Grand Canyon Rafting - Arizona, USA Adventure Holiday

Essential Information

Trip Profile

Travel by private minibus and motorised raft.

Accommodation

1 night 3-star hotel with en suite facilities in Las Vegas, and 7 nights participatory wild camping.

The accommodation in Las Vegas (for Flight Inclusive travellers) is usually at The Residence Inn by Marriot, although this may be subject to change. This is a clean and comfortable 3-star hotel with modern amenities. All rooms are en suite and there is a storage facility for any excess luggage that you do not wish to take on board the raft with you.

Whilst on the river we camp on the banks along the length of the Grand Canyon. Camping is wild and participatory, so there are no facilities and you will be expected to get involved and help out with some of the camp chores. You may be asked to help set up and dismantle the camp, to clean up and to make your own picnic style packed lunches (breakfast and dinner is prepared for you).

The climate is warm so we travel light and sleep in the open air under the stars.

Food

7 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 7 dinners included; hotel only in Las Vegas.

Reality Check

This tour is operated in partnership with our sister company Grand American Adventures (GAA), as such the group may be a mixture of Exodus and Grand American Adventure clients.

This trip is booked through Exodus and you will receive the same award winning customer service that you are used to. GAA operate with the same core principles used by Exodus and champion the benefits of small group travel. 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 adventure tour is suitable for anyone with a passion for the great outdoors, and is perfect for observing wildlife in its natural habitat.

No previous rafting experience is required. We do however, 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! If you are unable to swim this isn't a problem as we will supply U.S. Coast Guard approved life preservers, which each person is required to wear at all times when aboard the boat.

Families can be accommodated on this trip, subject to availability, as long as children are over the age of 12. The rafts themselves are specially engineered 37-foot motorised crafts. Although the safety and manoeuvrability 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. During our time on the river we will be camping in the open air under the stars on the river banks.

Camping is participatory and not in marked camp sites so please be aware that there are no facilities and you will be expected to help out with camp chores.

All food and drink supplies are carried on board the rafts, and your guide(s) will prepare hearty breakfasts and gourmet dinners for you. All the sleeping equipment is supplied, including waterproof bags and a camera case, and there will be a camp chair for each passenger.

Normal group size and age

Normally 5 to 14 plus local guide/boatman. Families with children aged 12+ may be accepted, subject to availability. Minimum age 16.

Icons explained

The vast majority of Exodus adventures are adult group holidays. Groups are always small in size. We strongly believe that this adherence to small groups means a better experience for all; more time with your guide, less waiting around and a reduced impact on the communities and environments visited.
Each group is generally made up of like-minded travellers - with singles, couples and friends all joining in together. All these trips are suitable for single travellers, but if you prefer to travel with clients booking individually, please see our Solo Departures page.

Requires a spirit of adventure and some fitness, as the trip may involve more activities or longer journeys.

Exodus is always looking to improve our current itineraries and to offer something different. With many new trips this year, there is something unique and different to try every year.

Mixed Activities: Activities may range from the ordinary (for example walking, cycling or whitewater rafting) to the damn right extraordinary (including caving, camel riding or canyoning).

Wilderness: Visit the deserts, jungles, plateaux, tundra and mountains of all seven continents, including Antarctica.

Water Based Trips: These holidays can feature any or all of the following; canoeing, rafting, kayaking, canyoning. It is advisable that all members of your party are able to swim.