Grand Canyon

arizona raft adventuresgrand canyon discovery

You are thinking of taking a river trip…

Why take a river trip through the Grand Canyon?What are the trip options and which is best for you?What is the group size? And on how many boats?

What is a typical day on the river like?What sets us apart from other outfitters?

How experienced are we?What kind of service can you expect?

What is our staff like?When is the best time to go?

And how far in advance do you have to book?

This brochure begins to answer your questions, our website will answer more of them,

and our reservations staff will happily answer all the rest.

So you were thinking…Front Cover: © 2007 Ralph Lee Hopkins

The Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon’s immensity and beauty defies words and ulti-mately you must see it for yourself. When you come to the Grand Canyon, bring that sense of wonder you had as a child and take time to absorb as much of the Canyon’s majesty as you can. You will be rewarded with memories that last a lifetime.

Looking inside the Grand Canyon from its rim, the Colorado River slices the earth from east to west nearly a mile below you, carving its way across four plateaus and exposing layer upon layer of rock, hundreds of millions of years old. The Colorado River and its tributaries nourish a land surprisingly diverse in wildlife—from great blue herons to desert bighorn sheep to peregrine falcons—and rich with cactus, flowers, and even ferns. To appreciate all the diver-sity and detail, come down to the river and “live” inside the Canyon for awhile.

The Colorado River is the best way to experience the Grand Canyon, winding its way from Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek over 225 miles of smooth flowing current punctuated by small riffles and frequent large rapids such as House Rock, Hance, Crystal, and Lava Falls. At every turn of the river you’ll discover a new vista some-how prettier than the one before. You’ll see things you’ve never seen before, you’ll do things you’ve never done before, and you’ll leave behind an often frenetic world of noise, clutter, and technology. By contrast, your time on the river will be simple, exciting, humbling, calming, and renewing—all at the same time.

The magic of the Grand Canyon lives in its side canyons and streams and there is only one way to get to most of them: rafting the Colorado River. Hiking up one side canyon takes you into another world, entreating you to forget for awhile the immensity of the Grand Canyon. Another trail rises steeply from the river, requiring a brief, sustained effort, always to be rewarded with awe and a fresh perspective of where you are. Our guests tell us this is a hiking trip as much as a river trip, and they are both surprised and appreciative at the balance between exploring by river and on foot.

Eric Christenson photo

Hybrid Trips

AzRA and Grand Canyon Discovery Hybrid trips are popu-lar because people get to choose their own activity level each day. There are five 18-foot rafts on each trip: one paddle raft and four oar rafts (five oar rafts on longer spring and fall trips). Our paddle captain rudders from the stern of the paddle raft and calls out instructions to you and five other guests. A guide rows from the center of each oar raft while you sit back and enjoy the ride with other guests.

There are 18 to 20 guests on each trip who typically change rafts each morning, making new friends and getting to know the guides. Do you feel energetic and want to be active? Hop on the paddle raft! Feel more like relaxing and watching the scenery go by? Step aboard an oar raft (where you may also try your hand at row-ing, if you wish).

This is the best trip for a taste of everything and for satisfying a range of activity interest within your own group—including your own changing moods from day to day. You meet the river on its terms, at its pace—still and quiet, pounding rapids, then quiet again. Your adrenalin ebbs and flows as you settle into the rhythm of the river. (Minimum age: 12 years.)

Unlike our All Paddle trips, we cannot guarantee 100% time in the paddle raft on Hybrid trips. Moreover, there is just one paddle raft regardless of how many people want to paddle. If your main interest is in paddling and you have previous multi-day paddle experience, the All Paddle trip may be a better choice for you.

Eric Christenson photo

AzRA and Grand Canyon Discovery All Paddle trips are for people who already know they want the ultimate whitewater expe-rience in the Grand Canyon, have rafted with us before (or on other multi-day whitewater paddling trips), or who simply love “hands on” adventure.

Under expert guidance from our paddle captains, 18 guests paddle three 18-foot rafts (crews of six plus one guide on each raft), learning to work with each other and the river. Additionally, there are two baggage rafts that help carry gear. Vigorous paddling in the rapids alternates with mellower paddling in smooth water and just floating along with the current. Since you want to paddle, we assume you also want to hike and explore as much of the Canyon as time allows.

This is the best trip if you like physically challenging vacations, you enjoy teamwork, and you like hanging out with people with a similar zest for life. The All Paddle itinerary is active, and attracts a broad age range which adds spice to the trip!

