Grand Canyon Raft:
Phantom Ranch to Diamond Creek
Tour Description
Whether you are a frequent visitor or a first-time guest to Grand Canyon National Park, this trip offers an experience of the canyon as few others experience it. Hike down into the canyon to your rafts waiting at river’s edge. Get your adrenalin running on the Colorado River. Watch the rock layers rise and hike to areas accessible only by river, visiting beautiful side streams and falls along the way. Float through this dream-like landscape with expert river raft guides, learn the history of the canyon geology and ancestral Puebloan communities from NPS River Rangers, and discuss latest park protection with your NPCA leader.
ParkScapes Highlights
Bright Angel Trail
Your naturalist-led hike from the South Rim to the Colorado River is a strenuous hike that takes you down more than 4,500 feet, to the floor of one of the deepest canyons in the world.
Whitewater
Rapids on the Colorado River are rated on a scale of one to ten. With 23 rapids rated five or higher, rafting from Phantom Ranch to Diamond Creek rivals the excitement of any whitewater river. This section of the Colorado includes Crystal and Lava Falls, rated eight-ten.
Exploring Side Canyons
Hikes are optional and you can choose to relax instead. 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, climbing steeply.
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Tour Map
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Daily Itinerary
The itinerary for the trip from Phantom Ranch to Diamond Creek can vary widely. We adapt to individual group needs, weather, water flows and take into consideration other groups on the river. No two trips are alike, but here is an idea of what to expect.
September 2: Arrival in Flagstaff, Arizona
Meet in Flagstaff for the drive to Grand Canyon National Park. Head to a private reception with the Park Service; dinner includes an orientation on the week ahead. El Tovar Hotel (D)
September 3: Bright Angel Trail
Rise early for your descent hike along Bright Angel Trail. Meet your river guides at the river and start down the river. Immediately in big water, we are drenched and exhilarated. The desert’s warmth quickly dries us again before we pull over to camp. Deluxe Riverside Camping (B,L,D)
September 4: Colorado River
Sensational rides and dramatic pictures are produced in Granite, Hermit, and the rapids of the “Jewels”— Crystal, Sapphire, Turquoise, Ruby, and Serpentine. Refresh with a swim in the pools at Shinumo Creek. Deluxe Riverside Camping (B,L,D)
September 5: Fern Grottoes of Elves Chasm
Catch a glimpse of desert bighorn sheep before the emerald paradise of Elves Chasm invites us to explore and swim. A sand and gravel floor serpentines through the cool, narrow slot of Blacktail Canyon. Here we have an up close look at the Great Unconformity as our guides discuss this geologic phenomenon. Deluxe Riverside Camping (B,L,D)
September 6: Deer Creek Falls
Fluted walls of jet black schist enclose us for a few miles before Bedrock and Dubendorf Rapids. We drift lazily through Granite Narrows (a mere 65 feet wide!!) and soon come to Deer Creek Falls, a 125-foot cascade that tumbles almost directly into the river. A hike above the falls bring us to an oasis with a huge open patio. En route we discover handprints on the side canyon walls, evidence of those that visited this canyon centuries ago. Deluxe Riverside Camping (B,L,D)
September 7: Limestone Chutes of Matkatamiba Canyon
We begin our morning gliding through some calmer stretches of river as we marvel at the walls towering overhead. A few quick strokes of the oars pull us into the mouth of Matkatamiba Canyon. We venture up the narrow limestone slot canyon into an overhanging amphitheater. Wading through the warm waters we explore the beautifully carved channel and relax in the coolness of its grotto. Back on the river we conquer Upset Rapid and then stop to camp for the night. Deluxe Riverside Camping (B,L,D)
September 8: Blue-green Pools of Havasu Canyon
Before sunrise we snack on yogurt and granola while packing sandwiches, fruit and candy for our lunches. An early start gives us a long day to enjoy the blue-green pools and numerous waterfalls of Havasu Canyon. Some linger all day at the pools near the river while others hike to see the falls several miles away. Evening stars pale as our guides tell us tales of the Colorado’s most renowned stretch of whitewater, Lava Falls. Tomorrow comes our turn in this fabled rapid. Deluxe Riverside Camping (B,L,D)
September 9: Lava Falls
Pulling our rafts to shore, we follow a short, steep trail to scout this whitewater giant. Each raft in turn is swept into the churning, spitting power of the largest rapid in the Grand Canyon, battered by huge waves and flushed into calmer waters. Knuckles still white, we beach below the rapid to laugh at our fears and relive each shudder. Deluxe Riverside Camping (B,L,D)
September 10: Whitmore Wash to Diamond Creek
Today we reach Whitmore Wash and a few more notable whitewater rapids. After a delightful, splashing, fun-filled day, we set up camp for our final night on the river. Deluxe Riverside Camping (B,L,D)
September 11: Departures from Flagstaff, Arizona
Round the last bend to Diamond Creek. Transfer to Flagstaff for evening flights. (B, L)
Note: Minimum age for this tour is 12 years old due to NPS rafting regulations.
One Trip Per Year Rule: Grand Canyon National Park Service regulations prohibit individuals from participating in more than one recreational river trip (commercial or non-commercial) per year on the Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek section of the Colorado River. Because of this regulation, we cannot accept a reservation from any individual who has or will participate in any other full or partial canyon commercial or non-commercial river trip within the same calendar year. Grand Canyon National Park’s one-trip-per-year rule is strictly enforced by the National Park Service.
Deluxe River Camping: A river trip is an outdoor experience, and you will be camping out each night with the soothing sound of the river in the background. There are no improved campgrounds along the river. A portable sanitation facility is set up each evening -- it's almost the same as you have at home except that it doesn’t flush and the view is usually much better. Otherwise, it is a very comfortable arrangement. You don't need "mountain man" camping skills to participate in this trip, but you should be prepared and comfortable with eating, sleeping, and living in the outdoors.
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Tour Details
NPCA Member Price
$4,795 per person double occupancy; $150 single supplement
Price Includes
Airport transfers, all accommodations, meals specified in the itinerary (B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, and D-Dinner), professional guide services, park and other entrance fees, and miscellaneous program expenses.
Price Does Not Include
Roundtrip airfare to and from destination, gratuities for whitewater guides, alcoholic beverages, personal expenses, and personal items (a complete packing list will be provided).
Payments/Cancellations
Space is confirmed by calling the NPCA at 800.628.7275. A $500 per person deposit is due at registration. Second payment of $500 is due November 1, 2009; final payment is due and is due 120 days prior to tour departure. Second and final payment will be invoiced separately. Cancellation notice must be submitted in writing and is effective upon date of receipt. Cancellations up to 360 days prior is subject to a $250 per person cancellation fee. Cancellations 359-180 days prior to trip will result in loss of $500 per person; 179-90 days is a $750 per person fee; inside 89 days results in the loss of 100% of your total cost
Travel Insurance
To protect yourself from the loss of deposit and cancellation fees, you are encouraged to purchase travel insurance. NPCA recommends purchasing insurance through Travel Insurance Select; information on this plan will be included with trip confirmation packets.
Arrive/Depart
Flagstaff, Arizona
Length of tour
10 days/9 nights
Pace
Moderately active to strenuous; trip participants must be in very good physical condition for this tour. Not recommended for anyone in poor general health, who is elderly, has heart or lung disease, is overweight, or is not physical fit. If you have any of these conditions or are unsure whether you are in good enough shape for this hike and raft, we strongly urge you to get your physician’s approval for this trip.
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