The Grand Canyon is one of the most stunning natural wonders and is only a few hours’ drive away from Las Vegas. The Grand Canyon is one of the most well-documented and photographed destinations in the United States. Its unparalleled beauty can only be appreciated when you see and experience it first-hand.
There are many things that you can do at the Grand Canyon apart from sightseeing. Whitewater rafting should be a part of your list if you wish to immerse yourself in the ultimate Grand Canyon experience.
You can sign up for a one-day or multi-day white water rafting experience with professional outfitters. Not only will you have an exhilarating experience riding the waves, but you are allowed to see magnificent sceneries as you ride the intense rapids of the Colorado River.
What kind of raft do you want to ride in?
When planning a rafting trip, one of the first things that you need to learn about is the raft options made available at the Grand Canyon. There are two types of rafts to choose from: motorized and oar-powered rafts. Learning about how these two types of rafts work will help you decide which you think is best to offer a memorable rafting adventure.
Motorized rafts
Motorized rafts that traverse the rivers of the Canyon are of two types: the S-rig, with its unique donut-shaped feature, is designed explicitly with the Mighty Colorado River in mind. At the same time, the J-rig is a highly-secured raft that promises to deliver an action-packed rafting experience through the Grand Canyon.
These motor-powered rafters typically accommodate up to 14 passengers and 1 guide. An advantage of choosing motorized rafts is that you don’t have to paddle; hence you can lay back and appreciate the sights and sounds while on an exciting whitewater rafting ride. As opposed to slow oar-powered rafts that are moving at a slower pace, adventure seekers can see more of the Canyon when riding a motorized rafter.
Oar-powered rafts
Oar-powered rafts are compartmentalized non-motorized boats crafted from a high-grade rubber material.
It can accommodate 4 to 6 passengers, including the guide. In this rafting tour style, the guide is the only person paddling, and as a guest passenger, all you need to do is hang on tight for a wild ride.
There are also non-motorized boats that combine oar and paddle-style rafting trips.
What type of rafting trip would you like to experience?
After deciding on which type of raft you’re interested in riding on, the next step is deciding on the rafting trip package. Different outfitters offer different styles of whitewater rafting along the Canyon. While some offer day trips, there are also rafting trips that can last up to 18 days.
There are motorized Canyon trips that will allow you to explore its entire length in 8 days. Some tours also offer rafting at specific parts of the Canyon only. These trips usually last for six days on an oar-powered raft. Different outfitters offer a different itinerary for shorter rafting trips. Before signing up for these trips, make sure that you have enough time to finish the journey to get the most bang for your buck.
Pointers when planning a memorable Grand Canyon Rafting Trip
Save money for your trip
If whitewater rafting along the entire length of the Grand Canyon is part of your bucket list, make sure to invest time and money into this adventure. Although it’s never ideal to bind your once-in-a-lifetime dream vacation on a price tag, it’s best to prepare enough money to ensure that you are getting the best rafting package from a reputable outfitter.
Make sure to have enough time for the trip
If you are planning a memorable Grand Canyon experience, a day or two on the weekends won’t be enough. Make sure to save those vacation leaves for at least 15 to 18 days so you can soak in the beauty of Mother Nature at the Grand Canyon. You may also choose shorter trips that last between 7 to 9 days for a fun ride along exciting portions of the Upper Canyon or the Lower Canyon.
Bring outdoor essentials
During your trip, make sure to bring all outdoor and rafting essentials. This will prevent you from spending on new purchases of things which you already have. Once you have decided on the length and type of rafting trip, the next step is to find a reputable outfitter who will facilitate the adventure-filled trip for you.
Perform your research on which companies deliver the best trips along the Canyon at competitive rates. Do not forget to check out reviews and online forums, as these are valuable information that will help you decide which trip and outfitter to get for the ultimate Grand Canyon rafting experience of a lifetime.
