Who has done any type of rafting trip in the Grand Canyon area? What company did you use? I found ne I like OARS, but the trip I like is hiking 9 miles down into the canyon and helicopter out. Not too fond of that idea. Anyone do the hike down and was it hard? Do you have to be in top physicial shape to do it? Want to do something like this and treat my husband for his birthday and they do them couple of times a year. Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions? Appreciate it. Thanks

From my understanding only a few companies are allowed to raft in the Grand Canyon and those trips have a two year waiting list.

Did you call the companies? This is something I would discuss with them.

There isn't a waiting list if you go with an outfitter.

OARS is a big company, and they operate in several states. You would probably be fine with them.

My parents did the trip last year but on their own. They had put in for permits for nine years before they finally got one. They spent 13 days on the river, and they had a great time.

It looks like a beautiful trip, but the water is really cold. You can't swim.

There are a few threads on here about hiking down (and back up) into the Grand Canyon. I'd suggest you search for those, and also search for some trip reports. A couple of good websites to look at are: http://hitthetrail.com/
and http://www.bobspixels.com/kaibab.org/

You do not have to be in top physical shape for the hike down, but the more prepared you are the more enjoyable it will be. You'll have the opportunity for some shorter hikes during the rafting trip, so that's another good reason to be as prepared as possible.

There is a GREAT trip report done by MRand on this board in mid-2006. It is called "Trip Report: Rafting the Colorado/Hiking out of the Grand Canyon." Put these words in the search box: rafting grand canyon" and it will be about the 34-35th post that comes up.

I still remember this report because it was very, very good, detailed, and thorough, and a fun report also.

Here's the most recent relevant thread I could find:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=35103316

Those other websites I mentioned will have plenty of good advice.

We used Arizona River Runners in June. Can't say enough good about it. Our guide had worked with two other oufitters. He has been doing it for 20 years. He said he makes a trip 6 or 7 times a year. He said that all of the companies pretty much operate in a very similar manner. We did the 3 day from Vegas. For starters we flew out on a small (19 passenger) over the wing plane. The plane landed on a dirt runway that looked as if a ten year old had made it. We stayed the afternoon at Bar 10 Ranch. Shot Skeet, rode 4 wheeler to the rim of Grand Canyon, played volleyball and had good dinner. You have your choice of sleeping outside in a covered wagon or bunk style. We slept in the wagon. Stargazing was incredible. No lights after 10:00 and the closest light is 70 miles away. They turn the generator off, so all that is available is flashlights. Very dark and ver guiet.

The next morning you helicopter to the bottom of canyon. Incredible views on the helicopter. You land on a tiny spot next to the river. You raft the entire day and spend the night on the banks of the Colorado in the bottom of the canyon. The last day we rafted about half a day, then bus back to vegas, crossing the Hoover Dam.

Food tasted as good as it possibly could considering what they had to work with, and how to prepare it.

We did a hike to a really cool waterfall one day. Hike to some pictographs a couple of times.

The rafting wasn't as wild as I thought it would be. But, the water is very cold.

You will thoroughly enjoy yourself.

GO FOR IT. You can probably still sign up now, just call and see.

We did not do the hike, I am assuming that it is to Phantom Ranch. I have a friend who did it and loved it. You should be in pretty good shape for it, especially if you are going to hike back up.

The 3 days was long enough for us. I would do the 4 day instead of the 3 if it were to do over again. I can certainly see why a lot of people would want to do the 7 or 10 day raft, but that is a mightly long time. The one thing we really missed was not having in ice in our drinks. The drinks were cool, but not cold. The toilet is the most scenic "dump" you will ever take. LOL. They use a toilet that is about the size of an ice chest. My wife (very modest) even peed off the back of the boat while we were rafting down the river. Everyone just turns there head. You get used to it after a half a day. We didn't use a tent, but they had them if you wanted to sleep in them. You will leave a different person. We had 25 people, plus 4 guides on 2 boats. A lot of foreign people were with us. England, Japan, Germany. A couple of them didn't even speak English. There were 4 children, including my 12 year old. They were all entertained the entire trip, and never gave anyone any problem. They all loved it. It is pretty primitive camping, but EXCELLENT!!!!! It will be one of the best trips ever and certainly something that will stick with you.