Whitewater Rafting on the Apurimac

Cusco

Peru

Whitewater rafting specialists rate the Apurimac amongst the best of world for whitewater rafting. The Apurimac, "speaker of the gods" in native Quechua, is the most direct source of the Amazon River, which makes it the longest river in the world. From Cusco, we drive across the Andes down to the Apurimac at an altitude of 2000 m. Upon arrival at the put in, we prepare all the self-bailing rafts and cara-rafts. After lunch, we raft down to our first camp. Under the night sky of the Southern hemisphere, our staff prepares all meals on a cosy campfire. Most of the rapids to conquer are class III+ and IV rapids, but also a few class IV+ and V rapids. At one point, we arrive at a narrow canyon with an impassable rapid. Nothing else to do, but to portage the impassable 300 m. Among the wildlife in this remote and isolated canyon we find river otters, bob cats, foxes, condors, torrent ducks, cormorants, etc.

The Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco - Puente Militar - Apurimac River
From Cusco (3400 m), we drive across the Andes to our put in at the Huallpachaca bridge (2000 m). It takes about two hours to prepare all the equipment. After some brief rafting and safety instructions, we raft down to our first camp located not far from the first class VI rapid (portage). Before retreating to our tent for the night, we receive some technical class III and IV rapid instructions (L D).

Day 2: "Space Odyssey" and "Purgatory" rapids
After a healthy breakfast, we walk around the campsite and admire the beautiful plants and trees full of bromeliads and orchids. Finally, we set off rafting a technical rapid called "Space Odyssey" and many class IV+ rapids. Just before lunch, we encounter the "Purgatory rapid", a class V rapid, before our second and last portage. That afternoon, we run class III rapids through an amazing whitewater granite canyon. Overnight in camp on a sandy beach (B L D).

Day 3: "S", "Labyrinth" and "Tooth Ache" rapids
Today, we run quite a few class IV and IV+ rapids. We might see river otters, some deer, foxes, torrent ducks and tropical Andean birds. After lunch at a sand beach, we run the "Labyrinth" class V rapid and the "Tooth Ache" class V+ rapid. Before running these exhilarating rapids, we perform several scoutings. Overnight in camp (B L D).

Day 4: "Rock Gate" and "Babalua Carajo" rapid - Puente Cunyac - Cusco
After breakfast, we run class V rapids like "Rock Gate" and "Babalua Carajo" plus some class IV and III rapids. After lunch at the take-out, we drive back to Cusco in a private bus (B L).

General Information

Available from June to October. We also run a 3 days/2 nights rafting journey on the Apurimac.

Rated: Moderate. Although we will conquer some Class IV and V rapids, your do not need previous rafting experience.

Included: Private transportation to and from river, camping and rafting equipment, meals as specified, professional Class V guides, safety kayak.

Not included: Meals not mentioned, hotels nor meals in Cusco, beverages, tips.

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