Before the construction of dams on the Colorado and Green rivers, Hatch and Eggert led the last expedition to follow Powell’s exactly….
Risks & Requirements
Is a Grand Canyon River Trip with Hatch right for you?
A Colorado River trip is an active vacation in a wilderness environment
The extreme rustic nature of a backcountry river tour means that while we will do our very best to accommodate as many dietary, medical, and other needs as possible, there are limited resources at our disposal. In the backcountry of Grand Canyon, there are no hotel accommodations, no hot showers, and no developed bathroom facilities. We cannot stop by the store to resupply or pick up that forgotten meal ingredient, nor can we rush an injured or ill guest quickly to the hospital. We advise having conversations with us in advance about any concerns you may have so that we can give you a realistic picture of the environment you’ll be in, along with any modifications we can reasonably make to help keep you safe and comfortable.
Note: We recommend all guests with medical or dietary concerns discuss the conditions and limitations of a Hatch trip with their healthcare providers before booking. The documents below can help both you and your doctor understand what to expect when participating in a Grand Canyon rafting trip with Hatch River Expeditions.
Learn more by visiting our FAQ page.
Risk Advisory and Acknowledgement
To better understand the risks associated with a white water rafting trip in Grand Canyon’s backcountry, please review the following risk documents. Should you decide to book a trip with us, you will be required to indicate that you have read and understood each:
Risk Advisory to Healthcare Providers and Participants
Visitor’s Acknowledgement of Risk
Bright Angel Trail Hiking Acknowledgement of Risk
Dietary Concerns
Although we would love to be able to provide every guest with their perfect menu while on our trips, the remote nature of our operations means that there are limitations to the accommodations we can make. Guests who have inflexible dietary requirements or severe or life-threatening allergies may find that our trips are not a good fit for them. We ask that each guest review the “Sample Menu with Dietary Info” document appropriate to their trip in order to determine whether their dietary needs can be met on one of our trips:
Sample Menu w/Dietary Info – 7 Day Full Canyon Trip
Note: Guests registered on 4 day upper or lower canyon trips can expect about half of this menu to apply to their trips
Sample Menu w/Dietary Info – 12 Day Full Canyon Trip
Note: Guests registered on 6 day upper or 7 day lower canyon trips can expect about half of this menu to apply to their trips.
Physical Requirements
A river trip with Hatch River Expeditions is an active vacation and, as such, has some basic physical requirements. Prior to being allowed to participate in a trip, you will be required to indicate on your registration form that you meet all of the physical requirements for your trip’s style.
Physical Requirements for All Trips
Every guest on a Hatch River Expedition in Grand Canyon needs to be able to meet some basic physical requirements in order to participate fully and safely.
Physical Requirements for Hiking Focused Trips
Guests participating in Hiking Focused trips need to be prepared to hike every single day. Review the physical requirements for this style of trip to determine whether it is a good fit for you.
Physical Requirements for Upper/Lower Canyon Trips
Guests on Upper or Lower Canyon trips are REQUIRED to hike the Bright Angel Trail into or out of the Grand Canyon. This hike is strenuous and requires adequate preparation prior to your expedition. If you are considering this style of trip, review the physical requirements and risks carefully.
Travel Insurance
In addition to being adequately prepared to go on the river, we recommend guests prepare for the possibility that an injury, illness, or unexpected life event could interfere with their ability to participate in a trip with Hatch River Expeditions. We strongly recommend guests purchase a travel insurance policy that provides coverage in case of an unforeseen trip cancellation.
More information about our reservation, cancellation, and transfer policies is available below.