subject: Grand Canyon Rafting - Why Not Consider A 1-day Float Trip? [print this page] Does rafting the Grand Canyon without white-water rapids sound good? Smooth-water float tours are great! It's a one-day trip that offers visitors of any age the best way to experience the canyon from the river.
Tours start out from Grand Canyon National Park and Tusayan, AZ, the town just outside the Park's main gate. Choose to go by bus or plane to Page, AZ, where you'll end up making an incredible two-mile drive through a tunnel to the base of Glen Canyon Dam.
The Colorado River, offering a gentle ride in the inflatable, motorized passenger river raft, provides a float trip of 15.5 miles. The well-known area of Horseshoe Bend quickly reinforces the incredible journey ahead. The ancient Puebloans made petroglyphs on the walls of the cliff, and today the raft will stop to let you view them.
Anything pique your curiosity? Feel free to ask your guide. These folks are a font of information and are more than happy to share their knowledge about the area's sandstone cliffs, its blue-green tavertine waters, and the abundant wildlife that make this pristine riparian area their home.
The float tour takes approximately 2.5 hours, breaking for lunch at the midway point and then continuing to historic Lee's Ferry. A motor coach with air conditioning winds the adventure down as you head to South Rim and journey's end. En route, you'll pass through the mystic Navajo Indian Reservation while being treated to excellent views of the Painted Desert. Don't miss the opportunity for genuine Indian crafts at Cameron Trading Post, a stop on your return.
From opening day in April to November closing, float tours require a full day. Departures are early in the morning. Allow about two hours for the float trip. I suggest using lots of sunscreen for tourists during the hot May through September months. Avoid sunburn and overheating by wearing a sunhat and comfortable clothes. The water is tempting, so bring along a suit for swimming. Stay hydrated with the free juice and water found on the raft.
Perks like pickup and delivery in the Grand Canyon Village and Tusayan hotel areas, a luxury motor coach, expert guide, lunch, park fees and the water rafting float tours are part of the package. You can also arrange to be picked up at the Grand Canyon Airport.
At a starting price of $170 each, bus-rafting jaunts are a popular choice. At $329 and up, airplane-rafting trips are popular. To get the best price, shop online. Booking online leads to savings of up to 35 percent, a real bargain for those who comparison-shop. Booking these trips online is much safer than you found in the past. There's never been a problem with any of the multitudes of raft trips I've purchased from the Web.
Riding the river gives you the chance to feel the incredible spirit of the Grand Canyon. The rapids are gentler in certain areas of the river. The Colorado River has calmer waters upstream that are easily accessible by bus or a quick jaunt by plane. The gentle water brushes your feet. Lean back and stare at the sky. Impressive old Indian drawings are visible from the shore. Enjoy the freedom. As one of the smooth water float tours, it's going to be the highlight of your vacation.
