Often Described as 'New Zealand's Grand Canyon', the West Coast's awesome granite gorges provide you with New Zealand's longest and most challenging canyoned white water. Raft guides from other parts of New Zealand that are looking for a challenge come and do this trip. Three years ago the World Kayaking Championships were held in these gorges as they are rated amongst the world's classiest white water. On this expedition wilderness rafting you will enjoy scouting the rapids and then planning the route with your guides, you'll be physically and emotionally challenged as once you commit to these gorges there is no turning back or walking out. Access is by helicopter only. You'll Feel the vastness of the Southern Alps and the power of nature that has created this amazing landscape. A twelve hour day starts with an awesome helicopter trip (I keep finding myself using this word awesome but that is the only way I can think of to describe it!) into the mountain gorges and then at least 6 hours of challenging whitewater back to the road. You get extensive raft and safety training at the head of the river before commencing your 6 hour descent. A high energy wilderness lunch is supplied. At the end of last season the river was running at least 6 grade 5, 4 grade 4 and 12 grade 3 rapids. We couldn't decide on the grades of the other rapids so I have left them out but you will see that it is a full on day. The rivers can change dramatically as it is a very mobile environment so check with us to confirm the rapid count. So with 6 hours 'on the river', over 21 rapids with eight of them being grade 5 and another four being grade 4. (all but one can be walked around!) I reckon this trip provides one of the best value for money grade 5 rafting experiences you will find. Here is why I make this claim. At $525 per person you get the economy of combining two activities together, a helicopter trip plus the grade 5 rafting. We allow NZ$145 for the flight into the mountains (you'll pay $165 for similar flights which takes 8 to 10 minutes flying time depending on wind conditions) so the rafting part is NZ$370 for 6 hours on the river or around NZ$60 per hour for full on grade 5 rafting in some amazing canyon country. Compare that price with other trips, I have not been able to find any others with value this good! Let me know if you do, please. We like to meet you if possible before the trip so call in at our base in Greymouth or talk to us on the phone once you get to NZ. Prebooking well in advance is essential. These wilderness canyons are the home of a family of New Zealand's endangered Blue Torrent Duck. Torrent ducks live and feed in white water and these ones are being predated upon by introduced stoats. Part of your rafting fee goes towards supporting a Blue Duck Recovery program and you may be able to assist in this program if you wish during the raft trip as the programs activities allow. Your rafting tour operates in a way that minimises any impact on Blue Ducks and you will be educated in this before your raft trip. This trip is located on the Whataroa River which is 40 minutes drive north of Franz Josef Glacier. If you have your own vehicle it is best to do the trip as you are traveling to or from the Glaciers. This saves you travel time and we will meet you at the river. If you are traveling south from Greymouth or Hokitika then you can follow us in your vehicle . If you need transport we can provide this, let us know where you are staying and we will pick you up. Notes:
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