Grand Canyon Rafting Trip

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Tour Overview

There are a few experiences in life that can compare to rafting down the Grand Canyon. It has taken the Colorado River millions of years to create this immense canyon, stretching nearly 280 miles in length and averaging over a mile in depth, but you can experience this spectacular geological extravaganza in just 8 magical days. You'll leave civilization far behind as you travel the entire length of the canyon aboard specially designed motorized rafts, embracing the thrill of the white-water and exploring gigantic caverns and waterfalls only found from the water.

• > Waterproof river bags for your sleeping bag & clothing.
• > Waterproof box for camera or personal items
• > Gourmet meals prepared daily on the river
• > A generous supply of soft drinks and juice (alcoholic drinks paid separately)
• > Scenic walks and hikes
• > Services of rafting guide/boatman
• > Roundtrip transportation from/to Las Vegas & Colorado River
• > 7 nights camping & all equipment

• > All activities available in the Grand Canyon are included in the price

Unlike other, shorter rafting trips down the upper canyons of the Colorado, the total number of raft trips allowed down the Grand Canyon are very limited, and as such, we strongly urge you to book early to avoid disappointment. Please note, Grand American Adventures clients will join our local partner for Grand Canyon Rafting departures.

Families can be accommodated on this trip, subject to availability, as long as children are over 12 years old. Please contact us for more information.

Our range of 3 - 4 day Mini Adventures are just the ticket for extending your tour and experiencing North America's most incredible 'must see' highlights. Check out the following adventures relevant to this tour.

• LAS VEGAS TO GRAND CANYON

• > Lake Powell / Glenn Canyon
  > Overnight ranch stay and BBQ
  > Navajo Jeep tour and overnight experience in Monument Valley
  > Experience Historic Route 66
  > Photo stop at the Hoover Dam
• > View Mini Adventure

Why not arrange your own TrekAmerica departure? For groups of 8 or more, we can offer private departures on any of our published itineraries enabling friends, families or organizations to enjoy our classic "Trek" style of travel at special rates. Although tours will run as per our standard itinerary shown here, slight modifications may be considered and dates can be chosen to suit your needs. (Subject to seasonal/operational restrictions). So contact us today and start planning your own adventure.

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Flexible Itinerary

Our routes have been carefully chosen to include the best night stops and highlights. However, as local conditions and passenger requests vary, no two trips will ever be the same. With the guidance of your Trek Leader you may modify certain night stops and highlights to give a truly unique experience!

As this tour departs at 0500 in the morning we recommend that you book pre-tour accommodation at our gateway hotel. Please request at the time of booking.

For this tour we recommend that you book pre-tour accommodation at The Residence Inn by Marriot. Please speak with one of our team to get details of the special group rate. There is a pre departure meeting at this hotel at 8pm the evening before departure.

Local Payments - None

• DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

  Day 1). Las Vegas > Lees Ferry
  Meet the group in the lobby of the departure hotel at 5:00am for transfer to historic Lees Ferry to begin your journey.
  
  Days 2-7). Colorado River/Grand Canyon
  The Grand Canyon offers the most spectacular geological extravaganza on earth. Despite being a desert setting, plants and wildlife thrive. Cacti, wild flowers, Bighorn sheep, mule deer, coyotes and ringtail cats may be seen along the banks, while overhead many species of birds may be observed, including hawks, golden eagles, falcons, great blue herons and egrets.
  
  You will have the opportunity to hike and swim in side canyons, as well as running class IV whitewater rapids. Due to the length of river covered in 8 days, specially crafted motorised rafts are used for safety and comfort. These allow ample supplies to be carried for the entire journey so travellers of all fitness levels can enjoy this incredible experience.
  
  You can travel light - the climate is mild, and just a few changes of clothes are needed. We supply waterproof river bags and camera boxes, so that you can focus on enjoying the sights and sounds of the river, its hidden trails, secluded riverside campsites and stunning canyon sunrises and sunsets.
  
  Day 8). Transfer back to Las Vegas
  Your journey comes to an end with an exhilarating jet boat ride along Lake Mead and transfer back to Las Vegas.

• PRE TOUR MEETING

  There will be a pre-tour orientation meeting in the lobby of the Residence Inn by Marriott hotel at 20:00 hrs the night before the tour begins. You will meet your group and discuss any questions relating to the upcoming adventure on the river.

• IS THIS TOUR FOR ME?

  Rafting and camping along the Colorado River makes this tour the ultimate way to explore the Grand Canyon. With a relaxed pace and tranquil surroundings, this tour is perfect for experiencing the great outdoors and observing wildlife in their natural habitat.
  
  No previous rafting experience is required; however, we do suggest that you are confident in and around water and that you are willing to live without a mobile phone signal for the duration of the trip!

