8-Day Full Canyon Motor Raft Trip

  • Canyon Route: Lees Ferry to Lake Mead ( 280 river miles)
  • Meet: Las Vegas, NV
  • Return: Las Vegas, NV
  • Transportation: Optional flight from Las Vegas to Marble Canyon (≈$320/p) - Return via ground transport from take-out point (Lake Mead) to Las Vegas is included

  • Lodging: Marble Canyon Lodge (included in price & reserved by outfitter) Will need to be in Marble Canyon for an orientation on trip's start date - day 1 on river is following morning.

  • Rapids: 47 major rapids rated 5 or above (1-10 rating scale)
  • Group size: 14 passengers per raft. 2 raft maximum
  • Minimum Age: 8 years old
  • Included: Camping gear w/ chairs & padded sleeping cots
  • Required Hike: None
  • Raft: S-Rig
  • Price: $3392  Deposit: $400
  • -First 2 people pay the regular rate and the rest of your immediate family receives a 10% discount
    -Please note: The start date of this trip, or Day 1 is the day prior to launch and lodging in Marble Canyon is included. You will be on the river 8-days & 7-nights but start to finish this trip is 9 days in length
    *Price does not include $1/day suggested donation to the Grand Canyon Fund

Trip Logistics:

You will need to arrive in either Las Vegas or Marble Canyon the day of your trip’s start date. Lodging in Marble Canyon is included in the price. For those of you taking this flight please plan on arriving in Las Vegas no later than 1:00 p.m. the scheduled date of your trip. This will give you enough time to pick up your luggage and check-in for your flight to Marble Canyon. You will meet a representative at McCarren airport at 1:40pm and board a bus to be shuttled to the Boulder airport. From there you will board your plane for a flight for Marble Canyon. There is a 8pm orientation this night behind the convenience store in the conference room at the Marble Canyon lodge. The next morning take a short 15 minute drive to Lee’s Ferry to begin your adventure. On the 6th morning, some passengers will be helicoptered out of the canyon, concluding their trip while other's will be arriving via helicopter to begin the river portion of their adventure, joining you for the final 2 days.  On the final morning, you will raft until river mile 240 before boarding a jet boat the the hour long, 40 mile ride to the take-out point.  You will then be transported back to Las Vegas via air conditioned bus at approximately 2:00pm. Flight reservations departing Las Vegas on this day should not be scheduled before 4pm. Add 2 hours if you need to return to the Boulder Airport to retrieve your stored luggage.

Hotel Reservations/Transportation To & From

Hotel (trip’s start):

  • Marble Canyon: 
    • Lodging in Marble Canyon on day 1 of your trip is included in the trip fare.
  • Las Vegas: 
    • Any hotel of your choice

Transportation (trip’s start):

  • Arrange your own transportation to Marble Canyon and arrive on day 1, the trip’s start date (launch date is day 2).
  • Meet in Las Vegas the morning of day 1 (trip’s start date) the day before the trip’s launch date. Fly via charter plane to Marble Canyon at an additional cost, arranged by Tour West.
  • Hire Bar10Transport (435-628-4010) for ground transport from Las Vegas to Marble Canyon on day 1 (trip’s start date).

Transportation (trip’s end):

  • At trip’s end you will be driven to Las Vegas. This is included in your trip fare.
    • If your car is parked in Marble Canyon, hire Bar10Transport for air or ground  transportation options

Motor Raft Trip

Motor trips are the most popular of all trip types. There are more motor trip launches than any other combined, among all of the outfitters. Typical launches include 2 rafts, and group sizes between 22-28 depending on the outfitter. There are upper, lower, western and full canyon trips offered on motor rafts. Some full canyon trips continue straight through with the same group of passengers, while others will make a pit-stop to let off upper canyon passengers, and allow for lower canyon trip passengers to join the group for the rest of the trip.

