River Explorers
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  • Cusco Peru river rafting rapid

Cusco rafting tours – Whitewater river adventures

  • The thrill of rafting on river rapids is unlike anything else, but in Cusco, the best rivers for this adventure will give you the ultimate experience.

    With the exciting rush of the rapids, splendid scenery, and the chance to explore new destinations, Cusco rafting tours give you that one-of-a-kind adventure experience you’re looking for. Our tours have it all and with our experienced guides, you’ll find Cusco whitewater river rafting to be one of the most memorable moments of your life. With so many rivers, it’s no wonder everyone comes here from all over the world to take the plunge into the daring white waters.

  • Rivers

    Discover our whitewater rafting tours on a variety of rivers in the area of Cusco, including favorite wonders like Machu Picchu, the Andes, and the stunning rain-forest. Choose from one-day or multi-day rafting trips at any level of experience. At River Explorers, our Cusco rafting tours offer every type of experience for you, whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced. Everyone will have the adventure they desire.

    Apurimac River rafting

    Now that the new roads are here, it’s much easier for us to take you to explore this amazing place. River Explorers has created 6 unique white-water rafting trips for anyone seeking to raft the great Apurimac River. This river begins in the Andes near Arequipa and is the source of the Amazon River, known as the greatest river in the world. The Apurimac River is perfect for whitewater river rafting for any capability. Rapids here range from Level II to V and come with breathtaking scenery. Giant stone monuments, ancient ruins, cascading waterfalls, lush foliage-bedazzled valleys, and snow-capped mountains make it unlike any place else on earth. You can choose your tour for 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 days on the Apurimac River.
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    Running rapids apurimac river
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    From U$200

    Black Canyon 1 day Whitewater Apurimac rafting

    Apurimac rafting Black Canyon 1 day
    Waterfall black canyon
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    US 460

    Apurimac Black Canyon River Trip 2 days

    Apurimac Black Canyon River Trip 2 days

    Urubamba River rafting

    The Urubamba river, close to Cusco, flows parallel to the Apurimac and the Mapacho rivers. It crosses Sicuani city, the beautiful Urcos Valley, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu, plus runs all the way to the Amazon Jungle. The course of this river is peppered with many great year-round rapids, perfect for one-day as well as multi-day Cusco river rafting adventures.
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    Upper Urubamba white water river rafting
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    $130

    Upper Urubamba full day rafting trip

    The Upper Section Level II-III (1 day)
    Camping the Urubamba River rain forest
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    $500

    Lower Urubamba River – Rain Forest Rafting Vacation

    The Undiscovered Rain-Forest 3 days
    Yanatile

    River Explorers also recently opened this fantastic river section, ideal for newer adventurers. Perfect for beginners, families, and even school tours, you’ll get a taste of the world of whitewater river rafting. Advanced rafters can take part too but the section is limited to small boats and kayaking only. Just 5 hours from Cusco, this river will take you on an incredible journey from the Andes all the way to the rainforest. It’s one of our favorite rivers simply because it’s unspoiled, only known to the friendly locals. The surrounding little villages and the warm jungle weather make it a form of paradise. Plus you’ll love it all the more when you combine it with hikes and mountain biking tours in Lares area. Ask us how to do that if you’re interested!

  • Looking for something unique?

    We’d love to tell you more about our tours for experienced paddlers and adventurous beginners alike. The Apurimac 6-day and Yavero 11-day each offer world-class whitewater rafting experiences set amid the unique terrain of Peru. Ask us about setting up a date for a visit to one of these amazing places or joining an already scheduled trip.

    Yavero River rafting tour (11 days)

    This is one of the best rafting adventures anywhere in the world, right in the rainforest in Cusco. Only recently was Yavero opened for commercial rafting, and the only company that can get you in is River Explorers. It is a rare treat to raft upon this river as only a few people in the world have had this opportunity. It includes tours of the spectacular waterfalls, an overnight stay with a Machiganga indigenous tribe, outstanding rapids with perfect waves and a balance of calm in between, a visit to Pongo the Mainique, and the chance to discover this unique ecosystem formed by the convergence of two glorious rivers. At the end of the trip, we bring you to Machu Picchu where you embark on a completely guided tour to discover this wonder of the world, capping off 11 days of absolute adventure.

    Pongo de Mainique Yavero River in Cusco

    The full Apurimac River Canyon expedition (6 days)

    Get in with nature on this full Apurimac whitewater experience with the purest level IV and V rafting adventures in all of South America. The great outdoors is your playground to discover untold adventures and natural serenity. As the source of the Amazon River, the waters flow through untamed Class III, IV and V rapids and around deep, brilliantly-hued canyons. See untouched sandy beaches and ancient ruins all around, and watch how many wild animals you see in the lush jungle surrounds. It’s a dazzling place unspoiled by the callousness of mankind.