Very few outfitters offer paddle rafting in the Grand Canyon and we have paddle rafted the Canyon longer than any of them. Since we offer only a handful of All Paddle trips, consider booking early to assure a spot in the month that works best for you. (Minimum age: 16 years.)

All Paddle Trips

Eric Christenson photo

Eric Christenson photo

Motor Trips

We run motor trips for two reasons: our guests love these trips and we love producing what we believe is the best motor trip avail-able in the Grand Canyon at any price. We designed these trips for people who want the sense of security and comfort of a motor raft, extra days at a slower pace, and a moderate group size.

Our group size (up to 22 guests on two rafts) provides a per-sonal experience, contact with your guides, and room to spread out on the rafts. Our group size is 6 guests smaller than the 28 guest maximum common with most other motor outfitters, but on the same size rafts. You will be with the same group throughout your trip since we do not exchange passengers via the Bright Angel Trail. Bonding with the guides and new friends is natural and easy in this setting; keeping the group together just makes sense.

You see all 225 miles of the Colorado River from Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek in eight days (summer) or ten days (spring and fall). (Under rare circumstances your trip may continue to Lake Mead). Our experienced guides are masters at creating a unique trip itiner-ary based on your needs and the needs of the group you are with. Enjoy an early camp on some days while on others you spend more time hiking and playing up side canyons.

Take the time you’ve always wanted to explore, relax, and ex-perience more of the Grand Canyon—eight days at least, ten days if you can get away. The motor trip is your best bet if you want to see the entire Grand Canyon in little more than a week and hiking the Bright Angel Trail is not an option. (Minimum age: 10 years.)

Malcolm Leslie photo

You begin and end your trip in Flagstaff, Arizona (full trip options, 225 river miles). Flagstaff has a friendly, small town feel in a cool, mountain setting that fosters a smooth transition between civilization and nature. Flagstaff is centrally located 2.5 hours by bus to the start of your trip at Lees Ferry and a 2.5 hour return bus trip to Flagstaff from Diamond Creek at the end of your trip (under rare circumstances your trip may continue to Lake Mead.) Guests on either the Lower Canyon (136 river miles) or Upper Canyon (89 river miles) Hybrid or All Paddle trips will start or end their trip at Grand Canyon, Arizona, a 1.5 hour drive or bus ride north of Flagstaff.

You embark on an expedition and we carry everything we need for one or two weeks on the rafts. Each morning you will help load the boats and we move 20 or so miles downstream. You spend several hours on the raft with one or two side hikes each day. Some days have more hiking and less boating and others more boating and less hiking. Every trip has a unique itinerary, molded in response to the weather, river flow, and the particular interests of the group.

Along the way you will learn about geology, history of early river runners, river ecology, and other interesting information from the guides. In the late afternoon we find a new campsite all to our-selves and it’s fun picking out your own sleeping spot as we set up our new little “village.” The guides prepare the meals, some guests enjoy helping in the kitchen, and others relax or explore trails out from camp before dinner.

This is an active vacation and a physically challenging experi-ence, though each day offers time to kick back and relax before din-ner, during and at the end of hikes (generally) up little side streams and canyons. You are encouraged to take personal time to relax, refresh, or reflect. You will learn routines and relax into the flow of the trip. And since you are on an adventure, there are many surpris-es, and you learn to relish discovery as each day unfolds, building on all the days that came before.

What sets us apart?• We have been creating personal adventure for people in the

Grand Canyon for over 40 years. With this experience we have learned to manage risk exceptionally well.

• You can choose from three raft types, nine trip lengths, and 100 launch dates. Our friendly, experienced reservations staff is happy to help you choose the trip option that’s best for you.

• Our guides average 14 years professional outdoor experience, know the Grand Canyon inside and out, are full of fun, and most importantly they love sharing their favorite place on earth with you.

• We take professional satisfaction from providing you personal value that exceeds your expectations.

• We minimize our impact on the environment the best we can and we give one percent of our gross revenues back to help-ing restore and protect the earth.

What sets us apartWhat a trip is like

Choosing well

How much time can you take? One week? Take a motor trip or the Upper or Lower por-

tion of a Hybrid or All Paddle trip. The entire Grand Canyon on a non-motor trip requires two weeks. Trips in April, September, and October are one or two days longer than in summer due to less daylight and more hiking when it’s cooler. If in doubt over a day or two, you’ll be glad you took more time.

