Arizona River Runners Customer Testimonials

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I am a 77 year old healthy woman – but was a bit slow on rocky trails and climbs. Tim and Mitch were so very attentive about watching out for my safety and helping when I needed a little assurance- without making me seem like a nuisance. I gave them both a grandmotherly hug when the trip ended. They were wonderful! They, as did the entire crew, really worked hard and were pleasant and informative the whole trip!! AND FUN TOO! Thanks to all!
    -Jean -- Wickenburg, AZ

As probably clear from my comments, my expectations were clearly far exceeded on this trip. 15 years ago while at the South Rim I promised myself that the next time I was at the Grand Canyon I’d be down on the river – now I’m just kicking myself that it took so long! I loved that the guides were so different from each other yet worked together like they had been a team for years. They were very in-tune with all the passengers. And, they clearly love the magical place that is the Grand Canyon. Thanks for a great time!
    -Debbie -- Los Angeles, CA

For me this was the best trip of my life. Between the guides, the people we met, it was a definite people experience worth repeating. Living outdoors, respecting the world around us, keeping it clean, leaving nothing behind – lessons for life. Witnessing the timeless beauty of the canyon day after day, learning how it is ever changing, it becomes a living thing with a story that I wish I could witness personally over the millennia. I wonder if the rocks will chuckle when man’s attempts to permanently change the river have disappeared. With new experiences all day and night every day this trip exceeded my expectations and left me refreshed, renewed in spirit, and fulfilled.
    -Philip & Kristen -- Cincinnati, OH

I have jabbered to anyone who will listen about the trip. In my life I would rate this #1 trip of all I’ve taken. God’s creative ability just can’t be beat by human beings no matter how much money they spend. Thank you Lindsey, Mac, Ken, and Sarah for doing the job you love so well. Best wishes for your future. P.S. So enjoyed all the others who were on the trip.
    -Barbara -- Lake Park, MN

It was the best trip I have ever taken! Far exceeded all my expectations. NO TV, NO radio, No newspaper – what a way to spend the week with family and friends.
    -Gerald -- Tulsa, OK

I am writing to attempt to express my gratitude for a peak life experience. I have just returned from an 8-day powered raft trip with my husband and sons. The entire experience was beyond words in its power, beauty and spirituality. I am grateful for so many things, but I needed to let ARR know about the outstanding work (but it is so much more than that) done by our guides, TJ, Sarah and Riley. These three folks created a trip experience that cannot be topped. Their happy, confident and helpful manner made every person in the group feel safe, empowered and celebrated. They demonstrated utmost skill in every aspect of running the river, informing all of us of its history, guiding us on fabulous hikes, creating fabulous meals, sharing music and stories, and building community among all of us. The grandeur of the Grand Canyon is matched only by the grandeur of the human spirit and the connections facilitated by these lovely people. I hope that ARR will recognize TJ, Sarah and Riley for their incredible contribution to an outstanding river experience. I will never forget my experience on the river, and I will hold TJ, Sarah and Riley in my heart always.
    -Carla -- Mt. Ary, MD

This was the most amazing trip that I’ve ever taken. The Grand Canyon is truly a majestic place and I feel very fortunate to have experienced it with my friends, my new friends, and with 4 simply awesome guides. It was very apparent that they love their job, the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon. You truly have the best team to experience the river on a raft trip. I can’t say enough good things about them. They handled the rafts with professional expertise and safety was always foremost. Thank you for the opportunity to express my views! I will take this trip again!
    -Jane -- Martinsburg, PA

As I experienced last summer, this is the most amazing vacation I have ever been on ---and I’ve been many, many places in this world. My Mom and I are returning next year, which will be my third trip. Words can’t even give justice to how I feel about this vacation. I know you understand that so I won’t even try to explain. If you ever need someone to speak to prospective customers who are on the fence about going, please feel free to have them contact me. It is a trip of a lifetime---life changing indeed! I’m already counting the days until next summer! Thanks a million! You run an amazing trip!!
    -Katie -- Phoenix, AZ

Love all the guides and swamper and work your way!!! This was my 9th trip- all with your company, so obviously you do things right. You also have made great improvements over the last 15 years. Thanks for everything.
    -Stephen

