Contact info@packrafting.cat
https://grandcanyon.com/planning/private-non-commercial-river-trip-information
As some of you already know, in 2026, packrafting.cat organised a 20-day expedition through the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River. It was an incredible experience... and, as is often the case with these types of trips, we were left wanting more.
In addition, many colleagues were unable to attend or were left out due to a key limitation:
👉 the maximum of 16 people permitted by the park for non-commercial expeditions.
Or simply because 2026 was not their year or for personal reasons they could not come. So we have decided to try again.
But this time, with more experience, more leeway, and a much better thought-out plan.
The proposal for USA 2027 is based on a very simple idea:
Organise an incredible trip to the rivers near the Grand Canyon, regardless of the outcome of the non-commercial permit draw.
Below we explain how we approach it, step by step.
The first step is to assemble a group of individuals who are genuinely interested in the trip and participate—for the first time or again—in the Grand Canyon non-commercial permit lottery.
Some key points of the process:
Before arriving here, we will have already decided:
This is where the key to the whole project comes in. Option A · It's our turn for the draw 🎉
Perfect.
We repeated the experience of organising a full expedition through the Grand Canyon, applying everything we had learnt on previous trips.
Option B · We are not involved in the draw (and that's fine)
If the permit is not granted, we activate Plan B, which actually becomes the real Plan A.
This plan consists of organising an expedition to some of the most spectacular rivers in the area, such as:
👉 Very important:
This trip is organised as if it were the definitive one, as if we had never discussed the Grand Canyon.
That means:
No "waiting to see what happens".
At this point, two things can happen:
Las Follow-Up Lotteries:
Precisely for this reason, in Step 2:
There may be chance along the way, yes.
But the approach is clear:
Whatever happens, we ended up having an amazing packrafting trip through the south-western United States.
Grand Canyon or not, the plan is a great plan.
Here comes one of the key questions: How much does a trip like this cost?
To answer accurately, I can only base my response on actual data: what the Grand Canyon 2026 trip cost us, a 20-day trip with full support.
When I say full support, I mean something similar to an "all-inclusive" adventure version: a local company takes care of absolutely everything you need to enjoy the river experience safely and comfortably.
Main costs (reference Grand Canyon 2026)
⚠️ All these costs assume that you already have your basic packrafting equipment (paddle, life jacket, helmet, etc.).
Other expenses to consider
Total estimated budget
Broadly speaking, and depending on:
The total budget ranges between:
👉 1,750€ and 2,500€ per person
Ejemplo de material packraft para una expedición 20 días en el Grand Canyon del Colorado
Yes — there will be a lottery for non-commercial permits for the Grand Canyon for the 2027 launch year, and the application period is expected to be in February 2026. GrandCanyon.com
📅 Estimated dates for the 2027 lottery
📍 How it works
📌 Summary
✅ Yes, there will be a lottery for non-commercial permits for the 2027 launch year.
📆 The application period is scheduled for 1 to 25 February 2026.
San Juan River Packraft (under construction)
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