Go Beyond the Rim. Experience the Grand Canyon from Within
- SAMPLE ITINERARY
- May 2, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 27, 2025
Grand Canyon National Park may be known for its staggering scale and striated walls, but it’s the river that carved it—and still defines it. At the heart of this colossal chasm is movement: water shaping rock, time sculpting silence, gravity pulling everything down and through.
You can gaze from the rim with the rest of the crowd, snapping your panoramic shots and ticking boxes. But the canyon doesn’t reveal itself from above—it reveals itself within. Down by the river, where the walls rise a mile overhead and the light shifts by the second, the Grand Canyon becomes something else entirely: immersive, intimate, alive.
The adventure that follows isn’t about looking at the canyon. It’s about living it.
THE ADVENTURE: Multi-day Rafting Trip.
Trip Highlights: Miles of world-class whitewater, hidden waterfalls, helicopter exit, starlit camping.
Run by expert river guides, this legendary expedition dives headfirst into the heart of the Colorado River's most iconic stretch. Over 4, 5, 6 or 7 days, rafters tackle up to 188 miles of whitewater and wonder—dropping deeper each day into rock layers older than time itself.
Expect over 60 rapids, shimmering waterfalls, fern-filled side canyons, and ancient ruins—all accessed via daily hikes. Western’s signature J-Rig rafts deliver both adrenaline and comfort.
April and September departures offer cooler temps and more river time. June and July trips crank up the heat—and the challenge—with extended daylight and extra hiking potential.
What's Included.
Helicopter Ride – Exit the canyon in style at river mile 188 (Whitmore Wash) with a short flight to Bar 10 Ranch.
Scenic Charter Flight – Return flight from Bar 10 Ranch to your starting point: Las Vegas, NV or Page, AZ.
Rafting – Nearly 200 miles of epic canyon landscapes and over 60 whitewater rapids.
Hiking – From casual walks to challenging treks—take on as much (or as little) as you like.
Camping Gear – Tents, cots, sleeping bags, chairs, and a water-resistant gear bag—all provided.
Meals – Every meal from launch to return, freshly prepared riverside.
Ground Transfers – Roundtrip transport between the Las Vegas Marriott and Boulder Air Terminal.
THE ITINERARY
The following is the itinerary for the 6–7 day trip. Shorter options are also available, covering select segments of the full itinerary.
DAY 1
Shuttle service brings you to the launch point at Lees Ferry—an iconic gateway to the Colorado River and the start of your descent into the Grand Canyon. After a quick transfer to the water’s edge, you’ll stow your duffel in a dry bag, get a safety rundown from your guides, and push off into the current.
The first stretch eases you in—plenty of time to kick back and enjoy lunch on a sun-warmed beach. But soon, the canyon picks up the tempo. Rapids like House Rock and the Roaring 20s make sure of that. Evenings are spent at riverside camps where guides handle dinner and the sky puts on a show no planetarium could touch.
DAY 2
Fuel up with a riverside breakfast, then head downstream into another day of canyon magic. Highlights might include the lush oasis of Vasey’s Paradise, where waterfalls feed hanging gardens, or the massive amphitheater of Redwall Cavern, sculpted straight out of stone. Hike into hidden side canyons, explore ancient granaries tucked into the cliffs, and ride a mix of calm flows and crashing rapids. The river keeps the pace unpredictable, and the discoveries nonstop.
DAY 3 & 4
If conditions allow, you might take a dip in the turquoise waters of the Little Colorado River—a surreal, warm-water tributary that feels worlds away. Then it’s back to the main current, heading into some of the canyon’s most legendary whitewater: Hance, Horn, Granite, Hermit, and Crystal—each known for massive waves and heart-pounding drops. Between rapids, guides lead short hikes to tucked-away wonders like Elves Chasm and the thundering cascade of Deer Creek Falls.
DAY 5
You might find yourself wandering through the surreal, blue-green waters of Havasu Canyon—where countless pools and cascades invite quiet exploration and a moment of solitude. Other side canyons in this stretch, like Matkatimiba, Fern Glen, or Tuckup, offer their own brand of magic with winding trails and hidden waterfalls. As the day winds down, dinner is served by the river’s edge while the canyon walls catch fire with the last light of the sun, glowing gold before slipping into twilight. DAY 6 or 7
As you near the end of the journey, Vulcan’s Anvil rises mid-river—a stark volcanic marker announcing the approach of Lava Falls, the Colorado’s most infamous rapid. It’s a finale worthy of the canyon’s scale and power. By late morning, a helicopter lift whisks you up and out of the gorge, bound for Bar 10 Ranch where a hot shower and lunch await before your return flight to Page or Las Vegas.
7-Day Option:
Both the 6- and 7-day trips cover the same legendary 188 miles. The extra day? It buys you more time on the river, a slightly slower pace, and a few more chances to explore the canyon on foot.
Million-Star Accommodations.
On this Grand Canyon rafting adventure, nights are spent camping along the river—under cliffs, on sandy beaches, and beneath a sky that refuses to quit. Many guests end up calling the time in camp their favorite part of the journey.
After a day on the water, unwind as the canyon glows with the last light of day and the stars start showing off. Mornings begin with birdsong and the smell of breakfast rising with the sun.
Whether you're a seasoned camper or brand new to sleeping outside, the guides keep it easy. Just pack your personal gear in a soft-sided duffel—they’ll handle the rest.
Campfire Cuisine, Leveled Up.
Dining on this trip feels less like campfire cooking and more like wilderness fine dining. Guides transform each riverside campsite into an open-air kitchen, serving up meals that rival restaurant fare—morning, noon, and night. From sunrise breakfasts to multi-course dinners, the food is fresh, flavorful, and far beyond what you'd expect in the backcountry. Thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented, every meal adds a surprising layer of luxury to life on the river.
Some Adventures Fade. This One Stays With You.
Indescribable! Best Vacation of our Lives!
The Grand Canyon 6 Day Trip was indescribable! It just is not possible to tell in words, the beauty and magnificence of the landscape and vistas. The knowledge of our guides in the chronological and natural history of the area was immense. My wife who was incredibly nervous and reluctant about this aspect of the trip, was pleasantly pleased by her flight in the helicopter. This provided the icing on the cake of what we consider to be the best vacation experience of our lives.
~ Michael D - Connecticut
This is Just One Way to Run Wild On The River.
Here are more nearby adventures happening this summer and fall:
Cataract Canyon 4-Day Expedition
Departures Available: August 12, September 2 & 9
Trip Highlights: Class III–V rapids, remote desert wilderness, epic Canyonlands scenery.
Desolation Canyon 5-Day Family Adventure
Departures Available: August 15, September 5
Trip Highlights: Perfect for families, beachside camping, scenic flight, kid-friendly rapids and hikes.
Ready to make this trip (or one like it) all yours?