  • Most popular of all raft types, offered by 11 of 16 outfittersMotor Raft Trip
  • Most comfortable seating positions of all raft types and great for guests who seek a sense of security with a larger raft type
  • Covers more distance per day compared to non-motor trips
  • Action packed trips – will see more in a day and get form one attraction to another more frequently compared to non-motor
  • Popular choice for those looking to see more of the canyon while having ample time for off raft exploration
  • Largest percentage of people choose this raft type
  • Popular choice for any age especially children/teens who seek more activities Minimum 8 years old 
  • Group sizes between 12-14 per raft, 2 raft maximum/trip

Payment and cancellation policies:

  • $500 nonrefundable deposit per person required to reserve your space(s)
    • If booking within 90 days prior to trip start, full payment is due
    • If deposit AND final payment is paid by check, the following discount will apply:
      • $25/person for 4-day trips
      • $40/person for 6-day trips
      • $50/person for 8-day trips
  • Cancellation policy:
    • Deposits are nonrefundable
    • Cancellations between 31 and 60 days prior to trip’s start forfeit half the tour cost
    • Cancellations between 30 days and the day of the trip lose the entire tour cost
  • Final payment is due 90 days prior to trip start date
  • In the event you have to cancel you may wish to consider:
    • Substituting members on your reservation
    • Change trip or type to another available trip in the same year
    • File your trip insurance claim with your personal provider more information below

Trip cancellation insurance - Highly Recommnded

  • Insurance can help reimburse you in the event of illness or unforeseen circumstances
  • Most popular option listed below - click on link to view different levels of coverage with an immediate quote

Additional Trip Dates

IconFirst Day

The start date of this trip, or Day 1 is the day prior to launch and lodging in Marble Canyon is included. You will be on the river 7-days & 6-nights but start to finish this trip is 9 days in length. The morning of day 2, A van provided by Marble Canyon Lodge will pick you up in front of the motel in the morning and transport you 6 miles to Lee’s Ferry where you will meet your guides and launch on your river trip. Once you push off from Lee’s Ferry you will be given a boat and safety orientation by your guides thatwill include how and where to sit on the rafts, how to hold on, and safety precautions while on the river and in camp.

IconEvery Day

Wake up to the smell of freshly-brewed cowboy coffee – sounds of rushing water mingled with the murmur of sleepy voices echoing through the grotto’s of the canyon walls. Breakfast is hot and hearty – or as light as you want. After breakfast you will be asked to form a “bucket line” to help load the gear back on the boats and then the Colorado River beckons and you are off once again experiencing the rush of adrenaline as you continue on your journey back in time. 

Enjoy spectacular white water of major rapids, such as Horn Creek, Granite, Hermit, Crystal, Upset and Lava Falls – you will see and enjoy dozens of additional sights, as well as stretches of calm water where you will relax in the warm sun and enjoy breathtaking scenery. Photographic opportunities abound in the lower canyon. Lunch on the Colorado River; build your own sandwiches, with chips, cookies, fruit and soft drinks. Relax, read a book or perhaps hike or fish before shoving off again for an afternoon of thrills and surprises. Late afternoon finds you at camp for the evening. Again you will be asked to help unload the gear from the boats. As your crew sets up the camp kitchen everyone finds their ideal camp spot and sets up their “home” for the night. Later you relax with a cool drink and hors d’ oeuvres, get better acquainted with your fellow river companions – as dinner sizzles on the grill. After dinner watch the sun set, join in the conversation of the group, and listen to the quiet of the canyon as you settle into your sleeping bag under a blanket of stars. Tomorrow brings another typical day on the Colorado River. 

IconLast Day

280 River Mile Trips/Lake Mead Exit - After breakfast you will arrive at Pearce Ferry Boat Ramp, on Lake Mead, at approximately 8:30 a.m. You will then board a bus for your transfer back to the Las Vegas McCarran Airport. You should arrive at the airport at approximately 2:00 p.m. Please do not book any departure flights before 4:00 p.m. this day.

So grateful to have lived in such a beautiful place for a week with incredible people. Food was better in the Canyon than it is when I cook at home. The guides are top notch and prepared for anything. Total JOY. Go. Live the adventure. You won't regret it.
-Auckland, New Zealand

"I have been to many parts of the world but this trip was special for my spouse and I. I would highly recommend this trip and to use this company, as the materials and videos provided prior to trip helped us prepare and it lived up to the expectations of the trip and much more."
-Philadelphia

"Exceeded all expectations. Well planned and executed. Excellent guides. Twenty wonderful companions in adventure. Unspoiled Colorado River and the Grand Canyon. Priceless!"
-Atlanta, GA

"From our first encounter with the reservation staff to the guides and rafts on the river! The customer service staff was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. There were frequent updates and reminders as our trip got closer and it was very much appreciated!"
-Fort Lauderdale, FL

"This was the BEST TRIP EVER!!! I'd give more stars if possible. We did the 7 day motor trip and everything about it was awesome."
-Seattle, WA