I booked this tour on line after looking for something different and exciting while in Vegas. The white water rafting tour did NOT disappoint! If more information was given on the website they would sell out everyday. We were picked up from the Flamingo at exactly 4:15am by Ron in a passenger van loaded with pillows and bench seats. ALL of us slept for most of the ride. The website mentions a 3 hour drive to Arizona but this is broken up in sections. Like I mentioned, all of us went to sleep as the sun was rising. We stopped for an hour long breakfast at a Denny's on Route 66! Ron was a fantastic host as he explained points of interest along the way. He would stop for photo opportunities as well. The next stop was at the reservation where we checked in and hopped on a bus for the half hour ride to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. We got into our boats at 9am. The rapids ranged from Class 4 to Class 8. The water was 40 degrees and I must say "very refreshing". Those who sit in the front of the boat will be doused as sheet after sheet of icy water slams into you as you go through the rapids. This is not a ride for anyone with physical limitations. Going on this tour while severely hung over is NOT a wise decision. We went in early May. It was over 90 degrees in the canyon. The icy water was refreshing but we quickly warmed up. Surprise!!!! There is a hidden waterfall!!! REALLY? I must have missed this on the website. We climbed ashore and were absolutely delighted to find ropes drilled into the cliffs to help us climb up to the waterfall. I had no idea what I would find at the end of the journey but it took my breath away. ABSOLUTELY WORTH THE CLIMB! Did I mention this tour is not for those with limited mobility or those who are hung over? Yeah. It was a workout but we entered a cave at the top and heard the running water and just stopped in our tracks to take in the magnificence. TAKE YOUR CAMERAS but enclose them in a waterproof bag. After the breath taking waterfall we rafted further down the river and stopped for a rugged lunch. Sandwiches, chips, veggies and Kool-aid. Be sure to take ALL of your trash. The sheer magnificence of the Grand Canyon is a wonder to behold. The rapids ended before lunch. The next 3 hours of the journey is through the heart of the Grand Canyon. There are no words to describe the grandeur as you cruise the Colorado river looking up at the 4500 foot cliffs over your head. We saw the river transition from beautiful turquoise blue to muddy brown as the terrain changed towards the last hour of the journey. The boat drivers were very professional, courteous and experienced. You can choose to cut off the last hour of the boat trip by taking a helicopter out of the canyon. WHY would you do this you may ask? Well if you've never been on a helicopter it is amazing. You've just spent 5 hours on the river taking in the Grand Canyon from the bottom. The helicopter will show you the views from the top. You an add an option to go to the skywalk. We chose to stay on the river and I just have to say it is an exhausting day. It was very hard to stay awake for the last few hours on the river. The calm boat ride, the hum of the boat engine and the physical energy it took to climb to the waterfall took its toll. Despite the magnificent scenery, my eyes were closing of their own accord. Ron was waiting at the end with that same comfy van and pillows to take us back to the hotel. And again....ALL of us fell asleep.
DO NOT MISS THIS TOUR. 10 of us went to Vegas. Only 3 went on this tour. They weren't excited about spending an entire day away from the pool. IT WAS WORTH IT. IT WAS WORTH IT.
