Kayak & Canoe Tours
Family-friendly Tours
Day Tours
The trip follows River Valley’s Awesome Scenic section of the Rangitikei River, downstream from River Valley Lodge near Taihape. Inflatable kayaks are more like small, open rafts than conventional enclosed kayaks. They can carry one or two people and are stable enough for first-time paddlers, with no previous kayaking or rafting experience required.
Your guide provides a steering and safety briefing before setting out, then directs the group through the river section. Families can also combine inflatable kayaks and a raft within the same group, so people with different confidence levels can choose how they experience the river.
Tour Highlights
- Paddle 30+ easy Grade 2 rapids on the Rangitikei River
- Explore River Valley’s Awesome Scenic section
- Paddle your own one or two-person inflatable kayak
- No previous kayaking or rafting experience required
- Enjoy an included riverside picnic lunch
- Take a side hike when river and weather conditions allow
- Mix inflatable kayaks and a raft within the same family or group
- All specialist river clothing and safety equipment provided
- Suitable for adults and children aged 10 years and over
- Full-day experience near Taihape in the central North Island
- Wetsuit or fleece-lined splash-proof paddle pants
- Helmet
- Lifejacket
- Neoprene booties
- Fleece top
- Paddle jacket
- On cooler days, neoprene gloves and neoprene socks
- A riverside picnic lunch
What to Bring
- Towel
- Swimsuit
- A thirst for fun!
- Sunscreen
- You are welcome to bring your phone or camera on this trip and we will try to provide a dry bag or box to put them in.
The minimum age for this inflatable kayaking trip is 10 years. No previous kayaking or rafting experience is required. The trip takes place on River Valley’s Grade 2 Awesome Scenic section rather than its more demanding Grade 5 white water section.
A minimum of two adults, or one adult and two children, is required for the trip to operate. Families can mix inflatable kayaks and a raft within the same group.
River Valley provides a wetsuit or fleece-lined splash-proof paddle pants, helmet, lifejacket, neoprene booties, fleece top and paddle jacket. Neoprene gloves and socks are available on cooler days. Bring a swimsuit, towel and sunscreen.
Expect to get wet. You may bring a phone or camera, and River Valley will try to provide a dry bag or box, but water protection should not be assumed.
Adventure activities naturally involve some risk to both people and property. We do our best to minimise these risks but cannot guarantee your safety. Please choose the activity that best matches your fitness level and expectations. For river trips, the higher the river grade (1 to 5, with 5 being the highest), the greater the risk. Choosing correctly helps ensure the safety of yourself and others.
📌 Booking this trip means you have read and agree to the risks associated with this activity. Download the full Risk Disclosure here.
- More than 30 days before – Deposit not refunded; other payments refunded.
- Less than 30 days – Deposit not refunded; 50% of other payments refunded.
- Less than 14 days – No refund.
If River Valley cancels:
- You can accept the change, rebook, or get a full refund if major changes are needed (e.g., due to weather).
Note: *Any refund approved under our terms and conditions will be subject to a 5% admin & processing fee, which will be deducted from the refund amount.
Please see more information on refunds and cancellations in Go New Zealand's terms and conditions.
