Global Descents offers expeditions to suit every adventure traveler. We cater trips to six rivers on three continents. The Futaleufu River, the Colca, the Cotahuasi, the Zanskar, the Omo, and the Zambezi River rank among the most sought-after descents in the world of whitewater rafting. The logistical complexities involved in running these rivers cannot be understated, but we have designed proven successful itineraries that produce high-quality, exciting, safe, and exceptionally fun trips every time. Whether you choose the aqua blue wave trains of Patagonia, the exotic wildlife and warm waters of Africa, the ten-thousand foot deep Himalayan canyon of northern India, or the jungle runs of South America, your adventure with Global Descents will be an unforgettable physical and cultural experience of lifetime!
Mission statement - "To explore the world’s many amazing rivers with great groups of people."
Guides - On your expedition with Global Descents, you will get to know your guides, all of whom you will find to be some of the most enthusiastic and dedicated people in the world. All are native English speakers, and all have more than a decade of experience running rivers across the globe. Simply put, we cut no corners in choosing our staff; Matt, Duke, Jane, Harvey and Beach are among the best guides in the world. As the backbone of our company, every one of our guides are knowledgeable about the rivers we run, and are fun, talented, people with exceptional river skills and uncompromising safety practices. Most of all, they are incredibly enthusiastic about sharing their favorite rivers with you
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Ryan Howe - Born a ranchers son, in the heart of the west, driving headlong towards the unknown has always been the Howe family norm. An innate sense of adventure leads Ryan all over the world chasing wild rivers and snowy peaks. Whether it be deep in Grand Canyon, high up in the San Juan Mountains or in the belly of the Peruvian Andes, this Wyoming boy is right at home. Over a decade of river guiding, snow safety and emergency medical experience balance this adventurous spirit well with solid judgment and sound decision- making. Ryan loves water, in all its forms, and lives to laugh and learn amongst the untamed community of river folks. |
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| Duke Bradford - Duke Bradford has worked in the adventure/tourism industry for more than a decade. From the back of the raft to the forefront of his two adventure-based businesses, Duke excels at finding innovative ways to show wild places to people around the world. He continues to travel and to network extensively in order to maintain the highest levels of creativity and originality in his vision of adventure travel; and somehow he still manages to paddle and ski a couple hundred days a year! Duke lives in Keystone, Colorado with his wife, Anne, and their son, Cassius. |  |
| Jane Dicey - Global Descents is extremely fortunate to have Jane Dicey on the guide roster. Hailing from Cape Town, South Africa, Jane has managed river companies, taught guide schools, produced paddling videos, and led river expeditions across the globe. In seventeen years of river-running, she has attained the status as one of the most competent guides worldwide; and her energetic, fun, and enthusiastic character cannot go understated. In addition to her home country, Jane has lived and worked in Zambia, New Zealand, Ecuador, Uganda, and all over the Western United States. She now calls Jinja, Uganda, her home where, when not working for Global Descents, she runs daily trips down the White Nile. |  |
| Harvey King - Harvey King’s infectious smile and superlative swiftwater skills make him one of the most oft-requested guides on the globe. He enrolled in a guide training school on the Gallatin River, Montana in the spring of 1991 and has never looked back. In sixteen years of river-running, Harvey has traveled and paddled extensively throughout the world, including Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, China, Canada, India, and the United States. He regularly takes trips down the Grand Canyon of the Colorado, and enjoys revealing the wonders of the world to his seven year old boy, Canyon. Harvey lives with Canyon and his wife, Tara, in Taos, New Mexico, where he leads swiftwater rescue seminars and runs an after school program for kids. |  |
| Beach Huntsman - Maybe it’s growing up in the Utah desert that has given Beach Huntsman such an insatiable thirst for flowing water. For the past fifteen years, Beach has explored rivers across the globe. From the jungles of Ecuador to the mountains of the Himalaya; from The Andes of South America to the Southern Alps of New Zealand, Beach has led thousands of people down the world’s most remarkable rivers. When not working with Global Descents, Beach guides expeditions on the Middle Fork of the Salmon, Idaho, during the summer, and disappears into the jungles of South America with his kayak during the winter |  |
A guided river expedition with Global Descents will offer you the comfort, security and service of a U.S company abroad. We pride ourselves as true professionals, and have systems in place to ensure a safe and fun filled adventure.
Global Descents focus is personal service to each individual. Understanding your needs, passions, and interests help us use create the travel experience of a lifetime.
We pride ourselves on using the best equipment in the industry: self-bailing rafts; US Coast Guard approved life jackets; fully adjustable helmets; thick, inflatable sleeping pads; and quality expedition tents. By staying up to date with the latest in gear technology, we are able to provide a higher level of comfort and safety. Let’s face it: it’s just more fun with good gear.
Cuisine
We have mastered the art of creating great cuisine in remote locations. We prepare regional cuisine highlighting specialties of each area. We invite you to sit back, relax and enjoy the warm campfire as we prepare your meal to remember.
There are constant threats to rivers all over the globe. From potential dams to other environmental threats to the watershed, it is the river community’s duty to inform both its guests and local communities about the benefits of protecting the resource. Global Descents strives to do its part in demonstrating the benefits of tourism to rivers by supporting the local economy as much as possible. We do this through buying locally and employing a large local support team.
www.futafriends.org , www.africa-rainforest.org , www.nature.org
