I need some help please planning a trip

[xmusterdx]

Hi there everyone! I'm new to these forums and was referred here by a friend.

Long story short, me and my girlfriend are planning a trip to either Arizona or Utah. What we'd like to get accomplished on our trip is the following:

* White water rafting (for newbies)
* Kayaking (for newbies)
* Hiking or what not (for newbies)

I've never been white water rafting nor kayaking and I'm basically a first timer. I really need some help because of the lack of knowledge I have, I don't want to pay for something I'm not going to like. We are really excited but don't know where to start??? Where can I go online to book basically the whole package deal that lasts from 2-4 days or so.

I want to book my hotel, adventures, etc. All in one place. Like for instance, I don't want to do this blindly and book a hotel that's far away from all the attractions and what not. I could really use some help if someone points me into the right direction as to booking this trip. I only plan on spending like $1000-1200 together, which includes hotel for 2-3 nights, whitewater/kayaking etc. I plan on driving to either state so the $1k-1.2k is what I plan on spending for the trip itself, not including gas.

Please include the best times (weather conditions/ pricing). I plan on going in either May or June

Please help, thanks!

[atg200]

Try to book a Desolation Canyon, Gates of Lodore, or a Yampa River commercial trip. All are 4-7 days, beautiful whitewater, and will have really good side canyon hiking.

[peak]

Whitewater River Rafting and Inflatable Kayaking Adventures - Westwater Canyon, Colorado River!

[bianca]

[both of those are good suggestions Deso Cayon is a lot of fun and a good place to start. I do work in the travel biz if you want you can check out my page at simplelifetravel.biz you are able to book flights, hotels, and activities all on one web page, also there is an area where we have deals for under two hunderd dollars so you might even be able to get air and hotel for under 200 and then book your rafting. But this page is like you wanted one stop you can plan and book all on one page. if you need help you can contact me at dpowdercat5@hotmail.com or travel@simplelifetravel.biz dustin

[xmusterdx]

Originally Posted by bianca

[both of those are good suggestions Deso Cayon is a lot of fun and a good place to start. I do work in the travel biz if you want you can check out my page at simplelifetravel.biz you are able to book flights, hotels, and activities all on one web page, also there is an area where we have deals for under two hunderd dollars so you might even be able to get air and hotel for under 200 and then book your rafting. But this page is like you wanted one stop you can plan and book all on one page. if you need help you can contact me at dpowdercat5@hotmail.com or travel@simplelifetravel.biz dustin

OK, either I'm retarded or your site is a little difficult to navigate? I'm trying to find Deso canyon or any of the above mentioned, but am having trouble. Thanks anyhow, I will keep messing around with it. Anymore suggestions from people are definitely still welcome!

[Strider]

Utah River Trips:
2-4 days = Westwater Canyon on the Colorado River, can be a 2 day trip or you can extend the trip on the raft by floating to Moab. Westwater is Class III-IV whitewater and the float to Moab is gentle flat water.
4-7 days = Desolation/Gray Canyons on the Green River is a Class III river trip. You can base out of Moab or Green River, Utah.
3-5 days = The San Juan River is a Class II-III river trip. The San Juan is a good introduction to the canyons of southern Utah. You can base out of Bluff or Moab.
3-5 days = Cataract Canyon on the Colorado River is a Class IV river and it is BIG water during the spring run-off. It combines one day of hair raising whitewater and the remainder of the trip is a flat, gentle float. You can base out of Moab.

Kayaking: For newbies it is recommended to go on a commercial trip with inflatable kayaks (aka duckies) on flat water or if you want some whitewater try a class II or easy class III river. Moab, Utah has the Colorado River running along the outskirts of town with a combination of easy floating to fun Class II rapids. You can do it as a day trip or overnight.

Hiking: Moab, Utah has multiple National Parks and the hiking(and mountain biking) is endless. And if you want to try some canyoneering there are a couple of commercial outfits that will take you hiking and canyoneering, safely.

Commercial Companies: You can book you entire river trip from river start to finish with hotels, and transportation through a commercial river company. Moab, Utah is a hub of commercial companies from Sheri Griffith, Tag-a-Long, etc. If you choose the San Juan river I highly suggest a company called Wild Rivers out of Bluff, Utah. They are a big supporter of the enviromental community who defend the wild river canyons of the west.

May and June the weather starts to warm up in the canyons and the bugs can begin to arrive, I always travel with a head net on my trips, they are cheap and lightweight.

If you find that you fall in love with southern Utah, check out Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance.

Have a great time on your trip!

Kim