Get ready for a journey through the heart of nature’s marvels with our Apurimac white water River rafting tours! Brace yourself for world-class rapids that feel like a roller coaster ride through an extraordinary rocky canyon, more than 3000 meters deep. Each bend uncovers surprises—maybe rare wildlife by the river or stunning waterfalls, one cascading over 100 meters. This is not just a rafting trip; it’s a truly wilderness experience on one of the world’s best rivers to paddle.
Discover the excitement of the Apurimac River with our white water rafting, featuring iconic tours in the Black Canyon and Granite Canyon. Choose from 1 to 6-day trips for an unforgettable experience.
The river runs through towering canyons where waterfalls come crashing down. The Apurimac River has cut its way deep into a canyon on its way to the Atlantic Ocean 6,400 km away. The world-class white river rafting is spectacular with amazing rapids carrying names like the Gates of Purgatory and Last Laugh. The white-water rafting will suit rafters with Level II to Level V rafting capabilities.
You’ll raft through breath-taking landscapes from rugged cliffs, to lush, green valleys and snow-capped mountains. This is an experience that you will never forget. We offer one-, three-, four- and six-day rafting tours. If you’re up for the adventure, you can join us
The Black Canyon is open for white river rafting in Cusco from Nayhua to Walpachaca. Only expert Kayakers can do the section from Tinqoq to Nayhua.
The one-day tour through the Black Canyon section of the Apurimac is the shortest trip you’ll take, but you will be paddling for at list four hours along level II to IV rapids. This section offers an unforgettable experience for your family, group, or friends.
The two-day Black Canyon tour is a great trip for canoers of various capabilities. Families with some rafting experience will also enjoy the two-day tour. The tour will take you down 40 km or 24 miles of river, through wonderful rapids and great scenery.
Three days of rafting through the Black Canyon is a great trip for boaters of every skill level. When you take the 3-day tour, you’ll experience all aspects of the river from calm flat waters to rushing rapids. All the while you’re immersed in the splendor of nature from the tranquil river waters to the looming rock face and nice sandy campsites.
The Grand Canyon is quite possibly the most challenging section of the Apurimac River. We consider this the best Cusco area for rafting rapids. These rapids are perfect for intermediate and advanced rafters. In this section of the river, you’ll encounter some of the toughest rapids in the whole commercial section. The Grand Canyon section has four portages and various levels all the way up to level V rapids.
The 3-day Granite Canyon Trip is a total adrenaline ride. We start the tour at the Wallpachaca Bridge. We’ll travel 45 km down the river where we’ll encounter rapids from Level II to Level V. We’ll finish off at Puente Qunyaq. The portion of the river offers boaters fantastic views from tranquil pools to crashing waterfalls and loads of wildlife. Feast your eyes as you enjoy your trip through the wild waters of the Apurimac River.
This tour is best suited to intermediate and advanced boaters as it requires a fair amount of paddling.
If You really want to make the most of your Granite Canyon tour, book a 4-day tour and add an extra 10 miles or 16 km of fast-flowing water to your trip. The 4-day tour covers the full Granite Canyon and part of the Black Canyon for 67 km/42 miles of fun in the sun.
This tour is best suited to intermediate and advanced boaters as it requires a fair amount of paddling.
Also Learn about: Full Apurimac whitewater adventure!
This exclusive 6-day experience is tailor-made for the daring rafter in you. Marvel at 2,000-meter cliff faces standing proud against the canvas of the deep blue sky. Enchanting waterfalls and ancient ruins adorn the path along the 57 miles (90 km) journey. Immerse yourself in a pristine wilderness bustling with extraordinary wildlife, from majestic condors to leisurely river otters, accompanied by a diverse array of avian species, foxes, deer, and the elusive puma.
6 days
From US$2150
Experience the Adventure, Embrace the Wild: Your Apurimac Tour Awaits
Embark on camping adventures with River Explorers, offering hassle-free experiences in the Apurimac canyon. Share cozy tents or sleep under the stars. We provide camping essentials like tables, chairs, and dry bags for personal items. Our portable toilet ensures comfort and privacy throughout your stay. Enjoy nature without worries.
Our rafting tours offer inclusive meals from lunch on day one to the last day. Expert guides prepare fresh, delicious dishes using quality ingredients. Dietary needs like vegan, kosher, or gluten-free are accommodated. Enjoy thrilling adventures amidst breathtaking scenery with premium food and beverages throughout.
