(EMAILWIRE.COM, March 26, 2009 ) Boise City, ID - Those all-inclusive trips touted by cruise lines and beach resorts can sound too good to be true, and they often are. When the extra-fees for popular “not-included” activities are added to the bill, the tab for the family vacation can easily double or triple. Few all-inclusive vacations actually are, but a river rafting vacation is one that fulfills the promise.
Once a family boards the rafts, there are no add-ons or surprise charges. TodayÂ’s outfitters provide services rivaling high-end resorts. Guides pride themselves on serving Dutch Oven cuisine, cuisine, teaching kayaking or fly fishing skills to guests, leading hikes, doing naturalist interpretations, sharing history and, of course, expertly navigating rapids. With a typical guest-to-guide ratio of only four-to-one, itÂ’s like having a private instructor guiding you with each activity.
“The idea that a rafting trip is just about whitewater isn’t true anymore,” says Bob Volpert, owner of Idaho & Oregon River Journeys, an outfitter on Idaho’s Middle Fork of the Salmon and the Rogue River in Oregon. “People come for the rapids and scenery but it’s the complete experience that brings families back.”
Outfitters report that the market for their trips has changed in recent years. River rafting vacations have become popular with multi-generational family groups looking to vacation together and experience a variety of activities. Dave Mills, owner of Rocky Mountain River Tours, says that “Middle Fork of the Salmon trips have plenty of opportunities for kids to get their adrenaline pumping.” For those eager to simply relax, Mills adds, “Oar boats rowed by a guide provide a comfortable, safe ride for those who would rather take in the scenery or fly fish.”
Jerry Hughes runs Hughes River Expeditions and outfits on the Snake River, Salmon and Middle Fork in Idaho. He thinks that the ease of planning, the adventure, and the opportunity for families to spend time together without distractions attributes to the popularity of river rafting vacations. “Sitting around a campfire with your kids is an experience we once took for granted,” Hughes notes. “But in today’s techie world, it’s something wonderfully rejuvenating.”
The outfitters mentioned offer three to six-day river rafting trips on the most famous rivers in Idaho and Oregon. Prices vary but are generally $200 to $400 a day, per-person. Included are meals, river equipment, local shuttles, tents, sleeping bags, camp chairs, and just about everything else you might need, except personal items. Also included are the activities that make a rafting vacation more than just whitewater: hiking, fly fishing, interpretation and those ever-so-elusive family campfire moments.
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