Colorado River
Colorado River
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This is the river that flows through the Grand Canyon.
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5.0
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Barclay
1 contribution
Mar 2020
Best adventure ever. Leisurely floats interrupted by heart-pounding rapids. Incredible scenery. Billions of years of the planet's history laid bare through layers upon layers of exposed rock from the Vishnu schist to the Canyon rim. Hikes through side canyons used by the Anasazi people thousands of years ago. Great camping sites, great food, great people. The experience and friendliness of the Rivers and Oceans crew make the trip the best. Do yourself a favor, transport yourself from the modern world into a timeless and mystical place. You will not regret it, nor forget it.
Written 24 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alco251
Columbia Falls, MT77 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
Would you be content standing at the main gate to Disneyland, taking a few pictures and saying "I've been to Disneyland..."?
Six million annual visitors essentially do the same thing at the Grand Canyon, standing at the rim, gawking, returning to their cars, RVs and hotel rooms saying "been there, done that."
A little more than 20,000 of those visitors raft the Canyon each year, and they are the lucky ones who truly can say they have seen the Grand Canyon.
We just returned from an eight-day motorized trip from Lees Ferry to Lake Mead, using Grand Canyon Expeditions of Kanab, Utah. I first floated the Canyon in 1972 with this same outfitter, and our boatman on that trip--somewhat of a legend now--still does trips for that company, in "semi-retirement." Says something about the company and what "experience" means on this stretch of river.
My wife and I have made wilderness whitewater trips--both guided and on our own--on other wild rivers ranging from Idaho to Alaska. We would have been comfortable on a paddle trip in the Grand Canyon with rafts or dories had we been 20-somethings, but the motor trip was better suited for our time frame and budget.
I cannot stress how important it is to take at least the seven or eight-day trip to see and appreciate the entire Canyon. The hike-in, hike-out option cheats you of half the river. Save the hike for another visit.
Others have outlined the float-trip life, which seems to be the same from operator to operator. Those river trip operators, btw, are heavily regulated by the National Park Service and their concessionaire permits are highly valuable and impossible to get nowadays...expect high standards of sanitation and safety from all of them.
No matter which operator you choose, pay careful attention to their packing list and consider adding these items to their "essentials" list for Grand Canyon river travel:
1. Cheap sunglasses. If you are fortunate enough not to need prescription sunglasses, leave your expensive Oakleys at home. You'll ruin them with the sandy water. Go on eBay, Amazon or your local welding supply store and buy a couple pairs of Uvex industrial safety tinted glasses...less than ten bucks a pair for wrap-around sunglasses that won't break the bank if you lose or scratch them. Wear one pair and take a second as a spare. Invest in croakies so you don't lose them in a rapid.
2. A small piece of chamois cloth (preferably two) for frequent wiping of water off your glasses after rapids. Count on loaning it to half your fellow passengers at one time or another.
3. A headlamp flashlight. They come in all prices and sizes. Get a good one.
4. A flashlight called a "Big Larry." Available on Amazon. Most operators will issue you a metal ammo can for personal stuff you carry on the trip. The Big Larry has a magnet on the bottom, sticks nicely to the ammo can and will illuminate your campsite quite nicely after sunset. Put a white bucket over the Big Larry at night and it serves as a faux campfire to gather 'round.
5. A broad-brimmed hat with chin strap. I strongly suggest a cotton duck hat like the venerable Tilley T3. Cotton duck absorbs--rather than repels--water. In the Grand Canyon, your wet hat may be the best summer air conditioner you will ever experience.
6. Nylon shirts and hats from a variety of sources like REi, Cabelas, Bass Pro. Also check out the clothing offerings of National River Supply. You'll notice most of the boat crews on the river wear stuff from NRS and the suppliers mentioned earlier.
7. Pack light.
Six million annual visitors essentially do the same thing at the Grand Canyon, standing at the rim, gawking, returning to their cars, RVs and hotel rooms saying "been there, done that."
A little more than 20,000 of those visitors raft the Canyon each year, and they are the lucky ones who truly can say they have seen the Grand Canyon.
We just returned from an eight-day motorized trip from Lees Ferry to Lake Mead, using Grand Canyon Expeditions of Kanab, Utah. I first floated the Canyon in 1972 with this same outfitter, and our boatman on that trip--somewhat of a legend now--still does trips for that company, in "semi-retirement." Says something about the company and what "experience" means on this stretch of river.
