Rio Apurimac Rafting Only

One of the world’s best whitewater rafting trips perfect for seasoned river rats or thrill-seeking novices; close to Cusco, but still very remote.

Trip Length: 1, 2, 3, or 4 Days
Destination: Apurimac River, Peru
Lodging: Comfortable tent camping (for 2 or more days)
Activities: Whitewater rafting (Class I & II or III-IV+), camping, optional kayaking, optional stand up paddle boarding

WHY THIS TRIP

Peru’s Apurimac River is one of the top ten rafting rivers in the world and the best short rafting trip in Peru, with incredible rapids, awesome scenery, pristine beaches and rare wildlife.

TRIP DESCRIPTION

Rio Apurimac Rafting in the Apurimac canyon is a total wilderness adventure through the impressive 3,000-meter deep Granite Canyon, including thrilling Class IV rapids, pristine sandy beaches for camping, spectacular sun-bleached rock formations and rare wildlife, including otters, puma and the ultra-elusive Andean bear. It is an adventure lover’s dream come true, and Amazonas Explorer is Peru’s best and most professional rafting company.

From the ancient Inca capital of Cusco you enjoy a spectacular bus journey to the start of this river deep in the heart of an impressive 3,000-meter deep canyon. From here all supplies are taken for four days of wilderness rafting.

No previous rafting experience is necessary as full safety instruction and safety talk is given so even the most novice crews are expertly trained to meet the challenges and thrills of this non-stop adrenaline-pumping roller coaster ride of a life time.

LOCAL PROVIDER: AMAZONAS EXPLORER

For more than three decades Amazonas Explorer has led high-quality trips and alternative adventures throughout South America. Based in Cusco, its professionally trained guides, cooks and support crew bring their passion and skills to the travelers they serve and, in turn, build rewarding careers for themselves. This talented staff of local experts is focused on providing you with safe and comfortable adventures, all centered on making your holiday as memorable as possible.

Itinerary

Click the Abbreviated Itinerary to see the Detailed Itinerary

Itineraries

This is a unique chance to paddle a one day section of the mighty Rio Apurimac, through a 3000m deep canyon on the true source of the Rio Amazon. This is a massive day of total adventure and you will be rewarded with spectacular views, amazing whitewater, pristine beaches and great memories.

We pick you up early for the spectacular drive to the Apurimac canyon, hopefully glimpsing on route the snow-capped Vilcanota mountain range and Salcantay Massif before descending an incredible road into the canyon and so to our starting point on the banks of the Apurimac. Here we inflate our specialised rafts, and, following a full safety talk and instruction in the art of white water rafting, we head off into the canyon in search of adventure.

We travel through the most spectacular canyon with world class rapids, interspersed with gentle floats, elusive wildlife and amazing scenery. We stop to explore side canyons, have lunch on a deserted beach before enjoying more fun rapids to our take out at Puente Huallpacachaca where we celebrate our day with cold drinks, before jumping in the vehicles for the journey back to your hotel, having had a genuine “mini expedition” on the Rio Apurimac.

Meals: Lunch

 

This is a unique chance to paddle a one day section of the mighty Rio Apurimac, through a 3000m deep canyon on the true source of the Rio Amazon.

We have a choice of sit-on-top kayak, inflatable ducky or (for the adventurous) a stand up paddle board (SUP).

This is full day of total adventure and you will be rewarded with spectacular views, fun and easy rapids, pristine beaches, natural springs and a great memories,

We pick you up early from Cusco for the spectacular drive to the Apurimac canyon, hopefully glimpsing on route the snow-capped Vilcanota mountain range and Salcantay Massif before descending past Inca ruins into the canyon and so to our starting point on the banks of the Apurimac.

Here we prepare our specialised kayaks and stand up paddle boards and, following a full safety talk and instruction in the art of paddling, we head off into the canyon in search of adventure.

We travel through the most spectacular canyon with fun easy to navigate rapids, interspersed with gentle floats, elusive wildlife and amazing scenery.

We stop to have lunch on a deserted beach before enjoying more fun rapids and gentle floats to our take out at Conoc springs where we celebrate our day with a dip in their warm pools and enjoy some cold drinks, before finally jumping in our vehicles for the journey back to your hotel, having had a genuine “mini expedition” on the Rio Apurimac.

Meals: Lunch

DAY 1: Depart Cusco; Begin Rafting the Black Canyon of Rio Apurimac

You head out from Cusco for the spectacular drive to the Apurimac canyon, hopefully glimpsing the snow-capped Vilcanota mountain range before descending into the canyon to start your Apurimac rafting adventure.