How fit are you? If you’re not up for hiking the Bright Angel Trail and have only

a week, a Motor trip is your only option. Conversely, if you are re-ally fit and want to hike, then sign up for a longer trip or a “Hiker’s Discovery.” Regardless of how fit you are today, and no matter what trip option you sign up for, the more fit you are, the more you will enjoy your time in the Grand Canyon.

Hybrid, All Paddle, or a Motor trip? Each provides a different experience. Read the trip options

carefully and if you still have questions, call our office and we will gladly help you select the best trip option for you. If you want to paddle 100% of the time, the All Paddle trip is your best option. And if there’s no space available? Wait a year. Or others in your group don’t want an All Paddle trip? Then try a Hybrid trip where you share the paddle raft.

Upper Canyon or Lower Canyon (Hybrid and All Paddle trips) …which is best? Both Upper and Lower Canyon trip options have exciting

rapids, great campsites, and fun hikes. The Lower Canyon has a few more “big name” rapids, more “wet” hikes (small side streams), and takes two more days to cover the 47 extra river miles. The Upper Canyon scenery seems richer in color and texture and is a geologic

treat as the river carves “backwards through time,” layer upon layer. And it may not matter in the long run, as most guests return an-other year to see what they missed.

Best time to go? Consider the weather and your personal preference. It is hottest

June through mid August. Afternoon rains are more common July through mid-September when thunder clouds moderate the after-noon sun. Rains can drive away the heat, bring out sweet, desert smells, and clouds add a rich texture of light and shadow to canyon walls. Hot is better for enjoying the rapids and swimming, humidity is low, and you keep cool in the river. Cooler (April, May, Septem-ber, October) is better for more and longer hikes and comfortable sleeping at night.

Fewer people? It is relatively uncrowded most of the time. The Park Service

spreads use out over the season with more launches allowed May through August and fewer launches allowed in April, September and October when group sizes are also sightly smaller. Only oar and paddle trips are allowed to launch after September 15 for visitors who wish to avoid contact with motorized trips.

Special interest trip? Consider the Natural History Discovery and Stories of the

Grand Canyon, or you may wish to sign up for a Photography Workshop, or even a kayak trip. “Hiker’s Discovery” trips are for people who love to hike, though if you want extra time for art or writing, you could sit out some hikes to be creative or simply relax. We don’t run all special interest trips every year, so please check “Dates and Prices” or call our office for availability.

Who hears the rippling of rivers will not utterly

despair of anything. We go to the river’s edge

for comfort, spiritual renewal, meditation,

solitude; we go to the river to feel and know the continuance of life.

Henry David Thoreau

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Bright Angel Trail

If you prefer a Hybrid or All Paddle trip but just can’t spare two weeks, the 6- or 7-day Upper Canyon or 8-, 9- or 10-day Lower Canyon trip may be your best choice—as long as you don’t under-estimate the Bright Angel Trail.

The passenger exchange point at Pipe Creek and the Colorado River is 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) and 4,800 vertical feet (1,450 meters) below the south rim of the Grand Canyon. The hike out of the Canyon on the last day of the 6- or 7-day Upper Canyon trip, or the hike into the Canyon on the first morning of the 8-, 9- or 10-day Lower Canyon trip, requires a demanding ascent or descent of the Bright Angel Trail.

Imagine carrying a 20-pound pack, hiking in 100 degree heat, climbing to the top of the Empire State Building four times, and sustaining the effort for 6 hours or more. Better yet, try loading up your pack and climb a few hundred stairs at a local football stadium. Hiking downhill is equally demanding or even worse for people with bad knees or hips.

If you are more than a little overweight, out of shape, have a heart condition, joint problems, history of heat related illness, asthma, or are afraid of heights, it would be wise to consider a trip through the entire Grand Canyon and skip the Bright Angel Trail.

Here’s the good news: if you are serious about hiking the Bright Angel Trail, you likely have time to get in shape and/or lose those extra pounds before your trip.

To lighten your pack, we provide a complete camping unit with tent; however, you must carry your own personal belongings and plenty of water. Duffle service by mule is not an option since the mules go to Phantom Ranch and we exchange guests at Pipe Creek.

“After hiking down the Bright Angel Trail my muscles ached for 3 days…I wish I had gotten in better shape before the trip.”

