Arizona River Runners Great Spring Break Getaways

Yes Arizona River Runners does have great Spring Break Getaways - ReadersDigest.ca says so!

"River rafting might seem more like an adventure than an education—but all the best learning has a basis in fun. This Grand Canyon rafting trip provides a rare opportunity to be a guest in harsh environment that supports over 1,500 plant species, 300 types of birds, and 80 different mammals. While you journey through the canyon your guides will point out the geology of ever-changing landscape and talk about the regions rich human history. " (From readersdigest.ca)

We have some great trips for April, from our 6 & 7 Day whitewater trips, to the 12 Day Hiker's Special. All of our Grand Canyon raft trips are all-inclusive, you pack your clothes and "necessities"- we pack the rest - all the food, drinks (non-alcoholic only), snacks, camping and rafting equipment.

You will enjoy the Canyon in a whole new way as the Spring bloom adds even more color and beauty to an already amazing landscape. All three trip types will allow you more time for additional side canyon hiking and discovery in the milder temperatures of April. Average day time highs range in the mid-80’s and night time lows in the mid-50’s. Some additional physical conditioning is required for the mandatory 7.5 mile hike in or out on the 6 and 7-day trips. (NOTE: This is the only time we will offer these three trip-types during the 2011 season.)

For your Arizona rafting vacation, call Arizona River Runners at 1-800-477-7238!

Arizona River Runners Wants You to Know...

The Arizona Office of Tourism has announced the 2011 Arizona Official State Visitor's Guide will now be available to consumers at no charge. This informative guide provides a wealth of information to visitors, and residents alike. Information on Arizona's history, golf courses, arts and culture, resorts and spas, dining and shopping, and so much more. It has information on camping and recreation, fun family adventures, including Grand Canyon rafting vacations ! It encourages and entertains readers to discover what this great state has to offer as a premier vacation destination. Get a copy today for your wonderful Arizona vacation.

To obtain a complimentary copy of The Arizona Office of Tourism's Official State Visitor's Guide log on to www.Arizonaguide.com, or call the Arizona Office of Tourism at 866-298-3312.

(From Arizona Highways "A New Guide to the Grand Canyon State")

Experience the vacation adventure of a lifetime on an Arizona River Runners rafting trip. Since 1970 we have provided complete Grand Canyon whitewater rafting trips. Whitewater rafting through the Grand Canyon offers a unique view of one of the most popular natural wonders of the world. Arizona River Runners has grown to be one of the most innovative, and well-respected outfitters operating in the Grand Canyon. Call us at 1-800-477-7238, we'd love to see you venture down the Colorado!

Arizona River Runners 13 Day Oar Trip

This 13 Day adventure travels 225 miles through the Grand Canyon in our oar powered rafts; it is our longest trip whitewater rafting through the Grand Canyon. The trip starts in Marble Canyon, AZ or Las Vegas, NV if you use our optional transportation package.

The 13 Day Grand Canyon Oar trip offers the most intimate river experience. Our oar-powered boats take 4 passengers at a time on the ultimate river rafting experience, combined with abundant time for side-canyon exploration and bonding with the natural grandeur of the canyon. This is the closest thing to reliving the pioneering trip of John Wesley Powell. (It doesn't get any better than this!)

You "shoot" through famous rapids such as House Rock, Hance, Horn, Hermit, Crystal, and Lava Falls. Some off river explorations might include Redwall Cavern, Elves Chasm, Deer Creek Falls, The Little Colorado, and Havasau Creek among other breath-taking excursions. Late afternoon you set up camp, relax and share stories with your new friends about each day’s adventures. As the sun sets over the mighty walls of the Canyon, you are ready for a good night’s rest under the starry sky

Your trip ends on the 13th morning at Diamond Creek with transportation to nearby Peach Springs, AZ. You can arrange your own transportation from there or our optional ground transportation will return you to Las Vegas, NV.

