Hiker’s Special 9 Day Oar w/ Hike In

2025 Price: $4,295 per person
Price includes optional return transportation to South Rim or Flagstaff, AZ

Itinerary

Extended side hike to a waterfall.

An unforgettable adventure awaits you on this 9-day/8-night hike intensive rafting trip. We’ve added an extra day to our standard schedule to allow ample time to hike in the canyon.

After you’ve traversed the strenuous 8-mile hike into Grand Canyon from the South Rim, with all your personal gear loaded into your backpack, rafters will encounter backcountry waterfalls, slot canyons and ancient ruins on daily side hikes. Satisfy your inner thrill-seeker on rapids such as Hermit, Crystal, and Lava 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.

Early on the ninth day, your river trip will end at Diamond Creek with included ground transportation back to Flagstaff, AZ or South Rim.

GCW’s oar-powered rafts are 18-feet long and seat 3-5 guests plus a guide per raft (this is NOT a paddle trip, the guides are the ones doing the rowing). Because we always run 6 rafts per trip you can expect 24 passengers on your adventure.

The Hike on Bright Angel Trail

We encourage everyone to watch this video on the required hike.

8 miles at an average grade of 10%
4-6 hours to hike in for a physically-fit and prepared hiker
Nearly one vertical mile in elevation change, starting at about 7,000 feet
You will be carrying your loaded backpack with you on the trail
Often the trail is in full Arizona sun — the weather and heat can make the hike even more extreme
Very challenging for people who aren’t regular hikers, are out of shape, overweight or have a history of heart problems, heat-related illness or exercise-induced asthma

The Bright Angel Trail is the most commonly used trail in Grand Canyon. Along the journey, there are 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.

Because of the difficulty of the mandatory hike into the canyon, you must call us to book — we do not take online reservations for hike-intensive trips. We’ll want to talk to you, and everyone in your group, about your hiking experience, your current fitness level and exercise 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 that may negatively impact your hike include being out of shape, overweight, or a smoker.

We provide all meals on the river, but you will need to bring your own hiking backpack, containers to carry water, and snacks for the hike into the canyon.

Transportation

How you get to the trip’s starting point and home again at the end of your adventure depends on whether you will have a vehicle. Either way, you will need to spend the night before your trip at the South Rim of Grand Canyon, as the hike into the canyon begins early the morning of your trip.

You do not have enough time to arrive the morning of your hike.

The river portion of your trip will end early on the last day at Diamond Creek, mile 225. You will ride on a Hualapai bus for about an hour along a rough dirt road to the main highway in Peach Springs, AZ. An air-conditioned shuttle will be waiting in Peach Springs to return guests to the designated hotel in Flagstaff, to arrive around 2:00 p.m., and then the bus will continue on to the South Rim, to arrive around 4:00 p.m. barring any complications.

If you DO NOT have a vehicle:

Most guests choose to fly to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) or Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) and then book shuttles from Phoenix to Flagstaff and Flagstaff to South Rim the day before the trip. Between Phoenix, Flagstaff, and the South Rim, Groome Transportation (928-350-8466) offers scheduled shuttles, and Airport Shuttle of Phoenix (480-710-3441) offers private rides. On the final day of the trip, you’ll use our transportation from the river back to Flagstaff where it’s recommended to spend the night before heading home.

If you DO have a vehicle:

You may drive yourself to the South Rim the day before your trip launches. You can leave your vehicle at the South Rim (free of charge). A good place to find parking is in the backcountry parking lot. We will bring you back to the South Rim at the end of the trip. Keep in mind that our bus will stop in Flagstaff first before heading back to South Rim. You may want to consider leaving your vehicle in Flagstaff and shuttling to South Rim before the trip with Groome Transportation (928-350-8466) to make this final day easier.

What is included

Hearty camping food in the Canyon.

Grand Canyon Whitewater provides the following:

Return transportation to South Rim or Flagstaff, AZ on the final day of the trip
Custom made rafts and experienced guides
Coast Guard approved whitewater personal flotation device (PFD)
Meals – prepared by guides and snacks on the rafts
Kitchen facilities, dishware, and a mug
Camping toilet facilities, toilet paper, and supplies
Beverages – unlimited water, assorted soda, electrolyte mix are always available – coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are available at breakfast
First-aid kit
Sleeping bag, sheet, and small pillow
Sleeping cot (on trips leaving after September 15th, we’ll provide a sleeping pad)
Two-person tent and ground tarp, sharing not required
Large dry bag for the provided sleeping gear and your backpack
Personal daytime dry bag (accessible at all times) ~ 7″ diameter and 14″ tall when sealed
Camp chairs
Community dry bag for hiking shoes (accessible before side hikes)
There are no taxes on this trip

What Is Not Included

You will be responsible for the following:

Hiking backpack
National Park entrance fee
Personal travel insurance
Alcoholic beverages (passengers can bring their own)
Suggested post-trip gratuity for guides

Availability

Passengers must be 12 years or older to participate in this trip.

Legend	Going Fast	Sold Out	Hike Intensive

2025	May	~~May 16 - 24~~
2025	October	~~October 6 - 14~~

Inquire About This Trip!

