Following a tradition established by the Fred Harvey Company, which offered stagecoach or Harveycar tours during the early 1900s, Xanterra Parks & Resorts offers year-round guided bus tours (303/297-2757, 888/297-2757, fax 303/297-3175) along the South Rim. Call or visit one of the transportation desks (928/638-2631) in Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, or Yavapai Lodge for more information.

Times vary according to season, but options include sunrise or sunset tours, as well as scenic drives along Hermit Road and Desert View Drive.

The narrated Hermits Rest tour ($18, free for accompanied children under 16), more than two hours long, travels eight miles to overlooks along Hermit Road, also known as West Rim Drive. The Desert View tour ($32, free for accompanied children 16 and under) travels more than 50 miles and takes nearly four hours, stopping at Lipan Point and the Desert View Watchtower.

The highlight of the 90-minute Sunrise Tour ($15) is watching the sun come up over the curtain of cliffs known as the Palisades of the Desert. The Sunset Tour, also 90 minutes, travels either to Mohave Point or Yaki Point, introducing historic Grand Canyon Village en route. Two tours can be combined ($40) in any order or on different days.