Tour West, Inc.
Tour West, Inc.
5
Multi-day ToursRiver Rafting & TubingAdrenaline & Extreme ToursBoat ToursKayaking & Canoeing
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
2019 marks 50 years that Tour West has been guiding river trips through Grand Canyon, Cataract Canyon in Utah and the Main Salmon River in Idaho.
Tour West offers a variety of trips in the Grand Canyon allowing you to find the trip best suited to you. Our trips range from 3-12 nights long.
For trip details please visit our website www.twriver.com or
call our office at 1-800-453-9107.
Las Vegas, Nevada
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
5.0
15 reviews
Excellent
14
Very good
0
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
J R
New York City, NY16 contributions
May 2021
We had a bucket list, epic family 6 night Grand Canyon motorized river rafting trip with Tour West. We were a family of three, including our 20 year old daughter. It exceeded all expectations! We booked through Rivers and Oceans (a booking agent representing the authorized outfitters) and chose Tour West because of their travel logistics and we really liked that it was a family run business. The company may not have the splashiest online presence, but don't let that deter you! A very thorough Information Packet was provided and any specific questions were promptly addressed via email.
With our safety always the first priority, our guides were experienced, knowledgeable, personable and just fun. There were 28 in our group, and we were divided into two boats, one trip leader and 4 additional guides.
You could immediately sense the camaraderie among the crew (Jake, Jake, Ryan, Lette and Jaron), and perhaps we were just lucky, but it was simply a wonderful group of people, from all over the country.
Described the night before by the trip leader, each day had a slightly different itinerary, but of course significant time on the river as we had 187 miles to go! It was interesting to experience how the personality of the river changed and then there's millions of years of geology around you. It was breathtaking. Accommodating all diets, the food was delicious and plentiful. We slept on cots with pads and sleeping bags, under the stars. Amazing. Once we camped for the night, some people did their own thing but most of us grabbed a camp chair and a drink, and sat enjoying the Canyon and each other's company. Early to bed and early to rise. Our daughter said it felt like sleepaway camp and that's the best compliment.
With our safety always the first priority, our guides were experienced, knowledgeable, personable and just fun. There were 28 in our group, and we were divided into two boats, one trip leader and 4 additional guides.
You could immediately sense the camaraderie among the crew (Jake, Jake, Ryan, Lette and Jaron), and perhaps we were just lucky, but it was simply a wonderful group of people, from all over the country.
Described the night before by the trip leader, each day had a slightly different itinerary, but of course significant time on the river as we had 187 miles to go! It was interesting to experience how the personality of the river changed and then there's millions of years of geology around you. It was breathtaking. Accommodating all diets, the food was delicious and plentiful. We slept on cots with pads and sleeping bags, under the stars. Amazing. Once we camped for the night, some people did their own thing but most of us grabbed a camp chair and a drink, and sat enjoying the Canyon and each other's company. Early to bed and early to rise. Our daughter said it felt like sleepaway camp and that's the best compliment.
Written June 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peg Lieb
12 contributions
Jun 2021 • Friends
I'm a grandmother and brought my son and his 21 yr daughter on a 6 night Grand Canyon river rafting trip. Chris guided our boat and Nate the other. If you love fantastic scenery, lots of excitement, don't mind getting splashed with cold water and can handle rough camping, you will say this was your best trip ever.
Chris handled the boat knowing his passengers (more splash and dips for those who wanted it). I needed special assistance on rocky hikes and the crew were always there to help. The crew worked constantly to make the trip safe and fun for all. They even prepared special meals for those who needed it.
I've traveled much of the world and rafted on many of those trips, but this trip was my absolute best.
Chris handled the boat knowing his passengers (more splash and dips for those who wanted it). I needed special assistance on rocky hikes and the crew were always there to help. The crew worked constantly to make the trip safe and fun for all. They even prepared special meals for those who needed it.
I've traveled much of the world and rafted on many of those trips, but this trip was my absolute best.
Written July 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lbcephas
Atlanta, GA2 contributions
May 2021
This 6 day 5 night trip down the Colorado River was a trip of a lifetime. We were with three other couples (all in our 60s). We met the other 21 people quickly and loved our big group. Jake and John were our guides and we can’t say enough great things about them. Safety was always first but fun seemed to be the theme for each day. The hikes were challenging but not impossible. We learned about so much wonderful history of the River and the area. The food was five star considering the guides pulled each delicious breakfast and dinner from storage underneath the boat and prepared it from scratch. We went during the last week of May and had great weather each day. The starry nights and sleeping out underneath that canopy with a rushing River as background was like nothing I had ever experienced. If you are pushing into your 60s….run don’t walk to their reservation site.