    Take your family

    Happy rafting family

    Stop doing the same family vacations year after year. If you have children ages 6 and up and are looking for an exciting adventure, come to Peru for the many unique opportunities to see something that doesn’t have characters dancing about. Cusco whitewater river rafting is the best way to have an unforgettable family vacation with easy rapids on the Urubamba River and in the rain-forest. It’s great for your little adventurers any time of year.

    We accept school groups

    At River Explorers, we’re a local operator that loves putting young people in touch with our robust nature, history, and culture in the area. Just like all of our tour packages, youth and school group tours get delicious meals brimming with local, fresh products and are led by guides with extensive experience of more than 8 years. Contact us today to discuss your group size and budget, which should be a good match for our Urubamba River option.

  • Choosing the right river for your adventure

    There’s no doubt about it – the Cusco region is absolutely the best place for whitewater rafting in Peru. With so many diverse rivers and different sections that are suitable for all types of rafters – from young to old and from beginner to advanced. Safety is our top priority to ensure we show you the best time possible. We recommend you follow these helpful tips to help us give you the best experience while keeping you safe.

    Please choose a section of the river that suits your level of experience. If you’re a beginner, we’re going to show you everything you need to know and give you an amazing time on the water. If you’re advanced, we’ll help you push your limits. We offer 4 different rivers for Cusco whitewater river rafting. Each river features different sections from Level II to V. If it’s your first time, please choose a beginner river. It is important to always consider the abilities of the least experienced member when planning a whitewater rafting trip for a group too. If you’re not sure which river to choose, contact us and we’ll be delighted to advise you: contact@riverexplorers.com.

  • Frequently asked questions

    Below are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding our Cusco whitewater river rafting tours. If you don’t find your answer here or have other questions, please contact us so we can assist you.

    What kind of vacation trips do rivers in Cusco offer?

    With so many rivers, Cusco offers a large variety of whitewater rafting trips. From family to youth group trips, novices to advanced, day to multi-day and from camping to lodging, our tours will fulfill your desires for rafting adventure of any kind. We can also help you combine them with other sports adventures including hiking, biking, and zip-lining.

    When is the best time for rafting in Peru?

    In Cusco, there are 2 clear seasons – a rainy season that lasts from mid-December to April and a dry season from May to November. While some sections are open during the dry seasons, others may be closed and that varies by Level classification. However, day tours are available year-round in the Urubamba and multi-day tours are restricted to be available only during dry season for your safety.

    Do I need rafting experience?

    Not at all! We have whitewater rafting trips that are suitable for any type of adventurer. Whether you’d like a lazy day on the river during the dry season for a Level I or II on the Urubamba River in the Sacred Valley or you want more excitement of the Level V sections on the Apurimac River, there is something for everyone in the Cusco whitewater river rafting world. We do ask that all participants be able to swim and have confidence in their rafting abilities. If you’ve never been before, we urge you to try something for beginners. There are sections available for young rafters too from 8, 12, and 16 years old.

    How far in advance can I make a reservation?

    Because of our extensive experience and outstanding reputation, our tours fill up fast. We recommend booking your trips with us as early on as you can. Day trips generally need about 8 days in advance to book a tour and longer tours may need to be booked sooner, about 2 months prior to your trip departure. Even if it’s sooner than 8 days, contact us and we can see about arranging a tour for you.

    How can I make a reservation?

    You can ask for availability and make  your reservation via email at contact@riverexplorers.com or by calling us at +51 84431116.

    What kind of food is served on these trips?

    One thing we hear time and time again is how much our customers love our homemade food. We feel it adds the ideal complement to the action-packed rafting adventures we provide. We offer plentiful, tasty, filling, and utterly delicious meals made with healthy, fresh and local ingredients. An example of a typical meal is fish, grilled chicken, Lomo Saltado (a local specialty you shouldn’t miss), a tempting array of sandwiches and more. We also provide salads, potatoes and rice to round out your meal. Everything is seasoned with local spices. We also offer vegetarian dishes, available by request. Please tell us of your dietary needs when you are booking your adventure.

    Making a Reservation

    Please feel free to call our office at +51 084 431116 or go use the River Explorers contact form to reserve a place on our Cusco rafting adventure and select the dates you want. Usually, payment is made at the time of your reservation.

    What is included?

    We have the best equipment available and all our gear is imported from NRS, approved and certified by the United States Coast Guard and by the Peruvian Ministry of Tourism.

    All day trips include private transportation, full rafting gear (full length wet-suits, PFD, helmets, paddles, river shoes and paddle jackets). For multi-day expeditions, we additionally provide camping gear, dry bags, luggage raft, safety kayaks, toilet facilities, frames, long big oars, kataraft sand the best river guides. . Whichever rafting adventure you choose to embark on with us in Cusco, we will provide the gear you need to give you the vacation of your dreams.

    What to bring?

    Each of our programs have a detailed packing list for your convenience. Just choose your river and check what you need to take for your excursion.