"We can't get the Chama out of our minds ... It was without doubt one of the best holidays we have ever had and we cannot thank you enough for having organized it all so brilliantly. All our expectations and more were met - the sheer beauty of the river, the landscape of the wilderness, the sound of the water, camping under the stars (and a full moon to boot!), hiking up that beautiful canyon, not to mention the fantastic food we ate wherever we stopped - the steaks, the corn, the breakfast burritos, the succulently seared salmon - oh, it's been the stuff of our dreams ... The trip was UNFORGETTABLE!"
Christopher Sykes &
Isabella Bywater
Yorkshire, England
"My daughter and I just had two remarkable days on the Chama river. We wanted to thank you and compliment our guides, Dan and Ozzie. They were GREAT! We will be urging our friends to share the experience and are making plans to try the Box next spring. Thanks to all at Los Rios."
Lisa and Steve Luttbeg
Albuquerque, NM
"Thank you again for a wonderful experience on our two-day Chama trip. It was the highlight of the week for the kids, and they actually thanked ME many times for taking them. You made us feel so welcome ... it really did seem like we'd found more extended family!"
Cheryl Child
Iowa
"Our overall experience with Los Rios River Runners was great! I would recommend this company to anyone. From the excellent & informative customer service to our wonderful river guide. My first time to white water raft and they made my experience wonderful!!!"
A Yahoo user
Ponca City, OK
Chama Overnight Rafting Adventures
The Chama is one of America's most beautiful Wild and Scenic Rivers, and New Mexico’s most spectacular wilderness boating. The current carries us past cliffs towering up to 1500 feet, striped in vivid shades of pink, vermilion, and white. We make camp under immense old-growth ponderosa pines, in glorious meadows carpeted with wildflowers, or at the foot of a side canyon ideal for a short hike. The dawn mist shrouds the pink sandstone in a silver glow. You wake as if to the beginning of a new world.
Access to the canyon is strictly limited, so you are guaranteed a wilderness experience. If you’re lucky, you’ll see some of the animals that live in this gorgeous wilderness: deer, bears, elk, cougars, beavers, wild turkeys, and bald eagles.
A PERFECT FAMILY TRIP: The Chama is mostly a gentle float, punctuated by easy rapids which speed up near the trip's end. Three days on the Chama gives us time to stop at a historic homestead which was a hideaway for horse thieves, a hot spring, a ghost town, and fossilized dinosaur footprints.
FUNYAK IT! We bring funyaks on all our Chama trips, so you can paddle the river's meandering curves and forgiving whitewater in your own miniature raft. Perfect for those who want to do more than just lie back, relax, and watch the scenery float by. AT NO EXTRA CHARGE!
FISH IT! The state record brown trout was caught on the Chama. Bring your gear, or arrange with us to provide it. A New Mexico State fishing license is not included in the cost of your trip and must be purchased. We can arrange this for you. One-day, five-day and one-year licenses are available. Children aged 11 and under fish free.
DESIGN YOUR OWN CHAMA TRIP: We can arrange a gourmet chef, a yoga instructor, a massage therapist, a meditation teacher, a herbalist/botanist, all kinds of musicians, a wine-tasting trip … Just ask us.
WHITEWATER RATING: Class 3
RECOMMENDED MINIMUM AGE: 6. Younger children can leave the trip at lunchtime on the last day, before the larger rapids
MEET: By arrangement. Ride with us from Taos, meet us halfway if you're coming from Santa Fe or points south, or stay close to the takeout at the Abiquiu Inn.
SEASON: Variable: usually April to mid-June, and mid-July to early September.
PRICE: 2-day: $325 adults, $249 children 12 and under. 3-day: $460 adults, $325 children 12 and under. Does not include tax and federal user fee. Group discount available, extra discount for school and Scout groups.
WE PROVIDE: All rafting and safety equipment including life-jacket, and helmet if desired; waterproof jacket and pants; all camping equipment including freshly laundered sleeping bag, luxurious 1 ½-inch thick self-inflating sleeping pad and one four-person tent per couple or single guest; transportation to and from meeting place; all meals from lunch on the first day to lunch on the last day. See below for sample menu.
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OVERNIGHT TRIPS: SAMPLE MENU
Day 1, lunch: chips and salsa, build-your-own sandwich deli-style buffet with a variety of breads, meats and fixings, fresh fruit, cookies, soft drinks and juice
Day 1, dinner: hors d'oeuvres; mixed grill of steak, chicken and fish, rice, steamed vegetables, salad, freshly baked cake, soft drinks and juice
Day 2, breakfast: omelets to order with choice of onions, ham, cheese, peppers, mushrooms, spinach; bacon or sausage; biscuits or tortillas; fresh fruit; orange juice, milk, tea and fresh-brewed coffee
Day 2, lunch: chips and salsa, chicken Caesar salad wraps, fresh fruit, cookies, soft drinks and juice
Day 2, dinner: hors d'oeuvres; shrimp stir fry with rice or noodles; salad; freshly baked cake, soft drinks and juice
Day 3, breakfast: pancakes with maple syrup; bacon and/or sausage; fresh fruit; yogurt; orange juice, milk, tea, and fresh-brewed coffee
Day 3, lunch: chips and salsa, tuna salad burritos, fresh fruit, cookies, soft drinks and juice
We are not licensed to serve alcoholic beverages. You are welcome to bring your own.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – CHAMA OVERNIGHT
Will I be in an oar boat or a paddle boat?
We run mostly oar boats on the Chama. Lie back and relax, and let your guide do the work! And then, when you want to paddle, try out a funyak. If you really want a paddle raft, please let us know and we will arrange it.
Do I have to know how to swim?
It is unlikely that you will fall out of the raft on the Chama. If you do, you will need to assist in your own rescue. Funyakers stand a much higher chance of taking an unscheduled dip. Risk is higher for non-swimmers.
Do I have to wear a helmet?
Not in a raft. Helmets are compulsory for funyakers.
Can my child go if he/she is below the recommended minimum age?
Yes. The recommended minimum age applies only to the last part of the trip (the one-day section). Younger children may be able to run those rapids, if they are adventurous and well-grown. Alternatively, we can arrange for them to leave the trip below Christ in the Desert monastery, in the care of a parent or adult guardian, and meet up with us again at the takeout.
What if the weather's bad?
We don't cancel because of rain: usually it doesn't last long. Early season trips are subject to our weather policy: if the high temperature is predicted to be less than 50 degrees, we give you the option of cancelling at no cost to you. This decision will be made no later than the morning of the day before the trip.
Do you have flush toilets and showers at your campsites?
No. We are camping in the wilderness, not at developed campgrounds. We bring a "groover," with a toilet seat and sanitary supplies, which is set up in a screened area for privacy.
Will I be cold at night?
Not if you dress correctly. Polar fleece pants, top, and hat are recommended. The sleeping bags we provide are appropriate for the temperatures we’re most likely to encounter.
Does everyone camp together?
The campsites we use have many separate spots for pitching tents. It's easy to find privacy.
Do we have to sit on logs or on the ground?
No. The great thing about camping by raft is that we can bring all kinds of stuff to make us comfortable. We have folding armchairs, tables, four-burner stove, etc.
Do I need to let you know if I'm bringing wine and/or beer?
Yes, please. That way we can make sure we have enough coolers to carry it.
What if I'm vegetarian?
Just let us know, and we'll cater accordingly. Vegans too. We can also provide all organic food (an extra charge will apply).
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