Maranon River Rafting Adventure
The Marañón River in Peru is one of the most unique river journeys in the world. Isolated villages, cascading waterfalls, natural swimming holes, ancient rock art, ruins, along with flora and fauna not found anywhere else. This tour through the "Grand Canyon of the Amazon" will leave you wanting more. It offers a one-of-a kind blend of scenic river journey, cultural experience and brilliant class II-IV whitewater and unparalleled fly in- fly out access from the starting and finishing points and a long season so you have a big window for travel.
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Day 1 - Upon arrival to Cajamarca Airport a private taxi will be waiting to take you to Hotel Laguna Seca (a 10 minute transfer). Don’t be alarmed if the hotel is steaming when you arrive- it is built on top of a hot spring and has dozens of hot pools and creeks flowing through. You can enjoy one of the large hot pools with friends, or retreat for a relaxing hot-spring fed bath in the privacy of your own room. If you’re feeling active you can head into downtown Cajamarca and wander through the city marveling at its colonial architecture, vibrant Andean textiles and delicious local cheese. We will meet in lobby of Laguna Seca at 6pm for a welcome dinner and briefing about the adventure to come. (*Note- sometimes due to group consensus we move the briefing to one of the hot pools...) .
Day 2 - After breakfast we travel over Peruvian highlands before descending deep into the Marañon Canyon. When we reach the river, we will have lunch and load up the gear, but not before enjoying a cold coconut. Expert guides will give safety briefings and begin training the crew for the rapids ahead. The journey truly starts when we pass under the bridge and plunge into the Balsas rapid (III), just a taste of what is to come. A short way downstream we will complete a set of rescue drills, allowing each raft crew to unite as a team and prepare for the journey ahead. As a passenger, you will be travelling in a 16’ oar assisted raft, guided by a highly trained and experienced river guide. 2 hours /16km Rafting + 4hr scenic drive over the Andes and into Marañon Canyon. Altitude Loss: Day 3 - Optional sunrise hike to cliff-top ruins at Playa el Cura which overlook the river canyon. 1.5 hours / 2km steep/difficult hike.
After the hike we continue downriver, encountering several class II-III rapids as we wind our way through the geological wonder that is the Marañon Canyon. You won’t forget that you are in a remote, wild canyon, especially if we encounter strong afternoon winds that are notorious in this stretch. Today we aim to reach the village of Mendán, where we can find coconuts, seasonal fruits, a tour of the village and a cold beer of course! The village is friendly and welcoming, we will enjoy a home cooked meal in town, and most likely the kids will be keen for a game of soccer (they may be small, but they will give most visitors a run for their money!). The hardest part is sometimes saying goodbye to the new friends we find in town. 6 hours/ 29km Rafting with breaks. Evening village visit. Day 4 - After a lazy morning and an indulgent breakfast, we have a short float full of fun, continuous class III rapids until we reach the village of Tupén. In the afternoon we have the option to explore the area. It’s an enchanting walk through the fields until we reach the city center and visit the schools. The kids are always excited to practice English, share a game of soccer or show off their incredible treehouse! There are more challenging hikes available for adventurous guests, just let your guide know! 1.5hr / 8km Rafting, afternoon village experience. Day 5 - Today is a huge day of whitewater. We encounter a handful of notable class III-IV rapids including ‘Tupén Grande’, ‘San Lucas’, ‘Playa el Inca’ and ‘Shingate’ and ‘Magdalena’. We will also pass by the proposed Chadin II dam site, giving thanks to the local people who fought hard to keep this iconic river running beautiful and free. Tonight we will camp on a stunning deserted beach in the heart of the canyon, deep between canyon walls. 27km / 6 hours Rafting with breaks Day 6 - Today we float the deepest and most isolated part of the canyon. Keep your eyes focused on the scenery as vegetation and rock subtly changes to lush jungle. Soon we arrive at LinLin, the largest rapid we will encounter on this section of the river. After the adrenalin of LinLin, we will bounce through several more rapids before arriving at Marañon Libre Conservation Area. Here we can relax early and enjoy one of the most stunning sunsets and vistas of the trip.
