Grand Canyon Rafting, Alaska Whale Watching Tours, Rafting Utah

The Grand Canyon of the Colorado conjures up breathtaking images - and well it should. Much has been written about it since 16th century Spanish explorers were mystified and deceived by its enormous depth - since John Wesley Powell ran the river on the first and still monumental exploratory expedition of 1869 - and on through the years as scientists, artists, poets and presidents made pilgrimages to its very heart. Most will agree that the one common thread through all that has been written... is that words cannot describe it. Period. You have to see it to believe it. You must spend time in it to begin to comprehend it.You have to see it from the inside out. A visit to the rim is sufficient to get a feel for its nature. A river trip through its heart, however, is a dalliance with its soul - and maybe with your own. Come see why Grand Canyon is so impossible to describe. The Grand Canyon is not only big, it's long. The Colorado River runs 277 miles through the entire Grand Canyon National Park. There are two ways to run the river and each is enchanting in it's own ways:

Oar Powered Trips

The shortest oar powered trip is 5 days. Oar trips covering the entire length of the Grand Canyon range in length from 12 to 19 days. Upper canyon trips are 5 to 7 days long and require a 10 mile hike out of the canyon. Lower canyon trips are 7 to 10 days long and start with a 10 mile hike into the canyon.

A standard non-motorized trip consists of four to five oar powered rafts where the guides will do the rowing. These rafts are about 18 feet long and hold 4 passengers each. This smaller raft offers an up close and personal experience with the river. Some outfitters offer hybrid trips that usually consist of four to five oar powered rafts and one paddle raft in which anyone who wishes to help paddle the raft down river may do so. Children must be at least 12 years old to participate on an oar powered or hybrid trip.

The rarest kind of non-motorized craft is called a dory. Dory boats are 16 to 18 feet long hard shell boats that hold 4 passengers plus the guide. They are very aesthetically pleasing making them great crafts for photographers of all skill levels. They sit high in the water which makes for a more adventurous rocking horse style ride even on the smallest rapids. Children must be at least 12 years old to participate on a dory trip.

Paddle Boat Trips

For those who are looking for a physical trip and enjoy teamwork, a few all paddle trips are available. Paddle rafts are about 15-18 feet long and usually hold 6 passengers plus the guide. On an all paddle trip participants must be prepared to paddle 100% of the time. Paddling is not always easy and certain conditions such as wind, low water, blisters, fatigue and maneuvering through rapids makes paddling more difficult so physical fitness is a must. Children must be at least 16 years old to participate on an all paddle trip.

Motor Powered Trips

The shortest motorized trip in the Grand Canyon is a one day trip on the last 35 miles of the river in a 22 foot long pontoon raft. The next shortest trip is a 3 to 4 day. These trips are run in the upper and Western introductory sections. Trips in the upper section do require a 10 mile hike out of the canyon at the end of the trip; however, trips in the Western introductory section do not require a hike either in or out of the canyon. Lower canyon trips are 5 to 6 days in length and do require a 10 mile hike into the canyon. Motorized trips covering the entire length of the Grand Canyon range from 6 to 10 days.

Motorized rafts are great for beginners and for those who want to see the whole Grand Canyon but are tight on time. They average about 33 feet long which makes them the most stable craft. They hold 12-14 passengers each and there are usually 2 boats per trip. The motor the outfitters use are 4-stroke low emission outboard motors that are relatively quiet. Children must be at least 8 years old to participate on a motorized trip.

Full Length Trips
8 - 14 Days
To see it all takes a week on a motor trip and two weeks on a rowing trip. Even longer trips of 16 - 19 days are available in April and October to take advantage of the shorter days and fewer people. Go all the way if you can! The more time you spend the better the trip!

>> SEE FULL MOTOR TRIPS
>> SEE FULL OAR TRIPS

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Upper Half Trips
3 - 6 Days
Upper Half Trips last 3 - 6 days, cover the first 90 miles of the Canyon and end with a 10 mile hike out of the Canyon from the river to the South Rim Village.

>> SEE UPPER MOTOR TRIPS
>> SEE UPPER OAR TRIPS

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Lower Half Trips
5 - 9 Days
Lower Half Trips last 5 - 9 days, cover 136 - 190 miles and begin with a 10 mile hike into the Canyon from the South Rim Village.

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Western/Introductory Section Trips
3 - 5 Days
There are 3 -4 day motor trips and a few 4 - 5 day oar trips in the Western Grand Canyon (the "Introductory Section") that run the last 90 miles of the Canyon. These trips are only operated as Las Vegas and return packages.

>> SEE WESTERN INTRODUCTORY MOTOR TRIPS
>> SEE WESTERN INTRODUCTORY OAR TRIPS

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