Grand Canyon trek for charity

country:	USA
location:	Grand Canyon, National Parks of America
departures:	2009: 22 May
price:	From £445 deposit + £2750 fundraised (55% to charity) (10 days) inc UK flights. Self funders - £445 deposit + £1338 (inc £100 to charity)

Charity challenges

Charity treks

USA holidays

the amazing things you'll be doing

Trek in the Grand Canyon and raise money for your favourite charity at the same time as taking part in an amazing adventure!

Highlights include:

One of the great Natural Wonders of the world

Trek North & South Rim, descend into the Canyon

Remote Indian reservation of the Supais

Exhilarating climb to the top of Angel's Landing

Red Canyon formations

The Grand Canyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site formed by the mighty Colorado River, is over 450kms long, 1.8kms deep and exposes rock over 1.7 billion years old. On this extraordinary trek you will explore the canyon to its fullest, trekking along the little visited North Rim of the canyon with incredible views, while savouring the solitude of the wilderness.

On the South Rim, you can enjoy the classic views of the red canyon formations as you walk along the remote rim. You will also experience an exhilarating climb to the top of Angel's Landing in Zion National Park.

A true highlight will be your descent into the canyon itself. Here, in isolation, a traditional village of Native Americans live in a green oasis. You will camp close to gushing turquoise waterfalls and can make the most of the impressive canyon scenery.

what this trip includes

International flights to and from Las Vegas, all internal transfers, entry into National Parks, Native American Reservation, National Forest lands, Antelope Canyon at Lake Powell, all meals unless otherwise stated in the itinerary, all accommodation (whether in tents/hotels), group first aid supplies, an English speaking expedition leader, a T-Shirt, US$20 to the local community project, and discount from Nomad Travellers Stores for personal equipment. We also make a contribution through Climate Care to offset the equivalent CO2 emissions of your international flight.

Please note: This trip can also be booked without flights. Some of the dates are exclusive for specific charities, please contact us for details.

day-by-day itinerary

Day 1:	Depart from London for Las Vegas. You will fly from London to Las Vegas & our representative will be at the airport to assist you with the check-in and any last minute questions. You will then be met at the US airport by a local agent who will transfer you to your hotel to freshen up and for a good night’s rest.
Day 2:	Angel’s Landing and Zion NP – 8 kms trek. After an early breakfast you depart and drive through the cactus-studded desert of the Mojave to the green desert plateau of the Colorado River - approx. 5hrs of driving. You will soon reach Zion National Park. Put on your walking shoes, as you trek along Angel’s Landing, an exhilarating ascent of one of Zion’s desert spires. The last segment is like Crib Goch on Snowdon with chains, 500m-elevation gain and loss. Those not wanting the exposure can continue on the path to a fantastic viewpoint. You then continue to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon’s Forest where you will camp for one night. Last chance preparation for the trek ahead!
Day 3-4:	Grand Canyon Trek – 35 kms trek. You trek along the remote North Rim of the Grand Canyon on a seldom-used trail. Although increasingly rare, stay quiet and you could get lucky and spot a black bear along the way. Other wildlife to look out for includes coyotes, deer, racoons and ringtail cats. From your high altitude trail you can peek into the canyon and enjoy incredible views into the deep chasm of the Canyon. In the next 2 days you will cover about 16kms per day, 4-6hrs, with little elevation gain on this remote trail. At night you will camp near to the rim of the canyon in utter wilderness and enjoy stunning sunsets. A truck that meets you in the evening’s transports luggage, food and water. Camp in the wild with no showers.
Day 5:	Grand Canyon National Park South Rim – time permitting 16 kms trek. You continue your journey through the incredible red rock desert of the southwest. At Lake Powell you will have a chance to scramble through the famous slot canyon Antelope, a sinuous red rock fairyland of water-sculptured sand stone. You then pass the multi-coloured Painted Desert on your way to the south rim of the National Park. This is a long travelling day, about 5-6hrs hours of driving, interrupted with breaks for photos, walks and food. You will camp near the south rim of the canyon in the national park, where hot showers are available. Time permitting you can do a sunset walk along the West Rim, offering stunning views into the canyon and onto the rapids of the Colorado with little elevation gain or simply take in an unforgettable sunset. Overnight in a camp.
Day 6:	Descend into Havasupai Canyon – 16 kms trek. A 1½hr drive along old Route 66 brings you to Hilltop, the start of your adventure into Havasupai Canyon, a steep sided canyon of the Grand Canyon and the only canyon still inhabited by Native Americans. You will meet the local Indians that pack your luggage on mules, while you descend underneath towering cliffs into the canyon. As you continue your trek, you descend deeper and deeper into the red chasm of the canyon. In the afternoon you will reach the small village of Havasupai where Native Americans have lived peacefully for centuries. You will walk approx 4-6hrs with about 2,500ft elevation loss. Your campground’s location is absolutely stunning, between two thundering waterfalls under huge shade trees.
Day 7:	Havasupai Canyon – 6.5 kms trek. Today you can enjoy all day in the canyon. The most amazing opportunity is on offer - climb to the top of the canyon for unforgettable views, approx. 4hrs. Then the reward - take a bath in the turquoise waters of the river running into the canyon. Overnight at the same camp as Day 6.
Day 8:	Climb out of the Canyon, Las Vegas – 16 kms trek. You depart early today to try to avoid the desert heat. You will climb out of the canyon retracing your steps, approx. 2500ft elevation gain. Impressive cliffs surround you as you master the last climb out of the canyon to reach Hilltop. From here you can relax as you take a leisurely drive to Las Vegas, which you reach in about 3 to 4hrs. There is time for a shower before you celebrate with a farewell meal at a local restaurant and hit the streets of the city that never sleeps! Overnight in hotel in Las Vegas.
Day 9:	Depart Las Vegas, USA. After breakfast you will be transferred from your hotel to the airport. Your flight departs from Las Vegas & arrives the following morning back into London.
Day 10:	Arrive UK. Morning arrival back into London.

Highly Commended

This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.

Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.

how this holiday makes a difference

Our responsible commitment extends to helping the local communities we visit. We employ local guides and other essential support staff. We camp responsibly within the Canyon working closely with the Havasupai community, and specifically ensuring all waste is carried out of the Havasupai Canyon.

We donate approx USD$500 per trek to various projects including Navajo Nation Youth Programme. Le Chee Chapter Boys & Girls Club is a non-profit youth organisation that provides after hours school care and activities for teenage Navajo Children that live in the vast rural areas of the reservation.

Even though the Navajo tribe supports their weakest members, many single women with children and elderly live here in utter poverty. The goal of the Club is to stimulate children's development and keep them away from drugs and gang activities.

As a company we have also drastically reduced the carbon footprint of our UK operations, and are making a huge effort to do so in their destination countries too. We are also investing to offset the emissions from the international flights required to take part in our challenges.

We also provide travellers with a responsible tourism policy detailing ways in which you can be an ethical traveller. From packing conscientiously to advice on local customs & environmental awareness overseas to maintaining contact with your new international friends upon your return – our policy is a comprehensive document providing all the info you need to trek, climb of cycle responsibly.

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