TOUR WEST FREQUENTLY

ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the minimum age for your trips?

The minimum age for our trips is 8 years old. Except on our 12-night Grand Canyon row trip the minimum age is 12 years old.

Do you offer travel/cancellation insurance?

We strongly encourage all of our clients to purchase travel/cancellation insurance incase of any unanticipated events. We recommend Allianz Global AssistanceAllianz Global Assistance, one of the leading travel insurance companies in America. You can click on their link here to contact them directly.

Is there a preferable time to go?

Glen Canyon Dam controls water flows in the Grand Canyon, therefore the water flows and rapids are fairly consistent April through September. The Salmon River and the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon are free flowing rivers; therefore, the water is higher in the spring and gradually drops throughout the summer. As for temperatures: Spring and Fall daytime temperatures in Grand Canyon are between 70 and 85 degrees, with nighttime temperatures about 15 degrees cooler. In the Summer temperatures are usually between 85 and 105 degrees, and nighttime temperatures are 10 to 20 degrees lower. Cataract Canyon temperatures average 5 to 10 degrees cooler than the Grand Canyon. The temperatures in June on the Salmon River average between 70 and 80 degrees, with nighttime temperatures between 45 and 55 degrees. In July and August the temperatures average between 75 and 90 degrees, with nighttime temperatures between 55 and 65 degrees.

What about bringing cameras?

We encourage you to bring your cameras with you on your trip of a lifetime! Please keep in mind there is a lot of water and sand and you will need to properly protect your camera. If you bring a phone as your camera we recommend a waterproof case similar to these at Seawag. If you bring a DSLR we recommend you bring them in a pelican case with a few carabiners to secure it to the raft. Also plan on bringing a portable power bank and a charger as we do not have a way to recharge your cameras. You are welcome to bring a Go Pro Camera. Please make sure you bring a strap for it! Drones are not allowed in the National Parks.

What beverages does Tour West provide?

We provided water and gatorade during the day. Coffee, tea and hot chocolate are provided during the morning and evening hours. You may bring beer, liquor and soft drinks (in reasonable amounts, 2 cans per day). You may purchase these items either the night before the trip, or on your way to the put-in.

Can we expect rain?

We never know for sure when it will rain, so even if you are taking a summer trip it is recommended that you bring a two-piece rain suit.

Can we fish?

Yes, the upper stretch of the Colorado River from Lees Ferry to around the Little Colorado is excellent trout fishing. On Cataract Canyon you can catch catfish and carp. On the Salmon River you may occasionally catch trout, but you will mostly catch whitefish and carp. You are responsible to obtain a fishing license before you depart on the trip. Call us for details.

Can we swim in the river?

The water in the Grand Canyon comes out of Glen Canyon Dam cold year round, about 46 degrees so swimming is not recommended in the main channel. On Cataract Canyon and the Salmon River the water is cool during runoff, but in July it has warmed up to between 65 and 75 degrees. We also take inflatable kayaks on our trips through Cataract Canyon and the Salmon.

What’s the difference between motor and oar trips?

Motor boats are larger and more stable, and move faster than oar boats. Oar boats travel at river speed and are smaller in size and carry fewer people per boat allowing for a more intimate experience.

Do you offer discounts for families, youth and senior citizens?

Yes we do. Our most popular discount is our family plan where the first 2 people pay the regular rate and the rest of your immediate family receives a 10% discount. This discount is given to immediate family members only (e.g., husband, wife, children). We also offer a 10% discount for youth 8-16 years old. (Not applicable to Grand Canyon trips.) Senior Citizens(65+) discounts(5%) are available on our Salmon and Cataract Canyon trips. Not available with group discounts. Only one discount will apply to your trip.

What equipment does Tour West provide and what do I need to bring?

We provide all necessary camping equipment. This includes a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, waterproof duffel bag, small waterproof day bag, tent and a cot (Only on motor trips). Some important items you may want to bring are a two piece rain-suit, a wide brimmed hat to protect you from the sun, sunscreen, and a pillow. A more detailed list will be provided after booking your trip. You can also click on our trip packets for an complete packing list.

Can Tour West accommodate people with a special dietary needs?