38km / 6 hours Rafting with breaks DAY 7 - After breakfast we explore the geological phenomenon that is ‘Las Cascadas’. Dozens of natural pools and waterfalls that cascade into the Marañón canyon. There is nothing better than soaking in an infinity pool while you take in the stunning view over the Marañón Valley. From Marañón Libre, it is a short float down to Tingo Palaguas where we can visit the Carrasco family. In 2019 the Carrascos found ancient Rock Paintings situated in an isolated corner of their property overlooking the Marañón. Preliminary studies estimate that these paintings are over 1000 years old and were created by the Chachapoyan people. In the afternoon we navigate through arguably one of the most scenic sections of the entire Marañón River. Red walled sandstone and lush green shrubs clinging to cliffs give an unmistakable prehistoric feel. Tonight, we camp in the heart of the Red Canyon. 4 hours hiking, exploring waterfalls & natural pools / 9km/2hr Rafting Day 8 - After navigating the final rapids of our journey, we will arrive to Puerto Malleta for a celebratory lunch then say goodbye to our river family. There are two options from here: Departures: Guests who are not coming to Kingdom of the Clouds will travel 2 hours to Jaen and can arrange to book a flight Jaen-Lima after 5pm; or stay the night with us in Jaen for a farewell dinner and comfy hotel. 2.5hours /17km Rafting. 2 hour scenic drive to Jaén Continuing to Kingdom of the Clouds: After lunch and saying goodbye to our river family, we take private transport for four hours to the village of Cocachimba. On the drive we will enjoy stunning views of the Shipago and Colan mountain ranges as we leave the dry forests of the Marañón behind. Once in Cocachimba, we will arrive to our beautiful lodgings surrounded by native cloudforest. Cocachimba will be our base for the next 3 nights as we explore the Kingdom of the Clouds. 2.5hours /17km Rafting. 4 hour scenic drive to Cocachimba Due to the nature of rafting a wild river, some changes may occur on your trip. We have allowed enough time in the itinerary to enjoy any unexpected opportunities, or to overcome any unforeseen hurdles. Contact us if you have any queries or would like a customized journey. Price per person in US$ for 7 Days Rafting (9D/8N Package): US$2195.00 (double occupancy) Minimum of 4 people required to confirm a departure. |
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When? - Most people visit late May to October when the weather is perfect (warm, sunny, low chance of rain) and the water level is safe to navigate this section of river. What is the camping like? The guides know where the best beaches and campsites are, ensuring that you always have a stunning vista to enjoy your morning tea or coffee. All drinking water comes from springs or side creeks and is filtered & treated. Campfires most evenings; sit back enjoy the sunset and the stars. Camp toilet system to ensure human waste is disposed of discreetly & sustainably. A gourmet menu consists of a mixture of international and traditional Peruvian recipes which will keep everyone satisfied. Many organic products are sourced from nearby conservation areas and local communities, supporting protection of Peru’s forests, and giving you the best, freshest tastes! While on river we stay in tent. A three person tent can be shared between two people, allowing plenty of space to spread out. Tents are provided, but you are welcome to bring your own lightweight hiking tent if you prefer. We include a deluxe sleeping pad, sleeping bag, inner sheet and pillow for each participant. Local culture: One thing that sets the Marañón apart from other river journeys is the Andean culture and unique exchange that happens along the river. The villages of Tupén and Mendán are nestled alongside the Marañón River, 8 hours walk from the nearest road. Local people are welcoming and always happy to chat, and the kids love a friendly game of soccer or volleyball. We regularly contribute to local development, community health centers and schools. We firmly believe that a positive exchange on both sides will lead to the best possible experience for guests, and the best outcomes for communities.
Kingdom of the Clouds Add-onThe Chachapoya people were known as “Cloud Forest Warriors.” Their civilization pre-dated the Incas by almost a century, and you can still find fascinating remnants of their culture in northern Peru. On our journey we will base ourselves in the stunning village of Cocachimba which is home to Gocta Waterfall and centrally based for the sites we will visit on this trip.
Day 1 - HIKE TO GOCTA WATERFALL Wake up with the sounds of the dozens of colorful cloud forest birds and prepare for our hike to the 2531 ft. tall Gocta Waterfall. The hike has two options, the longer more challenging circuit beginning in San Pablo, or shorter direct access from Cocachimba- which can also be completed on horseback. We recommend starting early in the morning to have higher chances of spotting native birdlife including the beautiful Andean Cock of the Rock (Rupicola Peruvianus), Peru’s National bird, who lives in the ravines that we cross on the way to Gocta. On the last leg of the hike there is the possibility of fresh sugar cane juice or local aguardientes to help us make it up the final hills. The afternoon is free for relaxing or other optional hikes. Day 2 - CITADEL OF KUELAP & LEYMABAMBA MUSEUM Early morning option to enjoy birdlife before we drive 1.5 hours to the town of Nuevo Tingo. Here we will catch the gondola to the top of the mountain, where the Citadel of Kuélap, the main archeological site of the Chachapoyas waits for our visit. After a brief visit to the interpretation center, we do an easy hike to arrive to the main door of the ancient fortified city built around 500AD. A local Chachapoyan guide will be with us, teaching us local stories and secrets of the site with 60ft high stone walls and over 420 circular stone buildings. Kuelap is thought to have been an important Chachapoya ceremonial center with some 3,000 inhabitants dedicated to rituals and solar observations which enabled them to establish an agricultural calendar. After we have fully explored the Citadel we head down for lunch and then drive to the Leymebamba Museum, one of the best museums in Peru. In the evening we return to Cocachimba to enjoy our last evening in the Kingdom of the Clouds. Day 3 - DEPART Wake up in the peaceful surrounds of Cocachimba, with option to take an early morning stroll to enjoy your last views and moments in this incredible Cloud forest. We depart at 10am to arrive to Jaén around 2pm, in time for you to take and afternoon flight back to Lima. Price per person in US$, double occupancy: All packages include an English speaking guide, private transportation, and entrance fees to all the cultural sites that we visit. We offer three different styles of accommodation and meal options, depending on your preference: 1- Hotel Accomodation, meals not included. US$368.00 2 - Lodge and Restaurant, all meals included. US$788.00 3 - Gocta Natura Reserve & Hacienda Achamaqui, Full Board, All inclusive. 4 Day Package. Additional day of itinerary allows time to explore the cultural sites of Revash, Karajia and exploring the incredible Hacienda Achamaqui. US$1323.00 |