Our operator works
with the best quality Peruvian guides with international experience, who
are members of the River Guides Association of Cusco:
They focus first on safety and second on safety
just to avoid any accident in the river. Also we use the ratio of 1 guide
for 2 clients at least in order to protect their integrity. For ten people
(clients) we use: Two rafts for clients (paddle boat or tale frame) One
cargo boat (camping gear) Two safety kayaks (one kayak for each client
boat).
They have an operation
plan and it includes what to do in case of an accident.
A. Self rescue. Our team of guides takes all the
equipment to be self supported and rescue clients or a raft in trouble
(professional rescue gear and equipment like poles, binners, ropes, prusiks,
etc). Also the crew has a professional first aid kit. If is necessary
the evacuation it could be by raft (not serious injury).
B. For serious accidents on the river our Staff of guides has a portable
Satallite phone, if is necessary we send another rescue team by raft or
a helicopter rescue if is necessary.(Client insurance must cover it).
They are an official company and tour operator
registered under the Peruvian Ministry of Tourism and are members of APTAE,
Peruvian Association of Adventure Travel and Ecotourism. In USA, they
are members of American Outdoors. Also, they run all the rafting expeditions
for Mountain Travel Sobek, including the Apurimac river.
EXPEDITION
TO APURIMAC RIVER
From a glistening snowfield at 17,000 feet high
in the Andes of southern Peru the Apurímac begins a remarkable
4,000-mile journey to the distant Atlantic Ocean. From 13,000 feet, the
descent of the Apurímac is one of the most dramatic of any river
in the world. Thundering through the high peaks of the Vilacabamba,
the Apurímac River surges through steep, tapering canyons as
it pounds toward the jungle floor. Numerous rocks constantly tumble
through the bottom of the canyon produce a great roar, providing the river
with its Quechua name: Apu-rimac, meaning "the Powerful one that
speaks".
High in the Andes of southern Peru, the Apurímac River flows north
for 428 miles before uniting with the Urubamba River to form the Ucayali
River. This is the source of the powerful Amazon River. The Apurímac
canyon is one of the deepest depressions of this American continent. With
such a rapid change of altitude there are a variety of climates in this
rugged area. From warm and humid tropical weather in the depths of the
jungle floor, to a cool and temperate weather pattern in the high Andean
plateaus. Our whitewater wilderness trip provides memorable encounters
with the indigenous people of the deep, turbulent gorges of the Apurímac
region. The breathtaking beauty of the land, and its charming people
help to bring this unique adventure to life.
We
start our trip from Cusco 3400 mts. driving for 5 hours across the Andes
down to the Apurimac river. We put-in at 2,000 mts. it will take us about
two hours to prepare all the equipment using only state of the art, self-bailing
rafts and catarafts. We'll have lunch and raft down to our first camp.
All the meals are prepared by our staff on a campfire under the night
sky of the southern hemisphere. At one point we arrive to a narrow canyon
with an impassable rapid where we have to do a portage for about 300 mts.
Most of the time we will be rafting class III+ and IV rapids, but we also
have a few class IV+ and V rapids. Among the wildlife in this remote and
isolated canyon we could find river otters, bobcats, foxes, condors, torrent
ducks, cormorants, etc.
SEASON : From June to November.
GRADING : Moderate. Class IV and V. Experience suggested in rafting.
DAY 01 CUSCO - PUENTE HUALPACHACA - APURIMAC
RIVER - From Cusco 3,400 mts. altitude we drive 5 hours trough the
Andes to the put-in at Huallpachaca bridge (2000 mts.). It will take us
about two hours to prepare all the equipment. We will receive our equipment,
safety talk and instructions. Rafting in the evening (2 hours) for our
first camp, not far from first class VI rapid (portage). Technical instructions
rapids class III and IV. (L,D)
DAY 02 "SPACE ODDISEY" AND "PURGATORY"
RAPIDS. - After a healthy breakfast we will walk around the campsite
to admire the vegetation like bromeliads and orchids. Start rafting in
a technical rapid called "Space Odissey" and many class IV+
rapids. At lunch time we will run "Purgatory rapid" a class
V rapid before the second and short portage. After lunch we will run class
III rapids in an amazing white water granite canyon. Camp and we well
have dinner and sleep on a sandy beach under the night sky. (B,L,D)
DAY 03 "S", "LABYRINTH"
AND "TOOTH ACHE" RAPIDS - Today rafting starts early. We
will run quite a few class IV and IV+ rapids. We may see river otters,
some deer, foxes, torrents ducks and tropical andean birds. Will have
lunch at a sand beach. In the afternoon we will run "Labyrinth"
class V rapid and "Tooth Ache" class V+ rapid. Several scoutings
will be needed before running them. At noon we will set camp. (B,L,D)
DAY 04 "TOOTH ACHE" RAPID -
PUENTE CUNYAC - CUSCO - After breakfast we will run class V rapids
like "Rock Gate" and "Babalua Carajo" plus some class
IV and III rapids. Lunch in the take-out. Drive in private bus to Cusco.
Transfer to the hotel. (B,L). End of Our Service.
INCLUDED:
Private transportation to and from the river.
All meals and excellent diet during the expedition.
All professional rafting equipment (dry bags, and
class V river gear)
High quality rafting equipment and self bailing rafts
One Safety Kayak per each boat (at least).
All camping gear (screen dinning tent, double person
tents, matrass, etc)
Safety and professional river procedure
Best Peruvians class V river guides (International
training, swiftwater rescue and wilderness first responder courses)
Professional First aid kit
Satellite Phone and rescue procedure
NOT INCLUDED:
Air ticket Lima/Cusco/Lima
Hotels or meals in Cusco.
Extra expenses or services not
described in the program.
2011 FIXED DEPARTURES: Every Sunday from
June to October with a minimum of 2 people
Fixed Departure Price Per Person: US$888 with 2, US$636 with
3, US$506 with 4. Single supplement is US$48 Price Per Person for private Departures: $991 for 2 , $766
for 3 , $611 each for 4-6 people. Single supplement is US$48