Grand Canyon Rafting Experience

Monday 12 August - Sunday 25 August

(13 nights)

From £4021

From the chaos of Las Vegas to the isolation of the Canyon - this is a holiday of extreme contrast!

The often used saying is surely true of this particular dream adventure - THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME!!! This will be our 21st year down the Canyon, an experience that seems to have a profound affect on all who do it, and we believe the greatest all round adventure holiday Spice Escapes offers.

"I think nothing in my life can compare to those eight days on the river with the exquisite beauty and majesty of the Grand Canyon"

"I would recommend this trip to all who long for other than the ordinary - who care for almost complete solitude, rugged beauty, unforgettable serenity - all tinged with the excitement of elemental confrontation with nature in her many moods"

"I have never, and I mean NEVER, seen such beautiful organisation and scrupulous attention to every single detail...there were no hitches, delays"


Grand Canyon and Vegas

Your holiday includes

  • International flights
  • Transfers in Las Vegas
  • 8 days Rafting, transport to & from Grand Canyon
  • Licensed river guides
  • All equipment
  • All food whilst rafting
  • Camping gear whilst rafting
  • Hotel accommodation Las Vegas
  • USA State Tax.

Your holiday extras

  • Sole occupancy room in Las Vegas
  • Personal Travel Insurance
  • Meals in Las Vegas
  • Personal extras
  • ESTA Visa for entry into the USA $14
  • Tip Kitty £150 taken with the final balance
  • Interim payment £1500 due 01 Nov 2023 (this is non-refundable)
  • Covid testing as required at the time of travel

It has to be the most varied and enjoyable holiday you can imagine. There is the high excitement in running the frequent white water rapids as well as plenty of time to enjoy the 'off river' attractions. The Grand Canyon of the Colorado contains the world’s grandest scenery, a fairy tale backdrop of natural wonders and experiences, thousand feet high gorge rims enclosing wide bands of deep blue sky; shadowed bays, isolated sandy beaches. Bright moon peering over black Canyon walls, tumbling springs and cascading waterfalls, smooth opaque waters and booming rapids - its all here. This 8 day, 288 mile expedition from Lees Ferry to Lake Mead provides one of the most spectacular and enchanting journeys on earth. Some 60 great rapids all of varying degrees of difficulty punctuate the route, although exciting - all easily tackled by the large motorised rafts. The rafs hold all equipment, 14 Spicers and a guide and can tackle the largest rapids with a margin of passenger safety and comfort. At mile 179 we run Lava Falls - the fiercest rapid on the Colorado and another of the trips many highlights.

Whilst on the river all food is included, buffet breakfast tables are laden with eggs Benedict, omelettes, French toast, blueberry pancakes, sausage, bacon, fresh fruits, tea, coffee. Smorgasbord lunch means you build your own sandwich from a seemingly endless quantity of assorted breads, meats, cheeses and salads, with plenty of ice cold drinks on hand. Deluxe Dutch Oven and barbecue meals are a highlight of every evening, simply marvellous food in spectacular natural campsites. You take your own alcohol on board to help you get a goods night sleep…

Prior to the Rafting and to recuperate afterwards we have a couple of days in Las Vegas, the adult playground of America. There are plenty of activities, group meals and shows organised by the Spice Co-ordinator. Here we stop at the Luxor Hotel (or equivalent) on the famous strip. All the glitz and glam of Vegas is on hand, the shows, the slots and Casinos, you'll be mesmerised!

Grand Canyon and Vegas
Grand Canyon and Vegas

Location & Itinerary

Day 1 – Depart UK and arrive Las Vegas. Transfer to our hotel on the Las Vegas Strip for 3 nights.

Day 2 – Free time in Las Vegas. Your Spice Escapes host will help you to join up with other members of the group who may be looking to do similar things or you are free to explore at your leisure. Visit the famous tables in one of the immense Casinos, wander about in awe at the sheer decadence of some of the wonderful hotels, perhaps even sample the rides at the top of the Stratosphere Hotels tower! Your coordinator will be arranging breakfast meet ups so you can see the rest of the group as well as evening get togethers before heading out for something to each or maybe even one of the spectacular shows Vegas has to offer!

Day 3 – Free time in Vegas again. This evening we will transfer to a local hotel for a briefing from the Grand Canyon Rafting Company then it’s back to the hotel to pack ready for your Grand Canyon departure and an early night!

