greatest raft adventure in the USA!

DREAM ADVENTURE NUMBER 17: Raft the Grand Canyon


Endless in scenic wonder, rich in Native American history and loaded with fun and adventure, Western River Expeditions' Grand Canyon rafting tours are a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Exploring the Grand Canyon by river is an experience unlike any other. Discover hidden waterfalls and paradisiacal side canyons - areas of Grand Canyon National Park that are accessible only by river. Listen to the sound of the mighty Colorado River as you lie down under a blanket of innumerable stars each night after your Grand Canyon rafting experience. Watch the morning sun cast its warm glow through towering canyon walls. Discover the rush of excitement from legendary Colorado River whitewater. Escape completely on a worry-free vacation with no schedules and no stress - where time stands still. -Western River Expeditions


Plus a photo gallery from Western River Expeditions that only adds to the already burning desire to raft the Grand Canyon.



A couple sample iteneraries from OARS.com:

Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek

Lees Ferry to Whitmore Wash

Side Canyon Hikes
Each day varies, but on an average you'll spend 3-5 hours per day on the boats, with the rest of the time hiking and exploring side canyons, eating, or just relaxing in camp. The easiest hikes are no more difficult than negotiating a few yards of beach sand or stepping over a few rocks. Others may go for several miles over a rough trail, climb steeply up a hot hillside, require the use of both hands over awkward boulders and demand caution as you totter on a narrow trail above a steep cliff. Our guides are happy to help novices with hand and footholds and reassurance. Many times their helpfulness enables the timid and inexperienced to get to special places that many other groups pass by. All hikes are optional. The side hikes take you into the true heart of the canyon that can only be reached by hiking from the river and shouldn’t be missed. -OARS.com

I've read the spring and fall are the best time to partake on this rafting adventure.

-Video from OARS.com

Zambezi River/Victoria Falls

DREAM ADVENTURE 16: Raft the Mighty Zambezi River!!

"White water rafting on the Zambezi River. This is an absolute gem of a trip - featuring big white water, spectacular African scenery and warm sunny weather! One of the many highlights is bobbing around at the base of the magnificent Victoria Falls - definitely one of the more dramatic places on this planet to begin a 7 day river adventure. Your following days are spent challenging some of the most awesome rapids with names like 'Oblivion' and 'Stairway to Heaven' while your nights involve camping on expansive beaches of white sand, gin and tonic in hand listening to the noises of wild Africa. And after completing one of the most exhilarating adventures in the world, you can head off to sample the wildlife viewing that this region is famous for."
*WaterByNature.com

WHEN: August through November



Itinerary posted from WaterByNature.com:

DAY 1: Arrive Livingstone, sample the beauty of the Victoria Falls and then a chance of doing a sunset cruise on the gorgeous Upper Zambezi, before returning to our hotel.

DAY 2: We start the trip beneath one of the Seven Natural Wonders Of The World, Victoria Falls or Mosi-oa-Tunya (the Smoke that Thunders) and take on some of the best rapids on the planet. Stairway to Heaven, Devils Toilet Bowl and Star Trek... are just a few!



DAY 3: We load the rafts with all our food and equipment for the rest of the trip and take on exhilerating rapids such as Creamy White Buttocks, the Mother and OBLIVION!

DAY 4: Amazing sights of Fish Eagles amidst other great rapids, Open Season, the Narrows and one of our favourites, Upper Moemba! This is a great adrenaline rush to end the day.

 DAY 5: We portage the rafts around Lower Moemba and the Chabango Falls, then load up again and run the amazing rapid, Ghostrider!

DAY 6: Yay! Its layover day! On a stunning remote sandy beach a chance to relax, swim or try your hand at kayaking!

DAY 7: A great mellow day to relax on more gentle water, take in a few waves and lie back and enjoy the scenery and wildlife.

DAY 8: A gorgeous overnight camp gives rise to the gorge opening out and us rafting amongst hippos and crocs! We pack up the gear and take a spectacular 40 minute helicopter flight through part of the gorge and over the spectacular Victoria Falls arriving back to our lodge on the banks of the Zambezi. You have done one of the best river trips in the world.

DAY 9: A chance for some last minute shopping before your flight home.



Dude, aren't these the most epic rapid names you've ever heard of?!?!




DREAM ADVENTURE 16 1/2: VICTORIA FALLS

Plus isn't Victoria Falls absolutely jaw-dropping?!?!!?!?
No wonder it's a World Heritage site. While it is neither the highest nor the widest waterfall in the world, it is claimed to be the largest. This claim is based on a width of 1,708 metres (5,604 ft) and height of 108 meters (360 ft), forming the largest sheet of falling water in the world.