Thanks to our phenomenal guides: Marty, Julie, Tyler & Drew for an amazing experience. With such a fun group, we loved everything about the trip. The rapids, hikes, stories, meals, and company were experiences we will remember forever! Our guides did a wonderful job at letting us have fun and be adventurous while at the same time watching out for us and keeping us safe. We would (and already have) recommend this trip as well as our awesome guides to anyone looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience filled with fun and adventure!
    -Teo -- Pleasanton, CA

This is the best vacation I’ve ever had. Even my 12 year old daughter came back saying she felt different – she realized that much of what concerned her in life was really insignificant. I loved having no contact with the outside world, no electricity, nothing to do but enjoy the beauty and relate with others- the best of what life has to offer that we so often overlook.
    -Margie -- Roseville, CA

The rafting trip that I was on was outstanding. I have already told many friends and family members it was a trip that I will not forget. There were many aspects of the trip that were great such as the beauty and wonder of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River and the good rapport that was developed with the other guests. Probably the biggest reason for such an outstanding trip were the excellent river guides assigned to us. The four guides were Trey, Ani, Tim, and Katie. Their levels of knowledge, skills, and talents-musical, art, writing, poetry, etc. were exceptional. I realize that you probably have other outstanding river guides but I have thought about it for quite a while and I really don’t see how anyone else could have done better than the four guides that we had. They ensured that the trip was outstanding, I count them all as friends and I have a whole new respect for river guides and the great amount of responsibility that they are entrusted with. You gentlemen as the owners of Arizona River Runners are to be commended for your employee selection skills. Every employee that I had contact with either by telephone or in person was outstanding. The people working at Vision Air and the Bar 10 Ranch were also outstanding. Bravo to all of you! You have all made me want to take another rafting trip with you sometime.
    -Gunnar -- Los Angeles, CA

It was a “Dream Trip” that I’ve wanted to do my whole life. As a geologist, it was particularly gratifying to see the Canyon up close, at river level. I have been to the South Rim twice before and am glad to see from both perspectives now. My son thoroughly enjoyed the trip and having that experience with him as he heads off to college this year is unmatchable with anything we could have done together. Thank you so much!!
    -John -- Amarillo, TX

This was the best outdoor adventure I’ve ever had, and I’ve run many rivers. Our group of mostly strangers became a family very quickly. The guides were open, and I enjoyed conversations with all of them. I felt I got to know each of them. Led by Amber- we had a professional, knowledgeable, friendly and warm team. I felt safe, respected, and had so much fun with them. Your guides are true gems, and very special people. I look forward to another trip with Arizona River Runners.
    -Wendy -- Aptos, CA

I had the trip of my lifetime and hope to go on many more trips. The only difference I can see is going for a longer trip. Thank you for opening my heart and eyes to such a wonder – I am forever changed. Fondly
    -Kim -- Minneapolis, MN

My mom and I went on the 3 day trip and I can’t say enough good things. For two city girl, this trip was so out of our ordinary lives but everything was planned so well and the scenery we witnessed was so extraordinary that no picture could ever do it justice. Bar 10 Ranch was a great way to start the trip. Skeet shooting, horseback riding and ATV riding were all new and wonderful experiences. The helicopter rides was beautiful and exhilarating. The rafts were packed quickly and neatly and the trip down the river was so wonderful. My other favorite part was hiking to the waterfall. It was amazing! Lastly, given the fact that we were in the Grand Canyon, the food that was made for us was healthy, hearty and yummy! I hope to do the 6 day next year. Thank you for a wonderful experience!
    -Lauren -- Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Our guides were truly phenomenal. They were organized, experienced, friendly, funny…the list goes on and on. Their responsiveness to campers’ needs was “right on.” Their love for the canyon and its history were evident and contagious. We appreciated them sharing the knowledge with us. It was so great! I would definitely recommend it to others- even non-campers. I’ve only camped a few times, and then only 1 night at a time. I wasn’t sure how I would do for so many days, but was just fine- I loved it!
    -Anne -- Monterey, CA

Our boys are still talking about this rafting trip. Our youngest commented yesterday that it was by far the best family vacation. We had an awesome river guide, fun-loving and hard working crew, great people to ride the rapids with, gorgeous weather and delicious food. Thank you to all that helped us turn a dream into a reality!!
    -Mary -- Scottsdale, AZ

Of course the Canyon was spectacular and the weather was absolutely perfect and the food was superb and the whitewater exhilarating, the real treat on this trip was the care, commitment, and passion exhibited by your employees, Pam in reservations and our guides Travis, Kenny, and Chelsea and the countless others behind the scenes.