Google Rating

5.0

Grand Canyon Whitewater

Gail DeLuca

12:35 11 Sep 24

There are not enough words that can express a Grand Canyon rafting trip with Grand Canyon Whitewater. Our group was prepared for the hike in, the whitewater adventures, the slot canyon hikes, as well as camp life. From the time you make a reservation, GCW takes good care of you answering all your questions and preparing you for what is sure to be a trip of a lifetime. The Grand Canyon from the Colorado River is a humbling experience. Many lasting memories were made. Trevor, Nicole, Page and friend Oliver were outstanding guides providing all things necessary to make our trip a success.

April Delagarza

02:13 07 Sep 24

What an adventure!! I did the 4 day motorized trip with a hike out on Bright Angel Trail. The guides made this trip so fantastic. The canyon is beautiful and the rapids were so fun but it's the guides who really made the trip outstanding. They've got such a great system set up and I've never enjoyed sleeping on a cot so much. The guides took such good care of us. We were well fed and the days on the river were always safe and fun. Highly recommend

CR Scafidi

21:08 16 Jul 24

Fantastic world-class adventure with absolutely exceptional guides who made the trip really fun. Their comradery on and off the river really gilded the lily. Always felt safe and confident in their abilities. And the food was amazing! They were all excellent cooks and kept our bellies full. Highly recommend!

Zoe MacIsaac

17:29 25 May 24

Absolutely amazing trip down the Colorado surrounded by the walls of the Grand Canyon. Our guides made this trip and we couldn't believe what a wonderful experience it was (beautiful views, expert river navigation, and great food including cake baked on the river and steak our last night!) We slept under the Milky Way every night. Our two senior guides had 30+ years of experience each and we were in great hands. We were also happy to support a river guide founded company. A+ and 100% recommend!

Susan Kittivanichkulkrai

21:20 14 May 24

Just finished the 7-day white water rafting experience with motorized boats. Jason, Bryce, and Savannah were our guides and were amazing! Me and three of my friends went with not much experience with white water rafting, if any. It was amazing and magical to experience life on the river for seven days! We fell in love with the canyon and the beauty and wildness of it all. From sleeping under the stars to hiking up gorgeous creeks and waterfalls, we lived our dreams for a week. We loved every minute of Jason's calls of "hot coffee", Savannah's contagious laughter, and Bryce's awesome stories! Thanks gang for such a great experience!

Victoria Livingston

16:33 03 Oct 23

I am a 76-year-old female; my 65-year-old husband and I are avid hikers from the Midwest (where it's relatively flat). We wanted to hike Bright Angel, but unless you are young or crazy, you can't hike down and up in one day. People stay at Phantom Ranch, but staying overnight was only by lottery, and in fall, 2022, they were doing repairs and did away with the lottery. I wanted to hike it while I still could and didn't have years to play the lottery. The most viable option I could find was a 3-day motorized rafting trip which would drop us off at Pipe Creek so we could hike up Bright Angel. That was the only reason I signed us up for the rafting trip. We don't swim. I don't even like my granddaughter splashing me with cold water at the pool. Well-meaning friends/relatives questioned the whitewater rafting trip and relayed horror stories to the point that I was dreading the rafting trip. Not to mention the hike up which was the most elevation gain we'd ever have done on a hike, and in the Arizona heat. However, the rafting trip was amazing! Our rafting guides were very skilled in navigating the 40-some rapids and kept us safe. The camping experience of sleeping out under the starry skies was amazing. The guides made excellent meals and provided ample snacks on the boat. They also provided historical information on the river trip portion. Yes, I did get splashed with cold water, but the rafting experience was epic. The hike up Bright Angel took us 9 hours (we took breaks at the rest houses and poured cold water on our heads--on Sept. 9, it was blazing hot midday--and we stopped to take lots of pictures--not to rush to the rim.) But we did it! All our guides were very professional and helpful.

Thomas Higbee

15:13 06 Aug 23

I just returned from what was the experience of a lifetime rafting from where the Bright Angel Trail meets the Colorado River to Diamond Mountain/Creek--about 120 miles. The guides were absolutely wonderful in so many ways. The food was great, the campsites were beautifully situated, and the provided equipment was excellent. I had been worried about the potential for monsoon storms. But when they hit us on two of our five river days, I found they were fun and exciting, just like the guides said they would be. The guides took great care of us!

Eric Betterton

17:20 05 Jul 23

This trip with Grand Canyon Whitewater was a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Between them, our river guides Matt and Rachel had completed close to 200 rafting trips through the Grand Canyon. They know every bend in the river, every eddy, every rapid, as well as every significant historical event that occurred over the 230 miles we traveled. We hardly saw another soul during our eight-day trip because Matt and Rachel are aware of which other parties are on the river and when and where they are likely to moor/stop. Accordingly, they plan days ahead so that you enjoy the best stops, and the best campsites in relative solitude. The crew works extremely hard from before sunrise to after dark. So, in addition to ensuring your safe passage on the river they also prepare three restaurant-quality meals every day. These are varied, and delicious. The camping equipment provided is high quality and clean. We planned to sleep in a tent but instead decided to sleep under the stars on our cots, drifting to sleep while gazing at the Big Dipper, the Milky Way, and strings of satellites. We would do this trip again in a heartbeat with Grand Canyon Whitewater.