Written August 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aam333
Saint Louis, MO34 contributions
Jul 2020 • Friends
We recently returned from 6 day motor rafting trip Grand Canyon. Canyon & Colorado River magnificent.
Unfortunately, trip could have been much better. Guides did an excellent job of navigating the river. Beyond that, the guests did most of the work. 9 guests, 2 guides, 1 raft. Guests loaded & unloaded raft; we set up & took down camp. There was no shade provided. The other outfitters had large beach umbrellas for time on land. Temps exceeded 115 degrees F. Guides had personal umbrellas; guests had none. We arrived @ one campsite early afternoon. There was one central shaded area with log benches for all. One couple made this their campsite. All others were in dangerous heat & sun for several hours. The guides did not respond to protest from other guests. The following day the lead guide took 4 of the 9 guests on a hike - said to be 45 minutes. We declined as temperature was 115. They were gone 2.5 hours, while we were in the heat. Food provided would have been adequate, but was uniformly overcooked. Pancakes & French toast burned, burgers & chops rendered inedible by overcooking. Guests offered help with cooking- we did everything else- but help there was refused.
TourWest was recommended by friends, though none had traveled recently. Clearly, the product has changed. I’ve waited a few weeks in hopes the company would respond to my private email review, which they encouraged. No response is telling.
I recommend rafting the canyon. Shop around for an outfitter.
Unfortunately, trip could have been much better. Guides did an excellent job of navigating the river. Beyond that, the guests did most of the work. 9 guests, 2 guides, 1 raft. Guests loaded & unloaded raft; we set up & took down camp. There was no shade provided. The other outfitters had large beach umbrellas for time on land. Temps exceeded 115 degrees F. Guides had personal umbrellas; guests had none. We arrived @ one campsite early afternoon. There was one central shaded area with log benches for all. One couple made this their campsite. All others were in dangerous heat & sun for several hours. The guides did not respond to protest from other guests. The following day the lead guide took 4 of the 9 guests on a hike - said to be 45 minutes. We declined as temperature was 115. They were gone 2.5 hours, while we were in the heat. Food provided would have been adequate, but was uniformly overcooked. Pancakes & French toast burned, burgers & chops rendered inedible by overcooking. Guests offered help with cooking- we did everything else- but help there was refused.
TourWest was recommended by friends, though none had traveled recently. Clearly, the product has changed. I’ve waited a few weeks in hopes the company would respond to my private email review, which they encouraged. No response is telling.
I recommend rafting the canyon. Shop around for an outfitter.
Written August 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are happy you felt the Grand Canyon was spectacular. It is! We feel lucky to get to share it with others.
We disagree that beyond navigating the boats that guests do all the work. No matter which outfitter you choose, all river companies ask its guests to help with a fireline. Helping get the bags and equipment on and off the boats each day is something we encourage but is not required.
Rafting the Grand Canyon is a wilderness trip which is completely self-sufficient. We encourage guests to consider this before committing to a wilderness adventure. Our guides, who both had decades of experience worked tremendously hard on your trip.
Food is prepared according to Health Code regulations and NPS guidelines because of this, guests are not allowed to help in the kitchen.
Unfortunately, it was exceptionally warm on your trip. Something out of our control.
We do appreciate your suggestion that we have more shade options for guests especially when they get to camp early or for those who choose to stay by the boats while others hike.
Grand Canyon Rafting Trips are an adventure. We are sorry it did not meet your expectations.
We had several other guests on your trip let us know they had a very different, more satisfactory trip.
We appreciate you taking the time to let us know your concerns.