My wife and I have made wilderness whitewater trips--both guided and on our own--on other wild rivers ranging from Idaho to Alaska. We would have been comfortable on a paddle trip in the Grand Canyon with rafts or dories had we been 20-somethings, but the motor trip was better suited for our time frame and budget.
I cannot stress how important it is to take at least the seven or eight-day trip to see and appreciate the entire Canyon. The hike-in, hike-out option cheats you of half the river. Save the hike for another visit.
Others have outlined the float-trip life, which seems to be the same from operator to operator. Those river trip operators, btw, are heavily regulated by the National Park Service and their concessionaire permits are highly valuable and impossible to get nowadays...expect high standards of sanitation and safety from all of them.
No matter which operator you choose, pay careful attention to their packing list and consider adding these items to their "essentials" list for Grand Canyon river travel:
1. Cheap sunglasses. If you are fortunate enough not to need prescription sunglasses, leave your expensive Oakleys at home. You'll ruin them with the sandy water. Go on eBay, Amazon or your local welding supply store and buy a couple pairs of Uvex industrial safety tinted glasses...less than ten bucks a pair for wrap-around sunglasses that won't break the bank if you lose or scratch them. Wear one pair and take a second as a spare. Invest in croakies so you don't lose them in a rapid.
2. A small piece of chamois cloth (preferably two) for frequent wiping of water off your glasses after rapids. Count on loaning it to half your fellow passengers at one time or another.
3. A headlamp flashlight. They come in all prices and sizes. Get a good one.
4. A flashlight called a "Big Larry." Available on Amazon. Most operators will issue you a metal ammo can for personal stuff you carry on the trip. The Big Larry has a magnet on the bottom, sticks nicely to the ammo can and will illuminate your campsite quite nicely after sunset. Put a white bucket over the Big Larry at night and it serves as a faux campfire to gather 'round.
5. A broad-brimmed hat with chin strap. I strongly suggest a cotton duck hat like the venerable Tilley T3. Cotton duck absorbs--rather than repels--water. In the Grand Canyon, your wet hat may be the best summer air conditioner you will ever experience.
6. Nylon shirts and hats from a variety of sources like REi, Cabelas, Bass Pro. Also check out the clothing offerings of National River Supply. You'll notice most of the boat crews on the river wear stuff from NRS and the suppliers mentioned earlier.
7. Pack light.
Written 6 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ScottOnBlakely
Livermore, CA2 contributions
Aug 2016 • Friends
Rafting the Colorado River through The Grand Canyon is the absolute ultimate adventure which any healthy individual can do. It is at times terrifying, always awe inspiring, yet as safe as other outdoor activities like skiing. You can take motorized 7 day trips of the full Grand Canyon, but we went in 5 person (4 plus the rower/guide) rubber rafts which took 14 days. The trip starts at Lees Ferry, the first river access point below the Glen Canyon Dam which creates Lake Powell, and ends at Pearce Ferry which marks the beginning of Hoover Dam’s Lake Mead. We reserved through OARS, and our trip was organized by the Canyoneers who provided 5 rafts, a large motorized boat for supplies, and an historical, rebuilt oared 'Cataract Boat' named 'Sandra'. Starting in Flagstaff, we met our fellow expedition members (20 total) and were briefed on the trip by one of the 9 crew members. In addition we were issued life vests and large duffel ‘dry bags’ into which we stored our (rented) sleeping bag and all our clothing. We were bussed to Lees Ferry, and by 10:30 in the morning the trip began. We would stop for lunch at a suitable sandy spot, and the crew would set up a table with sandwiches or wraps. For the evening, a camp site was selected and we would put out the supplied ground cloths, tents, and sleeping pads – sorry tent setup is all on you, as the guides are pretty tired from all the rowing. The dinners were always amazing, lots and lots of good food all prepared by the crew. We would serve ourselves buffet style, and when done wash and store the plates and silverware. Same with Breakfast.
Each day we awoke to a cowboy "Cooooffffeee" yell at dawn, had breakfast, packed up and went about 15 miles, as the total distance is 280 miles on this trip, Lees Ferry to Pearce Ferry, and on the last few days with faster water we went further. The Colorado river is long peaceful stretches punctuated by amazing rapids, such as Hance, Sockdolager, Granite, Bedrock, Roundhouse, Fishtail, Grapevine, and of course the mega ones such as Hermit, Crystal, and Lava Falls. Every day we would stop to enjoy side canyons and historical sites. The side canyon creeks, particularly below Phantom Ranch are the most picturesque Arizona slot canyons of all, particularly Deer Creek, Elves, and Travertine Falls. Often we would go half the day without seeing anyone else, the canyon is sparsely populated by rafters.
