General Trip Information & Reservations »

When do I pay my deposit?
To secure your space, an initial deposit per person is required for all Grand Canyon rafting trips, Cataract Canyon trips, Green River trips, and Idaho rafting trips. Deposit amounts will vary depending on the trip. You may make this payment by credit card (Visa, Master Card, Discover, or American Express) at the time of booking or you may send a check payable to:

Western River Expeditions
7258 Racquet Club Drive
Salt Lake City, UT 84121

When will I receive my confirmation and what should I do once it arrives?
As soon as we have processed your trip deposit, your confirmation packet will be sent. You should sign and complete the Visitor's Acknowledgement of Risk and Information Sheet and return them to us immediately. Your confirmation packet will also contain a packing list and clothing catalog, general questions and answers, helpful travel information, and cancellation insurance order form. If you booked through a travel agent, your confirmation will be sent to them for forwarding on to you.

When do I need to pay my balance?
Payment in full is due 90 days prior to trip departure and may be paid by check (preferably) or credit card. For your convenience, we can automatically charge your credit charge when the balance is due. We reserve the right to cancel your reservation if full payment is not collected by the due date.

What if I must cancel my trip reservation?
If you must cancel any reservation, the information and reasons regarding the cancellation must be received in writing. The cancellation fee will follow the formula in the box below.

Our cancellation policy applies in every instance and there will be no exceptions for any reason. Western River Expeditions will not issue any refund for arriving late or leaving a trip early. Western is not responsible for any expenses incurred due to travel delays, flight cancellations, or illness. If you are concerned about the possibility of having to cancel, we strongly suggest you purchase trip cancellation insurance to protect your vacation investment.

Some of the most difficult situations we have had to deal with concern making a "win/win" out of a situation when a guest needs to cancel a few days before a trip because they broke their leg, an elderly parent suddenly gets sick, or some other catastrophic event requires cancellation. In these situations, we generally do not have time to refill the space. Yet, we have already spent considerable time, money, and energy preparing for your trip: scheduling vehicles, flights, drivers, guides and equipment, purchasing food, etc. Because of our short season and very limited number of available seats, we cannot afford the financial loss that cancellations cause. Therefore, in deciding whether or not to buy this insurance, consider the investment you are making in your vacation and whether or not you could afford the loss if you did have to cancel.

For only $7.00 per $100 of coverage, this insurance provides reimbursement of all applicable tour costs associated with your cancellation according to policy details. Please see policy order form for coverage details. You can also purchase more comprehensive coverage to insure travel delays, baggage loss and other travel-related issues. A policy order form will be enclosed with your confirmation packet. You may also print this insurance order form or order cancellation insurance online. Again, we highly recommend you purchase insurance to protect your investment as our cancellation policy will apply in every instance. Western River Expeditions assumes no financial responsibility for personal injury, emergency evacuation, or equipment lost or damaged in any way.

Transfers »
Trip and date transfers 60+ days prior to trip departure and within the current year will incur a $50 per reservation service charge. Trip and date transfers 60+ days prior to departure that are transferred into the following year will incur a $100 per person service charge. Once a trip has been transferred, no refunds will be issued. Transfer dates, reasons and information is required in writing. No refunds or transfers will be allowed within 0 to 60 days of trip departure for any reason.

Trip Confirmation Packet
After you make a reservation, you will receive a confirmation packet that includes a list of commonly asked questions and answers, a checklist of what to bring, cancellation insurance information and order form, and detailed information about arrival and departure. The release and information forms enclosed in your packet should be signed and returned as soon as possible by mail or fax.

Clothing and Gear
Your confirmation packet will have a detailed list of what to bring plus a catalog containing our recommended items. Quick-drying shorts, swimming suits, sunscreen, and tee shirts are the basics and you should prepare for all types of weather. Since storms can appear and disappear in no time, a rain suit is recommended on the river - even in summer. The rain suit also protects you from the splashing waves on cool mornings and earlier season trips. See your recommended packing list for each trip for more details. To shop online for your packing list, please visit our online store.

Gratuities
Your guides will make every effort to see that the trip is enjoyable and successful. Gratuities for guides are greatly appreciated and at your discretion, as a gesture of thanks for their professionalism and service. The common practice is to give the gratuity to the trip leader on the last night. It will later be divided equally with the rest of the crew.

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All expeditions (with the exception of the Salmon River) will be carried out under the business management of Western River Expeditions. Tour operators and/or travel agencies booking company tours will not be responsible for any expense due to delays or cancellation of transportation facilities employed in these tours, or any increase in transportation rates effective after publication of this catalog.

With respect to trips conducted by Western River Expeditions, the company reserves the right to cancel or alter any trip itinerary as required. This includes the right to substitute motorized trips for rowing trips, or vice versa, increase or decrease size when deemed necessary by the company, and the right to refuse service.

There is an element of risk on all river trips. Because of the inherent risk, dangers, and rigors required of river running, you must be able to certify that you and your family, including minor children, are fully capable of participating in river running and related activities, and you must assume full responsibility for yourself, your family, including minor children, for bodily injury, death and loss of personal property and expenses thereof.
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