Mile By Mile On A Grand Canyon River Rafting Trip - What To Expect

If you are planning a Grand Canyon river rafting trip anytime soon, consider yourself among the luckiest adventure travelers in the world. The canyon, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, began forming 17 million years ago, and the world that the ever-changing Colorado River has carved out in that time contains wonders unlike any other. With its combination of world-class white water, spectacular red rock vistas, plentiful wildlife, and many diverse ecosystems, this is definitely one of the most remarkable places on earth - no matter which portion you choose to float.

Until you explore the Grand Canyon, you can't even imagine how vast it is and how much there is to see and experience. The elevation ranges from a mere 2,400 feet to over 7,000 feet above sea level. While parts of the canyon are very narrow and steep, other sections are more than 18 miles wide and one mile deep. At this point it isn't possible to see any of the rim from the bottom.

The majority of Grand Canyon rafting tours of the full canyon push off from Lee's Ferry. This is one of the narrower and steeper portions of the canyon, enclosing you as you wind through Marble Canyon -- 61 of the most famous and photographed miles of the canyon. After that, the canyon's rim slowly recedes from view as you float through its broadest point. Here you will find yourself in what referred to as the "Inner gorge" where the walls surrounding you are 1.7 billion years old. The gorge then closes back in as you head through its granite and volcanic basalt walls and its wildest waters, ending up at Diamond Creek above Lake Mead after 277 of the most amazing miles it is possible to traverse.

Depending on the time of year you choose to float, you will experience differing water conditions. In early spring, more water is released from the  dam - essential for the ecosystem as it flushes away river debris. The water at this time of year is naturally a little muddier than the rest of the year, but the benefit is that some of the rapids are more exhilarating, and the days are comfortably warm, rather than the blazing heat that hits the desert in the summer. The water temperature itself runs in the low 50s for the majority of the year.

Hardly any rafting trips have vacationers on the river all day long. Most expeditions will take the groups on hikes through side canyons where there are some truly remarkable sites to explore. Small creeks create lush green oases in this land of red rock and sand, and wildlife of all sorts visit regularly to get a respite from the heat. There have even been increasing sightings of the endangered California Condors that were released in the area. Other side trips will reveal painted Indian caves, and ancient dwellings.

With most guide services, a trip that traverses the entire canyon will usually take between 7 days on a motorized raft to a more leisurely 12-16 days under oar power. Also, for those on intensive hiking trips, longer trips are the norm. If time permits, experiencing the whole canyon and all of its wonders is the most recommended course of action by far. For those with limited time, it is possible to book a shorter trip that covers only half the canyon or less. Some outfitters even offer day outings for those who want to see the canyon from the river, rather than from the rim. If at all possible, however, you should do yourself a favor and float the whole canyon. There is so much to see, and the ultimate way to experience this natural wonder of the world is to spend some real time there and discover what is hidden from most tourists who visit.

Las Vegas With the Kids

Las Vegas isn't the first holiday location that springs to your mind when planning a holiday with children. After all, who would willingly pay to take their kids to a place that has the nickname "sin city"? Well, the big hotel groups have wakened up to the fact that there is a huge, relatively untapped market out there for those special holidays for families. And, of course, the Las Vegas hotels with their themed buildings, already have all the facilities and wow factor that you are looking for.

So, what is there to do in Vegas when you have a couple of kids or more in tow? Let's first take a rundown of some of the things you need to consider when taking your children on holiday to Las Vegas.

The Weather

First off you need to consider the climate. Las Vegas is in the middle of the Mojave Desert and, especially in the summer months, temperatures can rocket up into the high 90s F and above. Kids' delicate skin needs protecting from that. Make sure you take plenty of high PH sunscreen lotion. Something that most people don't consider is the dryness of the heat. The desert location creates a very low humidity factor and this in turn leads to skin drying out very quickly, especially around the lips. Be prepared and pack a tube or two of barrier cream for this. Finally, buy high quality sunglasses for every member of the family. The light can be exceptionally intense in the middle of the day.

You and your youngsters are probably going to do a lot more walking in Las Vegas than you're normally used to. Don't be fooled into thinking that once you're in a hotel theme park that you've arrived. You have and you haven't. These places are massive and if you're wearing new or uncomfortable shoes your feet are going to get sore, so have some sandals or light sports shoes to wear.

Now that we've got you all comfortable and kitted out, where shall we go?

Madame Tussauds

A great place to start is a visit to Madame Tussauds.  The Las Vegas venue has some wonderful displays of characters that are associated with the town.

How about dad shaping up to Muhammad Ali, the kids planning an adventure with Indiana Jones, or playing a duet with Elvis. Mom can admire (or envy) the models and female pop stars. You can spend hours in here, in the company of the famous, and the notorious. Kids will particularly like the "Scream" area within the Chamber of Horrors. Be prepared to be scared out of your wits when you enter this maximum security prison where the psychotic inmates have taken over.

Las Vegas Zoo

Not all the wildlife to be seen in Las Vegas is on the streets or in the hotels. Las Vegas zoo is a small, intimate zoo where visitors can get a lot closer to the animals than is usual in the bigger, more commercial zoos. A high recommendation for this unexpected Las Vegas attraction is the fact that most of its 50,000 or so visitors each year live in the city. If it's good enough for the locals...

For youngsters the zoo has what they call a "petting area". Located here are a few goats, rabbits and chickens who allow themselves to be petted and stroked. Watch out for the goats, however. Their favourite pastime seems to be "Butt the Tourist".

Being tall is usually an advantage, but not here. As I've said, you get a lot closer to the exhibits here than usual and the zoo's collection of ostriches only have a metal fence separating them from you. So what, you say, they can't get over the fence. That's true, but the fence is a lot lower than the height of the average ostrich and if you are above average height...well, my advice is to stay way back from that fence.

Roller Coaster at the NewYork NewYork Hotel

The great thing about Las Vegas is that the major hotels allow non-residents to join in all the fun. At the New York New York hotel the kids can ride at breakneck speed in a mock New York chequered cab which travels along a roller coaster that rivals the best for excitement. The ride winds in and out of the hotel's complex but I doubt that you'll notice much of your surroundings. Come to think of it driving in New York isn't all that different from this.

Shopping at Caesar's Palace Forum Shops

There comes a time when you need a break from the excitement and what better way than to wander around looking for souvenirs. As with everything in Las Vegas even shopping has been turned into a larger than life experience. You also have a bewildering choice of malls in which to spend your money. I've selected the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace as there are free shows throughout the day to keep the kids amused while mom indulges her need to shop. In one of these, in the Roman Great Hall, there is a regular animatronics show where the "statues" around the central fountain burst into life and engage in a battle to overcome Atlantis. Great for relaxing with a hot dog and some fries and getting your breath back before launching yourself into the next adventure.

So there you have it. Some ideas on how to enjoy a holiday to Las Vegas with your children without setting foot in a gambling hall (although you might want to do that as well!). Many of the attractions that you can visit, (and I've only had time to mention a small fraction here), are free or low cost, important when you have to pay for a family. I hope you will have been tempted to add Las Vegas to your short list of where to take your spouse and kids on holiday this year.