Guided rim walk

Question

We are interested in doing the rim to rim GC trek. Ideally would like to do south to north over two days on a guided group trek but not keen on carrying tents. Anyone know any companies that will sort this for you? Thanks.

Answer

If you’re planning a guided rim-to-rim trek across Grand Canyon (South Rim to North Rim or vice-versa) and prefer not to carry tents or full backpacking gear yourself, you’ll need to look for a fully-supported guided tour that handles gear, permits and logistics. Here are some good companies and some key considerations.

Companies that offer guided rim-to-rim backpacking trips:

Four Season Guides – Offers a 4-day, 3-night “Rim to Rim Backpacking Trip” including gear, meals, guides and permits. From about US$2,250/person.
Wildland Trekking – Offers a “Summer Rim to Rim in the Grand Canyon” 4-day guided backpacking trip, from about US$2,325/person.
Discovery Treks – Offers 3- and 4-day rim-to-rim hiking tours with included meals, transport, gear and permits.

What to check / ask when choosing a tour:

Does the tour include gear and accommodation (tents, sleeping bags, pads) or is it day-hiking only? Most rim-to-rim trips involve overnight stays below the rim or on the opposite rim, so carrying gear is usually required. For example, Four Season states participants must be able to carry a ~35-lb pack including tent, sleeping bag etc.
What is the itinerary? Some go North Rim → South Rim; others South → North. Travel times, shuttle logistics, gear drops and nights matter. Guides spell out 3- or 4-day plans.
Is the tour truly “no tent” or “minimal gear”? If you don’t want to carry any camping gear, you’ll need a tour that either uses lodges or shelters or has gear transport for you. Most standard tours expect participants to carry their own backpacking gear (though guided).
Permits & season: The rim to rim is subject to back-country and camping permit rules. Some North Rim access is seasonal and some trails may be closed or rerouted. For example, the North Rim is closed for certain seasons and fires may impact the trail.

Is there a true guided 2-day, 1 overnight rim to rim “stay in lodge” alternative?

Yes — there are strategies to hike rim-to-rim in ~2 days with an overnight stay on one of the rims or at Phantom Ranch, which reduces carrying heavy gear. According to “The Hiking Guy” guide, one good option is hike across one day (with a day-pack) and lodge the night on the opposite rim, then either shuttle or hike back the next day.

However, these types of tours are less standardized and require planning for the lodging, shuttle, and gear logistics. Many commercial guided tours are still multi-day/back-country backpacking style (3-4 nights) with gear included. So if your aim is “guided, 2 days, no tents” you’ll need to confirm the specific tour supports that model.

Summary & recommendation:

If you’re committed to a guided rim-to-rim trek and prefer not carrying tents, your best path is to contact one of the reputable companies above, ask specifically: “Do you provide gear and camping support so I don’t carry tent/sleeping bag?” Also ask for a 2-day itinerary if that’s your preference. Expect pricing in the range of US$2,000+ per person. If you can be flexible for 3-4 days and are comfortable with backpacking, the standard guided trips are more plentiful. Permits fill early, so advance booking is key.

If you’re still exploring, I’d also consider doing one‐way rim to rim with lodging at the far rim (so carry only a day pack) and then shuttle or return the next day — this gives you the thrill of rim to rim without full backpacking gear. One of the tour companies can likely customise this for you if you ask.

Good luck planning — it’s an epic hike and the guided support will make a huge difference in enjoyment and safety.