Whitewater Rafting...
South America adventure travel par excellence
Whitewater rafting is South America adventure travel par excellence.
Whether you are involved in Peru adventure travel, Chile adventure travel, Ecuador adventure travel or Argentina adventure travel, for the rafting/kayaking/canoeing lover, South America has much more to offer than you could possibly ask for.
Take Peru for instance, where the two main rafting destinations are part of Peru's most visited regions: Cuzco and Arequipa.
Peru: Cotahuasi - © PromPeru
So you could kill two birds at once, combine stunning scenery and archaeological wonders of the Inca civilization and others even older with adrenaline pumping descents.
Cotahuasi and Colca canyons - near Arequipa - are the two deepest canyons in the world, both rivers were first explored recently, in 1981 and 1994, respectively.
In front of them, the Grand Canyon in USA would be a place just to whet your appetite.
However, both rivers are for the most part reserved only for world-class river runners - Class IV and V.
Wonder what Class III, II or V means?
To help you understand the river classification system, go through the International Scale of River Difficulty, in order to position yourself and choose your target according to your level of expertise.
Peru: Apurimac River Rafting
Peru Rafting:
Peru offers outstanding opportunities for rafting, no matter if you're a beginner or seasoned pro water runner.
If you're just starting or have little experience on this sport, stick to Class II and III whitewater rafting.
A good place to start is Santa river in Ancash (Huaraz).
If you're in Cuzco area, Urubamba river provides three sections regularly visited...
- Huambutio to Pisac
- Ollantaytambo to Chilca - Class III
- Huaran - Class III
Apurimac river (about 5 hours from Cuzco) is considered to be one of the top ten rivers for whitewater rafting in the world.
Its name comes from Quechua and means "Speaking God", considered sacred by the Incas.
It has more than 160 rapids that range from Class II to Class V.
Another exciting whitewater rafting destination, and most unique, is Tambopata river, that runs through Tambopata-Candamo National Park, right on the Peruvian Amazon rainforest.
It's a 10/12 day expedition that starts on the shores of lake Titicaca (Puno), and you'd be flown out of the jungle at the very end, to Cuzco.
Don't know about you, but we're passionate about whitewater rafting, not to mention the rainforest, so to be able to combine both it's our closest idea to a paradise vacation.
You'll be camping on deserted river beaches, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the jungle.
Truly fantastic...
Whitewater Rafting Peru
Chile Rafting:
Whitewater rafting in Chile has a one BIG name associated with it: Futaleufu river or Futa, one of the best whitewater runs in the world.
Its name comes from Mapuche language which means "Great River".
Coming from abroad, you'll arrive to Santiago de Chile most likely, head south to Puerto Montt (14 hours by bus) or take a plane.
From there, get to Chaiten (40 minutes flight) or a boat ride, to where real action begins.
Born in Argentina -Los Alerces National Park- Futaleufu flows to the west and enter the Chilean patagonia, an area of unbelievable beauty.
The Futa is divided in two sections...
- Upper Futaleufu: Inferno Canyon:
It has several Class V rapids such as The Gates, Zeta and Throne Room.Difficulty: Class IV - V+
Length: 12 miles
Flows: 1000 cfs - 8000 cfs
Gradient: 35 ft/mi
Put-in: Futaleufu
Take-out: Rio Azul Confluence - Lower Futaleufu: Terminator to Casa de Piedra:
Being the largest and longest rapid on the river, Terminator is a world-class V rapid ideal for thrill seekers.
The Bridge-to-Bridge stretch, that runs between Terminator and Casa de Piedra, offers several great Class III and Class IV rapids.
Casa de Piedra is provably the most technical Class V on the river.Difficulty: Class IV - V+
Length: 14 miles
Flows: 1000 cfs - 8000 cfs
Gradient: 35 ft/mi
Put-in: Rio Azul Confluence
Take-out: Casa de Piedra
To paddle the Futaleufu is definitely serious business, reserved only for the truly experienced...
Ecuador Rafting:
To know about all the options for whitewater rafting in Ecuador, please visit Adventure Travel Ecuador.
Have a fantastic whitewater rafting vacation in South America!...
And pretty, pretty please...come insured with the appropriate Travelers Insurance.
After all, you want to enjoy a superb adventure vacation in South America, not to ruin your savings and possibly more along the way, do you?..
Choose Your Language
Español
Peru Photo Galleries:
Chincha
Peru Pictures
Portraits of Peru
Peru Archaeology
Peru Highlands
Peru Jungle
Peruvian Art
Peruvian Art Part Two
Plaza de Acho
Puno
Santa Catalina Convent
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.