The Sacred Valley in Peru 08 Dec 2016
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With its five biggest rivers running for more than 7,000km (4,350 miles) and over a dozen others each exceeding 600km (373 miles) in length, Peru offers unmatched rafting experiences all year long, especially in the country's Sacred Valley.
Arequipa features a fun and easy rafting trip: the half-day Río Chili run. At the other extreme, the Cotahuasi claims to be the planet’s deepest canyon, and connoisseurs rate this run among the world’s top ten. The trip begins with a hike along Inca trails, and lasts for six stunning days, with camping in seldom-visited Inca ruins. The nearby Colca Canyon is only for hard-core rafters, but its lower section, known as the Río Majes, has some easy rafting, with the nearby petroglyphs of Toro Muerto adding interest to a day’s outing.
Near Lima, the Río Cañete can be run during the summer months from December to April. It’s short and easy rafting, usually occurring in warm, sunny weather, out of the resort town of Luna-huaná.
Further north, out of Huaraz, the Río Santa, running along the Callejón de Huaylas, has good, moderate rafting with stupendous views.
River running can be dangerous. Regulation in Peru is scant, so anyone can set up a company. The safest thing to do is to book with a well-established, reputable local operator. Alternatively, organise your tour with Insight Guides (we only ever work with the best!). Our Peru: Into the Incan Empire trip includes a day of river rafting down the Sacred Valley, or you can create a tailor-made trip itinerary from scratch.
