SALT LAKE CITY, UT, May 27, 2010 – Western River Expeditions (http://www.westernriver.com/) announces a July 20-23 Girlfriend’s Getaway plus 2, 4 and 6-day summer-long adventures on the 100-mile stretch of the Colorado River called Cataract Canyon in Utah.

All programs include rafting and hiking in Canyonlands National Park with explorations of Native American culture and the thrill of 30 world-class white water rapids, camping equipment including cots, delicious meals, guides and return air from Lake Powell back to Moab, UT, where the trips begin.

 

Ideal for mothers and daughters, groups of friends and solo travelers, the Girlfriend’s Getaway (http://www.westernriver.com/trips/womens-trip/) also includes daily yoga and optional massage. The rate is $1,205 per adult, including scenic return flight to Moab.

 

The two-day Cataract Express designed for those challenged with busy schedules (http://www.westernriver.com/trips/canyonlands/) offers a 100-mile, thrilling adventure via motorized raft at $695 per person ages 12 and up, run weekly through early July.

 

Cataract Classic (http://www.westernriver.com/trips/cataract/) engages guests for four days of rafting and three nights of deluxe camping on the banks of the river and a little more time for side canyon exploration at $1,150 per person and $995 per youth ages 10-15, run weekly through August.

 

The six-day Cataract Ranch/Raft (http://www.westernriver.com/trips/cataractranch/) includes two nights at Sorrel River Ranch with an off-road Hummer safari and optional horseback ride in advance of a four-day river adventure at $1,730 per person and $1,560 for ages 10-15, run weekly through August.

Brandon Lake, vice-president of Western River Expeditions, said Cataract Canyon offers comparable beauty and whitewater excitement, with more affordable multiple-day trip options and better last-minute availability than the company’s already-sold-out excursions through the Grand Canyon (with one exception - a few spaces remain available for the Grand Canyon 6-Day trip on Aug. 25). He said that while Cataract Canyon bookings are up nearly 30 percent this year with waiting lists on some departure dates; however there are still a number of prime departures available.

 

Lake explained, “Cataract Canyon is often overshadowed by its downriver counterpart, the Grand Canyon, primarily due to name recognition. But the whitewater and scenery in Cataract are comparable and absolutely breathtaking. It’s somewhat of hidden gem. The trip cuts right through the middle of Canyonlands National Park. In fact, the river itself was recently made a "district" of Canyonlands National Park.”

 

“The trip has much warmer water than Grand Canyon and water levels fluctuate more because it’s not dam-controlled.  This gives visitors the chance to choose between bigger rapids in May and June and more moderate (but still very exciting) whitewater later in the summer. Guests also have a choice of boat: high speed snout rig, j-rig, oar-powered rig, and paddle raft,” he said.

 

Getting to Moab is easy. There are direct flights from Denver to Moab; air service is also available to Grand Junction, CO, a 1.5- hour drive to Moab, and Salt Lake City, a 4-hour drive to Moab.

 

Western River Expeditions (http://www.westernriver.com/) is an adventure travel company headquartered in Salt Lake City, with operations and offices in Moab, Utah and Fredonia, Arizona. Annually from March through October it escorts more people down rivers on professionally guided rafting trips in Utah, Idaho and Arizona than any other company. It is the largest licensed outfitter in the Grand Canyon and the largest single tour provider in Moab, UT, through its division Moab Adventure Center (http://www.moabadventurecenter.com/).

 

Western River Expeditions, providing Grand Canyon rafting, Utah rafting, and Idaho rafting trips, was founded in 1961 by Colorado River rafting pioneer Jack Currey. Today it pursues a “guiding green” philosophy and belongs to some of the top environmentally conscious organizations in the world: Grand Canyon River Outfitters Association, American Rivers, Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics, Utah Rivers Council, America Outdoors, and National River Cleanup Week.

See: http://www.westernriver.com/whywestern/environment.php

 

In 2009, Western River Expeditions was named one of the “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth” by the editors of National Geographic Adventure magazine. The company was recently honored as the 2010 recipient of "Best of State" through Utah’s Premier Recognition and Awards Program. This is the seventh consecutive year Western River Expeditions has earned this distinction.

 

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