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Is your Group Ready for an Adventure

Charter & Custom trips

We arrange private Salmon River rafting trips for many different groups and organizations. It’s in our DNA and name! (A “confluence” is where two rivers come together, and we at “Confluences” specialize in bringing groups of people together for an incredible, transformative experience on the river). A charter trip ensures that only your group (with our guide team) is on this journey down the Salmon River, allowing your group to focus on its interests.

Special charter rates (including special group discounts) are available to help groups come together on the river. We can arrange charter trips on ANY of our available launch dates during the summer, or offer them in the Spring and Fall (see below). Our customer service team will help you develop the specific terms of your group’s charter trip. You can visit our Salmon River Rafting page for general information concerning itinerary, FAQs, and highlights you can expect on the classic Main Salmon trip, and speak with us about ways to customize the experience for your group. Those customizations can include variations to the transportation plan, themed evenings on the trip, guest entertainment (like yoga instructors or musicians), professional development opportunities, etc. Our team will help price out those add-ons to fit your group’s interests and budget.

Charter & Custom Trip Benefits, Policies and Eligibility:

Being able to charter a whole trip offers your group a special journey down the river, where everyone is there by your invitation! This is a great way for a family reunion, corporate retreat, or other focused group to have a powerful experience together. This often lets us coordinate smoother logistics for the group too. To be eligible to book a chartered trip, your group will designate a “Group Leader” who will be our primary contact. They’ll work to finalize the charter trip terms and keep in touch with us about updates and changes throughout the reservation process. In order to secure this by-invitation-only trip down the river, the group leader works to find sufficient guests to fill the trip to capacity and facilitate the group payment for the trip. They’ll also help make sure we get all the needed information for each guest (including a signed assumption of risk form from each guest, dietary preferences, etc). Our team will help the group leader know who has missing information. Because the group leader helps organize everything, the whole trip is able to receive the special pricing.

If Confluences River Expeditions does not receive full payment when due, we reserve the right to cancel, add additional guests to, or alter your charter trip or the initial agreement.

Your Multi-Day River Rafting Itinerary

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Day Before
One of the Confluences team will meet with your group to go over essentials for the upcoming trip at a McCall meeting point and hand off dry bags to pack into. Charter groups often choose to use this briefing the evening before the trip to review the goals and objectives of the trip, or to break the ice if new people are being brought together. Group organizers often set up a dinner together at a nearby restaurant. For charter groups, we can work with you to potentially start the trip in Boise or Salmon, if that benefits your group.
Day 1
On the first day of your Main Salmon River rafting trip, we will depart from McCall, Idaho via backcountry planes (5-9 passengers per aircraft) around 7am for Salmon, Idaho. Once we land in Salmon we will transfer to our put-in location via bus. We always plan a stop at the North Fork Store to pick up any last minute supplies like beverages or fishing licenses. Once we arrive at our put-in, you will meet the guide crew. They will go over safety concerns, explain the boat options and review the day’s plans. While the crew finishes rigging the boats you will have the opportunity to fill your water bottle, change into river clothes, and explore some of the historical sites nearby. After getting ready for your first day on the Salmon River, we will head downstream. We typically complete all introductions, chores, and briefings within an hour. You can expect to be on the water before noon. We will stop for a riverside lunch early in the afternoon and you can expect to pull into our first night’s camp around 5:00pm.
Days 2-4
The distance to camp, water conditions, side attractions, and other river features will change day-by-day but the daily routine remains the same. The crew gets up early to have coffee ready at 6:30am and serves breakfast around 8:00am. During breakfast, a crew member will brief the group on what to expect for that day and provide an overview of the rapids, side hikes, historic attractions and provide interpretive highlights pertinent to the day’s section. Depending on the day, we will visit Native American pictograph sites, soak in an amazing hot spring, and/or hike to nearby attractions along the river. Our optional paddle boats and inflatable kayaks (solo and tandem) allow you to actively paddle or just sit back on one of our oar rigs for a relaxing ride through breathtaking scenery. You’ll enjoy the waves and thrills of rapids like Big Mallard, Elkhorn, and Chittam and will want to stay on the lookout for bighorn sheep, deer, bald eagles, and even the occasional black bear.
Day 5
As we come to the end of your Main Salmon River experience, the routine for the last day of your trip will be a little different from the previous days. This is another meaningful day on the river, with lunch at a riverside beach before reaching the take-out. Once we reach the Carey Creek boat ramp (typically mid-afternoon), the guides will work to load up all the gear while you have time to repack your personal items. Here is where you will say goodbye to the crew and board our bus for the ride back to McCall, which takes about two hours. Guests should plan to arrive in McCall about 6pm, which allows for a nice evening in McCall or driving on to Boise that evening to stay there for the night before flying home the next day.
One of the Confluences team will meet with your group to go over essentials for the upcoming trip at a McCall meeting point and hand off dry bags to pack into. Charter groups often choose to use this briefing the evening before the trip to review the goals and objectives of the trip, or to break the ice if new people are being brought together. Group organizers often set up a dinner together at a nearby restaurant. For charter groups, we can work with you to potentially start the trip in Boise or Salmon, if that benefits your group.
On the first day of your Main Salmon River rafting trip, we will depart from McCall, Idaho via backcountry planes (5-9 passengers per aircraft) around 7am for Salmon, Idaho. Once we land in Salmon we will transfer to our put-in location via bus. We always plan a stop at the North Fork Store to pick up any last minute supplies like beverages or fishing licenses. Once we arrive at our put-in, you will meet the guide crew. They will go over safety concerns, explain the boat options and review the day’s plans. While the crew finishes rigging the boats you will have the opportunity to fill your water bottle, change into river clothes, and explore some of the historical sites nearby. After getting ready for your first day on the Salmon River, we will head downstream. We typically complete all introductions, chores, and briefings within an hour. You can expect to be on the water before noon. We will stop for a riverside lunch early in the afternoon and you can expect to pull into our first night’s camp around 5:00pm.
The distance to camp, water conditions, side attractions, and other river features will change day-by-day but the daily routine remains the same. The crew gets up early to have coffee ready at 6:30am and serves breakfast around 8:00am. During breakfast, a crew member will brief the group on what to expect for that day and provide an overview of the rapids, side hikes, historic attractions and provide interpretive highlights pertinent to the day’s section. Depending on the day, we will visit Native American pictograph sites, soak in an amazing hot spring, and/or hike to nearby attractions along the river. Our optional paddle boats and inflatable kayaks (solo and tandem) allow you to actively paddle or just sit back on one of our oar rigs for a relaxing ride through breathtaking scenery. You’ll enjoy the waves and thrills of rapids like Big Mallard, Elkhorn, and Chittam and will want to stay on the lookout for bighorn sheep, deer, bald eagles, and even the occasional black bear.
As we come to the end of your Main Salmon River experience, the routine for the last day of your trip will be a little different from the previous days. This is another meaningful day on the river, with lunch at a riverside beach before reaching the take-out. Once we reach the Carey Creek boat ramp (typically mid-afternoon), the guides will work to load up all the gear while you have time to repack your personal items. Here is where you will say goodbye to the crew and board our bus for the ride back to McCall, which takes about two hours. Guests should plan to arrive in McCall about 6pm, which allows for a nice evening in McCall or driving on to Boise that evening to stay there for the night before flying home the next day.

