Arizona Raft Adventures Review

My husband and I put together a 14 day classic river trip with 24 friends, family and acquaintances down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon with Arizona Rafting Adventures. (AzRa) The office personnel coordination of the registration and pre-trip logistics was painless. We didn t realize that this was going to be a magical adventure that would forever live in our hearts and memories.
While on the river the highly skilled and knowledgeable AzRa guides filled our heads with the geology, biology, folk lore and the history of the Grand Canyon. We never tired listening to their stories, poetry or readings. Beyond being the narrators of this beautiful country, they skillfully and safely navigated the rapids with enough fun adventure for all of our excitement levels. After a day we all begin to challenge ourselves through the waves, paddling in the paddleboat, single ducky and double ducky following the kayak guides down the whole river.
With safety, fun and adventure being the priorities the guides lead us up canyon trails to hidden waterfalls. We played like kids body floating down the Little Colorado River with our life jackets worn like diapers. For lunches on the beaches and at camp we dined like royalty on delicious gourmet meals. When the day was done we slept under the stars, catching a meteor here or there. It was truly an adventure that should be on your to do list sooner than later......Anne and Mike F.

Rafted down the upper half of the Grand Canyon with AZRA in early September 2015. It was a fantastic experience with some of the most knowledgeable river guides in the business. It was excellent on many levels - beautiful cliffs / canyons, great hikes, thrilling Rapids, prestine and scenic campsites. The guides walked an terrific balance of having tons of fun and teaching so mich about the canyon. I'll be back to do the full Canyon with AZRA again someday.

I took the lower Grand Canyon trip Oct. 4-Oct. 12, 2014. On a scale of 1-10, I would give this trip a 15! The scenery was fabulous, the weather perfect, the guides were passionate (and I do not use that word lightly) about the canyon, and best of all, the food was incredible. It was simple, delicious, abundant, and we rafters pounded it down. The hike down the Bright Angel trail was every bit as arduous as they warned about, but I made it.

The guides took very good care of us. They read poems or short stories about the Canyon every day, described the geology of the magnificent rocks in great detail, told goofy jokes, and seemed to be having a wonderful time with each other and with us. They worked their butts off from dawn to dusk, rowing all day, then cooking and cleaning up after us. A+, AZRA!

"AZRA was the provider for a Grand Canyon Field Institute Colorado River Trip from May 1 through the 10, 2015. They were outstanding. The boatman, Jack Nichols, had 30 years of experience on rivers. His first concern for all of us was safety yet when some of us were concerned about taking certain hikes he would be there to encourage you to challenge your fears. He was always there with a safe helping hand and words of encouragement. He and swamper, Kim Fawcett, provided outstanding meals everyday even when it was cold and the sandy wind was blowing. Amazing. Jack is also a great story teller with great knowledge of the history and folklore of the river. Truly a wonderful trip."

My husband and I went on an 8 day motorized raft trip. I had never been camping before. Everything was FABULOUS. We had the time of our lives From the first moment that we got on the rafts til the moment we disembarked on day 8 was magical. The Guides were so knowledgable and so incredibly skilled. Whether they were driving the boat, cooking a meal, encouraging us on a hike, or sharing their knowledge of the canyon. The rapids were exciting, sleeping under the stars was amazing, and the bonds we formed are forever. Thank you AZRA for an experience of a lifetime

Our six days rafting through the Canyon Grand Canyon was the peak experience of the many wonderful vacations over my lifetime. Nothing compares to the magnetic scale and power of nature that surrounds you.

Some friends and I went with AzRA on a hydrid (classic) trip in the upper canyon. I stayed on for the lower canyon while the rest of the group hiked out up the Bright Angel Trail, and those joining us for the lower canyon hiked in. It was the last trip of the season (late October 2012). Quite aside from the beauty of the canyon and river, I thought the AzRA trip was superlative. First class food, even on Day 16. The guides were top notch. Each one was patient with everyone, from experienced rafters to those that had never camped before. They all had some area of expertise in the canyon, from history to geology to biology to photography, so learning different aspects of the canyon was as easy as riding in a different raft. They were all accomplished in camp cookery, and entertained us with river tales and poetry. Each and every guide made a concerted effort to get to know all of the people on the trip. I would go down the river again with any one of the guides in a heartbeat. In fact, I am going back, with AzRA, in late August (2014). Trip of a lifetime? No, because that implies going only once. I intend to be a repeat customer.

8 Day Motor Adventure leaving 5/16/16 for 8 days

My raft trip with AzRA was a wonderful experience that exceeded my expectations by a large measure. My biggest surprise was the incredible hikes to side canyons that would have required multiple, multiple day hikes from the rim. The Canyon, as seen from the Colorado is beyond magnificent and borders on a transformative personal experience. From the office staff to the guides, the food, the logistics (there was a fair bit of that) were exceptional, professional and very guest oriented. I will definitely take another trip with AzRA, hopefully soon.

AZRA's highly skilled guides provide an unparalleled experience in one of the most iconic places on Earth!

I went with the group of 25 veterans a couple weeks ago and had a blast. The guides knew everything and were excellent hosts. We ate like kings and got to sample every aspect of the canyon I was interested in, from side canyons and waterfalls to ruins and even a helicopter medevac when one of our teammates felt sick. Jay, Owen, and Liam, you guys are amazing and I have been recommending you three and your organization to a lot of people ever since we said our farewells. I hope to return soon and several times. Hats off to you all.

