My thrilling journey on the Apurimac River

Rafting the Apurimac: I must start this blog post by saying this has been one of the best experiences of my life. Period.

A Chinese proverb says, “One who returns from a journey is not the same as one who left.” Experiencing something that not only allows you to check off your bucket list but also changes you.

This time, without thinking twice, I signed up right away to go rafting on the Apurimac River, in my second big adventure with Amazonas Explorer. However, until that moment, I didn’t fully understand the magnitude of what I was about to experience, feel, and achieve. Because that’s what I learned from rafting: it’s an activity that requires all your senses to be in tune:

1. The team accompanies you paddling and in which you must trust.
2. The guide leads and sets the pace.
3. The nature you immerse yourself in and actively interact with.
4. Your body is in constant movement.

When you’re in the boat, you become an important part of a collective that moves forward with a single goal: enjoy the journey, feel the adrenaline, and not fall into the river (which, fortunately, didn’t happen, although it would have added a bit of extra spice to this story!).

Getting to the Apurimac:

The day started early (6:00 a.m. – if you’re not an early bird like me, it might sound tough, but I promise, it’s worth it). We set a meeting point where Santiago (better known as Santi) and Ronald were waiting to take us. Our expert guide and our safety kayaker. And yes, safety is a very important point to consider when choosing with whom to go rafting in Peru, and at Amazonas Explorer, we take this very seriously.

We travelled a path of almost three hours in total. We made a stop halfway for breakfast. And this wasn’t just any quick breakfast, it was a proper breakfast! Imagine sitting in a super mystical and scenic place with a table full of delicious food. This first stop puts you in tune and recharges you with energy for what comes next. 

We finished eating and continued on our way to the first section of the Apurimac River. The weather was on our side; we had a super sunny day.

“Breakfast with a view”

Getting on the River

The tent was set up for us to change and put on our wetsuits, boots, life jackets, and helmets. With all the equipment ready, Santi began to explain all the situations we would face on the river and exactly what we had to do. He taught us all the commands he would give and shared his impressive experience and interesting facts.

“Santi our main guide”

“Ronald our safety kayaker”

Then Ronald talked to us about all the safety protocols and precautions.

At that point, I felt that I was with very experienced and confident professionals, which allowed me to relax.

The journey is very exciting. There isn’t a single boring moment. You have rapids ranging from Class I-IV and even V, depending on the season you go. As a reference: Rainy Season (December – April) and Dry Season (May – November).

I don’t want to spoil the trip, but I can tell you that it’s full of incredible surprises. You think you’re going for a day of rafting, but it ends up being an unforgettable exploration.

Lunch on the Apurimac

We had lunch by the river. Once again, Ronald and Santi surprised us by putting together the Ultimate Build-Your-Own Sandwich Board. With salsa criolla (just like pico de gallo, but better), smashed avocado, curated ham, tomato and cucumber slices, cheese, and olives. With a cold Cusqueña beer (a popular Peruvian beer), we toasted to the feat we had achieved and to what was to come. We also had purple corn and passion fruit juice, which provided the necessary kick of sugar to keep paddling.

“Perfect Lunch by the River”

After lunch, we got back in the boat and continued. Not long after, we reached the final destination (unfortunately!). There, the van was waiting with the changing tent already set up. We loaded all the equipment into the car and headed back to Cusco.

The seats were so comfortable that I slept almost the entire way back.

And the truth is, this post falls short of conveying the number of wow factors you experience throughout the journey. To truly understand them, I invite you to experience it for yourself.

If this 1-day rafting trip had such an impact on me, just imagine what awaits on our extended 2-day and 3-day versions can do for you

To discover more about our thrilling day trips and diverse tours across Peru check out our reccommended adventures or contact us today . We’re excited to assist you in planning your adventure!