Here your guides inflate your specialised rafts, load them up with provisions, and after a full safety talk and instruction in the art of white water rafting, you head off into the canyon in search of adventure.

For the next two days you enjoy some of the least visited, but in our opinion best Peru rafting.

The river enters a truly impressive steep sided gorge where you run many excellent class III and IV rapids. In between the rapids, there are relaxing floats through breath-taking scenery. You also have the opportunity to get out and explore waterfalls and colonial bridges.

At night you camp on a deserted beach and enjoy great food, a few drinks and great camaraderie around the camp fire.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Camping

DAY 2: Rio Apurimac Rafting and Return to Cusco

More great Peru rafting today. Depending on water levels there may be the odd portage between the fun rapids. There are also stretches to just sit and float down the river and enjoy being in this fantastic location.

Keep an eye out as you go for Andean Foxes, Torrent Ducks, otters and even Condors.

Finally you reach a break in the canyon walls in time for lunch. From here it is a four to five hour drive back to Cusco, with views of the towering snow- capped Salkantay Mountain along the way. You will be dropped off at your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation in Cusco is not included, but can be added upon request

DAY 1: Depart Cusco; Begin Rafting the Granite Canyon of Rio Apurimac

This morning you will take a spectacular journey to the river. The climb to a 4000-metre pass gives you spectacular views of the Vilcanota mountain range. Then you begin the stunning descent to the Apurimac canyon and the small community of Huallpachaca.

Here your expert guides will inflate your rafts and load them up with provisions for the journey ahead. Following a full safety talk and instruction in the art of white water rafting, you cast off from the bank into the waters of the mighty Apurimac. The grade II and III rapids this morning are excellent training.

Soon the canyon deepens and the rapids increase.You work together with your guide and other rafters to steer a safe course through the huge boulders that line this river. Rapids such as Tres Marias and The Gates of Purgatory will really test your teamwork.

There are even a few portages when the only way down is to get out and walk around a particularly fierce rapid. The Apurimac was a sacred river to the Incas and thought to be a source of great wisdom. 500 years later it is still a river to be treated with the utmost respect.

As the sun sets behind the canyon walls, you pull up at a remote beach to camp for the night.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Camping

DAY 2: Rio Apurimac Rafting and Return to Cusco

After a delicious breakfast, we kit up for a final day on the mighty Apurimac river. By now you will be experts and rapids such as the Trident, the Rapid Without a Name, Laberinth, Wake up, Babalua and Last Laugh that would once have seemed daunting are now just pure adrenaline pulsing fun.

Finally you reach a break in the canyon walls, enjoy a final lunch at the take out and from here you take the beautiful drive past the Salkantay mountain range back to Cusco.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation in Cusco is not included, but can be added upon request

DAY 1: Depart Cusco; Begin Rafting the Black Canyon of Rio Apurimac

We pick you up from Cusco for the spectacular drive to the Apurimac canyon, hopefully glimpsing on route the snow-capped Vilcanota mountain range before descending into the canyon to our starting point on the banks of the Apurimac.

Here we inflate our specialized rafts, load up with provisions and, following a full safety talk and instruction in the art of white water rafting, we head off into the canyon in search of adventure. There are some fun rapids and some beautiful scenery before camping the night on a delightful sandy beach with a campfire.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Camping

DAY 2: Rafting the Black Canyon of Rio Apurimac

For the next two days we challenge the rapids of the mighty Apurimac. “Apu – rimac” in Quechua signifies “The Great Speaker”, and Inca nobility and priests would often “consult” the river on route to the city of Cusco. The river enters a truly impressive steep sided gorge where we are forced to make one short portage before running many excellent class III and IV rapids.

In between the rapids, there are relaxing floats through breathtaking scenery. We stop and explore colonial bridges and hike to waterfalls. At night we pick another vast deserted sandy beach and set up camp to enjoy great food, a few drinks and great camaraderie around the camp fire.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Camping

DAY 3: Rio Apurimac Rafting and Return to Cusco

Finally we reach a break in the canyon walls and from here it is a four to five hour drive back to Cusco, passing on route more views of the towering snow capped Salcantay Mountain.

