- River rafting in Arizona's Grand Canyon can be an exhilarating experience through one of the most spectacular wonders of the world, which is 6,000 feet deep at its deepest point and 18 miles wide at its widest point. The Colorado River offers both serene floating and white water thrills. A number of commercial outfitters offer rafting tours that run the entire length of the Grand Canyon or shorter trips on both motorized and non-motorized watercraft. Some offer extras such as trail hiking and helicopter flights.
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Arizona Raft Adventures (ARA) has a variety of rafting trips through the Grand Canyon including hybrid trips incorporating both oars and paddles, starting at about $1,900; all-paddle trips, starting at about $2,026; and motor trips, starting at about $2,400. (All prices are as of late 2009.) Hybrid and all-paddle trips offer all the excitement you would expect from a white water adventure. Physically fit outdoor enthusiasts may enjoy a six-day, nine-day or 14-day all-paddle trip since it is hands-on for the entire trip. Oar rafts used for hybrid trips accommodate four passengers and one guide, while paddle rafts accommodate six passengers and one guide. Eight- and 10-day motorized trips offer a more relaxing experience on a boat that accommodates up to 13 passengers and one guide. You can choose an 89-mile trip of the Upper Canyon, which also includes a hike on the Bright Angel Trail; a 137-mile, eight- to 10-day trip through the Lower Canyon; or a 225-mile, eight- to 10-day motor trip though the entire canyon, starting at Lee's Ferry and ending at Diamond Creek. A full-canyon hybrid or all-paddle trip will take 13 to 16 days. ARA trips include all camping supplies.
Arizona Raft Adventures
4050 East Huntington Dr.
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
(800) 786-7238
azraft.com -
Colorado River and Trail Expeditions offers a variety of tours on 37-foot motorized rafts, 18-foot rowing rigs or 16-foot paddle rafts. Full canyon motorized trips are 11 days in length and begin at Lee's Ferry and end at Whitmore Wash. Deluxe motorized trips include all camping gear necessary for the trip and range in price from about $2,400 to $2,600. This company also has five-day Upper Canyon trips starting at Lee's Ferry and ending at Phantom Ranch where participants take a nine-mile hike to the South Rim. No end-of-trip transportation is provided for these trips that cost about $1,800. Seven-day Lower Canyon motorized trips start at Phantom Ranch and end at Lake Mead, and also include a nine-mile hike. Motor coach transportation to Las Vegas is provided for this tour that is about $2,000. You can also book full-length, 11-day rowing and paddling expeditions that also begin at Lee's Ferry and end at Whitmore Wash. These expeditions include a scenic helicopter trip from the river back to the meeting location in Las Vegas. These expeditions are approximately $3,400 as of late 2009.
Colorado River and Trail Expeditions
P.O. Box 57575
Salt Lake City, UT 84157
(800) 253-7328
crateinc.com -
Grand Canyon Expeditions Company (GCEC) provides eight-day, 14-day and 16-day full-length expeditions that include transportation to and from Las Vegas, all meals and camping gear. Trips end with a jet boat ride across Lake Mead to the take-out point. Rafts are roomy enough to hold 17 passengers, but are limited to 14 for added comfort. Each trip includes hikes and time for frolicking in waterfalls along the way. GCEC offers "special interest excursions," in which a leader--someone knowledgeable in subjects such as history, ecology and photography--accompanies the group. All tours begin at Lee's Ferry and end at Pearce Ferry on Lake Mead. Eight-day motorized trips are about $2,500, while 14-day and 16-day wooden dory boat expeditions are $3,385 to $3,600 (2010 rates).
Grand Canyon Expeditions Company
P.O. Box 0
Kanab, UT 84741
(800) 544-2691
gcex.com
