Tour / Activity Description

Activities:

• Kayaking
• Hiking
• Swimming
• Hot Springs (85 to 120 degrees F)
• ATVs
• Mine Tours
• Wildlife Viewing
• Campfire Meals
• Camping
• Horseback Riding

Details:

• 3 Days on the Colorado River
• Water conditions are mostly flat, but can be choppy depending on weather
• 1 Day in Eldorado Canyon
• Choice of ATV or Horseback Ride in Eldorado Canyon

Lodging:

• Tent camping
• Sleeping bags, pads & pillows included

Meals:

All meals are included

Hiking:

Short hikes in narrow slot canyons. Terrain is flat gravel washes and volcanic rock - wet and slippery.

Kayaking:

Moving flatwater, 26 miles

ATV/Horseback Option:

You will choose one of the two activities for each member of your party. Either ride is roughly one hour long and combined with the Gold Mine exploration.

Skill Level:

Beginner +

Difficulty:

Moderate

Itinerary:

Day 1

Hotel pickups begin bright and early. After introductions at the tour office in Boulder City, you will pack your gear and head to the security checkpoint for the launch at the Hoover Dam. The 1100-foot descent down the portal road is an adventure in itself. Explore Sauna Cave, Gold Strike, and Boyscout Canyon, where numerous hot springs are hidden. Hike narrow slot canyons in search of the perfect hot spring. Enjoy yourself, knowing your campsite is just around the corner. A short paddle brings you to the campsite. Accomodations for the evening include a starry night sky and the smell of a campfire. Enjoy a hearty dinner and good conversation as the sounds of the river churn in the background. Take a long soak in a quiet hot spring before crawling into your warm sleeping bag to drift away.

Day 2

Wake up to the scent of hot coffee and the sounds of birds chirping. Take a morning hike to view some ancient petroglyphs, or choose to relax in the hot springs. A full day of kayaking takes the group past Weeping Springs Cove, a gravity fault, and the "Great Unconformity." Watch for Bighorn sheep perched high on the cliffs. Peregrine falcons, eagles, coyotes, foxes, and lizards also inhabit the canyon. As you approach the historic cableways and catwalk, you will learn about the gauging station and the purpose it served. Kayak into Emerald Cave for a fantastic photo of the shimmering green waters. Explore the historic gauger's homesite, where you can hike to the ruins. Make your camp near the Chalk Cliffs and take some time explore Monkey Hole before calling it a night.

Day 3

A light day of kayaking reveals a tiny break in the canyon wall, which you will explore briefly. The green waters of the Colorado are great for swimming; and - if you are an angler - you may want an AC plug to fish for Striped Bass. If you're feeling adventurous, hike to Queho's Cave where a renegade Indian who killed more than 20 people lived. The river widens as you reach the headwaters of Lake Mohave where steamboats operates for 40 years. Upon arrival at Nelson's Landing, a shuttle will transport you to Eldorado Canyon; your campsite for the evening. A BBQ dinner awaits at the old western town pavilion. Here you will have a chance to wash up and relax by the campfire. The secluded canyon is the perfect finish to a beautiful day.

Day 4

A hearty breakfast starts the day off right. Pack up camp and prepare for an adventurous ride of your choosing (ATV or Horseback). ATV trails are abundant in the area, and the action is exciting and scenic. If you prefer horseback, the stables are just a short distance from camp and cowboy wranglers are waiting to show you fabulous views. Following your ATV or horseback ride, you'll explore the Techatticup Gold Mine, the oldest and most famous gold mine in Southern Nevada. Ore was brought from the mine to the stamp mill, crushed to a powder and mixed in cyanide tanks where the gold & silver would seperate. Complete your amazing adventure with a few photos of the group at the old barn, before being transported back to Las Vegas.

Included:

• High performance kayak w/rudder
• Paddle, PFD, drybags
• All safety equipment
• ATV or Horseback Riding
• Sunscreen
• All meals and snacks
• Water and beverages
• Kitchen and cooking equipment
• Tents
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping pad & pillow
• Professional Guides
• All permits and fees
• In-park transfers
• Hotel transportation from Las Vegas Strip

Not Included:

• Guide gratuity (generally 5%-10% of trip cost)

What to Bring:

Come prepared. You will be travelling from the desert floor to treelined mountain tops, and back down again. You will be hiking, rafting, biking, and riding ATVs. Temperatures can vary greatly, so it is best to be prepared for all types of weather conditions. The following is a recommended gear list for you, to help make your journey comfortable and enjoyable.

