Setting a price on an extraordinary experience is often a very difficult undertaking. There is really no way to value the adrenaline pumping through your veins, nor your heartbeat that is racing with excitement. Neither is it easy to put a dollar price on a breathtaking drop while on a raft, nor on a huge wave running alongside your right as you paddle furiously to avoid a whirling eddy on your left. Also, pristine forests and majestic mountains are supposed to be free. So, how do you price whitewater rafting?

You probably will just have to depend on the outfitters, or, if money is no object, you may want to buy your own raft, paddles, personal flotation devices, helmets, ropes, and other necessary equipment. If you are just starting out on whitewater rafting, though, you would be better off with the professional outfitters. Once you are thoroughly familiar with the sport and get addicted to it that you want to plunge into the waters every free time you have, you may then consider buying your own equipment.

Professional outfitters’ prices vary according the several factors. One is the river itself. This is because rivers, unlike humans, are not created equal. One is steeper than the other. Or has more bends, drops, boulders, eddies, bigger waves, or holes. The kind of gear offered by the outfitters will also influence the price. If these are all brand new state-of-the-art equipment, you may be charged a premium.

You may want to stay for a couple of days, or even up to five days, by the river. Accommodation varies from a well-appointed cabin or room to a tent under the stars. Some outfitters have packages that include all or some of your meals while others will allow you to prepare your own. These, too, affect the dollars you have to shell out for your vacation.

Tour packages often vary. Some feature half a day or a day of whitewater rafting. These are the least expensive. Other packages, however, cover several days ranging from two to seven. These usually include activities other than rafting such as mountain hiking or biking, horseback riding, canopy tours, or exploration of geological or historical sites.

Prices on weekdays are often cheaper than on weekends and holidays. Discounts are also given for large groups and children within a certain age limit. Generally, a one-day rafting experience may cost from US $100 to US $200, for two days this increases to US $300 to US $400, while a five-day-long adventure can set you back from US $600 to US $1,000.