For rates and dates on Arizona River Runners 13 Day Oar trip or any of our many other Colorado River trips, call us at 800-477-7238.

Arizona River Runners 6 Day Oar Trip

Arizona River Runners 6-day oar trip starts when you arrive at Marble Canyon, AZ. It takes you whitewater rafting through 87 miles of the Grand Canyon and is perfect for those wanting a shorter oar-powered trip with more hiking. Experiences are limitless on these Grand Canyon raft trips; take time to explore the side canyons, listen to stories, make new friendships, and revel in the inspiring views of this natural wonder. The majesty of the canyon, combined with the excitement and anticipation of running the rapids make for a memorable Arizona rafting vacation. The final morning of this amazing trip brings you to Phantom Ranch, to begin your ascent to the South Rim.

It is important that you exercise and prepare for this 9-mile hike out of the Canyon. It is not necessary to be a triathlete, but good health and sufficient energy are highly suggested.

Call Arizona River Runners for your Grand Canyon Oar Trip 1-800-477-7238!

Arizona River Runners 3 Day Escape

Our 3 Day Escape has become a favorite for those who are looking for a shorter but exciting river rafting adventure. Your Colorado River trip begins in Las Vegas, NV with a scenic flight to the Bar-10 Ranch on the Arizona Strip (north rim of the Grand Canyon). At the ranch to can go horseback riding, take an ATV tour, or just relax in the peaceful setting and take in the beautiful sights.

The next morning you will be helicoptered down to the Canyon floor where you will explore the lower section of the Canyon for the next day and a half. Whitewater rafting through the Grand Canyon is indescribable - the water, the views, the canyon walls. You "shoot" the rapids, travel calm waters and go on off river hikes. The food on the trip is delicious and filling! Our guides have drinks, treats and fruit on the raft for snacking during the day. In the evening, the sky is filled with stars, you will fall asleep trying to count them all!

On the afternoon of the third day, after a 45 minute speed boat ride, you go to Lake Mead and then back to Las Vegas via air-conditioned motor coach.

Maybe after the 3 Day rafting trip, you'll be ready for one of our 6 Day family rafting trips!

Call Arizona River Runners at 1-800-313-0017 for your adventure of a lifetime!

How (NOT What) To Pack for Your Arizona River Runners Raft Trip

When you make your reservation for a Grand Canyon raft trip with Arizona River Runners they will help you to get ready for your upcoming adventure. You can ask lots of questions and people (yes, live humans) will talk with you and make sure you understand things so that you can pack what you need.

I'm not going to address WHAT to pack right now but, instead, HOW to pack.

Here's the deal...you are coming from point A, maybe in a car, maybe on a plane, maybe with extra days before or after your Colorado River trip. That's all up to you. Let's focus here on your rafting needs. If you are flying to Las Vegas before your trip make sure you carry on your river duffel bag on the plane. DO NOT CHECK IT. It can be a real last minute challenge to find all your river gear if the airline happens to lose your bag.

ARR will provide you with 2 waterproof dry bags for your raft trip. One smaller dry bag (7" diameter x 14" deep), is for you to keep with you during the daytime. You will pack sunscreen, camera, rain gear...things that you will have access to all day long. Bring a couple of carabiners too. They make it easy to clip and un-clip your bag to the boat straps and to use in camp to keep your stuff together. The other larger dry bag will hold your duffel bag with everything else of yours, including all of your sleeping stuff, which Arizona River Runners provides. The large dry bag will be wrapped up and stowed away all day long. You will have access to this at camp each night.

You may leave home with other, major luggage pieces but when you head for the river......do yourself a favor. (1) Pack light, and (2) bring your personal things in a soft duffel kind of bag no larger than 24" x 12" x 12"(no rigid suitcases please). Just slide the whole thing into your dry bag and you're good to go. I've even seen people use black trash bags instead of luggage. It's not a bad way to go

One, final thought....on any trip that you FLY (not all raft trips do this but many do) back to where you started your Grand Canyon adventure, you will need ID. Just like any other air carrier, ID is required. So stash that with your duffel bag and it will be ready and waiting.

