Dvorak Kayak & Rafting Exp Inc
Bill and Jaci Dvorak have been operating Dvorak Rafting and Kayak Expeditions, located in the scenic Arkansas River Valley at the headwaters of the Arkansas River in Colorado, since 1985. As one of the early pioneers of western river rafting in Americas’ Rocky Mountains, the Dvorak’s own the first outfitter license by the state of Colorado. Dvorak Expedition’s river trips, white water skills camp and swift water training programs are world renown and have been featured in ESPN, National Geographic, and the Chicago Tribune and in several travel books and television specials.
Dvorak Expeditions has grown to operate river expeditions on 11 rivers across five states (Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Texas and Wyoming) in the southwest United States as well as in Mexico, New Zealand and Nepal. They operate custom float- fly-fishing trips on the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park`s- Gunnison Gorge and North Platte, San Miguel and Colorado rivers as well as on the Arkansas River. In addition, they package multi-sport trips, which blend kayaking and rafting adventures with hiking, mountain biking, climbing and other outdoor sporting activities. Dvorak Expeditions was selected in 2003 as the regional training center for Rescue 3 – Swift water Rescue courses for private and professional boaters and public service organizations such as state park rangers, Division of Wildlife rangers, police, search & rescue teams and fire fighters.
At last count, Bill Dvorak has accumulated over 60,000 miles of river running experience in addition to having personally instructed the Dvorak Expeditions guide-training course for over 35 years. Well over 500 guides have benefited from the Dvorak Guide Training Program since 1969. Dvorak Expeditions employs over 40 guides and support staff out of their Nathrop, Colorado base office.
Why travel with Dvorak Expeditions?
“Safety First” – The Dvorak Expeditions safety record is unparalleled. Read about our rafting trip safety ratings from the Colorado State Parks - Arkansas Headwaters Recreational Area. Dvorak Expeditions is the Colorado Regional Training Center for Rescue 3, the world’s leading swift water certification program.
“World-class guides” - Our guides, many of whom come to us with international river experience from diverse locales such as Europe, New Zealand, Costa Rica and Nepal, are dedicated professionals who have been trained in the most extensive training program we know of among rafting companies.
“Customized Attention” - We take smaller groups down the river for a reason; the experience is better when you can really get to know the people you are with. Bill Dvorak, the company founder and owner, is likely to be guiding one of your boats. 65% of our guests every year have been on a trip with Dvorak Expeditions before or were referred to us by someone who has been on a trip with us.
About Bill and Jaci Dvorak:
Bill and Jaci Dvorak are outdoor educators of long standing. Married in 1969, the Dvoraks spent many years teaching school in Australia and managing outdoor leadership courses for Outward Bound in New Zealand, Asia and England. In 1979, Bill Dvorak took over the leadership of the Partners River Program out of Denver, an outdoor educational program for disadvantaged youth, which he and Jaci purchased in 1984 and renamed Dvorak`s Kayak& Rafting Expeditions. Bill and Jaci have a daughter and son who are both active guides with Dvorak Expeditions. Bill received his M.Ed in Alternative and Experiential Education from the University of Colorado in 1981.
Bill is active politically on many environmental issues and serves on the Board of Directors for the industry`s leading organizations, Colorado River Outfitters Association, America Outdoors and the Colorado Tourism Board. The Dvoraks have been influential in helping to develop and implement key pieces of legislation and regulation regarding river management in Colorado. They have also been active in river conservation efforts. Through their involvement with Western River Guides and Colorado River Outfitters Association, they have outfitted several V.I.P. trips for U.S. Senators and Congressmen, Directors of the Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, Colorado Division of National Resources, the Governor`s Office as well as for Colorado Legislative representatives.
Cancellation Policy
It is sometimes necessary for us to cancel or modify a trip because of unusual circumstances. We reserve the right to cancel or modify any trip due to weather or water conditions or other circumstances beyond our control. In such cases, we cannot be responsible for paying any expenses you may have incurred other than to refund monies due to you for trip costs per the policies below.
Dvorak Expeditions recommends that you obtain trip vacation insurance in order to protect yourself from any losses you might incur if you suddenly need to cancel your reservation. If you have to cancel your trip and have not obtained trip insurance, we recommend you try to find someone to take your place. Please read the following carefully, as it applies in every instance:
One-Day Trips: When cancellation is made 2 days or more prior to departure, all monies are refunded less a $25 per person cancellation fee. With less than 2 days notice, no monies are refunded (this includes credit card charges).
Multi-Day Trips: When cancellation is made 30 days or more prior to departure, all monies are refunded less a 15% (of total trip price) cancellation fee. With less than 30 days notice, but more than 14 days notice, a 25% (of total trip price) cancellation fee is non refundable. With 14 days or less notice, no monies are refunded (this includes credit card charges).
Travel Insurance: We recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance through Travelex Insurance (please reference locator account # 06-0520) in the event you need to cancel your trip with us.