Grade 5 White
Water Rafting NZ

Taihape, New Zealand – Great location - show map

Duration: Half Day

$189

per person, Minimum age 13 years

Summer Season:

Trips depart twice daily from 1st October to 30th April at 8.15am and 12.30pm.

Winter Season:

Trips depart once per day from 1st May to 30th September at 8.30am.

This is a world class, half-day white water rafting trip on the Rangitikei River (recently voted in the top 8 rafting trips in the world by Red Bull!). With 10 major rapids on this 11 km run, plus numerous smaller rapids, there is plenty to get excited about.

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Book as Stay & Play

ALREADY BEEN RAFTING? BUY YOUR PHOTOS HERE

Please note: Departures are river level dependent, we will not put on if the river is outside our safe operating limits. This trip may not happen if the minimum of 4 paying fares is not met. If you are a solo, please contact our reception on 0800 248666 or email thelodge@rivervalley.co.nz to join an existing trip.

The Best Half Day, Grade 5, White Water Rafting in New Zealand
– Maybe Even The World!

The Rangitikei River, North Island, New Zealand

Every river is different in character, offering a different type of experience. The grade 5 section of the Rangitikei river was recently voted as one of the top 8 places to go rafting on the planet by Red Bull, and it’s easy to see why…

In New Zealand there are many opportunities to join a river rafting trip, and often the trip that is taken is whatever happens to be closest. But have you asked what it is that you really want from a white water rafting trip?

What if what you are really looking for is plenty of rapids?
Lots of drops, steep chutes, rapids that are challenging,
rapids where you have to work as part of the team.

Rapids with Consequences.

How would you know what to look for?

Here are Some Answers

What you need to look for is a Grade 4 or Grade 5 trip. But even that is not enough.
How many rapids are there is it just one Grade 4 or Grade 5 rapid, or a whole section of them?
How long is the trip? Is it a half day or longer trip, or is it a 30 minute float with a couple of drops?

Is it a Half Day, Grade 5, White Water Rafting Trip That You are After?

If it is a half day trip that you are after, then the Grade 5 white water section of the Rangitikei River could be just what you are looking for.

Often recognised as one of the top half day Grade 5 White Water Rafting Trips in the world, your trip on the Rangitikei starts off easier, with sections of fun Grade 2 and Grade 3 rapids, great practice for what lies ahead!

Over a two to three hour period, and 11 kms of river, you will experience rapids that start at that easy end, and culminate in the gorge. A section of the river where 10 major rapids, from Grade 3+ to Grade 5, line up one after the other to thrill you and excite you.

Some of these rapids are short and sharp, while others carry on for several hundred meters.

And Where Does the Trip Finish?

Right outside the front door of River Valley Lodge for hot showers. No getting changed on river banks!

Many river guides have called the grade 5 rafting section of the Rangitikei River, the perfect half day rafting trip.

An easy start, building up to a fun filled finish.

Freaking Wicked

This is what other rafters with us regularly say;

“Freaking wicked. Best value for money on our trip so far. Crew was excellent. I would do it again for sure.

Or – Awesome day! Great guide with obvious experience and background on grade 5 rapids. Beautiful ride in all.

And – You should not be scared because it was just amazing! Sooo cool! I really enjoyed the rafting so just do it!

How Often Do Trips Depart?

Summer Season: Trips depart twice daily from 1st October to 30th April Briefing times are 8.15am and 12.30pm.

Winter Season: Trips depart once per day from 1st May to 30th September – briefing time is 8.30am.

Departures are River Level dependent. We will not put on if the river is outside our safe operating limits.

This trip may not happen if the minimum of 3 paying fares is not met. If you are a solo, please contact our reception on 0800 248666 or email thelodge@rivervalley.co.nz to join an existing trip.

Are You Still Asking, – Why Raft the Grade 5 Section of the Rangitikei River?

Over 4000 people raft this section of the Rangitikei River each year.

People like you, wanting the best in white water rafting excitement.

Since 1980 our family have been rafting this river, 3 generations of river guides, unparalleled in New Zealand.

And finally, this trip is simply one of the top, half day Grade 5 rafting trips in the world. Thats why.

Sounds Great, so What Next?

Click on the booking link to check availability and to book your trip.

If you have the time and would like to stay with us, we have accommodation options at the lodge. This trip can be booked as part of our ‘Stay & Play’ package, which includes your accommodation and meals, for the full River Valley experience.

Alternatively, search for other suitable rafting trips here.

Book Your Trip Now

Grade 5 White Water Rafting, New Zealand

Experience the world class, white water rafting trip on the Rangitikei River

Half Day, Grade 5 White Water Rafting

What we provide:

Wetsuit
Helmet
Lifejacket
Neoprene booties
Fleece top
Paddle jacket
On cooler days, neoprene gloves and neoprene socks

What to bring:

Towel
Swimsuit
A thirst for adventure!
We do allow guests to bring GoPro’s on this trip, however we do not encourage this as they do tend to get lost – it is at your own risk.

Here is some information
you may find helpful:

White Water Rafting FAQs
How Dangerous is White Water Rafting?
How Are The Rapids Graded?
What Are The Top 5 Rafting Trips in NZ?
Where to go for the best rafting on the planet?

The Rangitikei River – Grade 5 Section Map

Use the controls to check out this beautiful section of the Rangitikei River, the Grade 5 section – steep, technical and fun. Click on each rapid to more see photos of what lies ahead.

Still Not Sure if This Trip is for You?

Hold on a minute, you have questions right?

Will I be Fit Enough?

You do need an average level of fitness as you will be required to help paddle the raft.

Do I Need Experience?

You do not need any experience to join our trip, as long as you have the right attitude and are willing to work as part of a team.

Will I Fall out?

You may fall out, in fact 5% of people have an unplanned exit from the raft.

How Safe is it?

Rafting the Grade 5 section of the Rangitikei River is not 100% safe. There are absolutely no guarantees that nothing untoward will happen.

Is This Trip Really for me?

This trip is not for everyone. It is for the person who knows what they want in a whitewater rafting experience – fun, thrills, excitement, and a real sense that what you do on that raft, with your paddle, actually makes a difference.

Will I be in Safe Hands?

At River Valley, exploring rivers is a passion, and since 1982 we have been taking people down rivers in rafts. That passion has now been passed through three generations, with two of those generations still actively guiding. On any given day, between the guides on the river, there can be up to 97 years of experience. That is quite something.

As far as guide training is concerned, we believe in putting actions to our words. At regular intervals, our white water raft guides conduct scenario testing. This involves setting up situations, (without clients), where skills and systems are tested and challenged. River Guides Guides employed at River Valley are as a general rule, highly skilled to begin with. If they are are working here they do not need to be trained to guide a raft!

I’m Not Sure This Trip is for me, What are my Other Options?

Our full day scenic rafting trip is a great option for those who aren’t sure they want to do the grade 5 trip. This trip is also suitable for children under 13. Or, explore more of the beautiful Rangitikei River on one of our 1-5 day multi-day rafting trips.

What people say

Grade 5 Rafting, Rangitikei River, New Zealand