Western River Expeditions Profile [2024] - 114 reviews, 2 trips
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# of trips

2

Type

Local operator

Service level

standard

Travelers age

5 — 65

Trip prices

$1,555 — 1,699

Tour languages

Unknown

Trips other travelers liked

See all 2 trips

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Overview

Guided multi-day rafting tours throughout western US and Costa Rica. Combined with deluxe camping and meals. Best for those that are moderately active ages 12 and up. Novice and advanced rafters are welcome.

Tour Types

Regions

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Western River Expeditions Reviews & Ratings

5/5  Excellent
114  Reviews
See all Western River Expeditions tour reviews
Excellent
114
Great
0
Average
0
Disappointing
0
Terrible
0
T

Thomas

Aug 2020

Western River Expeditions Company Reviewsby Western River Expeditions

Hot & Unforgettable

Hot & Unforgettable It's really hard to quantify the experience in a few short sentences. As one who has lived most of my life in urban environments, I was utte...

M

Mendy

Aug 2020

Western River Expeditions Company Reviewsby Western River Expeditions

It truly was a trip of a lifetime!

I had the most incredible experience on the 6 day Grand Canyon white water rafting trip! The guides were top notch! The food always exceeded expectations. Tons of ad...

D

Dana

Aug 2020

Western River Expeditions Company Reviewsby Western River Expeditions

What an experience!

What an experience! My family of five thoroughly enjoyed our rafting expedition with Calgi’s team. Amazing food and a top notch crew. Lots of fun under the sky and s...

S

Shelly

Aug 2020

Western River Expeditions Company Reviewsby Western River Expeditions

adventure of a lifetime

Western River Expeditions is the finest guide service I have ever used. I recently did the 3 day Grand Canyon float with them and was just amazed at their level of p...

T

Ted

Aug 2020

Western River Expeditions Company Reviewsby Western River Expeditions

5 Stars all the way!

Parker, Derrik, Steph, Lat, and Josue are awesome! Our guides were fantastic! 5 Stars all the way!

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Editoral Review of Western River Expeditions

Founded in 1961, Western River Expeditions offers a unique way of exploring the rivers and canyons of North America. Join a tour to see why they’ve been named one of the “Best Adventure Travel Companies in the World” by National Geographic Adventure magazine.

What Makes Western River Expeditions Stand Out?

  • Most popular white water rafting vacations in US
  • Exploration of national parks, jungles, and ancient habitations
  • Camping in remote locations under starry skies
  • Caters to all rafting levels
A screenshot of a youtube video promoting Western River Expeditions

When it comes to active adventure travel, you couldn’t do better than a rafting trip with Western River Expeditions. They are a premier river rafting company, operating several trips for various skill levels and ages. Their skilled guides help provide you with a unique way of exploring the outdoors, as you experience a perspective on nature only possible  while on a rafting trip.

Who Will Enjoy Traveling With Western River Expeditions?

  • Adventure and adrenaline seekers
  • Lovers of nature and the great outdoors
  • Solo and group travelers
  • Ages 12+
  • Ages 5+ for Family Trips

Western River Expeditions rafting trips are designed to meet the interests of all rafters from novice to advanced, and fall in mid-budget range. Those that decide to join a tour should be moderately fit at the very least.

a group of people whitewater rafting

Rafting trips often include a hiking portion, where trails will be uneven, rocky, and steep. Multi-sport tours offer a range of exciting additional activities such as horseback riding and off-roading safari adventures.

Top Destinations

  • Grand Canyon
  • Utah’s Cataract Canyon
  • Oregon and Idaho
  • Costa Rica

Western River Expeditions operates their exciting rafting tours all over western United States, covering the Colorado, Green, Salmon, Snake, and Rogue rivers. On a Western River Expeditions Grand Canyon rafting tour, you’ll discover hidden waterfalls, soft glowing sunrises, and breathtaking canyons that are only accessible by river.

guy looking down at a desert valley with a river

Looking to go somewhere more exotic? Go on a white water rafting tour down the banks of Pacuare River in Costa Rica. Whatever the destination, you’ll be sure to find yourself in the midst of incredible landscapes, natural wonders and starry skies.

Western River Expeditions Travel Style

a tent in the mountains at night

Trips with Western River Expeditions are designed to be an all encompassing experience, with deluxe camping and meals provided. Western River Expeditions’ Grand Canyon and Utah trips are a great option for you if you’re interested in a more rustic camping experience. You’ll get to pitch your own tents (or sleep under the stars), set up your own cots, and sleeping bags. Have lunch on sandy beaches, use river waters to bathe, and portable toilets as restrooms. Meals are often served buffet or family style, filled with hearty and well-balanced meals.

Prefer a hot shower and cozy bed at the end of your day? Oregon and Colorado tours include stays at comfortable and well-located lodges. Think private patios, swimming pools, deck dinners, and local wildlife roaming around.

view of the costa rica jungle and an active volcano

For those interested in dreamy and luxurious accommodations, Costa Rica tours with Western River Expeditions will be perfect for you! Stay in a luxurious eco-lodge situated along the banks of the river. There’ll be candlelit dinners and canopy draped beds - it doesn’t get any better than that!

Aside from rafting, you’ll be given time to do some additional hiking, or relax and socialize with your new group of friends. Depending on the tour, there are options for National Park tours, You’ll be on the rafts for roughly 6-7 hours per day, with meal breaks or excursions every hour or so. Tours hold a maximum of 18 people on 1-boat trips, and 28 people on 2-boat trips.

Why Choose a Tour With Western River Expeditions?

Their trips are designed for the daring and adventurous soul, who’s not afraid of the water, and who loves being outside. It also helps if you don’t mind working your muscles a bit! If you want a lot of choice when choosing your trip, Western River Expeditions offers everything from fully customized trips, to options for solo travelers, to couples, to teambuilding, to photography trips, and more. For a complete escape from everyday life, this is the perfect tour for you.


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More Details

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About the company

After 50 years guiding adventurous travelers through the most spectacular rivers and canyons in the West, Western River Expeditions has carefully crafted what we consider to be the best rafting vacations in the world. The setting and pace of an all-inclusive Western River rafting trip give you something you don’t find in other vacations.

Join Western on a whitewater rafting trip and discover the relaxation of drifting down river without a care in the world, the exhilaration of rafting America's most legendary whitewater, the exploration of seldom-seen natural wonders, the peaceful reflection of gazing up at the star studded sky. On a Western River Expedition you will quickly discover why so many are calling this “the best vacation of their lives.”

Western River Expeditions helped pioneer the concept of rafting vacations over five decades ago. Since 1961, consistent dedication to quality, excellence in trip safety, integrity, and experience of guides provides ample confidence that you're traveling with the best. Every year, Western River Expeditions escorts more people down the rivers we run than anyone else. In addition to thousands of repeat customers, over 75% of our new guests come each year as a result of the recommendations of past guests.

Western River Expeditions Trips & Specials

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Awards

National Geographic Award
10 Time Winner

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