The Apurimac River originates near Arequipa, winding through diverse ecosystems before merging with the Ucavaly River en route to the Amazon. Carving a majestic canyon with steep rock faces dropping 3,000 meters, it traverses valleys and villages rich in wildlife, from foxes, otters, and deer to condors, falcons, and eagles.
Prior to Apurimac rafting tours, guides provide safety orientations covering river navigation, camping, and precautions. A typical day spans 5 to 6 hours of rafting, with breaks for scouting, restrooms, lunch, and optional activities like cliff jumping and swimming.
Combine Aourimac’s rafting thrills with our Machu Picchu Adventure Tours.
We’re a direct, highly recommended company for Machu Picchu, so your next chapter starts on the river and ends at the iconic ruins
These gadgets ensure seamless communication even in remote areas, providing peace of mind for travelers. With features like GPS tracking and emergency SOS functions, these devices are essential companions for any adventure seeker to keep connected with our base.
We provide guides experienced and certified in advanced first aid and Swiftwater rescue courses. They have an unparalleled knowledge of the area. With their expertise, you can trust that your rafting adventure will be safe, thrilling, and unforgettable.
We pride ourselves on providing top-notch rafting gear for our tours. Our equipment is sourced from the US and undergoes rigorous testing to ensure quality and safety. You can trust that the gear we use has been thoroughly vetted and approved for your adventure on the water.
Understanding the Seasons: When Mother Nature Aligns Perfectly for an Epic Rafting Experience
From mid-April to the beginning of June, this is quite possibly the best white river rafting experience in the whole of South America. The volume of water creates astonishing rapids that reach level IV+. Even in the quieter months when there is less water, the river still produces some of the best one-day rafting experiences in the country at this time of the year. You will still get decent rapids reaching levels II to IV and no one can take away from the astonishing river canyon views. You’ll also get to see some amazing wild life on the banks of the river.
The best time for advanced rafters is from mid-April to May.
The best time for all rafters is from June to mid Decemebr
The Apurimac River is one of the most difficult rivers to paddle on earth. The rapids contains huge waves and holes that will make your journey challenging, but it’s worth every minute!
In the beginning of the season (May) big flowing water runs through the Canyon making the Apurimac one of the most difficult rivers to paddle on earth. The rapids contains huge waves and holes that will make your journey challenging, but it’s worth every minute! After May the water levels drop off but still the rapids are challenging enough even for expert professional kayakers.
Best time only for advanced May.
Best time for intermediate tom more from May to November.
The climate on and around the Apurimac River is mild and dry between May and August. From September to November, you’ll experience warmer, humid conditions. Mello Andes breezes reduce discomfort in the warmest months and in the coldest months the warm wind from the Amazon jungle brings relief from the cold. During the dry months, you can expect sunshine each day. The conditions are ideal for Apurimac River rafting.
There are two distinguishable seasons in the canyon, the dry season and the rainy season.
Dry season
The dry season starts in April and runs through November. During this time the weather is mild and dry.
It is coldest between May and August when temperatures average at 78.8° F or 26° C. You can expect everyday sunshine. At night the temperatures will drop to 60.8° F or 16° C.
Between May and August, temperatures are somewhat warmer and still dry. Expect daytime temperatures of 86°F or 30 °C and night time temperatures of 68° F or 20° C.
It is warmest between September to mid-November with daytime temperatures of 95°F or 35° C and night time temperatures of 77° F or 25° C.
Wet season
The rainy season begins in December and lasts until April. January and February see significant rainfall, leading to the closure of the Apurimac for boating. Nonetheless, the rain revitalizes various areas along the Urubamba River. It’s an ideal period to embark on a one-, two-, or three-day white-water rafting expedition on the Urubamba.The rainy season begins in December and lasts until April. January and February see significant rainfall, leading to the closure of the Apurimac for boating. Nonetheless, the rain revitalizes various areas along the Urubamba River. It’s an ideal period to embark on a one-, two-, or three-day white-water rafting expedition on the Urubamba.
Our Apurimac rafting tours cater to a diverse range of adventurers, from beginners seeking thrilling experiences to experts craving challenging rapids. We offer these tours from mid-April to December.
