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3 Hour Back-Road Safari to Grand Canyon with Entrance Gate By-Pass at 9:30 am

3 Hour Back-Road Safari to Grand Canyon with Entrance Gate By-Pass at 9:30 am

Overview

Climb aboard custom, comfortable, safari vehicles with forward-facing bucket seats and large panoramic windows

Take the 4x4 scenic route around exhausting traffic lines at south entrance gate – we have had the back-road Forest permits since 1993!

View elk, deer and rare bird species in their natural environment!

Visit dramatic Yavapai Point, El Tovar Hotel, Lookout Studio Viewpoint , Kolb Studio and Bright Angel Trailhead during this non-rushed excursion

This interpretive tour includes about a 90 minute guided walk (broken into 2 segments) along the rim of the Grand Canyon (about ¾ of a mile)

Pick-up and drop-off at central location in Tusayan, ARIZONA

City: Grand Canyon National Park

Tue 24 Dec

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $120.00

Make a reservation

Tue 24 Dec

Starting at $120.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Bottled Water

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

What To Expect

Grand Canyon South Rim

Voted best and most unique 3 hour tour at Grand Canyon. Stroll along the rim while your local guide shares a wealth of information about the Grand Canyon including geological formations, trails, mules and the rich history. Tour includes Tusayan pick-up, south entrance gate detour during exclusive 30 minute back-road excursion, viewing of wildlife such as elk, deer, turkey and hawks in their natural surroundings and interpretive discussions at exceptional Grand Canyon vistas.

Yavapai Point

Guides share Grand Canyon knowledge while you look into the depths and view spectacular monuments, Colorado River and Phantom Ranch.

Bright Angel Trail

Discover the rich history of the Kolb brothers who built their art studio cantilevered over the Grand Canyon and above the Bright Angel Trail. See hikers and mules as they descend the trail into the Grand Canyon.

Hopi House

The tour continues to Hopi House, El Tovar Hotel and Bright Angel Lodge where your guide will discuss these historic buildings and Grand Canyon history.

Show 1 more stops

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (176)

jenb572

Apr 2021

I cannot imagine a better way to see the Grand Canyon. It was our first time and we had SO MUCH FUN with this tour. We went from spotting wild animals through the back roads in the morning hours to walking up to the massive canyon and seeing the amazing views it has to offer. It was great to skip the line by using this tour company. But the best part was the knowledge and fun that our tour guide provided. Renee- you rock! Walking the south rim and then taking a second stop to take pics along the canyon was just as much fun as driving through the park in the jeep. We loved the experience so much that we considered booking another tour in the evening/afternoon just to hang with Renee all day! 10/10 would recommend to anyone else.

Response from Host

Apr 2021

Thank you for your stellar review of our Safari & Rim Walk tour and your awesome guide Rene! Please look us up next time you come back to the Grand Canyon.

Lindast8888

Apr 2021

My husband, our15 yr old granddaughter and I signed up for this tour because it went on the backroads of the Grand Canyon Park, where tourists can't drive their cars. So we knew it wouldn't be crowded. My main concern was that it would be boring, spending up to 2 hours in the pine forest surrounding the rim of the canyon, and only one hour viewing the canyon sunset. Well - Was I ever wrong! Our guide, Colleen, made the 7 people in our open-air safari vehicle, instantly feel like a family group heading for an adventure. Her low key, easy manner hid the amount of knowledge she would share, while she was driving, about the huge ponderosa pine forest and its inhabitants, including the history and culture of the native Americans who lived there, the early colonists, and how the Grand Canyon became a national park. She had lived in the area for many many years, and also shared many stories about the wild animals there, including the elk, mule deer, etc. But, also about.personal encounters with bobcat and mountain lion sightings. She was an absolute joy to have as a guide. She made us laugh, ask questions, think about the enviornment, and understand the significance of the forest and relationship it had with the canyon. The time actually flew by. We stopped and got off to take pictures of animals that we spotted, all the while feeling perfectly safe, as she stood with us, sharing information about the plants and other animals we might see at that location. By the time we reached the point where we were to view the sunset, I was disappointed that our tour was almost over. We all disembarked with the blankets she had provided for us at the beginning of the trip, wrapped around us, and walked with her to the short distance where the viewing of the sunset would occur. She graciously took pictures with our cameras of us with the beautiful sunset in the background, and carefully monitored our safety on the rock. All in all, this tour with Colleen was one of the major highlights of our 7 day trip, which included Bryce and Zion, too. Thank you for such a great experience! Linda Stevenson

Response from Host

Apr 2021

Hello Linda, Your kind words about our tour and Colleen are much appreciated. We endeavor to make friends with all of our guests and provide them with a casual, no-rushed informative experience. Safe travels and thank you!

tonypV810PW

Apr 2021

Nathan Let’s talk about Nathan and his fantastic tour of the Grand Canyon! Originally from southern Ohio, Nathan yearned for a different life and relocated to Arizona about 13 years ago. Not after sometime in Phoenix, he found purpose in developing a piece of land up north totally off the grid. His house, which is currently under construction, will be made from dirt and straw to form a monolithic structure. But I digress... Nathan is a tall and burly man who loves people. His signature cowboy hat and comfortable boots are easy to spot. When not discussing local fauna and flora Nathan will be listening with a smile and the occasional chuckle. His lectures were a mismatch to my pitiful ability to retain his knowledge... I recommend some note taking. The fancy postcard of the pig he passed around was a crowd pleaser. Nathan is passionate about the context of northern Arizona. While on the tour, his appreciation for the natural and cultural evolution of the canyon will be sensed immediately. Nathan explores how the indigenous people used the land for hunting and gathering (ask him to show you his beads). The parks most recent history impacted by Mary Colter and resident artists was also discussed in the village. Nathan provided solid tips which maximized our time in the park. He shared the best place to see the sunset and opportunities for star gazing in the dark sky certified park. The mules were discussed at length regarding their perfect safety record navigating the Bright Angel trail and weight restrictions for those of us who enjoy eating. Nathan was happy to take our photos, answer any question we raised and never stopped sharing his spirit. Ask for Nathan and you won’t be disappointed. Oh... and he takes up tips, but his accountant advises a max of $9,999.99.

Response from Host

Apr 2021

Thank your for your great review of our tour and your guide Nathan. Please look us up next time you visit the Grand Canyon!