General Dietary Information

We try to provide healthy, well rounded meals on all our trips. We are aware that some people have special dietary requirements, sometimes even severe or life-threatening allergies. If this is the case we ask that you strongly consider if a multi-day rafting trip is a suitable trip for your dietary needs. All our meals are served buffet-style, which makes accommodating strict dietary requests extremely difficult. Also, due to the unique wilderness style adventure our rafts have space limitations to bring additional items.

Below we have listed our standard meal service and the types of dietary needs we can accommodate. If you are comfortable with this meal plan and have a few extra dietary needs you may supplement with some of your own food/snacks, as long as it does not require refrigeration or cooking. All cooking must be done by our guides who hold a food handlers permit.

Severe Allergies

It is important for you to describe to us the exact details of any allergies you may have, including symptoms and severity. We want to make sure you are familiar with what we can and can’t do for you in a wilderness setting. Also, if you have a severe allergy you will need to bring at least two Epi-pens on your trip. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office at 1-800-453-9107. If you have an allergy which may cause difficulty breathing, anaphylaxis or other severe and life-threatening reactions; please read the following points carefully.

  • We cannot guarantee that any of our products are free from allergens (including dairy, eggs, soy, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and other allergens) as we use shared equipment to store, prepare and serve them. All reasonable efforts will be made to avoid cross contamination.
  • Peanut butter will be served on a separate table with disposable utensils. Guests with severe allergies may go through the line first, before cross contamination may occur.
  • We do not remove an ingredient from a trip when a guest has an allergy to the ingredient.
  • You are welcome in the kitchen during meal preparation to read food labels and check if you are allergic to any meal items.

Gluten Free

Tour West provides gluten free alternatives for many items as long as this dietary requirement has been given to us at least one month prior to trip departure. Please see the list below and compare it with the standard meals for your trip. If you feel that this will not be sufficient, you are welcome to bring additional options. Your guides will store any food that you bring but will not be able to prepare it for you due to limitations of the kitchen facilities. The backcountry often does not provide ideal conditions to avoid cross contamination. All reasonable efforts will be made to keep foods separate but if your sensitivity is severe, we may not be able to accommodate you.

Gluten free alternatives:

  • Gluten free bread- Replaces lunch bread, garlic bread, toast and english muffins
  • Gluten free pasta- Replaces pasta dinner
  • Gluten free pancakes- Replaces regular pancakes
  • Gluten free hamburger buns- Replace hamburger buns
  • Gluten free bagels- Replace bagels
  • Gluten free snack bars- Replace snacks containing gluten

Vegan/Vegetarian

Tour West can provide vegetarian/vegan alternatives for many items. We carry plant or nut based milk on all trips. Dietary menu requests must be made at least one month in advance. Please see the list below and compare it with the standard meals for your trip. If you feel that this will not be sufficient, you are welcome to bring additional options. Your guides will store any food that you bring but will not be able to prepare it for you due to limitations of the kitchen facilities such as the number of pots and burners.

Alternative menu items are as follows:

Garden Burgers, Impossible burgers, Black Bean Burgers, Tofu, Tempe, or a Portobello mushroom will be provided to replace steak, chicken or pork for those with vegetarian preferences.

Vegetarian pasta sauce- with fresh vegetables including squash and zucchini, Replaces the meat sauce Peanut butter, Hummus, Almond butter and Nutella are always available at lunch. Whenever possible meat will be served separately from other items to maximize options for vegetarian guests.

Plant based proteins are now taken on all trips that have vegan diets. There is a wide selection of breakfast, lunch, and dinner plant based protein substitutes that work well for vegan diets.

Dairy

Many of our meals have alternative options for avoiding dairy. Depending on your sensitivity, make sure to consult with your guides, and to review the labels of the brands that are on your trip. Because of the remote location of our warehouse, we source products from different vendors each week. We generally avoid cooking with butter, and your guides will be happy to accommodate this if you check with them the first day of the trip. Items to watch and avoid are:

Most of the cake and muffin mixes contain dairy or whey.

Some of our breads contain whey, but many do not.

Several desserts are cakelike products which contain dairy.

