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Arequipa and it's surrounding mountains and rivers are one of the prime white
water rafting regions. There are quite a few options of different difficulty
levels, distance from Arequipa, duration of the rafting run and price.
Difficulty levels range from pretty easy to really difficult and hard. Distances from
Arequipa range from pretty close by to a couple of hundred kilometers. The biggest differences
are duration of the rafting itself and consequently the price. The shortest runs are just one
hour, while the longest we have seen are 10+ days covering both the Colca and Cotahuasi Canyons.
Such an expedition will set you back a couple thousands of US dollars though.
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Rio Chile White-Water Rafting (Cat. III-IV)
By far the most popular and most frequently run white-water rafting trip in Arequipa. One
for it's proximity to Arequipa cutting down on transportation cost and time second for it's
suitability for relative beginners.
This trip usually is a half day trip and most of the river is Category III with one Category
IV rapid for giggles, screams and a good ole rush of adrenaline. From April to December trips
normally leave at least every other day. Another reason why it is so popular.
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Rio Chile White-Water Kayaking (Cat. III-IV)
This trip is on the same stretch of the Rio Chile as the above
Rio Chile Rafting trip. Except that it's by kayak and not
by raft.
Last time we spoke with the tour agency which runs these tours they didn't have sufficient kayaks.
The previous ones took damage over time and had to be phased out. But it's the rainy season
(january through march) and none of the rivers can be run right now.
They should have kayaks again when the white water seasons starts in april and june.
If you are thinking about doing the Rio Chile kayak style, just give us a holler and
we'll inquire if they indeed do have sufficient kayaks again.
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Rio Majes White-Water Rafting (Cat III or Cat IV)
The Rio Majes is almost 200km away from Arequipa and while you can book tours through local
agencies the best is to just go to the company that runs the actual rafting trip on the site
and book directly through them. The Arequipa agencies will just refer you to them too and ring
them up and they will run the actual rafting tour.
The name of the local rafter agency is Casa de Mauro in Ongoro and can be reached quite
easily by public transportation. You can get by bus to Aplao in three hours for about 2 dollars
and then there are minibuses to Ongoro from Aplao. Ongoro as well makes a good base to visit
the magnificient Valle de las Volcanoes as well as the petroglyphs of Toro Muerto.
Definitely making a trip out there well worth the time.
There are two rafting trips on offer there. A one hour Class III run for beginners. Or a three
hour Class IV for more experienced rafters.
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5-6 Days Rio Cotahuasi White-Water Rafting (Cat. IV-V)
A once in a lifetime experience. Enjoy the deepest Canyon in the world, the Cotahuasi Canyon,
like hardly another tourist ever will:
Down at it's very bottom on the back of a raft. For five days. Navigating a great many
Class IV rapids. Unforgettable.
Just getting to the starting point is an adventure in itself: 7 mile trek down the Canyon accompanied
by donkeys carrying all the materials down.
The rafting group stops every day early afternoon to allow for ample recovery time as well
as for chances to hike around the canyon, marvel at it's many unique rock formations and Inca ruins.
Or just lay low at the river and watch the water pass.
The expedition includes all gear, including group camping equipment for the nights, food,
transportation. And very importantly: a safety kayaker.
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4-5 Days Rio Colca White-Water Rafting Expedition(Cat. IV)
A once in a lifetime experience. Enjoy the Colca Canyon like hardly another tourist ever will:
Down at it's very bottom on the back of a raft. For four days. Navigating a great many
Class IV rapids. Unforgettable.
Just getting to the starting point is an adventure in itself: 7 mile trek down the Canyon accompanied
by donkeys carrying all the materials down.
The rafting group stops every day early afternoon to allow for ample recovery time as well
as for chances to hike around the canyon or just lay low at the river and watch the water
pass.
The expedition includes all gear, including group camping equipment for the nights, food,
transportation. And very importantly: a safety kayaker. The agency we are working with
has the best reputation in all of Arequipa for white-water rafting.
These expeditions are only run between June and November and only on specific dates.
So send us an e-mail well ahead of time inquiring about expedition dates. And once in a lifetime
expeditions don't come cheap.
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2 Day Kayak School
Done the rafting thing and wan' to try a new white-water experience? Learn the basics
in this 2 day kayaking school and be ready to explore the white-waters of the world in
a kayak. All necessary equipment is provided by the agency as is transportation to and
from the river on day two.
The first day you'll spend in a local swimming pool in Arequipa. Getting a hang of
the kayaking fundamentals like the different strokes as well as the wet exit. Getting you
ready in the safety department for day two.
The second day is spent on a local Class II river. Applying everything you learned on the first day
in the wild. And learn how to read rapids, surf river waves, do eddy turns, ferry and other
useful and necessary skills.
These expeditions are only run between June and November and only on specific dates.
So send us an e-mail well ahead of time inquiring about expedition dates. And once in a lifetime
expeditions don't come cheap.
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