David Womble

02:35 11 Jun 23

Rafting and kayaking for years with private parties. First time commercially as a last minute chance to see life below the rim of the GC. The logistics, prep help, safety, guides, food, equipment, etc., are unsurpassed! Highly, very highly, recommend GC Whitewater for anyone wanting a catered trip thru the GC.

Jessie Whitfield

00:13 13 May 23

Highly recommend Grand Canyon Whitewater! We spent 7 days on the river and enjoyed every second of it! The guides were awesome, especially Tyler! Thank you for the trip of a lifetime! Such an incredible experience!

Susan Davis

01:44 20 Jul 22

Just completed an 8 day Grand Canyon Whitewater rafting trip on the mighty Colorado River. Our guides Taylor, Sarah, Bryce and Katie took the best care of us all. Their hard work setting up camp, cooking, cleaning, was much appreciated. The food was delicious and plentiful. Snacks, drinks all day long. Our guides are experts navigating the white water waves, the drops into the rapids. They jump to attention at any request. Loved the stories the guides shared of the history, rock types, funny stories of how rapids were named. Side trips were stunning. Friendships are made that will last because you’ve experienced the Canyon together. You come away with more appreciation for the canyon and river. I’m very impressed with the guides, the company’s attention to detail communicating from the start and all the way through with the information you need to have a successful trip. Trip of a lifetime.

Andrew Knox

22:34 13 Jul 22

Extended family and I just got back from the 8 day motor trip. PHENOMENAL experience for all of us. The guides (Taylor, Brice, Katie) were fantastic. Couldn't recommend any more highly.

Deirdre Heine

19:00 25 Jun 22

Our guides, Jake, Tim and Katie were superb. Highly skilled, caring and a real hoot! The food was excellent. The beauty of the Canyon and the River unsurpassed.

Ginger Hultin

17:30 21 Jun 22

Just completed an 8-day trip and it was wonderful! The guides were excellent, the food was fantastic, the other people in our group were amazing, and the overall experience was very positive. I'd highly recommend going - even if you're a little nervous like I was at first :)

Doug Vetsch

04:23 28 May 22

The 7 days on the river were awesome. Riley, Cora, Kendrick and Dean were wonderful guides. They took such good care of us. They told epic stories and read stories from “There’s This River” Grand Canyon Boatman Stories, which were fun to listen to. Highly recommend buying the waterproof Belknap’s Grand Canyon River Guide book prior to your trip. This book helped to understand the history of floating the river along with maps of the entire trip. Made many new good friends and learned a great respect for the canyon life.

Mary & Rich Bourdeau

14:17 25 May 22

Rafting down the Grand Canyon is a trip of a lifetime. Grand Canyon Whitewater and their guides (Riley, Cora, Dean and Kendrick) made it pleasurable experience. The food was outstanding and there was no shortage of snacks and drinks between meals. Floating down the river and taking ion the grandeur of the canyon is amazing but the side hikes to slot canyons, waterfalls and floating in the blue green rapids of the little Colorado were some of the highlights of the trip for us. I would recommend Grand Canyon Whitewater to anyone considering this epic trip.

Norma Allensworth

16:12 16 May 22

GCW was amazing both in their education ahead of time and in their management of the camps and river navigation. So beautiful in the canyon -- a geologist's and a history buff's dream :)

Chuck Standley

17:47 24 Apr 22

The Colorado River rafting trip (11 day hiker's Special) with Grand Canyon Whitewater was an unforgettable experience. From the very beginning of interacting with office staff on arrangements and instructions to final haul out and drive back to Flagstaff, it was unparalleled. The staff sent timely email instructions for preparation along with links to very helpful and informative blogs from previous rafters. They asked questions about health concerns and what you and they could do to alleviate those concerns. They emphasized what to bring and how to pack for a trip which most rafters had never been on similar trip before. They tried to impart what rafters had to expect along the journey. Once we arrived at the hotel we were treated like VIPs and were picked up in a very comfortable coach for the ride to Lee’s Ferry to begin our trip. The orientation we were met with at Lee’s Ferry was very informative but also emphasized that we were our own keepers and it was an adventure trip not a cruise. Riley’s exuberance and enthusiasm for her role as trip leader was evident in her informative and animated talk on what her and the crew’s role was and what our role was in making it an exciting but safe trip. We were all entertained and educated at the same time in preparing to board our rafts. She had us in stitches most of the time. The first day we were on the river we got rapids and got wet. The river warms you up for the really big ones with a little ones to start with. Riley and Cora’s narrative of the history, both geologic and anthropologic was amazing. Native culture was revered by all the crew and explained to everyone so that it made sense and was appreciated by all of us. The history of the early Grand Canyon explorers was fascinating and exciting. The food was to die for. Hot, full breakfasts in the morning and hot gourmet dinners in the evening, with lunches made up fresh during brief lunch stops on the river. Boatmen, Cora and Riley both did masterful jobs negotiating the rivers challenges and bringing along the river education of Evan and Shelby. Not that they needed much. All the crew really knew their jobs. They were boatmen, guides, cooks, mechanics and entertainment. Evan seemed to know everything already and was a capable boatman, cook, mechanic. He had the most infectious laugh that made everyone comfortable and always brought a smile to their faces. Shelby was amazing also, seeming to know what to do at all times without having to be asked by Cora or Riley. The entire crew worked so hard to keep rafters happy but you’d never know it to hear them talk or the looks on their faces. They were happy to be there on that awe-inspiring river helping the rafters to their “once in a lifetime” experience doing what they do all summer long. We all looked forward to the evening stories told by Riley and the morning readings by her and Shelby. The hikes, though strenuous, were enjoyable and worth every minute of the uphill struggle. Not everyone went on all the hikes. Spring was a time of desert flower blooms and healthy blooming cactus and no sign of rattlesnakes. The views of the river and surroundings were breathtaking from the heights that were climbed. We saw rain swollen, brown creeks and clear running streams with tall waterfalls. There were slot canyons, that we walked through and above, carved by wind and water that were so colorful and felt like nature’s cathedrals. We saw condors, vultures, Big Horned Sheep, lizards, a fox, a King Snake, deer and the fish that were caught by the fishermen in our group. We all made friends with our fellow rafters and treated each other like family. Some may remain lifelong friends but everyone will remember their fellow “River Rats” for the rest of their lives. I know I will.