Some of our snacks.

If you are highly sensitive, we strongly advise that you bring supplemental snacks, desserts, and other foods to make sure you have adequate products to eat. We always have fresh fruits and vegetables available, but with the additional energy expended during an active trip like this, it is important to have an ample supply of alternative products you are comfortable ingesting, primarily snacks and desserts.

We hope that this will help you plan accordingly and that you have a great trip with us!

Breakfasts all breakfasts include fresh fruit, OJ, tea and coffee

Blueberry pancakes, bacon

Breakfast burritos or scramble

French toast, sausage

Omelets with Ham

Served on 3 night and 8 night trips:

Egg Muffins, Canadian Bacon, English muffins

Eggs to Order, Bacon

Lunch

Includes peanut butter and jelly, fresh fruit, chips, cookies and a variety of condiments.

  • Lunch meats (turkey, ham, pastrami and roast beef), assorted breads, assorted cheeses, lettuce, tomato, pickles, olives and red onion. (served multiple times)
  • Tuna Salad
  • Chicken Salad Served on 3 night and 8 night trips:
  • Tuna Salad
  • Lunch meats

Dinners

  • Burgers & Brats, baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw
  • BBQ Chicken with steamed veggies and fresh fruit salad
  • Pasta, green salad, garlic bread, fruit
  • Pork chops, stuffing, fresh green beans, applesauce
  • Steak, potatoes, mushrooms, sauteed onions, green salad Served on 3 and 8 night trips:
  • Asian Chicken Curry with Jasmine Rice
  • Steak, potatoes, mushrooms, sauteed onions, green salad

Appetizers (depending on trip you will be served some but not all)

Chips and Veggie Plate w/dips, Nuts and Chex Mix, Olive & Pickle Tray, fancy cheese, smoked oysters & Crackers,, Apples w/Brie & Carmel, Guacamole & Chips/Salsa, Veggie Tray w/Hummus.,Salami, fancy cheese & Crackers, Shrimp cocktail w/cream cheese and cocktail sauce, fresh watermelon Deserts (depending on trip you will be served some but not all)

Dutch oven baked cakes/brownies, prefab carrot cake, pineapple upside down cake,

Fruit and biscotti, Pudding, fancy chocolate, fancy cookies, cheesecake, smores

Snacks may include: trail mix, granola bars, Pub Mix (Salty) Chex mix, candy bars and assorted nuts. Assorted Dried Fruits,. Granny Smith Apple or Navel Orange, Several Gluten free and vegan options now available every day on every trip.

Can Tour West accommodate people with disabilities?

We are also able to accommodate people with disabilities, as well as groups of special populations. Please contact us for pricing and specific questions.

Can I bring my CPAP Machine on the River?

Yes. If you need a CPAP machine at night please let us know and we can bring a 12-volt battery for you to hook up to each night. You are required to bring the correct DC adaptor with alligator clips to connect to our battery. Please contact our office for more information.

What is the Grand Canyon Conservation Fund?

The Grand Canyon Conservation Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity established in 1988 and managed by a group of the Grand Canyon’s licensed river outfitters. Each year, roughly seventy percent of all professionally outfitted river trip passengers donate $1 per each day of their river trip to the Grand Canyon Conservation Fund.

In turn, this money is awarded in the form of grants to other non-profit conservation groups and those working to provide access to backcountry outdoor experiences for those with physical and socioeconomic challenges. The Grand Canyon Conservation Fund does not award grants to individuals or for-profit corporations.

The Grand Canyon Conservation Fund is managed wholly by volunteers. Administrative costs are less than two-tenths of one percent per year. That means over 99.8% of all donations go directly to protecting and conserving the Grand Canyon and providing access to those who would not otherwise have the opportunity to share in the Grand Canyon river experience.

All donations made to the Grand Canyon Conservation Fund are fully tax deductible as charitable giving. Internal Revenue Service documents granting the Grand Canyon Conservation Fund its tax exempt status as a non-profit public charity are available for public inspection at 119 E. Terrace Avenue, Suite A, Flagstaff, Arizona, during normal business hours.

Please feel free to contact us with any other questions you may have regarding our trips.