On arrival in Cusco we drop you off at your hotel for a well earned hotel bed, hot shower and perhaps a night out to explore Cusco’s excellent restaurants and bars. This is the perfect city to celebrate your successful descent of the mighty Apurimac canyon.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation in Cusco is not included, but can be added upon request

DAY 1: Depart Cusco; Begin Rafting the Granite Canyon of Rio Apurimac

This morning you take a spectacular journey to the river. The climb to a 4000 metre pass gives you spectacular views to the Vilcanota mountain range. Then you begin the stunning descent to the Apurimac canyon and the small community of Huallpachaca. Here your expert guides will inflate your rafts and load them up with provisions for the journey ahead.

Following a full safety talk and instruction in the art of white water rafting, you cast off from the bank into the waters of the mighty Apurimac. The grade II and III rapids this afternoon are excellent training for the days ahead. As the sun sets behind the canyon walls, you pull up at a remote beach to camp for the night.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Camping

DAY 2: Rafting the Granite Canyon of Rio Apurimac

Today the fun really picks up. After a delicious breakfast on the beach you pack everything away and load it into your boats once more. You work together with your guide and other rafters to steer a safe course through the huge boulders that line this river. Rapids such as Tres Marias and The Gates of Purgatory will really test your teamwork.

There are even a few portages when the only way down is to get out and walk around a particularly fierce rapid. The Apurimac was a sacred river to the Incas and thought to be a source of great wisdom. 500 years later it is still a river to be treated with the utmost respect.

Finally, exhausted and exhilarated, you will pull up onto another pristine sandy beach for a night full of stars. If you are lucky you may see Andean foxes or river otters.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Camping

DAY 3: Rio Apurimac Rafting and Return to Cusco

Your last day on the water. By now you will be experts and rapids such as Babalua and Last Laugh that would once have seemed daunting are now just pure adrenaline pulsing fun. Finally you reach a break in the canyon walls and from here you take the beautiful drive past the Salkantay mountain range back to your hotel for the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation in Cusco is not included, but can be added upon request

 

DAY 1: Depart Cusco; Begin Rafting the Rio Apurimac

You head out from Cusco for the spectacular drive to the Apurimac canyon, hopefully glimpsing the snow-capped Vilcanota mountain range before descending into the canyon to start your Apurimac rafting adventure.

Here your guides inflate your specialized rafts, load them up with provisions, and after a full safety talk and instruction in the art of white water rafting, you head off into the canyon in search of adventure.

For the next four days you enjoy some of the least visited, but in our opinion best Peru rafting.

The river enters a truly impressive steep sided gorge where you run many excellent class III and IV rapids. In between the rapids, there are relaxing floats through breath-taking scenery. You also have the opportunity to get out and explore waterfalls and colonial bridges.

At night you camp on a deserted beach and enjoy great food, a few drinks and great camaraderie around the camp fire.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Camping

DAY 2: Rafting the Rio Apurimac

More great Peru rafting today. Depending on water levels there may be the odd portage between the fun rapids. There are also stretches to just sit and float down the river and enjoy being in this fantastic location.

Keep an eye out as you go for Andean Foxes, Torrent Ducks, otters and even Condors.

At night we pick another vast deserted sandy beach and set up camp to enjoy great food, a few drinks and great camaraderie around the camp fire.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Camping

DAY 3: Rafting the Rio Apurimac

Today you’ll enter the Granite Canyon of the Apurimac, passing under the Huallpachaca bridge. You’ll start with grade II and III rapids, excellent training for the more exciting rapids coming up. Stopping to scout and portage 1 or maybe 2 rapids that are commercially unrunnable, you will still have plenty of great rafting all day. Rapids like Space Odyssey, the Gates of Purgatory and Tres Maria will push you to our limits. As the sun sets behind the canyon walls, you pull up at a remote beach to camp for the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Camping

DAY 4: Rafting the Rio Apurimac and Return to Cusco

Today the fun really picks up. After a delicious breakfast on the beach you pack everything away and load it into your boats once more. You work together with your guide and other rafters to steer a safe course through the huge boulders that line this river.

Rapids such as Trident and Batman’s cave will really test your teamwork. There are even a few portages when the only way down is to get out and walk around a particularly fierce rapid. The Apurimac was a sacred river to the Incas and thought to be a source of great wisdom. 500 years later it is still a river to be treated with the utmost respect.

By now you will be experts and rapids such as Babalua and Last Laugh that would once have seemed daunting are now just pure adrenaline pulsing fun. Finally you reach a break in the canyon walls and from here you take the beautiful drive past the Salkantay mountain range back to your hotel for the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation in Cusco is not included, but can be added upon request


travel logistics

Getting To and From the Trip: 

You will need to overnight in Cusco at least 1 night before this trip starts, so that you can begin in the morning on Day 1. You can arrive in Cusco any day beforehand. Hotels, transfers, and tours in Cusco, Machu Picchu, and the Sacred Valley are not included, but can be added upon request.