Stephen Nault

22:57 13 Feb 22

7 day Oct 2021 Hikers Special.....what a dream come true. GCW guides make this adventure easy and memorable. Thank you Tim, Brian and "The Young Bucks".

Amber VanLaecken

03:53 12 Sep 21

The rafting trip I went on was amazing! All the staff (guides and office staff) were on top of things and knew how to handle every situation. I highly recommend this river guiding company!

Lisa Steenson

18:06 17 Aug 21

We recently finished our second trip with Grand Canyon Whitewater and the can't wait to book another one. Five years ago we took a Hiker's Special 7-day oar trip, this year we decided to bring our kids for an 8-day motorboat trip. Both trips were spectacular. The guides are amazing, knowledgeable about everything Grand Canyon, great cooks and just overall great, special people. We have had so much support with any questions we had and accommodations during the trip itself. The kikes, camping, food and experiences with your fellow river rats is something that will stay ingrained in your mind and heart forever.

Karin Thorn

15:05 25 Jul 21

Such an impressive experience start to finish. The guides were amazing & knowledgeable. Felt very safe with them. The equipment was top quality. The kitchen process impressive. Food outstanding.

Michell Snider

10:48 21 Jul 21

This was a beautiful display of God's handiwork and something you don't want to miss. Sherry, our guide was amazing. She was great to explain everything and knows how to take the best photos. I definitely recommend her for your tour.

David Slivken

13:09 20 Jul 21

The Grand Canyon Whitewater team was awesome! From our earliest conversations with folks in the office to the incredible experiences we had on our trip, everyone involved was great. This was not a casual trip by any means, and it was obvious that our guides were very experienced and cared about the physical safety (and mental well-being) of our entire group tremendously while we were rafting and camping. If you're going to do a once-in-a-lifetime adventure like this, you definitely should talk to GCW.

Danielle Hering

14:16 05 Jul 21

An absolutely amazing experience! Highly recommend. I felt safe, comfortable, and exhilarated throughout the week. The experience surpassed my expectations! I will definitely be back!

war eagle

19:42 21 Jun 21

We had a Great trip on our 8 days. We had wonderful guides, Brie, Ted and Bryce. The food and the adventure were awesome.

Cindy Leake

18:52 18 Jun 21

My friends and I just returned from the 7 day motorized trip. There were 28 of us, connected in some way to each other. This was hands down one of...if not THE best experience of my life. I would go again in a heartbeat. The crew was top notch in every aspect. The food was exceptional. Kudos to Jason, Rachel, Evan and Sarah. You're the best! My imagination fails me regarding how this trip could have been any better. We slept on cots under the most amazing night sky. I've never seen stars so bright or constellations so clear. We floated the Little Colorado River in our life vests. The water was an Aqua Blue I'd never seen before. Erase any and all doubts you may have about rafting with GCWW. Just do it. Reset the soul!

Lorraine Leicht-Gillgannon

18:04 15 Jun 21

Wonderful organization highly recommend them to take care of all your needs. A++

Joanna Robinson

00:52 10 May 21

Amazing trip with Grand Canyon White Water Rafting! The trip was extremely fun with great white water, side hikes and people. The boatmen and women were all extremely professional, knowledgeable and helpful. The food was amazing and sleeping under the grand canyon stars was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I highly recommend Grand Canyon White Water! They were the best!

Lara Wiseman

16:49 18 Apr 21

If i could give more stars I would - They have this down to a science. Every single detail was perfect.