During mid-April and May, the Black Canyon section offers thrilling rapids for intermediate to advanced rafters. From June to November, are available for couples, families, friends solo travelers! All levels of experience are allowed. Normally our clients range in age from 11 to 70 years old. However, we can accommodate a wide range of needs, including those who are physically challenged or have medical conditions (only as a private service). However, the rigors of outdoor life are not for everyone
For the Grand Canyon, the lower section, everyone over 11 years old can join our groups and we required previous rafting experience. The Apurimac River is one of those Rivers where you need to pay attention to everything, for example number of people per group, number of people per boat, experience of the guides, excellent rafting gear and navigation system, all these are important components for a successful rafting expedition. For that reason, for better personalized service and most important safety, we can only accommodate 15 people per departure.
For more information about levels and who can join our Apurimac rafting adventures, let us know. We are happy to provide more information, please contact us or write us directly to contact@riverexplorers.com
Good physical and health conditions are the requirements for rafting the Apurimac River. In addition, being outdoors for a few days in a hostile environment can fast impact one’s health and energy. Your fitness and health grade will collaborate to your personal security and also benefit to expand your experience.
Both lower and upper Canyon tour sections have exciting rapids, waterfalls, superb camping sites, history, nice wildlife, and hikes, gigantic stone walls, valleys and astonishing views. However, there are a few differences.
The Black Canyon, offers an easy introduction to whitewater river rafting. Recommended for beginners to intermediate rafters, but it can also satisfied experience rafters, good for families with kids from 8 years old, friends, couples and groups. The walls of the canyon range between 1 to 2 thousand meters deep and contains waterfalls, hikes and rapids from level II to level IV. For family with kids, the level IV rapids are easily avoided, and in some rapids walking is the best option.
The Granite Canyon, is the hardest, this section is meant for people with previous rafting experience. If you are a beginner and you really don’t want to miss the whole Apurimac rafting experience, then the perfect combination is first rafting the Black canyon as an introduction and continue on with the Grand Canyon, check out our 6 day Apurimac rafting.
Black Canyon section is an ideal for adrenaline junkies from mid-April to May. Beginners welcome June-November.
Rafting the Apurimac Granite canyon is for serious rafters year-round, most challenging whitewater is in May. Rapids remain tough June-November.
Meals: Breakfast, lunches and dinners. Breakfast on the first day is not included in any of the tours. Drinking water, sodas, and some alcoholic beverages for after dinner is also included.
Camping gear: We provide spacious camping tents for 2 people. If you wish to have your own tent inform our headquarters before any trip departures, dinner tent, ground tarp, waterproof dry bags.
Rafting gear: Live vest type V, full wetsuits, shorts, helmets, paddles, safe-bailing boats, luggage boat, and coolers.
Safety: Swift -Water rescue certified river guides, English speaking, satellite monitored device, safety kayaks.
Your safety is our main concern and with over 25 years of experience, we have learned to manage risk exceptionally well. You do not have to sign a waiver, but we do require you to sign an Acknowledgment of Risk which describes the hazards and challenges, as we want you to make an informed vacation decision.
Being in outdoors environment, flying insects and mosquito are present during daylight. At night, virtually there are no any. No snakes in the canyon. Scorpions and other insects are seldom seen and they aren’t poisonous even the ones with small pinches.
Our river tours are in high demand, with spaces filling up quickly! To secure your spot, we require a down payment upfront. The remaining balance must be settled before your trip departure. Please note that these payments are non-refundable, which is why we highly recommend purchasing a cancellation insurance plan for added peace of mind. Don’t miss out on this amazing experience – book your river tour today!
Our Apurimac Tours, we cater to all dietary requirements. Just let us know in advance, and we’ll ensure you’re well taken care of. Whether you’re a vegan, vegetarian, or have specific food allergies, we are here to make sure your culinary needs are met during your travel experience with us.
Ensuring the safety of everyone involved, including our dedicated guides, is paramount on our Apurimac tours. Therefore, having travel insurance that covers adventure sports like this one is mandatory. This precaution not only guarantees peace of mind for participants but also adds an extra layer of protection in case of unforeseen circumstances. Your safety and well-being are our utmost concern, and we strive to create an environment where you can fully enjoy the experience knowing that you are covered.
The source of the Apurimac River was identified at the volcano peak of Mismi and considered the ultimate source of the Amazon River according to the National Geographic expedition led by Loren McIntyre in 1971. In 2000, a follow-up expedition affirmed Lake Ticlla Cocha at the base of Mismi mountain as the source and the Apurímac River as the longest upstream extension of the Amazon River. Until now the Apurimac River is considered as the continuously flowing source of the Amazon River.