All international flights to Cusco must route through Lima. Most likely, you will need to overnight in Lima the night before you fly to Cusco. We can help you arrange a hotel and transfer services upon your request.

At the end of this trip on Day 3, you will be dropped off at your hotel in Cusco. You will be dropped off late in the evening, so you will have to spend at least one night in Cusco before continuing on to your next adventure. A hotel in Cusco is not included, but can be added upon request.

We can also help you add to your journey with trips to the Amazon, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, or any other destination in South America.

We do not sell international or domestic Peru airfare but partner with a flight specialty company, Exito Travel, who can arrange all of your flights for you, simplifying the process of this part of your trip.

Trip Start: Trip starts in Cusco. You will be picked up from your hotel on the morning your raft trip begins. Hotels and services in Cusco are not included, but we can add these upon request. All international flights route through Lima. Depending on your flight schedule, you may need to overnight in Lima the night before your arrival in Cusco. A hotel in Lima can also be added upon request.

Trip End: Trip ends in Cusco. You will be dropped off at your hotel on the evening your raft trip ends. The Cusco hotel is not included in this trip, but can be added upon request.

Complete Your Trip

This trip is sold as a trip segment, meaning it does not include hotels or services in Machu Picchu, Cusco, or the Sacred Valley, or other adventures, before or after the trip. We have hotel and other adventure packages in the Cusco and Machu Picchu area that you can add on to this trip to make it easy to get exactly what you want.

International and domestic Peru flights are not included, but can be booked through our travel partner Exito Travel. Depending on your flight schedule, you may need to overnight in Lima. We can help you arrange a hotel and transfer services if this is necessary.

We can also help you add to your journey with trips to the Amazon, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, or any other destination in South America.

 

Prices & Dates

2023 PRICES:

Prices are per person, and based on your group size. 

1 Day Apurimac Black Canyon Whitewater Rafting (Class III-IV)

1 Day Apurimac River Kayak or SUP (Class I-II)

2 Day Apurimac Black Canyon (Class III-IV)

2 Day Apurimac Granite Canyon (Class III-IV+)

3 Day Apurimac Black Canyon Expedition (Class III-IV)

3 Day Apurimac Granite Canyon Expedition (Class III-IV+)

4 Day Ultimate Apurimac Black & Granite Canyons (Class III-IV+)

No single supplements

 

2024 PRICES:

For pricing, please inquire using the “I am Interested” button above

 

 

 

 

What's Included / Not Included

INCLUDED: 
  • Transport between Cusco and the river in private vehicles
  • State-of-the-art self-bailing rafts, high-flotation life jackets, helmets, spray jackets, dry bags for personal gear, wetsuits, wetsuit booties, and special containers for cameras.
  • Camping and cooking equipment including Therm-a-rests & spacious two person tents
  • Drinking water
  • Extensive First-aid kit
  • Professional English and Spanish speaking river guides, trained in first-aid, swift-water rescue and CPR.
  • Safety cover at all times.
  • All meals as indicated in the itinerary

View Trip Terms and Conditions:
http://detourdestinations.com/terms-and-conditions/amazonas-explorer

NOT INCLUDED: 
  • International or domestic flights
  • Cusco and Sacred Valley services (hotels, airport transfers, day rooms, & tours) are not included but can also be quoted for and organized on request
  • Lima services (hotels, airport transfers, day rooms, & tours) are not included but can also be quoted for and organized on request
  • Personal belongings
  • Sleeping bag (can be rented for $10 per night)
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips
  • Airport taxes (if applicable)
  • Travel insurance (required)
  • Visit to Machu Picchu (can be added upon request)
  • Services not indicated

Accommodations

Camping: Gear includes spacious two person tents or single tents, dining tent, cook tent, portable camp toilet, and toilet tent. All camping and cooking equipment including Therm-a-rest inflatable mattresses, camping stools, tables, utensils, etc.

Sleeping bags and pillows are not included, but can be rented upon request. Bowls of hot water are supplied in the morning and in the evening at camp. Clean hand washing water is available in camp. Filtered water is available in camp and at meal times (please bring a refillable water bottle).

Rooming Options

ROOMING OPTIONS: Double, Single, Willing to Share, Single Supplement

 

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