• 2-3 complete warm layering systems that are not cotton (think fleece, polyester, merino wool etc, for top and bottom) It is best to dress in layers so you can adapt to changing weather. A light base layer, with a warmer layer on top and rain jacket will help you stay warm.

• Rain jacket (anything wind and waterproof will work) Rain pants are recommended.

• Comfortable hiking boots (can be shoes if you are a confident & experienced hiker. Anything comfy, stable & blister free in & don't mind getting dirty and wet)

• Sandals for around town and camp

• Bathing suit and towel (for swimming, and showers along the way)

• Socks and underwear (you knew that though I hope)

• Small day pack to carry your personal items on hikes (water bottle, jacket, snacks)

• Any medications you need (like epi pens, asthma or heart meds, insulin) Very important!

• Suitcase/ duffel bag or back pack for your luggage. You won’t need to carry it, so a suitcase is fine. Please limit luggage size to what is practical on a plane, as our trailer has limited space.

• Hiking poles if you feel you might need them to protect your knees on rocky paths

• Sunscreen, sun hat, bug spray, sun glasses, lip chap all help

• At least one 1 liter water bottle (two is ideal)

• Travel pillow (or bunch up your sweater)

• Sleeping bag, ideally rated to 0 degrees Celsius.

• Headlamp or flashlight (helps during the midnight dash to the toilet)

• Camera for the epic views

• Small bag for toiletries. When in tents you will need to leave your toiletries in the van, so have a bag that you can easily move them in.

• Laundry bag to separate your dirty laundry

• Warm hat & light gloves can be nice in the event of a cold desert night

• Driver’s License/ Passport

• Cash/ Debit/ Credit Card. Having some of each is the best practice. ATM’s available along the way.

• USB Charging Bank to charge phone

• Phone/ Camera

Here is a breakdown of what we provide for your camping experience:

• Inflatable sleeping pad roughly 1 inch thick

• 3/4 person tents to pair 2 people into

• Group rain shelter for kitchen area

• Camp kitchen and group cooking equipment

We have several usb ports in our vans, so you are able to plug your electronic devices in during the time the van is driving. Some of the bathrooms/ campsites have power outlets as well, which you can plug in and charge for a while.

You will also be able to charge your phone while we are staying at hotels & lodges along the way.

We do recommend bringing a USB charging block to ensure that you get the charge you need, right when you need it.

The Southwest and West Coast of the USA bring nothing short of variety when it comes to weather, so the overarching theme is to be prepared for just about anything. If you follow the packing list with non-cotton layers, a rain jacket and clothes for hot and cold weather, you should be very well prepared.

Temperatures:

During the tour we will cover a wide range of elevations, from low valley bottoms to high alpine deserts. Expect daytime temperatures to range from 15 to 28 degrees Celsius (60 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit), and night time temperatures can drop as low as 0 degrees Celsius (32 Fahrenheit).

Precipitation

You can expect 2-3 days with measurable rain on a typical Southwest tour. Rain typically comes as a relatively short bout of precipitation, often in the afternoon.

Although it is never expected or required, tipping is customary in USA for people in the service industry (servers, drivers, guides etc). Here are some basic guidelines:

• 10-20% of bill for servers. (10 for not so great, 15 for average, 20 for exceptional, more if you are trying to impress them. :). )

• Guides: While our guides are paid above industry average, it is no secret that guiding is a lifestyle job. Standard tipping for guides is $10-15 per guest, per day, per guide, or ten percent of your booking cost in total.

  • This applies to your Fresh Adventures guides and also the guides on your optional day activities throughout your tour.

  • Please remember this is never expected and only something nice if you feel like it.

Our tours are designed so that almost any active traveler could jump off a plane with a smile and have a great time. That being said, there are a few things you can do to enhance your experience with us. Arriving in reasonable physical condition will ensure that you enjoy the hikes more, spending more time enjoying the view and less time gasping for breath with your head between your legs! (just kidding:)..) Below are some pretty good ideas:

• Go for some walks, up to 10 km long, with some uphill.

• Balance on 1 foot while you cook or brush your teeth. (I know it's kooky but it helps you balance on uneven trails).

• Stretch, especiaally back and legs.

But don't worry... you are going to have a great time either way!

At the beginning of the tour, you will be checking in to our hotel for night 1 and then meeting your guide and group to get to know everyone and go over details of the adventure ahead.

You will receive a welcome email with a link to join your tour Whatsapp Group, along with details on the hotel and how to get there 7 days before your trip. We don’t provide it here as it can change from trip to trip.

You may check in anytime after 4 pm under your name. The group will meet at 7 pm at a location that we also include in the welcome email.

You guide will go over a detailed tour briefing to ensure you are prepared and organized for the days to come.

If you are on the 7 day tour, you can hop on a shuttle from Grand Canyon Village to Flagstaff Airport to depart.

The shuttle departs at 10 am from Grand Canyon Village and Arrives at Flagstaff Pulliam Airport at 11:45 am. The shuttle is run by Groome Transportation

We drop everyone off in San Francisco at Stanford Court at roughly 1 pm.

From here you can travel onwards to San Francisco Airport, or get to a downtown hotel.

An Uber or Taxi to the airport takes up to 30 minutes and typically costs $30-$50 usd. You should be able to get to the airport by 2:30 pm with a decent buffer.