Moab turns vertical. This Moab combo mixes canyoneering rappels with an Alpacka packraft float on the Colorado River. I love how you get guided, hands-on instruction in the canyon and then switch gears to a fun, more relaxed river section. One possible drawback: you’re on the move for 6–8 hours and the outing depends on good weather.

You start early in Moab with a 7:00 am start at Desert Highlights, get fitted with all the gear, and head out to a less-visited canyon area. I like that the guide teaches you about the local desert ecosystem while you’re hiking and rappelling, so the day feels more meaningful than just adrenaline. You’ll still want to be ready for nerves at the start; one past group had Kai as their guide, and she helped them push past that first anxious moment.

You’ll break up the day between canyon time and river time, with a chance to eat lunch along the Colorado River—just bring your own. Packrafting can be thrilling, but the key is choosing the right level of rapids for your group once you’re out there.

Quick Hits: What Makes This Can yoneering + Packrafting Combo Work

• Private, personalized tour so instruction matches your group’s pace and comfort
• Two rappels with full gear and safety coaching right where you need it
• Desert ecosystem lessons that add context to the sand dunes and canyon crevices
• Alpacka Packraft included with paddle and PFD so you’re not renting the important stuff
• Flexible river plan: you can float calm water or run rapids depending on what your group wants

Canyoneering Meets Packrafting in Moab: The Big-Picture Plan

This tour is designed as a clean two-part day: technical canyon fun in the morning, then Colorado River packraft time in the afternoon. The promise is simple—learn to safely descend canyon features using real gear, then enjoy a guided float that can be as mellow or splashy as your group feels that day.

At a high level, you’ll spend your morning hiking into the canyon area and practicing safe movement with a professional guide. Then you’ll head to the Colorado River, get briefed on river safety, and launch on the water. The guide also helps you choose the best put-in based on your abilities and goals, which matters because it keeps the experience aligned with what you’re actually capable of enjoying.

Why this format is such good value: you’re not paying for two separate tours or coordinating a day yourself. You get transportation from the meeting point (and hotel pickup/drop-off if you request it), canyon gear, and a packraft setup. With a 7-hour run time (approx.), it’s a compact adventure day that still feels complete.

Morning Start at Desert Highlights and Getting Fitted Fast

The day begins at Desert Highlights, 16 S 100 E, Moab, UT 84532, with a 7:00 am start. The tour ends back at that same meeting point. If you want it, you can request hotel pickup and drop-off, which is a real quality-of-life perk in Moab when you’d rather be outside than driving.

Once you arrive, your guide outfits you with the canyoneering gear you’ll need. That matters more than people expect. Canyoneering isn’t just “hiking with ropes.” The right setup affects how safely you rappel, how comfortable you feel in technical gear, and how confident you are when you’re working with your hands and feet.

This is also where the day’s tone becomes clear: the guides focus on making you feel prepared rather than just throwing you at the first rappel. In one standout moment from a past group, their guide Kai was praised for helping nervous participants settle in quickly. That’s exactly what you want on day one—calm coaching and clear expectations.

Hiking Across Ancient Sand Dunes to Your First Rappel

After getting geared up, you drive to the start of the canyon and then hike across ancient sand dunes. That hike might look straightforward from the outside, but in Moab conditions, dunes can tire you out fast. It’s also a good warm-up for the mental shift this tour requires: you’ll go from walking and scanning your footing to trusting your gear and technique in the canyon.

You’ll reach the first rappel point with instruction and safety guidance from your guide. This is where the tour stays friendly for beginners. The experience is suitable for both beginner and experienced canyoneers alike, which tells you the guides are used to matching instruction to different comfort levels.

What I like about this approach is that it respects how people learn. You’re not expected to magically know rappel rhythm. The guide is there to show you the ropes—teaching how to descend safely, where to place yourself, and what to watch for. And because you’re doing this in a more lesser-visited canyon area, it often feels less rushed than larger, more crowded options.

Two Exhilarating Rappels and a Hike-Out You’ll Remember

The core technical part is two exhilarating rappels. You’ll descend through canyon crevices using the proper canyoneering setup, and the day moves fast once you’re in rhythm.

The bigger point here isn’t the thrill factor (though yes, it’s thrilling). It’s that you’re learning a controlled skill in real terrain with safety instruction. That’s what makes the morning feel like an experience, not just a sightseeing stop.

After the two rappels, you’ll have a beautiful hike out. This matters because the hike out is often where you realize what you accomplished. You’re still out in the desert air, still absorbing the canyon setting, but now you’re thinking less about every step and more about the views you earned.

Also, the guide weaves in learning about the local ecosystem during your time outside. That’s a smart way to keep attention on the environment rather than just on the next obstacle. When you understand what you’re seeing, you notice more—and you respect the place more.

Colorado River Transition: Safety Talk and Lunch Break

Once the canyon portion wraps, you hop back in the van and drive along the Colorado River. This is a great change of pace. Your body gets a breather, and you shift from vertical movement to river time.

There’s a chance to eat lunch here. Lunch isn’t included, so bring enough food to stay strong for the full 6–8 hours you’ll be active. I treat this break as part of the plan, not a bonus. A canyoneering morning can drain you, so fueling before you paddle is a good move.