Salmon River Map

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FAQs

Below, find the answers to frequently asked questions about Salmon River raft trips with Confluences River Expeditions. We hope this page will help you plan for your raft trip and help you know what to expect on Idaho’s Main Salmon. Our team is ready to answer any of your questions too!

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FAQs

Questions about Packing

Questions about Food

Questions about Camping

Questions about Hygiene

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"Thanks again for such a fantastic trip! I know we all had a blast thanks to you and your guides. I just got home and am wandering around looking for someone to start cooking dinner for me and provide entertainment. It’s so quiet…"
– Kerry Thor, Everett, WA
"Just got back from the second epic river adventure with you guys. Once again, best vacation ever! Already miss you guys! Just like family."
– Tracy Quinn, Lake Forest, CA
"The food was amazing and the guides were accommodating and patient."
– Sharon Anderson, Salt Lake City, UT
"The entire trip was amazing. Stellar guides, the most beautiful wilderness water, stunning campgrounds, delicious food."
– Mary Fairfield, Boulder, CO
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Additional Spring and Fall Custom Rafting Trips
Each summer season (which runs from 6/20 to 9/7), Confluences has 10 pre-determined launch dates. Any of those trips, if available, can be chartered. But outside the summer season, we can offer additional trips on demand! There are great reasons why you will want to schedule a custom raft trip in the Spring and Fall. First, we have the flexibility to launch any day we want to! So, the possibilities are extensive. Second, we can design a specialty trip specifically for your group. These off-season vacations allow us to take your group during a time when the canyon is unusually quiet. We can offer trips from 4-7+ days long to suit your schedule and give you the option to camp or stay in rustic lodges along the river. Finally, this time of year offers great wildlife viewing opportunities, as well as more time for fishing or hiking. Fares will vary based on party size, length of trip, and camping or lodging option chosen. Let us help you plan the trip of a lifetime in May, early June, September or October.

Whether it’s a birthday celebration, a vacation with extended family, or a professional development retreat your colleagues will never forget, please email or call or text us at: (208) 252-5683 to start designing your custom trip today!

Call 208.756.6215

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