Days 4-10 – It’s an early start (about 0430hrs) and you are collected from the hotel an transferred to the Canyon to join your raft and crew. We have arranged with the hotel for you to leave your suitcase in storage whilst you are in the Canyon. Then get ready for 8 days of isolation and many say life changing experience!

Day 11 – The final day of rafting then you will be collected and transferred back to Las Vegas. Be prepared for a bit of a culture shock as all you’ve seen for the last week is nature, tranquillity, water (of course), and your fellow travellers!

Day 12 – Your final full day in Las Vegas. Tonight your coordinator will arrange a farewell meal (not included) which will often be in a destination venue.

Day 13/14 – Depart Las Vegas for your overnight flight to the UK.

Grand Canyon and Vegas
Las Vegas - canyonlands
Grand Canyon and Vegas
Grand Canyon and Vegas
Grand Canyon and Vegas

Travel & Stay

Grand Canyon and Vegas

We stay in a hotel on the famous Las Vegas Strip, this gives us a great location to enjoy the delights of the city. In recent years we have used the Luxor as a base and it is our intention to do so again for this trip or use a hotel of similar standard.

Provisional Flight Information

Flights are being offered from London and Manchester but it is not possible to advise times this far before departure.

Availability & Pricing

AccommodationPrice
Place in a twin share room£0.00Sold Out
Single occupancy room (hotel only)£300.00Sold Out
FlightsPrice
Own flight without transfers£4021.00Sold Out
Heathrow£4715.00Sold Out
Manchester£4715.00Sold Out

Not enough spaces left for you? Click here to join the waitlist

Passport validity

You should have at least 6 months remaining on your passport from the start date of your holiday and your passport must be less than 10 years old (even if it has 6 months or more left).

Travel Insurance

Please ensure that you have adequate personal travel insurance to suit your requirements in place before you travel.

The latest FCO travel guidance for the USA

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa

Grand Canyon and Vegas
Grand Canyon and Vegas

Host & Everything Else

CANYON TEMPERATURES

Temperatures in the canyon vary depending on location, season, and year. Here's what you can anticipate on the average: (Fahrenheit)

                               April    May     June-Aug     Sept

Daytime             70-80   80-90   90-110         80-90

Night-time       50-70   60-70   60-80           60-70

Even during the warmest months of the season, you will find that it is not hot on our expeditions. The dry climate of the Grand Canyon combined with swimming and frequent rapids will keep you comfortable. The water at Lees Ferry is quite cold (50 degrees) because it is released from the bottom of Glen Canyon Dam (Lake Powell) just 15 miles upstream. Sunny days and incoming side streams help increase water temperatures as you travel downstream.

SUGGESTED CLOTHING & OTHER EQUIPMENT TO BRING: (use as a checklist)

  • two-piece rain suit
  • lightweight fleece jacket or sweatshirt 
  • sleepwear/campwear
  • 2 or 3 pair of ankle socks (good sun protection)
  • 1 or 2 swim suits (2 piece swimsuits or sports bra and nylon shorts are recommended for women)
  • 1 pair lightweight long pants
  • 3 pair nylon quick dry shorts
  • 3 shirts (1 with long sleeves)
  • 2 pair rubber-soled shoes, multi-sport shoe/water sandals and flip flops or lightweight walking shoe 
  • personal hygiene products
  • shampoo and soap
  • towel, washcloth (thin ones dry quickly)
  • 2 hats or caps with brim and ties (1 for spare)
  • sun screen (generous supply)
  • hand & body lotion (16 oz. per person. Sun, water, and heat dries your skin quickly)
  • lip balm with sun screen 
  • small flashlight or headlamp, extra batteries
  • pocket-size packages of Kleenex
  • 8 Zip-Loc plastic bags, quart size 7"x 8" (for personal trash, photo supplies, etc. during the day)
  • 1 water bottle (1 qt. minimum to carry water while hiking)
  • sarong
  • Photo ID and credit card (in case of medical evacuation) 

OPTIONAL ITEMS

  • camera, film or extra memory cards, extra batteries & padding for camera case
  • sunglasses with retaining strap (a spare pair is a good idea also)
  • extra pair of prescription glasses if you wear them
  • bandanna or scarf
  • insect repellent (rarely needed)
  • small backpack
  • cotton sheet (for sleeping on top of sleeping bag in hot weather)
  • small inflatable pillow or small airline pillow
  • gloves (lightweight cotton-for hiking or climbing)
  • wet wipes (individual packets)

Pam Harte

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