Kelli Ilves

18:57 30 Aug 20

We got so lucky to be on the river with this company. The people that run these trips are all amazing. Professional, FUN, knowledgeable, humble and oh so skillful on the rapids. We were on oar boats with high water and got some really exhilarating and fun rides! I can’t recommend Grand Canyon White Water enough, of you are going to go, go with them! The love these guides have for the river and the canyon is contagious in the best possible way. This was an adventure of a lifetime and I would go back on a heartbeat! Thank you GCWW for bringing so much joy into our life

Adria Roode

21:43 11 Aug 20

We took a trip with Grand Canyon Whitewater and were thoroughly impressed by the knowledgeable and skilled guides and how well thought out the entire experience was. Our initial trip was cancelled due to COVID, but the office staff worked to find another opening for us. The food was amazing. We were very lucky with our campsites. Our trip leader Chelsea always had a plan and back-up plan to maximize our days in the canyon despite the extreme summer heat.

Merritt and Kristina Perry

18:17 28 Jul 20

This was an amazing trip. I would highly recommend Grand Canyon Whitewater to anyone. They are professional, kind, positive, and keep everything fun. We traveled as a family of five, plenty of space, food. Ohh, the food was amazing! The guides are extremely knowledgeable about the river history, every rapid, every mile. Tons of stories; although, they may not all be true. :). Best trip ever! And we owe it to this outfitter!

Mark Susa

15:20 27 Jun 20

Without a doubt the best trip I've ever taken! The Colorado River/Grand Canyon rafting experience was AMAZING in every regards. The team from Grand Canyon Whitewater (GCW) were professional in every aspect of the trip, from pre-planning through their on-river team, they treated every guest with the utmost respect and ensured they had a great time. Our raft guides were extremely knowledgeable about the river and the canyon, providing insights on a multitude of topics. As one of the very first trips on the river for the year, we were able to get A+ camping sites every night and visit all the top side-trip locations without encountering other raft "crowds". While our days were filled with adventures, our belies were always filled with delicious fresh food! I can't believe how prepared they were in planning and preparing 3 meals a day for us and nothing was "from a can"...other then the yummy fruit cocktail one morning! Meals with eggs, pancakes, bacon, fruit, lunch meats, cheeses, salads, salmon, lasagna, fajitas, rice, vegetables, steak, cakes, cobbler, and cheesecake...all prepared for us by the team from GCW! I can't envision how anyone could not enjoy their trip, you'd have to try hard not to! The team from GCW is there to make sure you have a safe trip and return home with memories and friendships that will last a lifetime!

Cullen Brant

00:39 16 Mar 20

12 August 2010 Due to the elements of nature, my private trip (aka not with GCW) lost ALL of our boats at Mat Kat. Stranded and with the radio on one of the deviant boats, we were kinda SOL. GCW guides Matt, Matt, Sean, and Cora were absolutely wonderful and picked up our whole 14 person crew, even spending the extra time to find one member who was missing. On our 9 mile journey to pick up our boats, the guides were very wonderful and knowledgeable and told us a whole lot of information about the canyon! If you want a quality experience in the Canyon, go with GCW!

Patricia Kurz

12:55 02 Aug 19

Grand Canyon Whitewater is a great company to travel the Grand Canyon with. The preparation information was perfect for packing and getting ready. Amanda in the office was very friendly and able to answer any questions that came up. The crew we went with ( Brie, Cora, Johnny and Chayse) were amazing. They were professional, knowledgeable, and boy could they cook. They were really fun too. We called it, “all inclusive camping!” I’m ready to go again.

Cindy Honma

06:00 01 Aug 19

I just finished my 8-day rafting trip with Grand Canyon Whitewater last Saturday, and am still in mourning that I had to leave that beautiful river. I have nothing but great things to say about GCW. Our crew, Jason, Easy, Riley and Sheila worked their butts off to ensure we had the richest, safest experience ever! They are all fun too. Meals and snacks were yummy and all you can eat. Everything is provided for you. All you need is clothes, toiletries, willingness to go with the flow (literally) and be in reasonably good shape. You will see nature at its most beautiful in a way that most people will never see. Grand Canyon Whitewater is the way to go. I have zero complaints, loved every minute of it.

Nikki Renison

00:17 21 Jul 19

Life changing! My husband and I celebrated 20 years of adventure with this amazing adventure! Never did I expect to make so many incredible memories. Our leaders, Bri and Jason along with guides Johnny and Holly never ceased to amaze. They worked tirelessly to provide delicious meals, endless snacks, knowledge and folklore about the river and canyon. My simple recommendations are few but precious. 1. Be like the river and go with the flow. Every day holds new wonder so even if it isn't what you expected, go with it, it WILL be great. 2. Bring socks and hiking shoes. Blisters suck. 3. Try to go on every possible excursion (with socks and shoes). There is so much to behold that you may never have another opportunity to enjoy. 4. Go without the tent. Even though they are available and easy to set up... When else would you ever get to sleep under the most magnificent display of heavenly bodies? That's about all I feel like sharing because the rest is just for me, to be kept like a secret treasure shared only by those who have chosen to embark on this greatest of adventures. Oh and 5. Do NOT forget the rain gear and go for the front left!

