PageRob wrote:What is the exact price point you're looking at? My wife and I might be interested if the price is right...
I heard from him as well - I believe that he is targeting hiking clubs.
Their 8 day oar (lower - ) Phantom Ranch Hike-In to Diamond Creek trip is $2,265.00 per person, so $700 off would be $1565 or so, or +/-$200 a day. (note: they count the put-in and take-out days, which are effectively 1/2 days, in the 8 )
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Another option (of course experience
(** see below) rather than $$ is required)
A lottery has just opened for 23 launch dates in 2011. The lottery will accept applications through 12:00 noon MST on Thursday, January 13th, and be run shortly thereafter. The available dates include:
Standard Sized Trips (1-16 people):
Jan 2011: 19, 27, 28
Feb 2011: 10, 15, 16, 26
Mar 2011: 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 13, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27, 29
Apr 2011: 15
Sep 2011: 1
Dec 2011: 23
Small Sized Trips: (1-8 people):
Apr 2011: 6
Winners will be required to pay their $400 trip deposits by noon on Friday, 1/14/2011. If you apply, please log back into the system the evening of January 13th to check the status of your request.
You can find a listing of available launch dates at
http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/c ... -dates.htm.
***** The 2012 Main Lottery *****
Applications for calendar year 2012 launch dates will be accepted through the lottery website from February 1 through noon on February 23rd. The actual drawing will take place by the end of February.
You may apply online here >> https://npspermits.us/grandcanyon/river/login.cfm
** On my last private trip we contracted for/rented rafts, gear, shuttles and food pack. 16 days ran about $1000 P/P;
that was for 16 days!
Don't have the experience? There are myriad whitewater schools (here is just one example >
http://www.aorafting.com/river/school.htm ) This one runs $700 for a week! (This, of course should not replace having a Grand Canyon vet on your trip to alert you to GC-specific issues) So.. you could take a weeklong WW rafting course AND pay for a private trip for about the same $$ as a commercial trip; PLUS you would come away with WW rafting experience (not to mention 3 weeks of rafting vs. 8 days of riding). One (of many) upsides to a private trip.. you stop/hike/make camp where and when you want. Downside; you have to rig/derig, make your own meals & set up your own groover. Yes, a private trip is not for everyone, but one should at least consider the economics if not the self-fulfillment.
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