Diane Mercurio, Metacher, NJ

“The hike out the Bright Angel Trail was my favorite. Truly awesome…and a great sense

of personal accomplishment.”Eric Polesuk, Morristown, NJ

Mike Ullner photo

Planning, food and adventure

“The guides didn’t treat me as just a guest. They addressed me as a friend and not just

someone they were serving.”Katie Stark, Alexandria, VA

We want every step of your selection, preparation, and river adventure with us to be convenient, personal, satisfying, and reward-ing. We put a lot into planning your trip, and so will you. We will help you every step of the way, from every phone call to a detailed, advance trip packet, to a pre-trip orientation the night before your trip. We even have a small, mail order outdoor equipment catalog in case you don’t have an outdoor equipment store close to home.

Don’t come expecting to lose weight. We provide ample fresh foods that are healthy and delicious. We make extra effort to buy organic foods when available and highlight regional foods such as green chili casserole and prickly pear syrup (as a complement to real maple syrup, of course). If you have special dietary needs, let us know. We will accommodate you as best we can.

We think of our trips as a team effort. The guides will set up the communal parts of camp (kitchen and toilet) and will prepare the meals. Everyone helps load and unload the boats and you are welcome to help in the kitchen (only if you wish) and with pump-ing drinking water. We live in a close community for a number of days—it’s fun to get to know each other and help each other out. We value the fact that our guests leave with a sense that they have shared an incredible adventure together, and also shared in many aspects of the trip.

You will love our staff

We have a lot of fun together working at AzRA and Grand Canyon Discovery, and we will treat you more like a friend than a customer. We think of ourselves as one big family and enjoy mak-ing new friends—you! We give our best by hiring the best people, treating them well, and empowering them to serve you. We love our jobs, we have stayed with AzRA and Grand Canyon Discovery for good reason, and you are the beneficiary.

Your first contact will be with our reservations staff and they are eager to help you with any question. They are very knowledgeable about all that we offer. We certainly wouldn’t have someone tell you about a trip they had not experienced themselves! This goes for our drivers, food manager, and warehouse staff as well. We love the river, have learned much from it, and enjoy providing you the best Grand Canyon experience we can.

Our guides are talented, creative, and love to play. They care about you, each other, and the earth, and their knowledge of the Grand Canyon is awesome. New guides are chosen by a care-ful process, including peer evaluation. They typically stick with us five to 25 years. Each guide brings something unique to the trip.

They are musicians and story tellers, professional photographers and world-class kayakers, ski instructors and nurses, graduate students and teachers. Some take time out from other professions for a trip or two while others have made guiding their career.

The guides will teach you as much as you want to learn about the Grand Canyon, whether your interests lie in geology or archeol-ogy, ecology or botany, history or reading river currents. It’s fun to know how the parts all fit together, including our part in it all. Ask all the questions you want and if we don’t know the answer, we will look it up. We will try to give you as much information about the Grand Canyon as you care to hear.

“These men and women are remarkable guides and have a gift to inform, educate, and empower

people from a variety of different backgrounds and skill levels.”

Teresa Dougherty, Missoula, MT

Stuart Rasmussen photo

Eric Christenson photo

Eric Christenson photo

Grand Canyon National Parkand our commitment to the environment

The overall mission of the National Park Service is the pres-ervation and public enjoyment of significant aspects of the nation’s natural and cultural heritage. Since 1965 we have assisted the Park Service in achieving this mission—a privilege and responsibility we proudly embrace.

You will be traveling throughout your trip in Grand Canyon National Park, one of the crown jewels of our National Park Sys-tem. You will learn about and be reminded or shown how to avoid disturbing natural, historical, and archeological features and wildlife. Our guides share their knowledge of the Park’s natural and cultural resources including American Indian perspectives along with talks on safety, resource management issues, and Park history. You will learn about the significance of Grand Canyon’s natural and cultural resources and the importance of protecting them. And you will be provided opportunities to experience solitude and natural quiet.

Our Environmental Management Plan details our objectives and methods for operating our trips with the least environmen-tal impact possible—including energy conservation, air and water quality management, waste reduction, and recycling. We minimize noise, save fuel, and reduce emissions on our Motor trips by using small, four stroke engines, allowing time each day to drift with the current, and idling down when passing other groups. We help power our office with a 2.5 kW solar array.

