Share
ECHO with friends and family
Learn
more about our commitment
Below is a list of questions that we have been frequently asked over the years. Feel free to email us at info@echotrips.com or call us at (800) 652-3246 for other questions. We also have a frequently asked questions for women page.
Why go on a river trip?
Leave the phones, appointments, and decisions behind. Spend several days outside. Float on a river. Get some exercise. See some great wildlife. Make new friends and solidify old ones. Eat some great food. Let the guides do all the work.
"The best vacation I've ever gone on. Our guides were wonderful, food was terrific, river was a blast, camp was relaxing. Doesn't get better! I really like the fact that the guides genuinely spent time with our group, socializing and hanging out. Also, I completely trusted them as they were extremely competent!"
-S. Meyer, St. Louis Park, MN (Main Salmon)
What about kids?
River trips are great family events, and children are fascinated with the many things to do and see on a river trip: boats to play in, rocks to skip, stars to gaze at, and much more!
"What a pleasure to see our children so happily entertained by skipping rocks, and playing tag and cards with other children. Nintendo, Gameboys, and TV were forgotten."
-S. Hendler, San Francisco, CA (Rogue)
What distinguishes ECHO?
Our 36 years of experience running rivers should serve as an indicator of the highly competitive quality of what we offer. We pay attention to every detail before, during, and after your trip with great food, quality equipment, and the best guides you'll find anywhere! Our 36 years of business also say, "WE LOVE WHAT WE DO!"
"We had a great vacation. ECHO has the most enjoyable staff. We talk to our friends and neighbors about how much fun we had but always conclude with the friendliness and warmth we felt within the guides. Thank you so much."
- D. Henry, San Diego, CA (Tuolumne)
What is the age limit?
Seven for most trips. Sixteen for early season Middle Fork of the Salmon trips.
How is the food?
Fantastic! The luxury of river trips is that we can bring along a lot of fresh food. We provide three hearty meals a day, from lunch on the first day through lunch on the last. We specialize in creative, delicious, and healthy food: the product of over three decades of developing menus. Your guides prepare, serve, and clean up all the meals.
"I was most impressed by the extra considerations - like real whipped cream for brownies and apple crisp, lemon and onion on the salmon steaks, and pure maple syrup for french toast and canned milk for coffee instead of powder. Everything was so well planned and thought out."
-L. White, Kingwood, TX
What about special dietary requests?
Vegetarian and medically restricted diets will be gladly accommodated (and we are all quite experienced at it). Just tell us in advance.
What will the other people be like?
As an old river veteran on the Rogue once said, "There are no strangers out there, just friends we haven't met yet." Most of our trips are made up of groups of: families, couples, and singles. Trips are social events, but you get to choose your level of interaction.
We have been credited for saving marriages, for reestablishing communication between parents and children, for getting people involved in environmental issues, and even causing them to seek more meaningful employment. We have been told that our guides have been excellent role models for kids, especially our female guides for young daughters. Nine of our present guides came up to us after taking ECHO trips as guests.
How physically demanding are the trips?
Rafting trips are generally not strenuous, but you should be in good health. Most of our trips allow you to choose the level of exertion most comfortable to you. They range from being no more strenuous than carrying your waterproof bag to the boats in the morning to paddling hard Class V whitewater.
Many of our trips offer you several options for types of boats, allowing you to do as little or much as you like. Most of our trips offer excellent hiking to some of the world's most beautiful places.
What's included in the trip price?
It varies somewhat from river to river. All trips include some pre and post trip transportation, waterproof bags for your personal gear, all on-river meals and beverages, and excellent professional guides. Our longer trips in Oregon and Idaho also include sleeping bags, pads, and tents on request. See the trip details for specifics.
Do you offer group or charter discounts?
Yes. On most rivers we offer discounts to groups of eight or more. We are also pleased to arrange private charters. Contact us for details.
What do I need to bring?
Basically just your sense of adventure and your personal belongings. We supply the rest. When you sign up for a trip we provide you with a complete list of what to bring.
How do I make a reservation?
Just contact us and if there is a space available we'll sign you up. On some trips we are able to accept reservations shortly before departure, but most require weeks of advance planning. After you sign up we will hold your space for ten days while we await your deposit (after ten days we reserve the right to regard the reservation cancelled).
What else am I responsible for?
In addition to your personal gear, you'll need to provide transportation to and from the area, meals and lodging before and after your trip, additional beverages beyond what we provide, guide gratuities, and an open mind for adventure and enjoyment!
What happens after I sign up?
We'll send you a reservation confirmation and account statement, trip details, registration forms, and travel insurance information. Your trip deposit is due within 10 days of making a reservation. You can send us a check or call with a credit card.
What is your policy on alcohol?
For your safety, no drinking of alcoholic beverages is allowed on the river. Beer and sodas are provided (up to 2 cans per person per day). Additional beverages may be brought but must be in unbreakable containers. Fruit juice and water are available with every meal, wine is often served with dinner, and coffee, tea, and cocoa are available at breakfast and dinner.
What is your deposit and cancellation policy
Deposits are $200 on Rogue trips and $500 for the Middle Fork of the Salmon. We strictly adhere to our cancellation policies. Trip capacity is regulated by law, and your reservation may mean that we cannot sell your spot to others.
If written cancellation is received prior to the balance due date, there is a cancellation charge of $100 per person for the Rogue and $250 per person for the Middle Fork. If cancellations are made after the balance due date, no money will be refunded unless we fill the trip, in case we will refund minus the cancellation charges.
What equipment do you provide?
ECHO provides boats, most of which are state of the art Avon inflatable rafts, life jackets, paddles, waterproof bags, and a limited number of waterproof boxes for cameras and binoculars. On our longer trips in Oregon and Idaho we also provide chairs for camp use, sleeping bags, Thermarest pads, and large two person tents upon request. We also provide cups, plates, and eating utensils on all of our trips.
When is the balance due?
30 days before trip departure for the Rogue. 60 days before departure on Middle Fork trips.
What types of boats do you use/offer?
Inflatable rafts and inflatable kayaks. Depending on the river and water conditions, rafts come in three different configurations: oar, paddle, and power packs. On the Rogue and Middle Fork most guests tend to rotate between oar boats, paddle boats, and inflatable kayaks.
What Next?
- Call us at (800) 652-3246. We love to talk about our trips!
- Email This Page to friends and family.