Kelsey White-Davis

19:24 26 Jun 19

Grand Canyon Whitewater facilitated an opportunity of a lifetime! The raft guides were exceptional. Super fun, knowledgeable and worked so hard. They clearly loved what they were doing and it was a joy to be around them. We were well fed and cared for in every way. I am super grateful to have gone on this trip with you guys!

Peggy T

17:28 21 Jun 19

Most fun I’ve ever had! My husband an I took the 7-day motor trip with friends in June 2019. By the third day, we were talking about making the trip again in a couple of years. The staff and crew of Grand Canyon Whitewater are true professionals who go above and beyond to provide the best possible experience. The website is full of information and videos that give accurate and helpful information about preparation and what you can expect. The crew puts safety first without being bossy, and they work incredibly hard to help people get the most from their experiences. They are also very knowledgeable in sharing the history of the canyon, as well as encouraging us to respect and protect the natural wonders. The food was amazing, fresh, and plentiful! This trip exceeded my expectations in every way - and I expected a lot!

Nancy Theis

01:53 14 Jun 19

I just returned from an exceptional 8 day motorized trip through the Grand Canyon with this outfitter. I would not hesitate to recommend or rebook with Grand Canyon Whitewater again. The guidance and professionalism throughout the trip could not have been better. They made it a memorable trip; one I would like to repeat.

Joann Kavanagh

02:37 06 Jun 19

This was the most amazing trio of a lifetime and made even better by the caring and informative staff and guides of Grand Canyon Whitewater. I won't lie I was nervous ....the videos on their website prepared me for all aspects of the trip. Interacting prior to the trip with the office staff was a pleasure and they were only too helpful to answer questions about the trip. They have to be the friendliest people I have ever met. Upon arriving at Lee's Ferry we received a warm greeting from our guides and they got us started with our dry bags and gear. Orientation was informative and allayed many fears I had brought with me. We soon were off and I spent the most wonderful, exhilarating 8 days in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Thanks Bill, Riley and Cora, Brad and Grand Canyon Whitewater for a most amazing adventure I will never forget.

Rob Gibson

22:00 03 Jun 19

I have not used Grand Canyon Whitewater rafting yet but I can attest to how much fun the people were having that I saw this past weekend and on how great their guides are. I had hiked down to the Colorado-Havasupai creek confluence with friends but was running low on water and not trusting my water filter. After I asked Jason if he could filter a few liters of water for me just to be good to get back to Havasupai he readily donated water to me. I will absolutely be using GCW for a future rafting trip!

Eileen Nebhut

13:19 19 May 19

Fantastic experience on the Upper Canyon trip with GCW in May of 2019! Knowledgeable guides who are professional and a lot of fun. Great food, exciting hikes. Always felt well looked-after. Easy tents, warm sleeping bags and endless activities. Will do this, or another GCW trip, again!

Robert Mohr

16:35 08 Mar 19

They actually talked me out of a trip! I talked with Lindsay who didn't have a trip to meet my needs but helped me plan a trip with another company that was better suited to the needs of my group! I am keeping these guys in my close contacts when I do eventually plan that Grand Canyon trip of a lifetime. These guys are top notch!

Dani Gibbons

11:40 31 Oct 18

GCW is a well run outfit with constant communication and wonderful staff. The equipment was well maintained and the food on the trip exceeded my expectations. The guides were incredibly knowledgeable and very fun to hang out with. Our trip included guests from a wide age range with different dietary needs and I thought the staff did an excellent job accommodating everyone's needs while also encouraging the more adventurous guests to take advantage of all the Grand Canyon has to offer. If you are on the fence about taking a white water trip just do it- you won't regret it.

Dacia Murphy

19:04 01 Oct 18

If you're thinking about using a differnt rafting company for your vacation of a lifetime, stop right here. By far the most qualified, knowledgeable, and most fun staff I've ever had the pleasure of rafting with. With almost everything provided for you, all you need is yourself and your personal items, then you can have the best rafting vaca EVER with this company. My 4 day trip was the most exciting, fun filled, relaxing vacation I've ever had. Chris, Cloe, Joe, and Rachael are the best guides this company has!!! Every crew member is very knowledgeable about the river, the rapids, and the geology of the canyon. Seriously, the best company to use is Grand Canyon Whitewater. Book a trip with this company and I promise you won't regret it!!!!!

Paul Casey

14:45 26 Sep 18

This company is well run and efficient starting with the initial booking process. They kept me informed of what was needed to train and prepare for the river trip well in advance of the trip (6 day oar with hike out along the Bright Angel Trail). Transportation to and from the canyon was timely and comfortable. The outstanding part of the experience were the river guides, 7 men and one woman. All were experienced experts in their craft plus all had detailed knowledge of the canyon's geology, history, plant, and wildlife. The guides were/are friendly, funny, caring, cool under pressure and just great individuals. I always felt safe with them on the river. This was my first river trip so I don't have a starting point to rate GCW with other rafting companies, but I highly recommend them.