There are great books on the canyon, but they don’t mention that any healthy person can do this. We had individuals up to age 70 on our expedition, and our well-bonded tribe helped everyone get by. You will get and remain wet while you’re on the river, that you can count on. And during the August/September monsoon season you may get wet from above as well, but it’s never really cold from May to September, rather it’s hot. However, late August / September was great, we’ve heard that June is pretty hot. The river is always cold however, so you can always cool off. On calm stretches we often cooled off by having water fights (imagine, grown adults - some retirees - having water fights like 14 year-olds), or just jumping in the river.
One thing everyone worries about is the toilet arrangements. Well the guys just pee in the river with their backs turned away from everyone else, perhaps we would walk a little distance away if possible. The women would often just wade waist-deep into the river and go. As for the rest, the crew each afternoon at camp set up “The Duke” (or “The Groover” on some expeditions), a toilet-seat-equipped commode in a far, private corner of the camp, and it stayed in business until just before each day’s rafting. If you can put up with these minor privations, you’re set to enjoy one of the most wondrous places in the world.
Each day we awoke to a cowboy "Cooooffffeee" yell at dawn, had breakfast, packed up and went about 15 miles, as the total distance is 280 miles on this trip, Lees Ferry to Pearce Ferry, and on the last few days with faster water we went further. The Colorado river is long peaceful stretches punctuated by amazing rapids, such as Hance, Sockdolager, Granite, Bedrock, Roundhouse, Fishtail, Grapevine, and of course the mega ones such as Hermit, Crystal, and Lava Falls. Every day we would stop to enjoy side canyons and historical sites. The side canyon creeks, particularly below Phantom Ranch are the most picturesque Arizona slot canyons of all, particularly Deer Creek, Elves, and Travertine Falls. Often we would go half the day without seeing anyone else, the canyon is sparsely populated by rafters.
There are great books on the canyon, but they don’t mention that any healthy person can do this. We had individuals up to age 70 on our expedition, and our well-bonded tribe helped everyone get by. You will get and remain wet while you’re on the river, that you can count on. And during the August/September monsoon season you may get wet from above as well, but it’s never really cold from May to September, rather it’s hot. However, late August / September was great, we’ve heard that June is pretty hot. The river is always cold however, so you can always cool off. On calm stretches we often cooled off by having water fights (imagine, grown adults - some retirees - having water fights like 14 year-olds), or just jumping in the river.
One thing everyone worries about is the toilet arrangements. Well the guys just pee in the river with their backs turned away from everyone else, perhaps we would walk a little distance away if possible. The women would often just wade waist-deep into the river and go. As for the rest, the crew each afternoon at camp set up “The Duke” (or “The Groover” on some expeditions), a toilet-seat-equipped commode in a far, private corner of the camp, and it stayed in business until just before each day’s rafting. If you can put up with these minor privations, you’re set to enjoy one of the most wondrous places in the world.
Written 13 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
myronmeister
Tucson, AZ3 contributions
June 2018 • Solo
I feel almost compelled to speak up for the founding of John Vail's
founding 49 years ago of Outdoors Unlimited (OU). I have been on
two trips, one on the Lower and this month on the upper canyon
segments (UC and LC) of the Grand Canyon's Colorado River.
In making a decision on what kind of Canyon river trip you want to
make, the first criterion should be your available time (the Park
permits allow to 25 days; 1 trip per year). The UC trips run about
5-1/2 days, the LC ones about 7-1/2 days - full canyon trips are
the sum of these and the cost is of order $300/day. The second
pertains to what physical shape you are in and whether you want to
just look at the canyon as you run by it (by motor or oar) or want
to participate in the travel. One company tries to diss rafting
trips by saying that the rapids constitute only 8% of the total
distance and thus you are having to work hard to propel in still
water all the rest of the time. To my mind this is an outrageous
exaggeration. Alhough there are indeed stretches of "flat water"
where the boats need to propel themselves, there are many more
stretches that move you along at 3-5 mph. according to my TomTom.
One's physical condition is a salient consideration, especially
for the 70-ish year old crowd (like me). Teenagers have no problem.
Training is important, especially in hiking down or out to the
South Rim, for the major that make either the LC or UC but not
both in one trip. (I recommend two separate trips as I did, by
Park rules in different years.) My own downfall for paddling was
for the LC, not the shorter UC trip. This was the accumulation of
diagram muscle aches that eventually affected by smooth hiking
for the typically daily off-river hikes.
