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*$3,325/person is the pay it now rate (not available June/July launches): Pay in full for your trip at the time of booking. No refunds, transfers or substitutions
*$3,500/person is the regular price
*$3,150/person is the child rate (12-16yr)
*Prices subject to change
You will need to arrive at the Grand Canyon South Rim the evening prior. Lodging is not included in the price. On the morning of day 1, you will meet your hiking guide at the Bright Angel Lodge at 5am (May through August) or 6am (April, Sept. October) to begin your descent to the river. The hiking guide will stay with the slowest person during the hike. Orientation will occur when everyone has reached the rafts. On the morning of the final day, you will be transported via helicopter to Bar10 Ranch where you will enjoy lunch and a hot shower. Shortly after, you will board a charter plane to either the South Rim or Las Vegas, NV which will conclude your trip. It is not recommended to schedule outbound flights out of Las Vegas before 5pm.
Hotel at Trip’s Start South Rim, GC:
Transportation (trip’s start): South Rim
Transportation at Trip's End: You will have the option of flying to South Rim, GC or Las Vegas. This is included in the trip fare.
See our transportation page for additional information
Oar raft trips are the second most popular of all raft types. Consisting of 5 passengers in total, these rafts are powered and navigated by your guide, however if you are interested in rowing in between rapids and at their discretion, you are welcome to grab the oars. A typical oar trip will consist of 5-6 rafts or floatilla. Oar trips travel at speed of the river 3-4 mph, more slowly and essentially doubling the trip duration when compared to a motorized trip. This slower pace offers a great opportunity for an intimate experience with the river while listening to your guide's extensive knowledge of the Grand Canyon. There are upper, lower, western and full canyon trips offered on motor rafts. Some full canyon trips continue straight through with the same group of passengers, while others will make a pit-stop to let off upper canyon passengers, and allow for lower canyon trip passengers to join the group for the rest of the trip.
At the start of your Lower Canyon adventure, this trip will begin with a mandatory hike into the canyon via the bright angel trail to meet your rafts. The trail is well maintained and has water stations at mile 1.5, mile 3, mile 4.8 and mile 9. On average, descent time from rim to river is 4-6 hours.
This is a strenuous hike, especially during the summer months between June-August, and should be considered only by those who are fit and healthy as you will be carrying all of your gear with you on your hike up. Please note that some outfitters’ itinerary can accommodate the “inbound” duffel service, a service which can transport your gear for a fee.
Click play for an actual look at the trail from a bird’s eye view. You will see where the hike will begin and end, as well as the location of toilets and drinking water facilities.
The elevation from river to rim is 4,830ft and has an average grade of 10% along its entire length. The upper four miles of the trail has the steepest changes in elevation mostly due to the switch backs, however does flatten out considerably as it nears Indian Gardens. As the trail approaches Devil’s Corkscrew it will once again steepen, and due to the lack of shading at this part of the trail, can be very taxing especially during the summer months. This is one of the reasons that hikes begin very early in the morning, to pass this section before temperatures peaks. From the Pipe Creek/River Rest-house to Bright Angel Campground, (over 1 mile distance) the trail passes over sand dunes until reaching the Bright Angel Suspension Bridge (also known as silver bridge) which crosses over the Colorado River.
Be sure to take advantage of the water sources and rest-houses during your hike, as it is imperative to take breaks regularly. Between rim and river, there are three composting toilet locations (1.5 mile, Indian Gardens, river rest-house) and three water sources along the trail (1.5 mile, 3 mile, Indian Gardens). Please note there is never potable water at river rest-house and due to occasional pipeline breaks, these water sources are never guaranteed. For this reason, it is recommended that you carry enough water (3 quarts minimum) for the entire hike.
Lower Canyon trips are taxing on the ankles/knees/hips and calf muscles. There is a significant amount of abuse that your joints endure due to constant downhill trekking, especially when you include the additional weight from your day or backpack. This descent should be attempted by those who do not have major joint issues which can cause potential problems during this hike. Note that you will be hiking into the heat. Depending on the time of year, the temperature at the rim can be in the upper 40’s and temperatures may reach 110 at the bottom. Trekking poles are highly recommended as they can significantly reduce the stress on your lower leg muscles/joints by distributing the weight to your upper body muscles. Focusing on strengthening your leg muscles (calves and quads) is a crucial part of a successful hike.
