Guests on one of our motor boats.
Hiking enthusiasts rejoice! This 5-day/4-night trip is perfect for those who’ve always wanted to raft and hike Grand Canyon. This whitewater vacation, only run once a year, is an extra day longer than our standard itinerary and allows ample time to hike in the canyon. Find yourself immersed in the extraordinary landscape on side hikes to places like Redwall Cavern or ancestral Puebloan granaries. On your voyage, you will pass places like the Little Colorado River and Vasey’s Paradise through stunning Marble Canyon and into Grand Canyon. Some of the bigger rapids on this rafting trip include House Rock and Hance rapids.
Grand Canyon Whitewater provides experienced guides, great food, rafting and camping gear, and a detailed trip information packet with a packing list. This is an active, outdoor expedition; it is recommended that guests prepare for the physical nature of the river trip, train for the required hike, and bring a sense of adventure.
On the morning of the fifth day, the adventure comes to a close with the final and most grand 8-mile hike, from the Colorado River to the South Rim, with all your personal gear loaded into your backpack. You’ll climb about 4,400 ft. (1,340 m) on your uphill trek through millions of years of geological history.
GCW’s motorized rafts are 35-feet long, seat 14 people per raft and have one guide driving from the stern. We always run two rafts per trip so you can expect 28 passengers on your adventure. The type of motorized raft we run is called an S-Rig and guests say we have the most comfortable set-up in the Grand Canyon.
We encourage everyone to watch this video on the required hike.
The Bright Angel is the park’s most beloved trail due to it’s three water-refill stations and four resthouses. Though the trail is well-maintained in Grand Canyon terms, guests have described it as very rugged. There are many large log steps and switchbacks. The trail gets steepest as you approach the South Rim.
Because of the difficulty of this mandatory hike out of the canyon, you must call us to book — online reservations are not allowed. We’ll want to talk to you, and everyone in your group, about your hiking experience, your current fitness level and routine, how to train and prepare for this hike, and any medical conditions that might affect your ability to get the most out of this experience. We do not recommend this trip for people with a history of heart problems, high susceptibility to heat-related illness or exercise-induced asthma. Other factors, including being out of shape, overweight, or a smoker, also may negatively impact your hike.
Round-trip transportation from Flagstaff, AZ is included. You will need to spend the night before your trip launches in Flagstaff, as we will pick up passengers early the morning of the trip and travel 2.5 hours through scenic northern Arizona to the launch point. On the last day of your expedition, a charter bus will carry you from the South Rim back to Flagstaff.
We recommend spending both the night before your river trip and the night your trip ends in Flagstaff. We will notify guests of the designated Flagstaff hotel.
Grand Canyon Whitewater provides the following:
The view from the Nankoweap Granaries.
You will be responsible for the following:
This trip is not currently available for booking. For more information, please see our Bright Angel Trail Construction Update blog.
Grand Canyon Whitewater
PO Box 2848, Flagstaff, Arizona 86003
United States of America
info@grandcanyonwhitewater.com
800-343-3121
This service is operated by Grand Canyon Whitewater, LLC., a Concessioner under contract with the U.S. Government and administered by the National Park Service. The Concessioner is responsible for conducting these operations in a satisfactory manner. Prices are approved by the National Park Service.