• CAN'T SWIM?

  No problem. Neither can many of the people who raft the Canyon. We will supply U.S. Coast Guard-approved life preservers, and each person is required to wear one at all times aboard the boats.

• ABOUT THE RAFT

  The simplicity and design of the 37-foot S-Rig make this craft ideal for Grand Canyon river running. Thanks to the boat's ability to transport all supplies needed for eight days or more of travel, guests can traverse the Canyon in first-class comfort. Although the safety and maneuverability engineered into the S-Rig have minimized the effort required to boat through the Canyon, they have not at all diminished the thrills of whitewater river running. The most formidable rapids of the Colorado, which Major Powell and other early explorers were forced to portage around are now amongst the most eagerly anticipated highlights.

• GOURMET MEALS ON THE RIVER

  The design of our boats enables us to carry several hundred pounds of ice, which will last the entire trip. Every meal is prepared with fresh meats and produce. All food is prepared by our boatmen, who have mastered the art of Dutch-oven cooking. We provide generous quantities of cold soft drinks, fruit juice and filtered water which are available to you throughout the day.
  
  Breakfasts are bacon or sausage, eggs with muffins, pancakes or french toast. Fruit and cereal, juice, coffee, cocoa and tea are available each morning. Lunches are picnic style. They consist of a selection of delicatessen meats and cheeses, pickles, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, and olives. You make your own sandwich with a choice of breads. Chips, cookies, fruit, nuts, and candy are served and a choice of drinks (juice, soda pop, water) are available.
  
  Dinners are filling, as they should be after an activity-filled day. Main dishes include filet mignon, halibut, Mexican dinners, shrimp, pork filet, chicken, and pasta. Each night we serve a salad, either tossed, green, fruit or vegetable. We also serve a cooked vegetable such as corn, carrots, zucchini, tomatoes, and potatoes. Desserts consist of Dutch-Oven cakes or cobblers, pound cake, fruit and cookies. A selection of cold beverages is always available.

• A TYPICAL DAY ON THE RIVER

• 7:00 AM

  We wake to the aroma of fresh-brewed coffee. Although the sun will not flood our camp for some time, tops of the Grand Canyon's walls already are aglow with sunlight. While eggs, sausage, and muffins cook, sleeping bags are being packed.

• 9:00 AM

  We enter a series of rapids. A great blue heron takes off down-river, wings pumping. Both bird and its surroundings seem somehow prehistoric. We stop to explore a narrow, beautifully sculptured wash named Shinumo. In shadow, all but fleeting moments each day, its polished silver walls shed a light of their own. To see the sky, you must tilt your head back with great effort.

• 11:00 AM

  South Canyon intersects the river, signaling that Vasey's Paradise is just ahead. A paradise, indeed! Sunlight seems to explode from the fountains of water gushing from the Grand Canyon's walls. Lush growths of moss and ferns in this "paradise" seem strangely out of place in such a desert setting. We drift close to the gushing water, giving everyone aboard a welcome shower.

• 12:00 Noon

  Our boats stop for lunch in the shade of Redwall Cavern. Inside this great cave, there's room enough for a game of softball!

• 2:00 PM

  As two golden eagles soar lazily overhead, we drift quietly and our boatman tells us the story of Bert Loper's historic river run in 1949. We feel the heat, but soon a roller coaster rapid refreshes us. We sight moon lilies, abloom at the mouth of Saddle Canyon. A hike to explore Saddle is topped off with a cold soda.

• 6:00 PM

  We make for Nankoweap, site of ancient Indian ruins, and our campsite tonight. After a dinner of fillet, dutch-oven potatoes, green salad, and cherry cobbler, we hike to the ruins, and view the river below.

• 9:00 PM

  Those who cannot stay awake find their sleeping bags. Bed tonight is beneath the Milky Way, and a canopy of stars that dwarfs even the Grand Canyon.

• NATURALLY RESPONSIBLE

  We contribute $8 per person to support the Grand Canyon Conservation Fund - a non-profit organisation working directly with worthy conservation groups such as Friends of the River, Grand Canyon Trust and others. The money is used to further research and protection of the Grand Canyon.

Book Your Trip Online

You can easily book your trek online using our secure booking engine. You only need to pay a 10% deposit or (whichever is greatest) with full payment due 8 weeks before departure. We are members of ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) and are fully financially bonded so your money is 100% safe and protected at all times whether you pay by debit, bank or credit card. If you prefer to book by telephone, please contact our sales office and speak to one our friendly travel consultants.

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How to Book Online
1. Pick your chosen available departure date.
2. Select the number of passengers to book.
3. Click on the book button to be taken to our secure online booking engine.
4. Complete all personal details and payment information.
5. Your tour will be confirmed immediately by e-mail.

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