I was particularly impressed in the pre-launch orientation lecture
on safety. Safety to the staff is what location is to real estate.
OU has never had a fatality and God willing never will, but their
instructions are to be listened to in force: loose life jackets can
have bad consequences. Ditto, rubber boots that don't permit water
flow out of them - voice of experience. So much of the logistics
of the trip insures this safety, including the order of the cargo versus
passenger boats going down the river, and their approach and post-
rapids positioning. Boats do flip (I've not seen this on either trip), but
they are common events, and these events, if instructions are
heeded, typically have outcomes that are cause more for boasting
that fright! If you pay attention you will likewise be impressed
with the infrastructure and planning that goes into the trip,
including the stowing of food (dinners to die for), gear, and
human waste.
The hikes are of variable length and time, typically running 1-1/2
hours. I was a bit unnerved by the hiking to the Deer Springs Falls.
It's a beautiful sight, but it includes cliff edges that could be
potentially dangerous and are not for the faint-hearted. Even so
in these cases the guides will "spot" your foot and hand holds
as you amble along.
Second only to safety is the guarantee of fun for all ages (10+
yrs for oar boats, 14 yrs for paddle boats), personality types,
and game proclivities. From Ultimate Frisbee on land to water
fights (with boarding parties) in the river; and more. Boredom
has no place. But one of the comments of a senior guide, Glenn,
has really stuck with me. His own "draw" for the guide work he
does is not the Canyon but the people he meets. I found this to
be true, for both staff and fellow passengers. What an eclectic
bunch! If you like sunny and optimistic people, this is for you.
The staff has an amazing range of talents, from owning river trip
companies of their own in other areas of the country, to musical
abilities (guitar, mandolin, fiddle, didgeridoo!) to scientific
lectures. Where do they get these people, and why do they stick
around for us? They must like their jobs.
As stated, I'm aware of I only two companies that offer paddle or
mixed (paddle/oar) boat adventures. The difference in price
structures among the companies negligible. I cannot make a i
comparison with company comparison, but I will say, first, that
during the trip guides from two other companies, addressed the
raft passengers to say that our boat captain, was a special guide.
Second, some of these people you hope to remain friends with
for the rest of your days. And, in one instance when a staff
member from the first trip two years ago was assigned to my
second, he remembered me vividly. Still trying to find out if
that was a good or a bad thing....
- Myron Smith
founding 49 years ago of Outdoors Unlimited (OU). I have been on
two trips, one on the Lower and this month on the upper canyon
segments (UC and LC) of the Grand Canyon's Colorado River.
In making a decision on what kind of Canyon river trip you want to
make, the first criterion should be your available time (the Park
permits allow to 25 days; 1 trip per year). The UC trips run about
5-1/2 days, the LC ones about 7-1/2 days - full canyon trips are
the sum of these and the cost is of order $300/day. The second
pertains to what physical shape you are in and whether you want to
just look at the canyon as you run by it (by motor or oar) or want
to participate in the travel. One company tries to diss rafting
trips by saying that the rapids constitute only 8% of the total
distance and thus you are having to work hard to propel in still
water all the rest of the time. To my mind this is an outrageous
exaggeration. Alhough there are indeed stretches of "flat water"
where the boats need to propel themselves, there are many more
stretches that move you along at 3-5 mph. according to my TomTom.
One's physical condition is a salient consideration, especially
for the 70-ish year old crowd (like me). Teenagers have no problem.
Training is important, especially in hiking down or out to the
South Rim, for the major that make either the LC or UC but not
both in one trip. (I recommend two separate trips as I did, by
Park rules in different years.) My own downfall for paddling was
for the LC, not the shorter UC trip. This was the accumulation of
diagram muscle aches that eventually affected by smooth hiking
for the typically daily off-river hikes.
I was particularly impressed in the pre-launch orientation lecture
on safety. Safety to the staff is what location is to real estate.
OU has never had a fatality and God willing never will, but their
instructions are to be listened to in force: loose life jackets can
have bad consequences. Ditto, rubber boots that don't permit water
flow out of them - voice of experience. So much of the logistics
of the trip insures this safety, including the order of the cargo versus
passenger boats going down the river, and their approach and post-
rapids positioning. Boats do flip (I've not seen this on either trip), but
they are common events, and these events, if instructions are
heeded, typically have outcomes that are cause more for boasting
that fright! If you pay attention you will likewise be impressed
with the infrastructure and planning that goes into the trip,
including the stowing of food (dinners to die for), gear, and
human waste.
