Grand Canyon River Rafting Excursions - Is Trip Cancellation Insurance Advised?

There are only 14 sanctioned commercial rafting businesses in the Grand Canyon and there is only one Grand Canyon. Add in National Park Service limitations on total trips down the Colorado River and the extreme popularity of this natural wonder and you have a living example of the law of supply and demand. Mix in a little "stuff happens" and you have a great argument in favor of trip cancellation insurance for those organizing some Grand Canyon rafting. The popularity of visiting this national treasure is explained by the breathtaking landscape and the thrill of testing your mettle on the white water. The weather's not bad either. In the peak season (May to September) temperatures can range from a low of 60 degrees to a high of 100, accompanied by low humidity. The rainy season, unlike in other areas of the U.S., begins in July and lasts for four to six weeks. Basically, this means the afternoon temps are a bit lower, with scattered rain showers. Since the average temperatures in July and August run from 75 to 115 degrees, it is almost as though mother nature has provided some natural air conditioning for the summer months.

Rafting Grand Canyon excursions are booked rapidly in the peak season, as much as two years in advance. At the same time, the Park Service has constrained boat capacity per trip to a maximum of 24 people on oar-powered excursions (the smaller paddle boats hold six passengers) and to 36 people on the largest motorized rafts. As well, there's an established limitation of one trip per person per year - another way of trying to match this limited resource with a virtually unlimited demand.

Make no mistake - white water rafting Grand Canyon excursions require serious planning and saving. The typical deposit is $400 per person, with the balance (which can be thousands of dollars) due 90 days before the trip. There are no refunds if you cancel within 90 to 120 days of your launch; but if your space does get sold you might get 30% of your prepayment back. Ouch!

As one travel insurance company has stated, a trip that has taken a year or longer to plan can be spoiled in a second - and at a significant cost. That's why Grand Canyon rafting outfitters recommend trip cancellation insurance. Along with wearing the proper rain gear and staying hydrated, it's a very good way to be prepared.

About 22,000 individuals raft the Grand Canyon annually. With some good planning and precautions, you can be one of them.

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