 4 distinct biological life zones and your guides will discuss the natural history of each. Soon we will arrive in Sedona, Arizona, featuring absolutely sublime red-sandstone formations, the beauty of Sedona rivals many national parks.

In the late morning we will hike along Oak Creek and across a spectacular ridgeline with 360-degree panoramas of the entire Sedona area and the Verde River Valley. As you hike, your guides will introduce you to the unique flora, fauna, geology and cultural history of the area. After a picnic lunch near the creek, we will drive through Oak Creek Canyon, home to lush riparian vegetation and towering red-rock walls, this is one of the most scenic drives in America. Once we have attained the Mogollon Rim at over 7000 ft. we will continue across the Colorada Plateau to the rustic Grand Canyon Caverns Inn. After dinner we gather together as a group and get to know each other and share our intent for our week. Total hiking 2-5 miles.

Day 3 Sept 22 – Descend into the Canyon (b/l/d)

After an early breakfast, we will drive the short distance the the trailhead, which is perched on the edge of the canyon. It is called Hualapai Hilltop (pronounced “Walapai”). This is the only land travel access to Havasupai. Starting at 5,400 feet, the trail begins with switchbacks until we reach a dry stream bed where the trail begins to level out. At no time are you exposed to sheer cliffs and those with a fear of heights need not worry. After a trailside lunch, the canyon walls seem to grow around you as you descend deeper into the labyrinth of red sandstone.

At mile 8, the canyon begins to widen and the vegetation turns lush as you enter the village of Supai. Here at 3,200 feet, after a welcome rest stop, the Cottonwood-lined paths will lead you through the village and into the canyon’s backcountry. An easy two-mile hike to our base camp will take you past New 50 ft. Falls (75 ft tall), Rock Falls (35 ft) and Havasu Falls (100 ft). Stopping to swim beneath each is a must! As you walk, your guides will discuss the cultural history, geology and unique biology of the canyon. Just down canyon from Havasu Falls, you will find our private and exclusive base camp waiting for your arrival. Estimated arrival time is between 1:00pm and 3:00pm. You will have free time to explore the area while your guides set up camp and prepare dinner. Sleep under the stars or retire to your spacious tent for a peaceful night of slumber. Total hiking: 10 miles.

Day 4 Sept 23 – Havasu Canyon! (b/l/d)

We awaken in our base camp, nestled along a stream, beneath towering cottonwood trees and adjacent to enormous waterfalls. You will find fresh brewed coffee and a hearty breakfast waiting in the camp kitchen. Today, after breakfast we will embark on one of the most exciting and beautiful hikes in North America, crossing tropical blue streams and wading through lush meadows of wild grapevines on our way to Beaver Falls the last in the chain of waterfalls in Havasu Canyon. Total hiking: 2-18 miles.

We have the option of taking two routes to Beaver Falls – the “wet route” or the “dry route. If you choose the wet route, there will be the opportunity to swim to the “green room” an under water air pocket accessed by swimming beneath the first tier of the waterfall! Once you emerge from the green room the thrill of discovering this canyon secret will help you steel your courage to JUMP off the main fall (18ft) into the frothy pool below – once at the base at the falls you will reunite with the members of the group who decided to stay high and dry – WOW – Now turn around and look up the Canyon at the 80 ft. cascading Beaver Falls, standing in awe of your accomplishment! An incredible opportunity to move past your fear and expand what you believe about your capabilities in life. Tonight we will celebrate the day with drinks and appetizers followed by a wonderful dinner and sharing.

Day 5 & 6 Sept 24-25 – Havasu Canyon! (b/l/d)


Another day in canyon paradise started with a great breakfast followed by two very different and unique hikes. This morning we will walk up canyon to a hidden side cleft in the cliff wall where you will be expertly guided to the Tonto Platform, a broad rocky terrace between the Supai sandstone and the Red Wall limestone. Reaching this bench affords views missed from below including classic sweeping Grand Canyon vistas all the way to the North Rim and bird’s eye views of Havasu and Mooney Falls.

Before returning to base camp your guides will leave you to swim at Havasu Falls while they prepare lunch. After you have had time to digest we’ll hit the trail for another hike to Carbonate Canyon a narrow side canyon where miners from the early 1900’s found precious minerals within the canyon walls. You’ll be amazed to find the fossils of sea creatures that once occupied this area of now dry land – over 300 million years ago. Tonight we gather again to share experiences and a wonderful meal. Total hiking: 2-18 miles.

Day 6 Sept 26 – Leaving the Canyon (b/l/-)

Enjoy a final breakfast in our canyon oasis before our hike to the rim. While always tiring, the exhilaration you feel after conquering the canyon and your fear will leave you with a sense of accomplishment no one can take away! If you choose you will have an option to have a helicopter ride out of the canyon instead of hiking. Expect to arrive at the rim between 10:00am and 1:00pm today – we expect to arrive in Phoenix at the hotel between 5:00pm and 7:00pm. Today some of us will leave in the evening from Phoenix and others will stay overnight and depart in the morning. We say our last goodbyes, hugs and kisses as we prepare to take our new dream of heaven back to our lives!

More information from Journeys of the Spirit:

• View trip on provider's website
  www.journeysofthespirit.com/havasupai-grand-canyon/…
• Company profile, experience, and history
• View all of their trips