The hikes are of variable length and time, typically running 1-1/2
hours. I was a bit unnerved by the hiking to the Deer Springs Falls.
It's a beautiful sight, but it includes cliff edges that could be
potentially dangerous and are not for the faint-hearted. Even so
in these cases the guides will "spot" your foot and hand holds
as you amble along.
Second only to safety is the guarantee of fun for all ages (10+
yrs for oar boats, 14 yrs for paddle boats), personality types,
and game proclivities. From Ultimate Frisbee on land to water
fights (with boarding parties) in the river; and more. Boredom
has no place. But one of the comments of a senior guide, Glenn,
has really stuck with me. His own "draw" for the guide work he
does is not the Canyon but the people he meets. I found this to
be true, for both staff and fellow passengers. What an eclectic
bunch! If you like sunny and optimistic people, this is for you.
The staff has an amazing range of talents, from owning river trip
companies of their own in other areas of the country, to musical
abilities (guitar, mandolin, fiddle, didgeridoo!) to scientific
lectures. Where do they get these people, and why do they stick
around for us? They must like their jobs.
As stated, I'm aware of I only two companies that offer paddle or
mixed (paddle/oar) boat adventures. The difference in price
structures among the companies negligible. I cannot make a i
comparison with company comparison, but I will say, first, that
during the trip guides from two other companies, addressed the
raft passengers to say that our boat captain, was a special guide.
Second, some of these people you hope to remain friends with
for the rest of your days. And, in one instance when a staff
member from the first trip two years ago was assigned to my
second, he remembered me vividly. Still trying to find out if
that was a good or a bad thing....
- Myron Smith
Written 18 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cat50
Cortland, New York58 contributions
We booked a River Float Trip through Great West Adventure Company and had the time of our lives!
They picked us up from our B&B in Sedona and drove us 2 1/2 hrs. to the Glen Canyon Dam where we were placed on our rafts. The trip to and from the Dam was filled with the history of the Colorado River and the Dam as well as the local history of places we were traveling through. Our van driver, Michael, was a wealth of information and very friendly.
Our river float tour guide, Doug, had us laughing so much our cheeks hurt by the end of the day! He told us stories about the river, the history of the Dam, and had put on a disguise during our lunch picnic to see if we recognized him. The float trip was a total of 4 hrs. on the river and although the adults wouldn't brave the cold temperature of the Colorado river, the children did and we enjoyed their frolics. Words can't express the beauty of the tour and we had an opportunity to share that with people from all over the world. It was a trip we will never forget and is one that the whole family can take, even the grandparents. If you get a chance to book a float trip, you won't regret it.
They picked us up from our B&B in Sedona and drove us 2 1/2 hrs. to the Glen Canyon Dam where we were placed on our rafts. The trip to and from the Dam was filled with the history of the Colorado River and the Dam as well as the local history of places we were traveling through. Our van driver, Michael, was a wealth of information and very friendly.
Our river float tour guide, Doug, had us laughing so much our cheeks hurt by the end of the day! He told us stories about the river, the history of the Dam, and had put on a disguise during our lunch picnic to see if we recognized him. The float trip was a total of 4 hrs. on the river and although the adults wouldn't brave the cold temperature of the Colorado river, the children did and we enjoyed their frolics. Words can't express the beauty of the tour and we had an opportunity to share that with people from all over the world. It was a trip we will never forget and is one that the whole family can take, even the grandparents. If you get a chance to book a float trip, you won't regret it.
Written 12 October 2004
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LRS
28 contributions
Sept 2017 • Friends
We chose Grand Canyon Whitewater for our rafting experience through the Grand Canyon. We chose the 7 day motorized trip departing from Lee's Ferry (river mile 0) to Whitmore Wash takeout (mile 187). At Whitmore Wash a helicopter met us and transported us to the Bar 10 Ranch where we then showered and boarded a small fixed wing plane back to Lee's Ferry. Gear provided to us was a sleeping bag, pillow, sheet, tent and cot(s), dry bag for personal affects and day use dry bag for use during the day. Price for trip includes gear, all food and soft drinks, helicopter and plane transportation. We were a party of 28, 2 rafts with 2 staff per raft. The crew were experienced, professional, FUN, and extremely knowledgeable about the history of the canyon, the geology and river lore. The crew not only takes care of safely seeing you down the river, but guiding us on hikes to waterfalls, playing in the Little Colorado and with all that they pull off 3 amazing meals a day with all the snacks you want while on the raft. The food exceeded our expectations. Every meal was delicious with plenty of everything; meat, fresh veggies, fruit and desert. They accommodate vegetarian and gluten free diets. The company will answer all questions before and after reservations are made and I thought it particularly fun that we received instructional videos and invitations to our trip social media site in the weeks before the trip. Please consider this company for your rafting trip. They are well established, competent and fun and the trip is WELL worth the cost. The crew could not have made it better.