Marcie
Reservations Manager
Written November 20, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Connector457436
2 contributions
Jul 2020
This past July 2020 my wife and I took a six day rafting trip through Tour West in the Grand Canyon with another couple. We had a total of 9 on the boat, two amazing guides and one raft. Our guides were very knowledgeable of the river and how to navigate the rapids. They also shared very interesting facts all along the 189 miles we traveled. They made sure we experienced the different side canyons through hikes that were along the river and stopped at the magnificent Colorado River which was one of the highlights. There were natural spring waters that made for great hikes. The guides did an amazing job ensuring our safety and kept us well fed each day. My wife who is not a huge camper also greatly enjoyed the glorious scenery of the majestic canyon and sleeping out under the stars each evening. Although the temperatures were in the 100's each day, the coolness of the river splashing on us in the rapids helped keep us cool. At night we would wet down a sheet from the river that kept us cooler. We saw all kinds of amazing birds from herons to Red Tail Hawks, to white egrets, goats, big horned sheep, scorpions (very safe as they don't bother you), ring tail cats in the campground - really cool and large lizards. The helicopter ride out and airplane ride back to the cars was all part of the amazing experience. This was the trip of once in a lifetime and I am so glad we took it through Tours West.
Written November 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melissa G
1 contribution
Jul 2024 • Solo
We had an amazing trip on the upper Grand Canyon in July 2024. Jake, Bugs and Joey were knowledgeable, safe, and skilled at the rafting, cooking, camping and teaching aspects of this trip. Plus they are really fun people! We came away in complete awe of the river, the canyon, the history and the people who make the Grand Canyon what it is. You will not regret going on a trip with Tour West. You’ll want to bring what is on the packing list, especially a sarong - it helps to stay cool! We felt very prepared with the pre-trip information and lists and didn’t have any surprises - just adventures! On our trip we visited archaeology sites, waterfalls, slot canyons along with camping at sandy beaches, with amazing sunrises and sunsets everyday. They did great accommodating special food requests and made sure we had everything we needed to be safe and happy and have a fantastic experience.
Written July 31, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wy0W0man
Casper, WY3 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
Just finished a 6 day Grand Canyon motor trip - could not have had a better experience!! Jake, Jeff, and Christian were professionals in every sense - in their knowledge of this special area, their expertise in running the rapids, their skills at handling the guest/group dynamics, and their incredible cooking. Our group had a phenomenal time and are already planning the next trip back.
Written June 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ben S
Greenville, SC108 contributions
Aug 2021 • Friends
This was an amazing trip. Tour West and guides Jake, Ryan and Jeremiah were knowledgeable, friendly, and knew the river, the history and the ecosystem extremely well. They made the trip special and also did an amazing job cooking each night.
We had two boats and a great group. The 7 nights on the river was amazing and to see the Grand Canyon from Lee’s Ferry to Lake Mead was truly a bucket-list experience.
I highly recommend this trip with Tour West. They did it right and were very accommodating for everyone.
The boats were great, sleeping cots were comfortable and the selection of camps sites allowed us to witness amazing views of the stars at night and hear the rush of the river.
Take this trip and enjoy side canyons, fun rapids, excellent history of the area and see amazing sights.
We had two boats and a great group. The 7 nights on the river was amazing and to see the Grand Canyon from Lee’s Ferry to Lake Mead was truly a bucket-list experience.
I highly recommend this trip with Tour West. They did it right and were very accommodating for everyone.
The boats were great, sleeping cots were comfortable and the selection of camps sites allowed us to witness amazing views of the stars at night and hear the rush of the river.
Take this trip and enjoy side canyons, fun rapids, excellent history of the area and see amazing sights.
Written August 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Forest
2 contributions
Jun 2020
Investing in memories, we booked our family vacation including our visit with the Bar 10 Ranch, 3 day and 2 nights in the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River - absolutely amazing. Expert guides who knew the geography, history, stories, river and the hidden adventures along the way, including Travertine grotto. We'll book another adventure!
Written June 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you!
We would love to have you back any time!
Written June 25, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Edmund Kim
Duluth, GA27 contributions
Jul 2021
27 of my extended family ages 13 to 68 went on the 6 day trip from Lake Mead to our take out point at Mile 187 at the end of July. Jake was our leader who had been doing these trips for over 20 years. He was an amazing wealth of knowledge about the geology, history, culture, and natural elements. He was constantly telling us stories about different layers of rocks, the Native Americans and how they lived, pointing out flora and fauna. It was like having our own professor teaching us in the most beautiful and awesome classroom. Nate was the other boatman who had been doing this for about 20 years, funny, wisecracking, an 8th grade English teacher during the rest of the year. The adults were on the raft with Jake and the kids were with Nate which was perfect. The younger Jake was was a college student learning the ropes and Patrick and Sam were friends of leader Jake as hired hands.
