River rafting is an adventure activity with a degree of risk, participants should be aware that the rafting operator cannot guarantee your safety. Our guides are very experienced and fully licensed. Make sure you bring a swimsuit, drink, medication for any allergies or medical conditions such as asthma, hay fever, bee allergies etc.
This trip starts with a 2 day hike into the Karamea National Park via the Tasman wilderness area. Staying overnight in huts. The third day is where the rafting takes off. Well known all over the world for its great trout fishing and big volume rapids. This is a must do if you are after one of the classics. Outdoor magazine rated this river among the top 10 multi-day rafting rivers in the world.
There are no roads leading into this river so the only access is by helicopter or via the incredible Leslie track. The trip starts with half a day of grade III pool drop style rafting leading into grade IV in the afternoon. We then set up camp at the bottom of the "Earthquake Lake" (caused when a massive landslide fell into the valley causing a 2.5 kilometer lake to form) directly above the "Roaring Lion Rapids", grade V-VI depending on river flows. The evening is spent relaxing in camp or fishing in the lake or the side streams that flow into the Karamea River. This area offers some of the best trophy fishing in the world with the average size of trout being in the 9 lb. area.
The fourth day starts off with a roar as we navigate the roaring lion section. All the sections of this rapid have been rafted but the entire section has never been run at the same time on any commercial rafting trip. Nine hundred meters of solid class V rapids! The rest of the second day is filled with action packed grade 4 rafting until we reach our second camp site mid-afternoon. More fishing or relaxing around the campfire with a glass of wine or beer while our chefs whip up a gourmet dinner.
Day 5 dawns and we load up the rafts for the final leg, the rapids get back up to the grade V mark with names like Scare Case, Holy Shit, and Growler to name a few.
We finish the trip at the last resort hotel in Karamea where we dine in style while checking out the video of the trip. If hiking is not for you, fly in via helicopter and raft out over three days.
Member discount:
10% discount for InfoHub customer. Request a free gift certificate.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Group booking discounts available.
Price Includes:
- All the equipment including wet suits, warm thermal shirts, dry tops, diving booties, helmets, and life jackets
- Pick-up and drop-off service is available throughout Greymouth if needed.
Also see tour packages in:
Australia and Oceania
New Zealand
Canoeing/Kayaking/Rafting
Hiking & Trekking
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