Wows and Woes
Whitewater raft tours on the Colorado River.
The rafting guides are eager to share information and answer questions, professional and courteous.
Cancellation charges are steep, as much as 50 percent. Waits for helicopters at the end of the trip can be long and uncomfortable in the hot summer sun.
Insider Tips
Go as soon as the tours begin in April or in October, as there are fewer tourists visiting the park. If you want a thrilling adventure, go on an inflatable instead of a motorized raft; those trips are shorter, quieter, more relaxing and less crowded. Children younger than 8 years old might not enjoy the rafting trips, except for the smooth water one. The whitewater trips are too intense and last too long for young children.
Bottom Line
Rafting tours in the Grand Canyon offer a wonderful way to see the canyon on the Colorado River, but they are expensive.
Author's Most Memorable Moment
I took a trip that went to the gorgeous Havasu Falls. My most memorable moment was diving into the clear blue pool and going into a tunnel leading to an underwater cavern. It was an awe-inspiring experience.