Like most things, getting situated may be challenging but you will get the hang of it pretty quickly. Arizona River Runners is here to help you with your Grand Canyon rafting adventure. Like I said earlier, a real, live human being will answer all your questions about whitewater rafting through the Grand Canyon. Call us, were waiting for you! 1-800-477-7238.

Silence that is Deafening ~ Arizona River Runners

When is the last time that you sat quietly? Perhaps last Sunday or during a moment of tragedy for our country? Silence is difficult to come by in our busy lives. We are hurrying here and there. We are hustling to get everything done. Our "to do" list is never ending.

As you float on the calm water stretches of the Colorado River you will have time to quiet everything. In the presence of the Grand Canyon you can be still and gaze upon magnificence. Perhaps you’ll see a flower in bloom. Its life is short but present for you to see. Perhaps you’ll catch a glimpse of a Big Horn sheep scrambling easily over the tortuous rocks. You may be lucky enough to watch a Bald Eagle in flight; its majesty and power on display. You never know what you may see or hear rafting through the Grand Canyon.

Consider yourself a teensy speck compared to the vastness around you. The walls of the Grand Canyon rise majestically and climb to the sky. Lose yourself in the clouds as they take control of the sky and race to the horizon.

You can feel, taste and hear the silence. It is powerful. It is deafening. It is waiting quietly for you.

Are you ready to lose yourself on a Grand Canyon raft trip? Arizona River Runners would love to help. Call 1-800-477-7238 for a calm, quiet, life changing river rafting adventure.

Celebrate in the Grand Canyon with Arizona River Runners

I was lucky enough to celebrate my 50th birthday on an Arizona River Runners raft trip in the Grand Canyon with a bunch of friends along with some new friends. Even though my birthday is not in the summer, my hubby and I decided we would try to get some friends to come along and we would celebrate my birthday on the river at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. So we picked the date for the whitewater raft trip and then sent out invitations. It was PYOW (you know...Pay Your Own Way). Some friends signed on, we invited a guitarist we met on a cruise and there you have it. It was a fabulous week in a spectacular place. It's great to go whitewater rafting through the Grand Canyon without a special occasion to celebrate, but with a week to toast my birthday it was an unprecedented joy.

I've celebrated others' anniversaries, birthdays and miscellaneous achievements at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. There have been specialty cakes baked in the Dutch oven or candles or some rousing round of toasts and songs to commemorate special days. One night after dinner, we were served an anniversary cake, warm from the Dutch oven. It was 2 layers of chocolate cake oozing raspberry preserves in the middle. There I was with warm, dark cake in my 2 cupped hands, thinking...how the heck do I actually eat this?

What will you celebrate in the Grand Canyon? Maybe your first anniversary, or your 25th, a birthday, a milestone of some other kind - the publishing of your first book, your promotion, 5 years cancer-free or 3 years sober.

Life is a “Grand” parade. Celebrate with Arizona River Runners in the grandest of places...The Grand Canyon.

Call us at 1-800-477-7238, we'll help you celebrate your special occasion on a Grand Canyon rafting trip!

The Arizona River Runners Omelet

My favorite, favorite breakfast on an Arizona River Runners raft trip is the build-your-own omelet. They put out a bunch of stuffings for you to choose from...as I recall there are things like ham, olives, grilled onions, green chilies, cheese, mushrooms, bacon...you get my drift. Lots of goodies for you. Get your plate and spoon your selections onto your plate. Hand your plate to the "chef" behind the griddle where they have the whole, huge griddle covered with eggs and they deposit your omelet selections onto the perfect spot.