Kym Wilkens

13:11 18 Sep 18

WOW!!! Everything about our trip was SPECTACULAR!!!! The guides were THE BEST. We felt safe in their hands and also that they truly cared about each one of us and in delivering the most unforgettable trip possible. Their genuine warmth and lightheartedness made us feel so lucky they were guiding our adventure. Their passion for the Canyon was infectious and they took care of every tiny detail to make our trip truly perfect! We had the best mix of opportunities for peaceful solitude and contemplation, white knuckle adventure and laughing our booties off too! Also, I cannot say enough about THE FOOD. My mind was blown at the culinary masterpieces on this trip. I’d heard the food was very good but that was an enormous understatement! I don’t want to give away any surprises but days later I’m still thinking about those delicious meals! I slept very well every night on a different gorgeous sandy beach in the comfortable gear they provided under the most amazing stars with the peaceful lullaby of the river. Thank you GCW for taking us on hikes to hidden gems we’d never have access to otherwise and the opportunity to see so much of beauty and grandeur of this amazing natural wonder. I loved every second of the 8 day trip and I can’t wait to go back!!!

Dena Petersen

20:46 17 Sep 18

Highly professional guides who maintained their courtesy, friendliness, and composure 24/7 for 5 days, and this is beyond their navigating us safely through impressive rapids. Amanda (in the office) is incredibly well-organized and helpful. A great team for a great trip.

James Kruppa

14:26 05 Sep 18

I did the 7 day-6 nite motorized trip. Grand Canyon Whitewater (GCW) did an outstanding job. Everything was spot on. Great organization, superb guides, excellent equipment, great communication and preparation, good food. I could not be more pleased. I very highly recommend them. One of the great experiences of a lifetime!

Tom Woodfield

15:29 08 Aug 18

Best trip I’ve ever had. Better than I could of imagined. Guides are amazing and knowledgeable. Food was also great 3 meals a day made for you. For 4 days I didn’t care what time it was and just enjoyed every moment. Will definitely be coming back to do the south rim.

Megan Nolan

10:24 16 Jul 18

This was a once in a lifetime experience. We took our three kids on the seven day motor trip in early July. Prior to going- I was nervous about how it would go. We just returned two days ago and I can’t say strongly enough about how all met expectations were exceeded. Loved it!!

Barb Adams

15:39 09 Jul 18

Our Grand Canyon Whitewater vacation was EXTRAORDINARY! Excellent! Fantastic! I am a real person, and not a paid reviewer. Just back from their 8-Day Motor trip and I can not speak highly enough of the experience. Great rigs that are safe and comfortable. Friendly and SUPER knowledgeable guides. Unbelievably fresh and healthy meals. The sites for sleeping are beautiful. All logistics of traveling to and from the river were smooth and easy. Honestly, I can not recommend a Grand Canyon Whitewater vacation highly enough.

barbara v sartorius

12:39 05 Jun 18

Spectacular guides that made the trip, for this 71 year old woman who had never been camping and on her own, doable. A little more training on my part beforehand would have made hiking (aka scrambling)a little easier and you don't want to miss the amazing waterfalls and vistas. Pack very light and bring a waterproof camera. Sometimes, my cell phone got too hot during the day and turned off. It was a wonderful bucket list trip!

Leslie Lance

18:08 27 May 18

Grand Canyon Whitewater could write the book on the customer experience! From our first encounter with the reservation staff to the guides and rafts on the river! The customer service staff was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. There were frequent updates and reminders as our trip got closer and it was very much appreciated! The river trip was spectacular! We did the 5 day motorized lower canyon trip from the Bright Angle Trail. The guides were there for us along the whole hike into the canyon. Then there was the river! We are rafters ourselves, so weren't quite sure what to expect when they said 35 foot j-rig rafts. I can say those rafts are nearly bomb-proof, especially with the experienced and knowledgeable guides. The really cool thing about going motorized, is the speed you can travel the canyon. I was surprised at the amount of flat water between the rapids. A paddle/oar raft would have taken days longer and would have been a lot more effort. We felt completely safe going through the big water, especially with the expertise of the guides! Our guides were beyond amazing! Troy worked tirelessly to make sure we felt completely safe and learned about the history, geology and geography along the way. He had a wealth of knowledge that comes with the years and love of the canyon. Big Matt added his special sense of humor and fun along with his expertise. We loved being on his boat! Little Matt obviously has the passion of his youth on the river and it was a delight to spend time with him. We were fortunate to have Chris along on the trip, who added his own fun and knowledge (Loved the "heart arch") and hope he gets to spend more time with this fabulous team. Our guides worked from sun-up to sun-down to makes sure our experience was beyond measure, and we truly appreciate them. Then there's the food! All I can say is WOW! How can you provide such qualify and variety on a river, in the middle of the Grand Canyon? The food was fresh and delicious. There was always fresh fruit and veggies! The crew went out of their way to make everyone feel special--especially the ones celebrating milestones like birthdays! This was truly a trip of a lifetime! I highly recommend it to anyone with an adventurous spirit!

Tim Warlick

13:38 26 May 18

We had the trip of a lifetime!! Every aspect of the trip was great. The pre-trip information and videos helped us prepare. The guides were informative and worked really hard to make our trip outstanding in every way. The side trips really added to the experience. Food was above outstanding. Pictures can not describe the grandeur of seeing the Grand Canyon from the bottom up. Interaction with the other travelers added to the enjoyment of the trip. Hiking in and rafting out was perfect to experience both aspects of the Grand Canyon. I would HIGHLY recommend this trip and especially this company!

