Half Day, Grade 5, White Water Rafting on the Rangitikei River
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
Our grade 5, white water rafting trip is often recognised as one of the best half day trips in the world! It was recently voted in the top 8 white water 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.
This is a very active trip and you will need to work as part of a team to navigate your way through steep drops, chutes and major rapids in the grade 5 gorge. The trip starts off with some mellow grade 1-3 rapids, which are great practice for what lies ahead.
Throughout the trip you will see some amazing New Zealand scenery along the way.
And the trip finishes back at River Valley Lodge, for hot showers! You can also choose to add on meals or accommodation at the lodge after your trip.
Additional Info
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Minimum of 4 people needed for this trip to go ahead - if you have a smaller group please contact us and we can fit you in with more people
All our rafting trips are river level dependent - if the river is higher than our safe operating level we will not run the trip
This is a very active trip - you need to be physically fit enough to paddle and move around the boat
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What To Expect
Your trip starts at River Valley Lodge. Meet at the lodge for the trip briefing and get kitted out with lots of equipment to keep you warm and safe on the river. Then, we drive you 30 mins to the Rangitikei River put on. The trip starts off with some mellow grade 1-3 rapids, which are great practice for what lies ahead. Then, you will tackle the grade 5 gorge. With 10 major rapids on this 11 km run, plus numerous smaller rapids, there is plenty to get excited about. This is a very active trip and you will need to work as part of a team to navigate your way through steep drops, chutes and major rapids in the grade 5 gorge. Throughout the trip you will see some amazing New Zealand scenery along the way. The trip finishes back at River Valley Lodge for hot showers. Allow around 4 hours from start to finish.
What‘s Included
All equipment is provided - Wetsuit, helmet, lifejacket, neoprene booties, fleece top, paddle jacket, and on cooler days, neoprene gloves and neoprene socks.
Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
Options
Grade 5 White Water Rafting PM
Half day, grade 5 white water rafting on the Rangitikei River. Our PM trip departs at 12.30PM.Departures are subject to minimum people bring booked in, and are river level dependent.
Grade 5 White Water Rafting AM
Half day, grade 5 white water rafting on the Rangitikei River. Our AM trip departs at 8.15 AM.Departures are subject to a minimum of 3 people bring booked in, and are river level dependent.
Reviews
72 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Just do it.
Freedom26414344118,Mar 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Everyone needs to do this at least once in their lives, I have rafted this three times now and each time is an incredible experience.
Awesome Rafting Experience
Trip53641800167,Mar 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00guides were experienced and fun, technical rafting trip and felt very safe... so much fun, would do it tomorrow if I was there!
Incredible adventure!
Curiosity04572783698,Mar 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wow, what an incredible setting for adventure and to connect with nature. We done the level 5 rafting tour. It was super exciting our guide Jacob was brilliant pushed us hard in some pretty crazy rapids but kept us safe! We then had the evening feast which the team prepare all day, all the food is locally grown at River Valley Lodge and was an incredible Experience. Staff are an incredible team of lovely dedicated people. We can’t wait to come back!!!
River trips and great, fun location
msmerz,Mar 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We took a four day river trip on the Whanganui River that was spectacular and really wonderful company with Brian and some of his crew. Then we stayed at the Lodge for three days and loved the location and ambience and the food. The staff were all so friendly and fun and did a lot to make us have a great experience. We also took an afternoon trip on the Rangitikei River, which was amazing with huge rapids that were so fun. This was the best part of our trip on North Island.
Don't miss out on RV!
O8054MVkatiel,Mar 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is a must-do in NZ. This section of river is one of the best in the world, and the team at River Valley is incredible and well-trained for this adventure. The lodge is beautiful, all the folks are hospitable, and the experience is unforgettable.
Hidden Gem
LorraineI81,Feb 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We stayed at RV because my son was getting married there. Also went for half day raft. Could not fault anything,the facilities,staff, accommodation was wonderful. It is a long drive out there but so worth it if you want to get away from everything. Magic.
Definitely do this!
nickic474,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were a group of five families with kids aged 8 to 15. Three 13 year olds and one 15 year old did the grade 5. 17 of us in total. All novices... never done anything like this before and WE LOVED IT! A couple of us mums were apprehensive to say the least but Janey and her awesome team were amazing! Confident, skilled, fun... such a great group of instructors! Highly recommend this if you are a family with a sense of adventure. DO IT!
We felt like family!
lbconley,Jan 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What an amazing experience. We arrived, and were able to relax at the Lodge, swim, enjoy the hot tub, prep our food in the kitchen and outdoor grill, and eat dinner at the picnic table by the river. The next day we got up, had an amazing breakfast prepared for us, and then headed onto the river. It's a wild river, governed by nature, not dam releases as many commerical trips are these days. It was the most amazing river trip we have been on - the geology is ever changing, as is the river as natural rock falls and nature takes its course. Our guides know this technical river intimately, and really helped us experience it to the fullest. Truly phenomenal. I wish we had more time and added on horse back riding or a multi day trip. We will just have to come back again to visit this amazing place and its amazing people!
Half Day Rafting Trip - Excellent!
654willf,Jan 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wonderful afternoon, stunning location, great guides, so much fun. Very highly recommend. Thank you Tom, Lupe, Hazel & Jacob!
Pure fun
820aviramh,Jan 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience, professional and friendly team. The team places an emphasis on safety. Jacob is professional and highly skilled, he is very friendly and welcoming. Highly recommended
From NZ$275.00
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Operated by River Valley Adventures