At least 2 months prior to your trip’s start date, begin using the stair master and hiking or using the treadmill with a slight incline. Slowly begin adding weight to your backpack in order to simulate what it will actually feel like on the hike. Keep in mind that you are traveling 1 vertical mile or close to 5,000ft in elevation gain/loss. 500 flights of stairs is equivalent to approx. 5,000 ft.
Payment policy:
Cancellation policy
Trip Cancellation Insurance - Highly Recommended
First DayYou will have arrived and spent the night at the south rim the day prior. You will wake early and begin your hike into the canyon, sometimes as early as 4:45am depending on the season. Upon the completion of your hike, you will meet your guides and the rafts at the bottom of the canyon. You will be handed your dry bags and transfer your clothing/personal products from your back pack to the dry bags. An orientation meeting will also take place upon the arrival of the last hiker. Lunch is served, and shortly after you will begin rafting down the Colorado river! The amount of rafting on this day is dependent on many factors and the trip leader will decide when and where to camp this evening.
Every DayWake up to the smell of freshly-brewed cowboy coffee – sounds of rushing water mingled with the murmur of sleepy voices echoing through the grotto’s of the canyon walls. Breakfast is hot and hearty – or as light as you want. After breakfast you will be asked to form a “bucket line” to help load the gear back on the boats and then the Colorado River beckons and you are off once again experiencing the rush of adrenaline as you continue on your journey back in time.
Enjoy spectacular white water of major rapids, such as Horn Creek, Granite, Hermit, Crystal, Upset and Lava Falls – you will see and enjoy dozens of additional sights, as well as stretches of calm water where you will relax in the warm sun and enjoy breathtaking scenery. Photographic opportunities abound in the lower canyon. Lunch on the Colorado River; build your own sandwiches, with chips, cookies, fruit and soft drinks. Relax, read a book or perhaps hike or fish before shoving off again for an afternoon of thrills and surprises. Late afternoon finds you at camp for the evening. Again you will be asked to help unload the gear from the boats. As your crew sets up the camp kitchen everyone finds their ideal camp spot and sets up their “home” for the night. Later you relax with a cool drink and hors d’ oeuvres, get better acquainted with your fellow river companions – as dinner sizzles on the grill. After dinner watch the sun set, join in the conversation of the group, and listen to the quiet of the canyon as you settle into your sleeping bag under a blanket of stars. Tomorrow brings another typical day on the Colorado River.
Last Day100 River Mile Trips/Whitmore Exit - Shortly after breakfast, you'll raft a short distance to the helicopter pad. Your expedition terminates at Whitmore Wash river mile 188. At approximately 9:00 am, you and your gear will be transported from Whitmore Wash via a 7 1⁄2 minute helicopter ride to the Bar 10 Ranch on the canyon rim. Showers are provided and you will have the opportunity to enjoy your last buffet style lunch before returning to “civilization” via a previously arranged charter flight back to Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan, AZ or Las Vegas, NV. Your charter flight is included in your trip cost
"Just a great experience in nature, with people, and the company. Of all of the times i've rafted the Colorado on commercial trips this was the best one!"
-Mountain View, CA
"We got under way and had fun immediately. There were rapids enough to get us wet and cold keeping us cool and comfortable. Every time we stopped, it was in another beautiful place and the food they provided was very good for camp food."
-Seattle, WA
"Best vacation ever! We were a total of 24 family members and had the adventure of a life time. Can't say enough great things. Our 7 day tour was flawless with the an amazing crew of boatmen/boatwomen taking care of our every need around the clock."
-Boston, MA
"What a great organization and outfit! From start to finish, everything worked like clockwork day in-day out. The guides were super fun and knowledgeable! Loved all the stories and the camaraderie with the crew and everybody floating down the river!"
-Madison, WI
"The trip of a lifetime. Just got off the river two weeks ago and I’m ready to go again. The guides were incredible, the food was awesome and the views were amazing. There aren’t enough adjectives to describe this trip."
-Liverpool, England