Written 23 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert H
32 contributions
June 2018 • Couples
Rafting the 280 miles of the Grand Canyon is an incredible, awe-inspiring experience that we did in June 2018 with Canyoneers --a company that has been doing this for many years. Our guides did a good job. HOWEVER, Canyoneers is one of the WORST companies I have ever done business with, ARROGANT, SURLY, INFLEXIBLE, NO CUSTOMER SERVICE --in spite of a $3000/individual charge. The guides commented that they were surprised anyone booked with Canyoneers. I now understand why. ( The owner, Gaylord Staveley is old and is looking to sell the company. He is NOT managing it properly. ) The 'office manager' Sheri Nolen should have been fired 30 years ago! I wasted an unnecessary $800 on hotels, rental cars, and meals because Canyoneers INSISTED that we must travel out of Flagstaff --even though we had 3 hr drives from Flagstaff to Lees Ferry to begin and from Pearce Ferry to Flagstaff to end the trip. I asked for information --not assistance-- in how to do this traveling out of Las Vegas and was refused any info, much less help from Canyoneers. Do the Grand Canyon rafting trip. It is an incredible experience. DO NOT DO THIS TRIP WITH CANYONEERS!!
Written 19 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ted S
Tucson, AZ99 contributions
June 2012 • Family
I took my family on a 7 day motorized rafting trip through the Grand Canyon the last week of June. This was the experience of a lifetime. I went with the oldest and most reliable rafting company--Hatch. the river guides were very skilled, knowledgeable, entertaining and great cooks! I was surprised at how many exciting rapids there were. Yet I felt safe at all times due to the stability of the raft and the expertise of the guide. We had wonderful side hikes, great fishing, beautiful camp sites and incredible food. This was a life changing trip for what we saw, learned and felt floating as a spec down this massive wonder of the world. We also bonded as a family like never before.
Written 12 August 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marciad2017911
Pittsburgh, PA25 contributions
July 2018 • Family
My hubby, two kids and I rafted for 18 days with a self guided rafting group of 16 people..all strangers who ended up sharing an amazing adventure. BEAUTIFUL life living outdoors, but you must be ok with no electricity, cell service, bathrooms and sleeping in tent or on boat. I could share so much more...but then I would end up writing a book instead of a review :)
Written 30 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
salijhs
Cortlandt Manor, NY2 contributions
May 2018
My 30 year old daughter and I decided to bond on a 14 day whitewater raft trip through the Grand Canyon provided by CanX (Canyon Exploration/Expedition). This truly turned out to be the trip of a life time. I thought the adventure would be in the whitewater but it was everything because we hiked each day to something new and utterly amazing. Some hikes were an hour but others were nine hours and led us to places like hanging gardens, desert waterfalls, stone thrones, native American graineries, huge petroglyph panels and more. And what was equally amazing was the never ending interpretive information that was always presented by all the guides. I actually had a dream one night that I had missed the final exam for all the history and biology I was learning (or not) from the guides. And beyond that the opportunity to fully participate in setting up camp each day, sitting around at night talking and playing music while watching the sun set and moon rise accompanied by my daughter was beyond words. We did have a couple of crazy rainy days but even then the guides all made sure we were set up and comfortable through it all. The other thing we were also really surprised at was the freshly prepared food for every one of the meals...hats off to the cooks. Obviously a lot goes into fourteen days of rafting that's impossible to relate but I will say the Grand Canyon from the river is so different and wonderfully different from what you see from the rim. We chose CanX above all the other companies cause they offered a "hybrid" trip which in their lingo meant 5 rafts rowed by guides, one raft paddled by customers as well as duckies (inflatable kayaks) and sups (stand up paddle boards). You could choose which one you wanted to do about on the half day) It was a blast! And getting to be in the paddle boat for Lava Falls was the best. The Canyon is awe inspiring but these guides made it the most fun, the most informed and the most enduring memory I will probably ever have. Thank you CanX
Written 2 February 2019
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