Transfer Option:

The adventure begins at our river complex in Moab. After a short drive to the launch site, we load the remaining gear onto the rafts, review river safety, and we're off. The first day is usually a day of leisure and relaxation. Lunch will be on the riverbank where guests assemble their own deli masterpiece. As we proceed downstream, the imposing red sandstone cliffs become the backdrop to shiny black granite walls as the Colorado River descends into Black Granite Gorge. Early evening the guides pull to the river’s edge to a enchanting campsite. After camp is set, you can participate in a guided hike or relax in camp. As the hikers return, the hors d'oeuvres are ready, and dinner is on the way.
By now you have succumbed to the pace of the river as you awaken to the smell of coffee and the river lapping the shore. After a hearty breakfast, the journey continues. The trip leader describes everything necessary to enjoy the rapids safely. Here are the exciting rapids you have been waiting for. In a short time, the guides navigate the rafts down a series of rapids with names like Little Hummer, Funnel Falls, Last Chance, and of course, the infamous Skull Rapid. After the rapids, there will be time to high-five and relive the past few hours with the other guests. This evening is sure to be filled with conversation about the exhilarating run through “Last Chance.” The last day we pull out of the river at about 3:30 PM and have you back to our office by 5:30.

Water Level:
Depending on snow pack and time of year, Colorado River water levels will vary dramatically creating diverse rafting conditions. Some rapids are more challenging at high water, while others require greater skill at low water. Different flows have their appeal, and we provide specific watercraft that will make the most of each water level. Westwater Canyon rapids are rated II-IV

Group Size:
We believe in protecting the environment and enhancing your vacation. This is why we rarely do trips larger than 25 people. Most of our trips are 10-15 people in size. On our multi-day trips there will never be more than 5 guests on each oarboat. With small groups you will get the attention you deserve and the chance to know all the guides and other guests.

Geology
Westwater Canyon attracts geologists from around the world. Massive faults distributed tons of rock, leaving fascinating formations seen few other places. The black, uplifted rocks in the Black Granite Gorge (metamorphic granite gneiss) represent the oldest exposed formations in eastern Utah (1.75 billion years) and the river has polished it into odd smooth shapes.

Wildlife
Wildlife is abundant, though often shy. During the heat of the day lizards sun themselves while eagles, vultures and hawks soar on thermal airstreams along canyon walls. In the morning and evening, deer, muskrat, beaver, coyote and the great blue heron move along the river's edge. Too warm for trout, the Colorado River supports the endangered Colorado Squawfish and the Humpback Chub. National Geographic chose Sheri Griffith Expeditions to guide them through Westwater Canyon to photograph and write of the dramatic scenery and its unique habitat, which are highlighted in their Wild and Scenic Rivers book

You can expect warm, sunny, delightful days in Southeastern Utah. In April through June, high temperatures range between 70 and 90. July and August high temperatures typically range between 90 and 100, with September and October temperatures ranging between 70 and 80. The climate here is very dry with little humidity and not oppressively sweltering. Summer evenings are quite comfortable though cool in spring and fall. Other than an occasional rain cloud, there are few overcast days.

In the Comfort of our cozy chairs, sit-down dining and fabulous meals. Your Vacation is our priority: whether you are a novice camper or a great outdoorsman, our goal is to help each guest enjoy their vacation.

Each evening we establish camp on the riverbank. While you explore and relax, the guides set up chairs, and the kitchen, where they prepare fresh, delicious abundant meals. The clean air amplifies a vibrant blue sky, creating a perfect environment for hiking and unparalleled photographic opportunities. Depending on the length of your trip, time is set aside for hiking to geological and historical sites including Ancient Pueblo ruins and petroglyphs. Each day, as evening yields to night and the sun melts from the sky, it is replaced by a vivid star show that enhances the evolving conversations you will share with the other guests and the guides.

All of our equipment is top quality, state of the art and carefully maintained and serviced. Each raft is maneuvered by a highly qualified guide. The rafts we use are 17 foot inflatable oarboats, carrying 5 guests. The guides maneuver the raft with a set of oars secured to a frame in the middle of the raft. This is considered more stable than a paddleboat. Paddleboats are available at certain water levels and by advanced reservation only. Paddleboats are inflatable 15-16 foot rafts manned by guests and their paddles. A guide gives instruction and navigates from the back of the raft.

Passports
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart ; validity varies - for most countries the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date on which the holder enters the USA. If not, the holder will be admitted until the expiration date on the passport; check with the embassy (see Contact Addresses).
Passport Note
(a) For nationals included in the Visa Waiver Program (see below), passports must be valid for at least 90 days from date of entry.
(b) All travellers entering the USA under the Visa Waiver Program require individual machine-readable passports. Children included on a parent's passport also now require their own machine-readable passport. Travellers not in possession of machine-readable passports will require a valid USA entry visa.
(c) Passports issued on or after 26 October 2005 will need to have a biometric identifier in order for the holder to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Machine-readable passports issued between 26 October 2005 and 25 October 2006 require a digital photograph printed on the data page or an integrated chip with information from the data page. Machine-readable passports issued on or after 26 October 2006 will require an integrated chip with information from the data page (e-passport).

The US has announced new measures that require all travellers to provide details online 72 hours prior to travel.
ESTA: The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) came into force on 12 January 2009. It is a fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA applications must be submitted at least 72 hours before travel to the USA. Some websites may charge you for the service but you can apply online for free at www.dhs.gov. The granting of an ESTA does not guarantee entry to the USA.

New Requirements for Travellers: As of 23 January 2007 all persons, including US citizens, travelling by air between the USA and Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport, or other approved document, when entering or re-entering the USA. Similar requirements for those travelling by land or sea will be introduced on 1 June 2009.

For further details about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visit the website of the US Department of State: (website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html).

Visas
Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days except:
1. nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovak Republic, who do require a visa.
Visa Note
(a) Landed Immigrants of Canada and British residents of Bermuda who are citizens of, and have valid passports from, Commonwealth countries or Ireland are not eligible to enter the USA without a visa. (b) All passengers using US airports for transit purposes are required to obtain a transit visa. This does not affect qualified travellers travelling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program. (d) To qualify for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program, nationals must travel on a valid passport, for holiday, transit or business purposes only and for a stay not exceeding 90 days. (e) Passengers must have the full address and ZIP code of where they are staying in the USA to be able to fully complete the I-94W form. Note: Airlines are also required to collect passenger details, including the address of their first night's accommodation in the USA, before they board the aircraft. (f) 2. Holders of UK passports with the endorsement British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Protected Person, British Overseas Citizen or British National (Overseas) Citizen do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. A passport which states holder has right of abode or indefinite leave to remain in the UK does not qualify for visa free travel. (g) A visa does not expire with the expiry of the holder’s passport. An unexpired, endorsed visa in an expired passport may be presented for entry into the USA, as long as the visa itself has not been cancelled, is undamaged, is less than 10 years old and is presented with a valid non-expired passport, provided that both passports are for the same nationality. (h) Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist, Business, Transit and Student: US$131.
Validity
Visas may be used for travel to the USA until the date it expires. Some visas are valid for multiple entries. The length of stay in the USA is determined by US immigration officials at the time of entry but is generally six months; there is, however, no set time.
Applications to:
Embassy or consulate (see Contact Addresses).
Working Days Required
Usually five after interview. Some cases may take up to 12 weeks – check with embassy/consulate.