• 2-3 sets of shorts/pants and shirt
• 1 fleece top (for warmth)
• 2 Pair socks (wool or synthetic)
• Sturdy shoes or boots for Horses/ATVs
• Sandals or watershoes for kayaking
• Hat and sunglasses 
• Water Bottle/Nalgene
• Personal hygiene kit
• Washcloth
• Towel
• Toothbrush & toothpaste
• Personal medications
• Sunblock and lip balm (a must!)
• Headlamp and batteries (highly recommended)
• Camera and plenty of film and batteries
• Credit card and photo ID
• Cash for souvenirs and tips

COOLER MONTHS (NOVEMBER TO MARCH)

• Top & bottom base layer (polypro, capilene, etc.)
• Fleece top (for warmth)
• Windproof/rainproof jacket
• Ski type beanie/hat
• Gloves

Based on years of experience, your guides suggest the above items to consider for your trip - but you should bring what will best suit your needs. The canyons can be shady and cool in the mornings, and extremely hot in the middday sun. Summer thunderstorms are common, and you will want protection from the rain. If you have any questions about bringing the right gear, your E-Ticket will include a contact number for your guides.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What time will we get back? -- Return to the Las Vegas Strip locations is roughly 4:00 pm on Friday.

What kind of kayaks do you use?
These guided trips are equipped with high performance composite kayaks made by SEDA. They are lightweight, strong, and fast. These boats have rudders to make steering easy, along with sealed hatches to keep your items protected. They are top-of-the-line boats. The fleet contains these high performance boats, as well as similar plastic touring boats with rudders from Necky, and sit-on-top kayaks from Bic Sports.

What is included during the trip? -- Guided trips are all inclusive. You will get personalized service, freshly prepared and tasty meals, plus tents, sleeping bags, and pads. High end kayaks, PFDs, paddles, and safety equipment are provided. Round trip transportation to and from Las Vegas Strip hotels, along with all in-park transfers and fees, are also included. Choice of ATV or horseback ride on the final day. Guide gratuity is not included.

Is there a minimum age requirement? -- Kayakers on the Eldorado Gold tour must be at least 12 years old and paddle in a tandem kayak with an adult, or 14 years or older if they wish to paddle their own kayak. Your guide may rearrange people throughout the day to balance the ability of the group. ATV Riders must be 16 or older to operate ATV and helmets are required (and provided) for participants under 18 years old. With these things in mind, the minimum age for this tour is 12.

What kind of experience do your guides have? -- Your guides have years of experience in the outdoors; both personally and professionally. They possess a vast knowledge of the areas visited - the trails, the wildlife, the plants, and weather patterns. Before they can become lead guides, they must undergo strict training programs which prepare them to manage groups, make good decisions, and handle emergencies. CPR and First Aid training, as well as Wilderness First Aid or First Responder is standard, and they carry satellite radios and/or cell phones at all times.

Do you supply alcohol? May we bring our own? -- Alcohol is not permitted during activities such as hiking or paddling. Safety is our main concern. Your guides have a spotless record, and they want to keep it that way. You may bring a bottle of wine (or whatever you prefer) for dinner at the campsite in the evening.

When should I make a reservation? -- Space is limited, so you should make your reservations as early as possible.

Are there minimum participant requirements? -- Yes. In order to keep prices affordable, these trips require a minimum of four (4) participants in order to run as scheduled. In the event we are 1 or 2 people short, your guides may offer the option of still running the trip, for a small additional fee. They may also offer options of rescheduling or moving you to another tour. If none of the options work with your schedule, you will be refunded in full.

Should I buy travel insurance? -- If you are concerned about the possibility of having to cancel, it us strongly suggested you purchase trip cancellation insurance to protect your vacation investment. You will have the option during the ordering process to purchase travel insurance. Our cancellation policy applies in every instance, with no exceptions for any reason. We are not responsible for any expenses incurred due to travel delays, flight cancellations, or illness - and assume no financial responsibility for personal injury, emergency evacuation, or equipment lost or damaged in any way.

48 HOURS MINIMUM ADVANCE BOOKING REQUIRED. Pickup is available from Las Vegas Strip hotels. Gratuity is not included. This tour requires a total of 4 participants to guarantee departure. Please order online or call to order or for more information.