Your "chefs" can cook 3 beautiful, custom omelets at a time. So, while you wait just a couple minutes your eggs cook, and with amazing talent and skill the “cooks” fold and turn your beautiful omelet into a finished piece of art. Hot and ready to devour - perfect to get you ready for a day of Grand Canyon rafting!

Grab some fruit and OJ, coffee or tea, and in my humble opinion you've got Grand Canyon breakfast cuisine at its finest!

Getting hungry? Getting adventurous? Call Arizona River Runners - your omelet - and adventure is waiting! 1-800-477-7238

Coffee in the Grand Canyon on an Arizona River Runners' Rafting Trip

Do you typically start your day with a steaming hot cup of coffee? Being on a Grand Canyon rafting trip with Arizona River Runners won't interfere with this. Each and every morning the first thing to be prepared in the kitchen is coffee. You can roll out of your sleeping bag and crawl to the kitchen in your pj's if you'd like. The coffee is brewed fresh first thing each morning. Add your favorites...milk, sugar, honey, hot chocolate mix (my personal favorite), sweetener, whatever way you like. You've got choices how you'd like to start your day. If you prefer hot tea, that's available too, even just juice!

So, if you are a dedicated coffee drinker, you have nothing to worry about on your Grand Canyon raft trip. Arizona River Runners has you covered. We want you to be happy. We know you'll be happy rafting with ARR.

Our Grand Canyon whitewater rafting trips take you on the adventure of a lifetime. Call us and we’ll take you on a wild and fun family rafting trip this summer! 1-800-477-7238

Arizona River Runners ~ Helicopters, You and the Grand Canyon

Most of Arizona River Runners' Grand Canyon raft trips involve a helicopter ride. If that worries you, rest assured that there are options without the helicopter.

BUT....for those of you that have never ridden in a helicopter before, and just can't wait, many of our multi-day trips include a helicopter ride either in or out of the Grand Canyon. Yee Haa!! Let me just say that it is MEMORABLE. If you are entering the Grand Canyon, your helicopter drops into the beautiful scene. Leaving the Arizona Strip, you descend along sheer cliff faces to the powerful Colorado River from high above.

If you have launched at Lee's Ferry and spent many days and nights on the river your exit in a helicopter is no let down. You lift off the helipad and swoop across the river. All the time you are climbing the steep and tight canyon walls. At last you clear the cliffs and the horizons expand before your very eyes.

Your helicopter ride, whether dropping in or climbing out, is an experience to savor. Bring your camera!

Arizona River Runners offers a variety of Colorado River rafting trips. Call us to book your Grand Canyon whitewater rafting trip at 1-800-477-4238!

"Into the Wild" of the Grand Canyon ~ Arizona River Runners

Have you seen the movie "Into the Wild" directed by Sean Penn? It came out a few years ago and is a true story about a young man that graduates from college, chooses to shirk his parental connections and expectations, and strike out to explore life. Part of his exploring takes place on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon which is quite entertaining.

Here's the really fun part. This kid meets an old hippy couple and travels with them for a while. The "old hippy guy" just happens to be a Grand Canyon/Flagstaff guy. He was initially working as support for the filming in the Grand Canyon and they realized he was perfect for the part of the hippy dude. So, they talked him into playing the part and he was actually very good. I doubt they had to put makeup on him or change his clothing because the part he plays is exactly the way he is in real life.....a genuine old hippy dude.....a real throwback to the 70's. He probably didn't even need any acting lessons or coaching for this part.

If you haven't seen "Into the Wild" definitely go rent it, stream it, etc. Even without knowing Brian Dierker personally, you will enjoy the movie. It's about life's choices and risks, and being present in your own existence.

Do you ever just want to go "into the wild?" Hike in the Grand Canyon? Raft the Colorado River? Experience nature in its truest form? Arizona River Runners has been around since 1970, and we can take you there. Whitewater rafting through the Grand Canyon is an experience you will never forget, but will want to do over and over! Call us at 1-800-477-7238 for your Arizona rafting vacation!