Grand Canyon Alumni Rafting Adventure

Trip cost: $5,500 per person

Additional costs will be incurred with pre- and post-trip travel (e.g., travel to and from Las Vegas), which are not included in the trip cost.

Payment schedule

• Pay a non-refundable $500 deposit to secure your spot.
• After submitting your deposit, the first $2,500 payment is due on or before Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.
• The balance of the cost is due on or before Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

Cancellation and refund policies

Cancellation terms

If you must cancel your reservation more than 120 days before your trip (by Tuesday, April 1, 2025), you must notify us in writing. You will forfeit your initial non-refundable, non-transferable deposit. If you are concerned about the possibility of canceling your trip, we urge you to purchase separate travel insurance.

Refund terms

Any amount you have paid beyond the initial deposit will be refunded minus a 5% processing fee. If you must cancel after April 1, 2025 (120 days before the trip), no refunds will be made, and you will forfeit any funds paid to Augustana College.

July 30: Day zero (before your launch)

• Fly to Las Vegas in the morning and take a special shuttle in the afternoon to Marble Canyon, Ariz., or drive yourself to Marble Canyon.
• Arrive at Cliff Dwellers Lodge in historic Marble Canyon to begin soaking in the desert atmosphere.
• Shop, relax and enjoy a fantastic meal from the Cliffs Restaurant.
• Get a good night's sleep, because tomorrow the adventure begins!

July 31-Aug. 1: Days one and two

• Meet Hatch staff in front of Cliff Dwellers Lodge at 8 a.m.
• Listen to a short introductory orientation and then load up the vans for a 20-minute shuttle ride down to the river. Here you will meet your crew and prepare to depart on your expedition. Guides will explain safety on the river and introduce you to our S-Rig rafts.
• Load onto the rafts and begin your adventure. Experience your first splash at the Paria Riffle and then cross under Navajo Bridge and take in your last glimpse of civilization for the next week.
• Enjoy the tour as your guides begin your Grand Canyon education. Have lunch on a beautiful white sand beach and experience your first rapids of Soap and Badger Creek, House Rock and the Roaring Twenties. You will pass below Vasey's Paradise and frolic in the beautiful Redwall Cavern.
• Hike to ancient Anasazi granaries or up side canyons to spectacular sights.

Aug. 2-3: Days three and four

• Float and frolic in the warm Little Colorado River and use Hance Rapid to prepare yourself for the larger rapids ahead.
• Horn, Granite, Hermit and Crystal rapids are next, so be prepared for some impressive waves and epic splashes.
• You may stop at Phantom Ranch or continue past for some exciting side hikes.
• Elves Chasm is the perfect place to make a splash.
• Enjoy Deer Creek Falls or hike up to the spectacular Patio above to find a hidden green oasis

Aug. 4-5: Days five and six

• Relax and enjoy the turquoise waters at the famed Havasu Canyon, where you will experience a true paradise.
• Play in the pools or hike up the creek for more sights.
• Reflect on the geological changes you have experienced and enjoy this old section of canyon. You are now more than a mile down in the Canyon.
• The volcanic formation of Vulcan's Anvil signals the approach of Lava Falls, one of the most famed rapids in the world.
• Unwind at camp and enjoy our home cooked meals, especially those Dutch oven brownies!

Aug. 6: Day seven

• Helicopter flights to Bar 10 Ranch begin around 7 a.m., so be prepared to see the sights from above.
• Lounge around at the ranch, or, if time permits, take a quick shower before your flight departs to take you back to Las Vegas or Marble Canyon.

• Complimentary double occupancy stay the night before your launch (July 30) in Marble Canyon, Ariz.
• Complimentary Hatch River Expeditions mug.
• All meals and beverages during your rafting trip (excluding alcohol and soda).
• All camping gear: camp chair, 3-person tent for 2 people, sleep kit (ground cloth, cot, sleeping bag, sheet, pillow), dishware and utensils.
• Use of 2 dry bags for your day gear and night gear.
• Helicopter ride out of the Canyon from Whitmore Wash to Bar 10 Ranch.
• Fixed wing plane ride from Bar 10 Ranch to either Las Vegas or Marble Canyon.
• Gratuity (20%) for raft guides.

• Able to fit into a Type 5 Life Jacket (max chest size 58").
• Able to hold onto the raft while going through whitewater. Ropes are provided throughout the raft for hand holds.
• Capable of climbing onto and off of the raft. There will be about a 2-3 foot step-up/down from the raft to the beaches. Please note that some surfaces may be wet and slippery.
• Comfortable walking on uneven, rocky terrain. Trails in the Grand Canyon are not regularly maintained. Sand beaches are the norm for campsites, so make sure you are comfortable walking across the sand inclines.
• Able to carry your own personal gear to and from camp. The maximum weight for personal gear is 25 pounds.
• Able to tolerate prolonged/repeated exposure to water as cold as 50°F.
• Able to tolerate prolonged exposure to air temperatures up to 120°F.

Pre-trip transportation (not included in trip cost)

Two different transportation options are available to get to Marble Canyon:

• Take an executive van shuttle from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas to Cliff Dwellers Lodge through Bar 10 Transportation. This 4.5-hour ride is the typical way that folks who fly into Las Vegas get to Marble Canyon. Transportation cost is $200 per person and can be paid when registering for the trip.
• Drive your personal vehicle or a rental car to your lodge in Marble Canyon. Where to park during your trip will be covered at orientation. At the end of your trip, you can fly back to Marble Canyon to collect your vehicle.

Post-trip transportation (included in trip cost)

On the last day of your trip, you will take a helicopter from inside the canyon to the Bar 10 Ranch. Helicopter flights begin at 7 a.m. Once at the Bar 10 Ranch, you will be given a boarding pass for a fixed wing flight back to either Las Vegas, Nev., or Marble Canyon, Ariz.

• Fly back to Las Vegas: Your flight will take you from Bar 10 Ranch to the Boulder City airport terminal. From there, you will be shuttled back to Harry Reid International Airport. You should arrive around 1 p.m.; however, we strongly recommend that you do not schedule any flights out of Las Vegas until after 3 p.m. to accommodate unexpected delays.
• Fly back to Marble Canyon: Your flight will take you from Bar 10 Ranch to the Marble Canyon airstrip. From there, a Hatch employee will pick you up and shuttle you back to your vehicle. You should arrive around 11 a.m.