Most of us were not outdoors people and so there was a lot of trepidation about how to use the bathroom (all liquids in the river and all solids in the groover), how to bathe (only in the river which was 50 degrees - brrr), and sleeping outdoors. Tour West provided cots and mats which were plenty comfortable. Tents were available if it rained (used them 2 nights) but we slept mostly outdoors because it was cooler and nicer under the stars. We arrived at Marble Canyon the night before the trip started. We were given an orientation on how to use our 2 dry bags, one for most of our gear (total limited to 25 pounds because of the weight limits for our flight out) and one for things we would want to access during the day (sunscreen, first aid kit, waterproof pants and jacket and the best guide for the trip Belknap's Waterproof Grand Canyon River Guide). The motel is dated and rustic but it is the last hot shower and running toilet you will see. Make sure you bring your own liquor in non-glass containers. There is a store in Marble Canyon that sells beer, wine and White Claw but no hard liquor. You will drink more than you think. A short walk from the motel is the Navajo Bridges where you can look down at the river.
The next morning we loaded up and went down to Lees Ferry where we boarded our 2 motorized rafts. We were shown how to make a fire line to load our stuff onto the rafts. We got a safety briefing and off we went. The weather was sunny and hot for most of the trip but the water was always 50 degrees and really muddy this time of the year because the monsoon rains wash silt into the river. The scenery is constantly changing. There are rapids interspersed with calm water. The front of the raft is where you get wet, the back is relatively dry. Nate would tell us stories from time to time and we talked amongst ourselves. No electronics, no cell signal, no wifi. Just us, the raft, the river and rocks. So nice to be completely disconnected and just live in the moment.
Most of us wore quick dry long sleeved shirts and shorts with hat and sunglasses to protect us from the sun. Lots of sunblock. Teva or Chaco sandals. We would spend 6 to 8 hours on the river every day. We would stop usually one or two times for potty breaks, once for lunch somewhere in the shade and once or twice to hike a side canyon. The best hikes were to the Puebloan granaries and Upper Deer Creek. There were some hikes that we weren't able to do because of weather. Safety was Nate's number one priority.
Late in the afternoon, we would stop at a camp site. We would form a fire line to unload all the gear then set up camp. Cots scattered around to sleep, folding chairs in a circle to hang out and eat, groover set up in some private area. The food was AMAZING. Every night something different - hamburgers and hot dogs, spaghetti with meat sauce, barbeque chicken, pork chops, and steak on the last night. They even made a birthday cake - yellow cake with chocolate frosting for my birthday! They had enough ice to keep the drinking water cold and for alcoholic drinks that needed ice. It would get dark around 8:30 and by 9, most people were in their cots looking up at the stars, the Milky Way stretching overhead. We only had bugs the first night, these little flying beetles that were just irritated you when they landed on you. It was hot, most people slept just under a sheet if anything.
Coffee was ready at 5:15 in the morning when it was starting to get light. Nate would make the coffee call which was also like a wake up call. Breakfast was also amazing - pancakes, french toast, breakfast sandwiches, yogurt, granola and fruit. We would also make our sandwiches for lunch at that time. Then pack up, fire line to load up the rafts and off we would go on another day of adventure. One day it did rain for several hours and we got very cold, so good rain gear is important. Realized on that trip that my rain gear kept me dry for less than an hour before starting to soak through and I got very cold. Snacks - apples, oranges, granola bars, some chocolate, other snack bars were always available.
The last full day we were on the river, it started to rain, thunder and lightening. We got wet but soon forgot about that because hundreds of waterfalls formed as the rain poured over the sides of the canyon into the river. It was the most amazing sight. Even Jake who had been doing this for over 20 years was taking pictures as we all marveled at the scene that surrounded us. It was a spectacular end to a spectacular trip. At mile 187, we took a helicopter out to the Bar 10 ranch (they weigh each person and then each bag because they have to make sure the helicopter is not overloaded). Then from the Bar 10, we were flown to Vegas (again the bags are weighed so don't bring more than 25 pounds!).
This is truly the trip of a lifetime. It is a little uncomfortable because you are in the elements, hot at times, cold at times (seems like you are either hot or cold), sandy, wet. But the scenery and the food and the river and being disconnected, just enjoying the company of our family... just wow. Doing this as a family trip was so much fun because we got to spend so much quality time together.