We give generously to the environment and the society which support us. We are corporate partners of Leave No Trace and busi-ness members of One Percent for the Planet through which we

contribute one percent of gross revenues to not-for-profit orga-nizations committed to environmental restoration, protection, and education.

We have been running rivers for nearly half a century and each generation has passed onto the other a love of the land and a com-mitment to environmental stewardship as a core tradition. You will be moved in your own way about your Grand Canyon experience and it is our hope that your own environmental values and activi-ties will be refreshed when you go back home. We cherish this land and regard the Earth as a gift for us to appreciate, understand, and protect. If you are like most of our guests, you do too.

Eric Christenson photo

and our commitment to the environment

Who can go? Almost anyone, including many with disabilities. A surprising

number of our guests experience their first river trip with us and it’s first-time camping for some! Check age restrictions at the end of each trip option section. Although prior river experience is not necessary, the rigors of outdoor life are not for everyone. There are inherent risks and discomforts and medical help is far away. If you are unsure of what is required or have a special need, please call our office and we would be happy to help with your decision.

What is included in the price? All meals from lunch on day one through lunch on the last day.

A full camping unit including sleeping bag, pad, tarp, tent, and wa-terproof bags. For the Full Canyon trip we include a full transporta-tion package, Flagstaff to Flagstaff, and a partial transportation pack-age on Upper and Lower Canyon trips. We do not include: alcoholic beverages, transport between Flagstaff and Grand Canyon, Arizona (Upper and Lower Canyon trips) or gratuities for the guides.

What are the meals like? We serve quality foods—fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads,

meats, desserts—from chicken fajitas to pineapple upside down cake. The guides are excellent chefs and the menu is varied with plenty of choice. Vegetarians are easily accommodated and most dietary restrictions can be met, though please call ahead. Our food depart-ment is constantly researching sustainable alternatives from organic foods to natural beef and reduced packaging to purchasing recycled paper products.

How strenuous are the hikes? Hiking in the desert southwest is unlike any hiking most people

have ever done. The scale is stunning, the hikes are spectacular, and the rewards are sweet. The trails include wading through creeks and scrambling over boulder strewn terrain with slippery spots and unprotected high places. The guides know just when to lend you a hand and when to allow you to explore your own limits. All hikes are optional and you may choose to go, find a place to hang out in the shade, or turn back at any point.

Should you leave your cell phone behind? Yes, please do, and it won’t work in the Grand Canyon anyway!

Leaving electronic devices at home (laptop computers, phones of any kind, and music playing devices with external speakers) is re-spectful of all visitor’s opportunities to enjoy the wilderness charac-ter of the Grand Canyon.

How far in advance do you have to book? If you are a large party, want an entire launch date just for your

own group, or have highly specific or limited date choices, you should book as early as you possibly can, 12 to 15 months ahead of your launch date. Conversely, if you are a smaller group and are flex-ible on launch dates, then you may still find space just a few months ahead of your launch date. And it may not be too late! A simple phone call will determine availability in minutes, we refill cancelled spaces throughout the season, and our waiting list has rewarded many!

Frequently asked questions

History, mission and goals

Lou and Rob Elliott ran our first trip through the Grand Can-yon in 1965 with one motor raft and one paddle raft. Since then we have gone through many manifestations and our latest change was the addition of Grand Canyon Discovery in 2003. Operating under a separate Park Service concession authorization, Grand Canyon Discovery is owned by AzRA. Our two companies share the same management, the same guides, the same core values, and the same fundamental commitment to excellence, personal service, and the environment.

Since the beginning (in the infancy of river running) we have been family owned and operated. Lou and Claire Elliott founded the business in the 1950s, Rob Elliott bought the business from his parents in 1974, still guides today (his favorite part), and Rob’s chil-dren have all been guides, guide today, and love this business every bit as much as earlier generations.

We strive to create personal river adventures through the Grand Canyon that make a difference in people’s lives. Our first goal is to bring you home safe, happy, and eager to come back. Our second goal is to protect the environment and where we operate – the Grand Canyon. Our third goal is to provide our employees a re-warding place to work. Our fourth goal is to make enough money to achieve the first three goals, and our fifth goal is to have fun along the way!

Adam Elliott photo

arizona raft adventuresgrand canyon discovery4050 E. Huntington DriveFlagstaff, AZ 86004800-786-7238 • 928-526-8200www.azraft.com

Colorado River