Trying to find the Grand Canyon smooth-water rafting tour that has it all? Here's one which comes with a smooth-water float tour, a backcountry Jeep trip, and an plane flight which will cover in thirty minutes what would take days to discover on foot.
This seasonal experience (runs from April to November) commences with an airplane flight from the South Rim's Grand Canyon Airport. The plane heads east where you will see The Painted Desert, the Navajo Indian Reservation, and the very stretch of Colorado River on which you will be floating.
You will deplane at Page, AZ, and transfer to a 4x4 Jeep for a backcountry trip to famed Antelope Canyon, where you can find slot canyons. These slim pathways, some of which scarcely let a group walk single-file between them, are created from superbly weathered Navajo sandstone and are a photographer's heaven.
The Jeep then takes you to awe-inspiring Glen Canyon Dam, a 700-foot behemoth that proudly tames the mighty Colorado River. You'll burrow through a two-mile access tunnel until you reach the riverbank where you are going to get on your professional-grade river raft.
The float tour goes to Horseshoe Bend, a wonderful "U" in the river that brilliantly contrasts the river's turquoise waters with the iridescent orange sandstone cliffs. Downstream, you'll pull out on a sandy beach and take a quick walk to see a set of ancient petroglyphs.
You'll continue to pontoon on the Colorado before you get to the historic town of Lee's Ferry, founded by John D. Lee, who was retained by the Mormon Church to operate the ferry service so church members could make their way south. Development of Navajo Bridge in 1928 shut down the ferry. Today, the town, which consists of a preserved fort and trading post, is the kick off point for multi-day white-water trips.
Lee's Ferry will be where you'll transfer to a climate-controlled luxury bus and will be your mode of transport back to Grand Canyon National Park. En route, you'll see from ground level everything you covered earlier by air. There's also a stop at Cameron Trading Post, which sells real Navajo Indian handicrafts.
During summer, bring a lot of sunblock and dress yourself in loose-fitting clothes. In addition, I advise a hat with a brim. Swimming is encouraged, so either wear your trunks at the get-go or have on your suit under your clothes. Avoid dehydration by drinking lots of water, which will be provided as part of the trip.
Great guides make this tour outstanding. The plane segment has a taped narration interpreted in 10 different languages. Your river guide understands the Colorado like the back of his hand and is very happy to talk about the area's geology and natural history. Bus drivers are very well versed on the phenomenal scenery and points of interest you will be passing through on the way back to the South Rim.
I find this float tour with airplane flight and bus trip to be one of the best trip packages available at the South Rim. It's also priced right. But savvy travelers can usually get a much better deal if they acquire it on the web. Amazingly, I've seen it discounted by up to 35 %.
This
one day smooth-water float tour is a terrific way to experience the Grand Canyon. Making it an even more wonderful package are the plane, jeep, and bus segments. Children ages four years and up are capable of doing it. And there are no rigorous fitness specifications. All you need to bring is your sense of adventure. Then prepare yourself for the best canyon experience of your life.