Right before you launch, the guide talks about river safety. Then you choose the best put-in for your group based on your abilities and goals. This is one of the biggest “you’ll enjoy it more” features on the day. If you want rapids, you can aim for that. If you’d rather focus on scenery and a calmer paddle, you can do that too.

Packraft Float Choice: Rapids or Scenic Flat-Water

After your safety talk, you’ll launch on the Colorado River and float through rapids or enjoy a scenic flat-water float—whichever your heart desires. That choice is important because “fun” can mean different things to different people. Some groups want action and splash. Others want time to talk, watch birds, and just cruise.

You’ll use an inflatable packraft (an Alpacka Packraft) that comes with a paddle and PFD. Having the correct safety and paddling gear included takes a lot of logistics off your plate. It also means you’re not trying to figure out how to handle a boat you’re unfamiliar with.

Packrafting is different from kayaking. The feel is different, the boat’s response is different, and you’ll likely spend your first few minutes just getting comfortable. That’s normal. The guide’s instruction in the canyon sets you up for this part of the day too—clear coaching, then hands-on time to enjoy it.

Expect the day’s rhythm to click here: you went down into the canyon with attention and control, then you get to float and let the river do the work.

Gear, Water, and Energy: What You Actually Need to Bring

The tour provides all necessary canyoneering gear, plus your own Alpacka Packraft, paddle, and PFD. That’s the heavy lift taken care of.

What’s on you is food and water. Lunch isn’t included, and the guide recommends bringing enough food to be out and active for 6–8 hours. They also recommend bringing 2 to 3 liters of water per person (bottled water isn’t provided). In Moab, hydration isn’t optional; it’s the difference between enjoying the day and feeling drained.

A few practical tips based on how the day is structured:

• Eat like you’ll work for it. Don’t show up with only snacks. Bring real fuel.
• Plan your water before you get moving. If you wait until you feel thirsty, you’re already behind.
• Dress for desert heat in the morning and water time in the afternoon. Packrafting means you’ll be on the river long enough to notice what you’re wearing.

Also, the tour is a private experience, so the guide can tailor pacing and comfort levels to your group. That’s part of why the “bring enough fuel” guidance is so specific: your guide can’t magically replace your energy.

Price and Value at $365 Per Person

The price is $365.00 per person, and for a guided day that combines technical canyoneering gear plus a packraft float, that’s not just a random number. You’re paying for several “cost drivers” at once:

• Professional guiding for both canyon and river segments
• Transportation to the canyon start and along the Colorado River (hotel pickup/drop-off available on request)
• All canyoneering gear
• A personal packraft (Alpacka), paddle, and PFD

Where the value gets real is the private format. A private tour means you’re not sharing instruction with a mixed crowd of strangers. Your guide can match speed, skill-building, and the level of rapids you run to your group’s goals.

The main thing not included is lunch and bottled water. That’s also where you can control value. If you bring good food and enough water, you keep the day comfortable and don’t end up spending extra on the fly.

If you want a single-day Moab adventure that feels like two trips in one, this combo makes sense financially and practically.

Who This Private Combo Is Best For

This tour is suitable for beginner and experienced canyoneers alike. That broad fit tells you the guide approach is flexible: you’ll get instruction, and the river portion can be dialed to your comfort level and goals.

I’d especially recommend it if you:

• Want a real skill element (rappelling) and not just a scenic hike
• Like the idea of switching from technical canyon descent to a guided river float
• Prefer a private group experience so you get personalized attention
• Get excited by the thought of doing two classic Moab activities in one day without planning the logistics yourself

You might want to think twice if you know you struggle with long active stretches in desert conditions. The tour runs about 7 hours, and you’ll be moving for much of it. Bring food, hydrate well, and be honest about your comfort with rappelling.

Tips That Make the Day Feel Effortless

The best way to enjoy a day like this is to take the stress out of the small stuff. Here are the habits that make a difference:

• Show up fed and hydrated. The day starts early at 7:00 am.
• Bring 2–3 liters of water per person and enough food for 6–8 hours.
• Take the safety talk seriously on the river and in the canyon. Following instructions is what keeps the thrill fun instead of scary.
• Communicate your goals. If you want rapids, say so. If you want calm and scenery, say that too. The put-in is chosen based on your abilities and goals.

And if nerves show up when the first rappel gear goes on, you’re not alone. One past group credited Kai with helping them feel at ease fast. A good guide can turn fear into focus.

Should You Book the Moab Canyoneering and Packrafting Combo?

Book it if you want an adventure day that feels hands-on and well guided, with the flexibility to match the river experience to your group. The combination is smart: technical canyoneering in the morning, then a Colorado River float in the afternoon where you can choose the level of excitement.

Skip it only if you’re not ready for a long active day or you’re worried about weather dependency. This experience requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor conditions, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

If you’re the type of person who likes learning new skills, getting outside early, and ending the day on the water, this is a strong Moab pick.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

It starts at 7:00 am at Desert Highlights in Moab.

Where does the tour meet, and does it return there?

You meet at Desert Highlights, 16 S 100 E, Moab, UT 84532, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, so only your group participates.

What gear is included?

You get all necessary canyoneering gear, plus a personal Alpacka packraft, paddle, and a PFD for the river portion.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so you’ll need to bring enough food for about 6–8 hours of activity.

How much water should I bring?

The recommendation is 2 to 3 liters of water per person. Bottled water is not included.

What happens if weather is poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.