Ashley Mynchenberg

16:05 17 May 18

Our 8 day motor adventure with GC Whitewater was nothing short of spectacular. Everything from the food to the gorgeous natural wonders that constantly surround you to the knowledge/stories shared by the guides and fellow passengers was all wonderful and above and beyond. The guides really did a fantastic job ensuring everyone got to truly experience the canyon and set a great example of people helping people which our group instantly adopted. If you are looking to truly experience the Grand Canyon, you have to do this trip!

Stephen Ritch

13:40 16 May 18

Exceeded all expectations. Well planned and executed. Excellent guides. Twenty wonderful companions in adventure. Unspoiled Colorado River and the Grand Canyon. Priceless!

Peter Baxter

13:06 15 May 18

Magical Trip that our Grand Canyon Whitewater Guides Jeff, Jason, Sean, and Holly made sure this was trip of a lifetime. Food was wonderful, hikes were spectacular, and knowledge of guides on history, geology, and folklore of the Grand Canyon made for entertaining and meaningful experience. I have been to many parts of the world but this trip was special for my spouse and I. I would highly recommend this trip and to use Grand Canyon Whitewater, as the materials and videos provided prior to trip helped us prepare and it lived up to the expectations of the trip and much more.

Christian .Andreen

19:27 11 May 18

It has been one of my best life experiences (so far) rafting the Grand Canyon with GCW. So grateful to have lived in such a beautiful place for a week with incredible people. Food was better in the Canyon than it is when I cook at home. The guides are top notch and prepared for anything. Total JOY. Go. Live the adventure. You won't regret it.

Matt Eckhoff

18:34 09 May 18

Pure magic. Every single part of the journey (8-day motor from Lee's Ferry to Diamond Creek) was beyond incredible. Come prepared to have an experience that moves you to the core. The guides are top notch- constantly sharing their passion for and countless stories of the river. They work tirelessly to make this trip absolutely seamless- safe- (did I mention magical) and still adventurous. Don't hesitate for a single moment to take a trip with GCW. Not to mention- this company is a great steward of the Canyon and the Flagstaff community. They really live out the credo of my recent trip- people helping people- on and off the river. Cheers--

15:31 22 Apr 18

Bart Wilhoit

22:48 27 Jul 17

This was the BEST TRIP EVER!!! I'd give more stars if possible. We did the 7 day motor trip and everything about it was awesome. We took a family of 5 (two teenagers and a ten year old) and everyone loved it. The teenagers went for nearly a week without a phone and never even thought about it because they were having so much fun. It was an awesome way to connect with the family and also meet new people. Very few vacations can do that. We've rafted on several rivers with good rapids, but nothing compares to the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. Incredible scenery (which seems to get better and better at each turn), awesome short and accessible hikes to unique and amazing natural features (waterfalls, streams, floating down the Little Colorado and more) and, of course, blasting through gnarly rapids and loving every second of it. Then, set up camp on a nice beach and eat an awesome hot cooked meal as you watch the sun go down on the river and wonder what the next day has in store. Layer that with an absolutely incredible staff that has everything figured out, is really helpful, super fun and knowledgeable about the Canyon, history, geology and river and you've got an amazing experience. (Shout out to Jeff, Ted, Trevor, Davis, Dean and Miles! You guys created an experience that my family will never forget and we all really appreciate it!) If you have any inclination to raft or see the Grand Canyon in a unique way, don't hesitate to book this trip -- I guarantee you'll absolutely love it. Every part of the trip was incredible and Grand Canyon Whitewater couldn't have done a better job. Thanks so much guys!!!

d conrad

16:26 17 Jul 17

Best Vacation Ever!!!! We bonded even closer as a family on this trip! The river guides were amazing and the food was great too. Side hikes were beautiful and never a dull moment. I thought I would miss my phone and social media but that was the last thing on my mind. I highly recommend Grand Canyon Whitewater and hope to go back again one day! We did the 8 day motor trip

Blair Juliar

14:28 27 Jun 17

The experience is very difficult to describe in words or even show in a series of photos. I went on a 5 day lower river motorized tour with two of my college aged kids. Our guides, Brian D, Jeff P and John D were the very best at everything they did. From their knowledge of the river, their work ethic, their sense of humor and taking care of some special dietary needs at meal times. I can't imagine what they could have done to improve on their care for group. I highly recommend experiencing this adventure and experiencing it with Grand Canyon White Water

Emilee Thomas

00:49 05 Jun 17

Once in a lifetime opportunity to see the Grand Canyon from another perspective! What a great trip rafting down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon! We loved our four guides- Troy, Calvin, Brock & Stacy- who did a fantastic job throughout the trip-- navigating the river, sharing knowledge of the canyon, cooking delicious meals, and sharing the highlights of the canyon such as waterfalls and the little Colorado river. The 8 mile hike out was tough, but we felt so accomplished once we made it to the top (pack light!) We would, without a doubt, travel with Grand Canyon Whitewater again. Do not miss out on this trip!

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