Most of us were not outdoors people and so there was a lot of trepidation about how to use the bathroom (all liquids in the river and all solids in the groover), how to bathe (only in the river which was 50 degrees - brrr), and sleeping outdoors. Tour West provided cots and mats which were plenty comfortable. Tents were available if it rained (used them 2 nights) but we slept mostly outdoors because it was cooler and nicer under the stars. We arrived at Marble Canyon the night before the trip started. We were given an orientation on how to use our 2 dry bags, one for most of our gear (total limited to 25 pounds because of the weight limits for our flight out) and one for things we would want to access during the day (sunscreen, first aid kit, waterproof pants and jacket and the best guide for the trip Belknap's Waterproof Grand Canyon River Guide). The motel is dated and rustic but it is the last hot shower and running toilet you will see. Make sure you bring your own liquor in non-glass containers. There is a store in Marble Canyon that sells beer, wine and White Claw but no hard liquor. You will drink more than you think. A short walk from the motel is the Navajo Bridges where you can look down at the river.
The next morning we loaded up and went down to Lees Ferry where we boarded our 2 motorized rafts. We were shown how to make a fire line to load our stuff onto the rafts. We got a safety briefing and off we went. The weather was sunny and hot for most of the trip but the water was always 50 degrees and really muddy this time of the year because the monsoon rains wash silt into the river. The scenery is constantly changing. There are rapids interspersed with calm water. The front of the raft is where you get wet, the back is relatively dry. Nate would tell us stories from time to time and we talked amongst ourselves. No electronics, no cell signal, no wifi. Just us, the raft, the river and rocks. So nice to be completely disconnected and just live in the moment.
Most of us wore quick dry long sleeved shirts and shorts with hat and sunglasses to protect us from the sun. Lots of sunblock. Teva or Chaco sandals. We would spend 6 to 8 hours on the river every day. We would stop usually one or two times for potty breaks, once for lunch somewhere in the shade and once or twice to hike a side canyon. The best hikes were to the Puebloan granaries and Upper Deer Creek. There were some hikes that we weren't able to do because of weather. Safety was Nate's number one priority.
Late in the afternoon, we would stop at a camp site. We would form a fire line to unload all the gear then set up camp. Cots scattered around to sleep, folding chairs in a circle to hang out and eat, groover set up in some private area. The food was AMAZING. Every night something different - hamburgers and hot dogs, spaghetti with meat sauce, barbeque chicken, pork chops, and steak on the last night. They even made a birthday cake - yellow cake with chocolate frosting for my birthday! They had enough ice to keep the drinking water cold and for alcoholic drinks that needed ice. It would get dark around 8:30 and by 9, most people were in their cots looking up at the stars, the Milky Way stretching overhead. We only had bugs the first night, these little flying beetles that were just irritated you when they landed on you. It was hot, most people slept just under a sheet if anything.
Coffee was ready at 5:15 in the morning when it was starting to get light. Nate would make the coffee call which was also like a wake up call. Breakfast was also amazing - pancakes, french toast, breakfast sandwiches, yogurt, granola and fruit. We would also make our sandwiches for lunch at that time. Then pack up, fire line to load up the rafts and off we would go on another day of adventure. One day it did rain for several hours and we got very cold, so good rain gear is important. Realized on that trip that my rain gear kept me dry for less than an hour before starting to soak through and I got very cold. Snacks - apples, oranges, granola bars, some chocolate, other snack bars were always available.
The last full day we were on the river, it started to rain, thunder and lightening. We got wet but soon forgot about that because hundreds of waterfalls formed as the rain poured over the sides of the canyon into the river. It was the most amazing sight. Even Jake who had been doing this for over 20 years was taking pictures as we all marveled at the scene that surrounded us. It was a spectacular end to a spectacular trip. At mile 187, we took a helicopter out to the Bar 10 ranch (they weigh each person and then each bag because they have to make sure the helicopter is not overloaded). Then from the Bar 10, we were flown to Vegas (again the bags are weighed so don't bring more than 25 pounds!).
This is truly the trip of a lifetime. It is a little uncomfortable because you are in the elements, hot at times, cold at times (seems like you are either hot or cold), sandy, wet. But the scenery and the food and the river and being disconnected, just enjoying the company of our family... just wow. Doing this as a family trip was so much fun because we got to spend so much quality time together.
Written September 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience