Cotahuasi Canyon Rafting Expedition
“Aside from the exhileration and adrenaline rush one would expect from this adventure. I had no idea how much I would love the added fringe benefits of beautiful surroundings, great company, comaraderie and new friendships.” – Eve Alldrigre
COTAHAUSI CANYON RAFTING EXPEDITION IN PERU - 11 Days
Join us on a stunning hike via an ancient Inca trail deep into the 13.000 foot Cotahausi River's Canyon, then enjoy an unforgettable 6-day adrenaline rush on a whitewater rafting trip in Peru on the Class IV and V fast-paced Cotahausi River. The Cotahausi River's Canyon is two-times the depth of the Grand Canyon in the US and deeper than the neighboring (and more well-known) Colca Canyon. Camp in ancient Inca villages while thundering down one of the wildest rivers in the world! If you are looking for a real adventure and true expedition, this is it!
In June of 2001, we ran our first commercial descent of the Cotahausi River (covered by Outside Magazine in their December 2001 issue). The Cotahausi River flows 221 miles, from 12,000 feet up in the Andes to the Pacific Ocean.) Our Cotahuasi River Rafting Expedition features some of the most continuous runnable whitewater on earth. 100 miles of continuous Class IV and V whitewater hammering at a gradient of 60 feet per mile as the river drops on its final descent to sealevel from 6,000 feet. 
We begin our journey in Arequipa. a beautiful town hewn of white stone located in the dry southern highlands of Peru. The following day, we drive through many small Peruvian villages and pass through beautiful countryside as we make our way to the town of Cotahausi. Traveling over several 15.500 foot passes, we see incredible views of the snow-topped mountain Coropuna (21.000 feet) and frequent sightings of vicuyna and laamas. Arriving in the town of Cotahausi, you enjoy meandering among the narrow streets of this tranquil and pristine village.
The following day, our mules get loaded with our personal gear and we start our 9-10 hour hike around the Sipia Falls into the Cotahausi River's Canyon. This is truly the hike of your life and is one of the highlights of our Cotahausi trip! The views from the canyon trail are dramatic as it rises and falls along the sides of the steep rock faces. The trail itself is an engineering wonder. We follow ancient Inca trails 3000 feet above the river level and then descend to our put in for the start of our whitewater rafting adventure.
The next 6 days will be spent manoeuvering through the Class IV and V rapids of the Cotahausi River as it pounds between it's Canyon walls. The Cotahausi's Canyon is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon and, according to the Peruvian government, it is the deepest canyon in the world. Another selling point for the Cotahuausi area in Peru are the Inca ruins scattered throughout the canyon, some of which are yet to be explored. We camp under the Peruvian stars on Inca terraces in abandoned Inca villages, discovering Inca textiles, skulls, perfectly intact pottery, wooden cups, tombs and Inca tunnels. Indiana Jones would be jealous! Condors roam the heights above us as we hear around us the constant roar of the rapids of the Cotahuasi as it charges through the sharp rocks falling into its depths from the steep canyon walls.
On our last 2 days, we float downriver at a more mellow pace avoiding the occasional Class III hole and drifting into the channels of the lower Cotahausi River. We greet local fishermen making their livelihoods on the river as we make our way to our takeout on day ten. A short bus ride back to Arequipa and our journey ends with a well-earned farewell dinner at Hotel del Lago.
To Reserve Your Spot email us at info@bbxrafting.com or call 1-800-246-7238 now!