Raft among incredible canyon views along the stunning Apurimac River
Brand new - this fantastic two-day guided rafting tour in Peru is only possible due to a new bridge giving access to this once remote location. The Black Canyon of the Rio Apurimac is one of the world's hidden gems of white water.
Combining a mix of exhilarating rapids, awesome scenery, deserted sandy beaches and great hikes to explore, this lovely class III – IV section of the Rio Apurimac is ideal for anyone looking for a true wilderness white water experience close to Cusco. It is suitable for travelers twelve years of age and up.
No previous rafting experience is necessary as full safety instruction and a safety talk is given, so even the most novice crews are expertly trained up to meet the challenges and thrills of this journey of a lifetime.
The guides and safety kayakers are all trained up to Swiftwater Rescue Four and are amongst the best and most experienced raft guides in the country.
Please note that this tour can be extended up to 4-days as there is so much to explore in the Black Canyon! Please inquire and we’ll be happy to customize this itinerary just for you!
Highlights of the Black Canyon of the Apurimac Rafting Tour
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Black Canyon of the Apurimac Rafting Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Black Canyon to Camp 1
You head out from Cusco for the spectacular drive to the Apurimac Canyon, hopefully glimpsing the snow-capped Vilcanota mountain range before descending into the canyon to start your Apurimac rafting adventure. Here your guides inflate your specialized rafts, load them up with provisions, and after a full safety talk and instruction in the art of white water rafting, you head off into the canyon in search of adventure.
For the next two days you enjoy some of the least visited, but in our opinion, some of the best rafting available in Peru.
The river enters a truly impressive steep sided gorge where you run many excellent class III and IV rapids. In between the rapids, there are relaxing floats through breath-taking scenery. You also have the opportunity to get out and explore waterfalls and colonial bridges.
At night you camp on a deserted beach and enjoy great food, a few drinks and great camaraderie around the campfire. Those who want can even learn to make Peru's national cocktail- the Pisco Sour.
Overnight Location: Camping at a remote location
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Day 2 Raft the Black Canyon and return to Cusco
More great Peru rafting today. Depending on water levels there may be an odd portage between the fun rapids. There are also stretches to just sit and float down the river and enjoy being in this fantastic location.
Keep an eye out as you go for Andean Foxes, Torrent Ducks, otters and even Condors.
Finally, you reach a break in the canyon walls in time for lunch. From here it is a four to five-hour drive back to Cusco, with views of the towering snow- capped Salkantay Mountain along the way.
Overnight Location: None
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Black Canyon of the Apurimac Rafting Tour
This guided rafting tour in Peru is run as a private tour for your group and the price depends on the number of people in your group. The prices below are per person.
The best time to visit Peru for rafting is the drier season, which tends to be May-November. Rafting is not possible in the wetter season due to high water levels.
Please note that the prices depend on the size of your group.
This tour is subject to non-standard cancellation terms:
- 65 days or more prior to departure: 100% of tour costs returned
- Between 36 and 64 days prior to departure: 70% of tour costs returned, less whatever is already paid out in full for non-refundable train tickets and hotel nights.
- 35 days or less prior to departure: Work proactively to return as much of customer fees as possible, though in some cases this may be a minor amount due to fixed costs incurred as part of the tour.
- Once tour starts: No refunds will be provided for any unused portion of a tour once the tour begins, including if a guest leaves a tour for any reason or has to be removed from a tour.
- Guided groups of 2: $935 USD
- Guided groups of 3: $975 USD
- Guided groups of 4: $725 USD
- Guided groups of 5-6: $600 USD
- Guided groups of 7: on request
Accommodation on Black Canyon of the Apurimac Rafting Tour
This adventure tour will have you camping in secluded, remote locations along the Apurimac River. You will be provided with all camping gear except for your sleeping bag.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
You can opt for a single tent on this trip.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Camping along the Apurimac River
Spend three nights camping at secluded, remote beach locations along the Apurimac River.
What’s Included in the Black Canyon of the Apurimac Rafting Tour?
Meals
1 breakfast, 2 lunches and 1 dinner are included on this tour.
Accommodations
You will be provided with camping equipment (except sleeping bags) for one night.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for yourself and your luggage is included throughout the tour starting from pick-up in Cusco on day 1, to drop-off in Cusco on day 2.
Also Included
- Swift Water Rescue trained English-speaking guide
- Whitewater safety equipment
- Camping gear (except for sleeping bags)
- Safety boat
Not included
- Flights to and from Cusco
- Personal expenses
- Drinks or snacks
- Tour guide gratuities
Optional Extras
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Nights before or after the tour in Cusco
- Sleeping bag rental in Cusco
Frequently Asked Questions about Black Canyon of the Apurimac Rafting Tour
Amazonas Explorer has been running high-end adventure travel tours in Peru for over 30 years. They offer both customizable and pre-set tours so your group can choose the perfect adventure.
British owned and Peruvian operated, Amazonas Explorer adheres to the highest European standards using the finest equipment available.
Amazonas Explorer knows you may only visit Peru once, so they aim to make that experience exceptional.
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Andrea has been designing tours with Amazonas Explorer since 2015. She moved to Cusco to take advantage of the fantastic hiking and be immersed in nature. Helping clients explore Peru is her dream job, and seeing new travellers fall in love with the country inspires her to create the best itineraries possible. While she’s an avid hiker and adventurer herself, she also loves sharing the culture and cuisine of Peru through her tours.
- Q: What is your favourite trip that you offer?
- A: The Sacred Valley of the Incas Hiking Adventure is a once in a lifetime experience I encourage all of my clients to have. The combination of day hikes really showcases the best of Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and of course Machu Picchu. Every day you hike to beautiful places, see incredible ruins, and meet lovely locals. You also get to stay in a beautiful private villa with your own private guide, driver, and even chef!
- Q: What is an unforgettable local experience you’ve had?
- A: Part of my job is to test services and visit our suppliers to later be able to sell it to the right clients. One of the tours that I tried recently and I really enjoyed was visiting a local community and working the land with them. It made me really appreciate the food that I have on my table every day. The sacrifices the locals make when working their farms. Without them, we wouldn’t have anything healthy to eat.
- Q: What is one experience anyone visiting Peru should have?
- A: For me, travelling is not only visiting archaeological sites. It is meeting the local people, learning about their customers, and expanding our knowledge of how people live in another part of the world. This will give us another perspective on the world and life.
- Q: What do your guests say they like best about the trips you create?
- A: They say that they felt that the entire trip was exactly what they were looking for and exceeded their expectations. I always go the extra mile to make sure my clients get the right trip and make the most of their precious holiday. I look forward to working with you all to create these unforgettable memories.