I did the 8-day motor trip in June of 2016 with my family. What an amazing experience! It was my first time ever seeing the Canyon, and I was blown away by it's magnitude and beauty. AzRA did a great job helping my family and I have the adventure of a lifetime. The food was great, the guides were river experts, and they provided us with lots of fun hikes and tips about life on the river. Rafting the Grand Canyon is definitely something everyone should have the opportunity to do, and AzRA is the way to go.

I did a kayaking trip through the Grand Canyon with AzRA few years ago - and it was the best holiday I've ever had. Amazing guides, amazing food, highly professional and an incredible adventure. Can't recommend it enough.

When we decided to raft the Canyon, we looked at all the rafting companies. We narrowed it down to a couple of companies that had been in the business the longest. We settled on Arizona Raft Adventures (AzRA) based on their involvement in the community. They clearly saw the importance of supporting causes that promote and preserve the Grand Canyon, the Colorado River, and the economic impact in the Grand Canyon region.
That was nine river trips ago, all with AzRA!! They offer the most river experience, best equipment, best guides in the business, and a support staff that anticipates your every need and concern.
You are making a big investment in a rafting trip. Choosing AzRA is a no brainer.

Caring, knowledgeable and super guides! Trip of a lifetime with beauty all around. Fun rafting, challenges throughout, geology lessons, and great food. We stopped at all the cool spots! Photographer's dream! I would highly recommend AZRA!

Rafting the Grand Canyon has always been on the bucket list, and we finally did it during the height of Covid-19. Thanks to a last-minute cancellation, we finagled our way onto a motor trip down the entire length of the Colorado River over 8 days and 7 nights. This trip goes on the best-ever vacation list, alongside the Galapagos, Fiji and African safaris, and I m even not that much of an outdoorsman!

First - the adventure. Over 100 rapids, amazing geological formations, wonderful Native American history from the indigenous tribes, beautiful side canyons with hikes, waterfalls, pools, lounging areas, great spots for lunch and overnight camping, and 150 years of history starting with the first river-runner himself, John Wesley Powell. Learning during an adventure is the best combination, and this trip does both. Personal suggestion: read the Emerald Mile book before you go on the trip, you ll learn a ton.

Now, the guides. Arizona Raft Adventures is rated #1 on TripAdvisor for very good reason. They are attentive, they are informative, they prepare well, and that s before we even get on the river! Once we re on our way, the guides are helpful, insightful, careful, fun-loving, and entirely focused on ensuring we had a great time. They work 16 hours a day, from before sun-up to well after sun-down, and their entire focus is on ensuring the trip is as memorable as possible. Great meals 3x a day, excellent camping gear, very well-outfitted raft, and a Groover to take care of the unmentionable acts :-)

Our trip was with two larger families and our group took up an entire motor raft - 11 of us in total. Being on a trip where we knew everyone when we put into the water at Lee s Ferry made the adventure even sweeter. We even had four children on the raft who were under 14 years old. Seeing the Canyon and the adventures through their eyes made it even more memorable. Plus having the motor was really appreciated during the long hauls between rapids. A paddle trip or even on a Dory would be even more beguiling, but not with kids.

We had a chance to see some of the other operators in action during our trip, and that made it that much more obvious how great Azraft is. They participate in every adventure, they helped us through the gnarly parts, they never tired of informing us of what was coming up next (even though I m sure they ve shared many of the same stories many times over), and they knew every rock in every rapid like it was their back yard.

So, about as easy a 5-star review as I ve written for TripAdvisor . If you re going to raft the Grand Canyon, call up Arizona Raft Adventures first. There may be quite a wait to get on one of their boats, but it will be worth it. And if you re one of the 6 million who only see the Grand Canyon from the rim and not from the river, find a way to raft the river. It s a tremendous life experience.

Freddie, Jan, Delaney, Tiana - you re the best! Thanks for the memories...

My partner and I had an amazing trip with AZRA down the upper canyon from Lee's Ferry to Phantom Ranch. Our AZRA guides, Tommy, Joy, and Kristin, were thoughtful and considerate in tailoring an experience that was inclusive and fun for everyone. Beyond rafting, we explored many side trails, canyons, and ancient ruins and learned about the canyon's history and geology. The food was excellent and I look forward to doing the lower canyon in the near future. I cannot recommend AZRA enough!

I took an 8 day motorized trip with AZRA in Sept 2013. The Canyon itself was amazing. AZRA, not so much. I'd do this trip again, but not with them because:
The company website clearly boasted small group sizes. However, our group was much too large for at least half of the campsites we stayed at. It felt like a scout jamboree with our tents literally inches away from each other. (The guides sleep on their boats, so severely overcrowded campsites don't effect them much.)
I've been on quite a few guided adventure trips and I've always had guides that are outgoing and friendly towards their guests, enthusiastic about what they do and helpful in every possible way. The main guides on this trip seemed more like they were tired and burnt out and ready for the season to end.

Just returned from an 8 day Grand Canyon rafting trip. One of the best vacations so far. The river, the canyon, the people and being disconnected....simply the best. A mental cleanse for sure. Something about that river and canyon that connects at a spiritual level. Thank you to our river guides Ariel, Jed and Kelli for being amazing . The guides are the difference between an OK trip and an exceptional one. Arizona Raft Adventures I will be back!