KAYAKING

Kayak the Grand Canyon

This 15-day guided trip offers complete raft support. Kayakers must have solid Class 3+ paddling skills and a bomb-proof river roll! The water is huge but not necessarily technical. Otter Bar provides two certified Grand Canyon guides, one of which is from Otter Bar. Guides will advise you and help you pick your lines, however, this is not an instructional trip. Non-kayakers are welcomed and may ride in one of the motorized support rafts. This trip is contracted through AZRA/Grand Canyon Discovery.

This trip is about you having the best Grand Canyon experience possible. You will be free of duties such as cooking and cleaning so that you have ample time to go on fabulous side hikes or just take in the Canyon's magic while relaxing after a day on the river. All meals are included. Guests must provide their own kayak and equipment; rentals are available in Flagstaff.

Hand picked, colorful Grand Canyon Guides to make sure your trip is successful and fun!

Trip Details

Day 1:
Launch! Rapids: Badger & Soap Creek.

Day 2:
Get used to the feel of the river. Lots of rapids including The Roaring Twenties.

Day 3:
Breathtaking scenery, Redwall Cavern, Buck Farm Canyon. Climb the ancient Anasazi ruins at Nankoweap.

Day 4:
The canyon opens up and you can feel how far down in the earth you are. The Little Colorado joins. Camp near Unkar.

Day 5:
Great day! Rapids: Unkar, Hance, Sockdolager, Grapevine, Horn Creek. Stop at Phantom Ranch, mail letters or even call home. Camp below Horn Creek.

Day 6:
More excitement: Granite, Crystal (both portagable), Hermit, the Gems, Serpentine Rapids. Incredible vistas.

Day 7:
A day to relax and float easily. Highlights: Elve's Chasm, Blacktail Canyon, and Dubendorff rapid.

Day 8:
Layover day or short mileage. Hike to Thunder River via Surprise Valley and down Deer Creek to the Colorado.

Day 9:
An easy day with one major rapid: Upset. Side hike to Matkatamiba Canyon. Camp at Ledges or Last Chance.

Day 10:
Beautiful side hikes to Havasu Creek and Fern Glen Canyon.

Day 11:
Itinerary left open to accommodate flexibility in the trip.

Day 12:
Lava Falls! It's an easy portage and exciting to run. One of the most classic rapids on Earth.

Days 13-14:
Talk about how you ran Lava the day before. Last Night Party: think of something fun and don't forget a party outfit.

Day 15:
Take out at Diamond Creek. Shuttle back to Flagstaff.

Please note that the itinerary is subject to change as needed. All guests should meet by 7:00pm the day before the trip launches at the Radisson Hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona, for orientation.

The following morning everyone will be picked up from the hotel and taken by bus to the Lee’s Ferry put-in. At the end of the trip you will be driven back to Flagstaff from the Diamond Creek take-out. You should be back in Flagstaff between 3:00pm and 5:00pm, but Otter Bar cannot guarantee the exact return time. There is no charge for the bus shuttle service. You must make your own hotel reservations at the Radisson. There are blocked out, less expensive rooms available for Otter Bar guests ($86.00 per room, up to four people).