Planning
A Trip To The Grand Canyon River
Your Trip Logistics: From Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon
This page provides all the essential details to help you in planning a trip to the Grand Canyon river. From getting to Las Vegas to accommodations, parking, luggage storage, and pre-trip meetings, we’ve outlined everything you need to ensure a smooth start to your adventure. Whether you’re arriving the night before your trip or looking for more information on what to expect, we’ve got you covered!
Getting There
Your trip begins and ends in Las Vegas, Nevada, which is served by many major airlines, making travel arrangements straightforward. Harry Reid International Airport is the most convenient airport for your trip.
Plan to arrive in Las Vegas no later than the evening
before your trip. From the airport, you’ll need to take a taxi or another form of transportation to the hotel. There are several Marriott Hotels in the area, so be sure to specify that you are going to the
Hughes Center Drive location. The taxi fare from the airport is approximately
$30.00.
Where to Stay: Residence Inn by Marriott
Your trip begins and ends at the Residence Inn by Marriott located at 370 Hughes Center Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89169, where you will meet our company representative(s).
For your convenience, we have partnered with the Residence Inn as our preferred hotel. While you are not required to stay here, this is the location for both your pick-up and pre-trip meeting the night before your departure. Please note that the cost of your room is included in the trip price, and no price adjustment will be made if you choose to stay elsewhere. Our office will reach out to you about two months prior to your trip to confirm your room type, and we will make reservations for you at that time.
Important: Some restrictions apply, and we are unable to include hotel accommodations on discounted or Travel Agent commissioned GCE trips.
Hotel Check-In and Booking Additional Nights
Upon check-in, you will need to present a credit card for incidentals and luggage storage. If you wish to book additional nights before or after your trip, you can do so at the discounted rate for our guests. To make these reservations, please contact the Residence Inn by Marriott directly:
- Yvonne Mauro - Event Specialist
- Phone: 702-650-0040
- Direct: 702-650-1618
- Fax: 702-650-5510
- Email: yvonne.mauro@marriott.com
If Yvonne is unavailable, you can also book through any hotel representative.
Booking Tips and Nearby Hotels
Las Vegas hosts year-round conventions and is particularly busy during the summer months. To ensure your room, especially if you require extra nights, please make reservations well in advance. When booking, mention that you are a guest of Grand Canyon Expeditions and ask for the Grand Canyon Expeditions rate.
Rooms are available for our guests if reservations are made 30 days or more prior to arrival. If the Residence Inn by Marriott cannot accommodate you, there are several nearby hotels:
1. Fairfield Inn by Marriott
3850 S. Paradise Road
Phone: 702-791-0899
2. Candlewood Suites
4034 Paradise Road
Phone: 702-836-3660
3. La Quinta Convention Center
3970 Paradise Road
Phone: 702-796-9000
Vehicle Parking
If you're staying at the Residence Inn by Marriott and have a vehicle, you may leave it in the hotel’s parking lot during your river trip. Be sure to inform the front desk that you will be leaving your vehicle while on the trip.
We recommend that you do not leave luggage or valuables in your vehicle. Grand Canyon Expeditions and the Residence Inn by Marriott are not responsible for any damage to or loss of your vehicle, its contents, or any stored valuables or luggage.
Please carefully consider what you leave in your vehicle while you're away on the river trip.
Luggage Storage
The Residence Inn by Marriott offers luggage storage for your non-river luggage, provided you are registered at the hotel. All stored luggage must be clearly labeled with name tags. Our representative will provide name tags during the orientation meeting for your luggage.
The Residence Inn charges a $20.00 fee per room for luggage storage. Please ensure that your luggage is taken to the front desk before you board the bus on the morning of your trip. Your luggage will be waiting for you when you check in at the end of your trip.
To help maximize available storage space, we ask that you limit your luggage to one bag per person if possible. Families are encouraged to consolidate luggage whenever possible.
Your Trip Logistics: From Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon
Getting There
Pre-Trip Meeting
The evening before your trip, our representative will meet you at the hotel at a pre-arranged time to answer any last-minute questions, go over the logistics for the following day, and provide you with waterproof river bags for packing your clothing.
If you're driving to Las Vegas, you may leave your vehicle at the hotel for the duration of your trip (8, 9, 14, or 16 days).
We also have a small store set up in the meeting room where you can purchase any last-minute items for your trip, as well as some fun souvenirs!
The Morning of Your Trip
On the morning of your trip, please be packed, dressed in your "river clothes," and ready to go by 4:45 AM. The bus departs promptly at 5:00 AM from the Residence Inn by Marriott.
Make sure to allow enough time to check out of your room and drop off your luggage at the front desk for storage. During the orientation meeting, you will receive a sack breakfast, which you can bring with you on the bus. Coffee will be available in the hotel lobby.
You will board the chartered coach at the front entrance of the Residence Inn by Marriott. The drive to Lees Ferry takes approximately 5-6 hours (including two stops), so please be on time. Along the way, we will stop at Wal-Mart and a small store where you can purchase snacks and last-minute items.
Upon arrival at Lees Ferry, you will meet your crew for a safety orientation. You will also receive your personal flotation device (PFD). Afterward, you’ll board the boats and head downstream for lunch.
The Last Day of Your Trip
Mid-morning on the final day of your trip, you will be met by a speedboat that will transport you across the calm headwaters of Lake Mead to Pearce Ferry, AZ. Upon arrival at Pearce Ferry, you will:
- Meet with a company representative
- Receive a duffel bag to transfer all of your personal belongings
- Board a chartered coach for the return trip to the Residence Inn by Marriott
- Enjoy lunch on the bus, with a stop at a small store where you can purchase snacks and drinks
The bus ride takes approximately 3.5 hours, and the bus usually arrives at the Marriott between 3:00 and 4:00 PM. As delays can occur, we recommend scheduling any flights or plans no earlier than 8:00 PM.