We have been fortunate to travel worldwide to many exciting and wonderful destinations but the experience is always bet defined by the people who take care of you and the new friends that you make on the journey. From my first call to ARR when I had all my questions answered by Pam I felt that I was in good hands with the people that genuinely cared about their customers. I knew that was the case after meeting our guides, getting our welcome briefing and being the first boats loaded and on the river.

While I knew whitewater rafting through the Grand Canyon would be a lifetime experience what I did not expect was to be in the company of Guides whose displayed passion for their work would be so compelling. Our lead, Travis, has an incredible knowledge of both the history and geology and willingly shared his love of the River and Canyon. Even more significant was his engagement and safety of each and every customer on the trip. Kenny was an encyclopedia of geological history and led us on some incredible hikes taking the time to show us many details of ancient life and Canyon formation. He is not only one of the most personable and gracious people I have ever met but also one of the hardest working. Chelsea was the perfect complement to these two guys. She worked harder than any two guys and probably would have done all the work if Travis and Kenny let her. But that was not the case…these three operated as a team with a common goal…to share their home in the Canyon and passion for their work. The fact that all three played guitar and sang every evening was a wonderful bonus!

I know that none of this would be possible without the commitment and dedication of a management team that has truly broken the code…hire the best employees, operate with quality equipment, and recognize there is no substitute for passionate customer service. I thank you and all of your team for a truly perfect vacation.
    -Gordon & Gail -- Peachtree City, GA

One morning I was busy photographing until it was time to board the rafts. I had told my wife to tell the crew I would skip breakfast. When we boarded, the crew handed me a bowl with a pancake and sausage for me to eat on the raft. This is an example of great service. The guides, as well as some of the other, helped my wife over some of the more daunting (or difficult) rocks on the hikes. They also volunteered to carry my camera pack (#40) at Havasu Creek. Great Service.
    -Robert -- Flagstaff, AZ

Marty and his crew were great. They hit the high spots, gave us time to enjoy them and always had a great story, rendered with flair, at each spot. At night they stayed up late with the star machine to talk, tell stories and relax. The food was terrific and prepared in a relaxed and elegant fashion. How do they do it?
    -James -- Honolulu, HI

Very well executed trip but not pressured. This was my first time camping and our first trip whitewater rafting and we were very comfortable. The guides were awesome and so funny. We will never forget this wonderful trip!
    -Ann -- Chicago Area, IL

It’s been amazing seeing the grandeur that GOD has created. Pictures do not do the canyon and the river justice. I am so thankful that we, as a family, were able to experience this. Dwight, the host, and guides were amazing. The food was great, they were so prepared. Their love and respect for the canyon and the river was genuine. I can’t say enough about the trip. You provided a wonderful memory for me and my family.
    -Myra -- Jonesborough, TN

"The river is a place of sanctuary and peace for those of us who live our lives in a whirlwind. The experience is spiritual, exciting and educational…"

    -Megan -- Virginia

"The Canyon becomes a cathedral, which feeds the eye before it satisfies the mind. Then, if you will, it will continue, refreshing one's very soul. This great edifice comprising natural buttresses and immense vaulting at present leaves both young and old dazzled by its beauty and breathless at its scale. There is nothing like it anywhere on earth and as such should be valued by all mankind. I submit that this experience should be regarded as a freedom like any enshrined in the American constitution. It may not be obtainable by all, but it should continue to be open to all."

    -Donald -- England

"When your spirit cries for peace, come to the world of Canyon deep in an old land. Feel the exaltation of high plateaus, the strength of moving waters, the simplicity of sand and grass, and the silence of growth."

    -A satisfied ARR guest

"…I am well traveled, having spent twelve continuous months traveling through Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Not only have I been through Asia, Canada, Honduras, but I lived in and explored Australia for a 17 year period. The seven days that I spent on the Colorado River were some of the BEST days I have ever had in travel. I was blown away by the peacefulness, serenity, unmatched beauty, the wildlife, the sounds of the river, the sense of utter adventure and having been only to the North and South rims of the canyon on previous visits, I was completely fulfilled with experiencing the grandeur of the canyon from the level of the river."

    -Jayne -- California

"Every day was more beautiful than the last. Just when you thought it couldn't get any more spectacular, it did. The splendor had worked it's magic on yet another group…we departed friends, bonded by what was truly the adventure of a lifetime."

    -Kathy -- Massachusetts