Many people dream of whitewater rafting on the Colorado River—navigating the winding currents and rough rapids while taking in the awesome natural sights of the Grand Canyon. Western River Expeditions specializes in turning this dream into a reality by offering a variety of rafting trips. These trips, featuring their patented J-Rig Rafts, include options for 3-day, 4-day, and 6- or 7-day river journeys, all of which depart from Las Vegas. The rapids on the trips range from moderately to extremely challenging, so people should be aware of their skill and comfort levels before booking a trip. Western River Expeditions is one of the Grand Canyon Visitor Center’s recommended tour operators.
3 Day Rafting Trip
3 DAY RIVER TRIP
- Begins and Ends: Las Vegas
- Season: April-September
- River Distance: 100 miles
- Rapids: 15+ class II-III
- Boat Type: Western’s J-Rig
- Minimum Age: 9
The 3-day rafting trip—which is available from April to September—begins in the relatively tame rapids that characterize the Colorado River’s lower 100 miles. There are more than 15 rapids of class II and III along this stretch. Although not as rough as the higher stretches of the river, this journey still offers lots of amazing scenery of the Grand Canyon, including beautiful waterfalls and pools that less adventurous visitors never have a chance to see. Rafters are also likely to see plenty of wild animals, such as bighorn sheep, great blue herons, and eagles and hawks.
This trip includes the plane flight from Las Vegas to the canyon; a helicopter flight into the canyon; the rafting expedition; tents, sleeping bags, and other camping equipment; guide-prepared meals; and transportation from the river back to the Marriott Hotel in Vegas. The national park entrance fee and the processing fee (for children) are not included. The minimum age for this trip is 9.
WHATS INCLUDED
SCENIC FLIGHT Airport transfer and flight from Las Vegas to the river.
HELICOPTER Enter the canyon by helicopter after scenic flight to rim.
RAFTING More moderate whitewater than the 6-Day Grand Canyon trip.
CAMPING Cots, tents, sleeping bags, chairs and water-resistant bag.
MEALS Guides prepare all meals for you between departure and return.
TRANSFERS From river to Marriott Hotel in Las Vegas.
NOT INCLUDED
National Park Entrance Fee $20
Processing Fee 1% (For age 16 and over)
RATES
Ranging from $1,300 to $1,400+. Visit booking form for details and departure dates.
4 Day Rafting Tour
4 DAY RAFTING TOUR
- Begins and Ends: Las Vegas
- Season: May-September
- River Distance: 100 miles
- Rapids: 15+ class II-lll
- Boat Type: Western’s J-Rig
- Minimum Age: 9
The 4-day rafting trip—which is available from May to September—covers 100 miles of rafting fun involving many of the Colorado River’s most famous whitewater rapids. But before entering the water, explorers on this trip spend a night on the rim of the canyon, where they’ll have opportunities for horseback riding and other cowboy-type activities at the Bar 10 Ranch. After helicoptering down to the river and beginning their rafting excursion, they’ll see enormous sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, wildlife, and many other natural wonders. Like the 3-day trip, the 4-day trip is guaranteed to have more than 15 rapids of class II and III.
This trip includes the plane flight from Las Vegas to the canyon; the helicopter flight into the canyon; the rafting expedition; tents, sleeping bags, and other camping equipment; hiking trips of varying difficulty; guide-prepared meals; and transportation from the river to the Vegas Marriott. The national park entrance fee and processing fees are not included. The minimum age for this trip is 9.
WHATS INCLUDED
SCENIC FLIGHT » Airport transfer and flight from Las Vegas to the river.
HELICOPTER » Enter the canyon by helicopter after scenic flight to rim.
RAFTING » More moderate whitewater than the 6-Day Grand Canyon Vacation
HIKING » Short walks to longer, more difficult hikes (all optional).
CAMPING » Cots, tents, sleeping bags, chairs & water-resistant bag.
MEALS » All meals are prepared for you between departure and return.
TRANSFERS » From river to Las Vegas Marriott.
NOT INCLUDED
National Park Entrance Fee $20
(For age 16 and over)
Processing Fee 1% Grand Canyon Conservation Fund $1/Day (Optional)
RATES
Ranging from $1,700+. Visit booking form for details and departure dates.
6 or 7 Day Rafting Tour
6 OR 7 DAY RAFTING TRIP
- Begins and Ends: Las Vegas, NV or Marble Canyon, AZ
- Season: April-September
- River Distance: 188 miles
- Rapids: 60+ class III-V
- Boat Type: Western’s J-Rig
- Minimum Age: 12
This 6- or 7-day trip—which is available from April to September—is the longest and most challenging of the Grand Canyon rafting journeys offered by Western River Expeditions. After departing from either Las Vegas or Marble Canyon, people on this trip will raft across 188 miles of the Colorado River and encounter at least 60 rapids of class III to V. The massive waterfalls and other natural scenery on this trip are even more breathtaking than on the shorter trips. Daily hikes will take visitors to a number of fascinating sites, such as ancient Anasazi ruins and beautiful fern glens.
The basic package for this trip includes the rafting expedition; tents, sleeping bags, and other camping equipment; hiking trips of varying difficulty; guide-prepared meals; the helicopter flight out of the canyon; and the plane flight back to Vegas or Marble Canyon. The beginning-of-the-trip charter flight to the canyon is optional and not included in the basic package. The national park entrance fee and processing fees are also not included. The minimum age for this trip is 12.
WHATS INCLUDED
HELICOPTER Exit the Grand Canyon by helicopter after the rafting trip is finished.
FLIGHT Scenic return flight to starting point (Marble Canyon or Las Vegas).
RAFTING Nearly 200 miles of amazing scenery and over 60 rapids.
HIKING Short walks and longer more difficult hikes (all optional).
CAMPING Cots, tents, sleeping bags, chairs and water-resistant bag.
MEALS Guides prepare all meals for you between departure and return.
TRANSFERS From designated hotel to Boulder Air Terminal.
NOT INCLUDED
National Park Entrance Fee $20
Processing Fee 1%
Grand Canyon Conservation Fund $1/Day (Optional)
Optional charter flight from Las Vegas to Marble Canyon (trip start point)
RATES
Ranging from $2,800+. Visit booking form for details and departure dates.
