Raft the Mighty Urubamba

Brace yourself for a wet and wild ride along the mighty Urubamba River!

The Incas called it the Sacred River, along a section of this is the Sacred Valley. The Urubamba is divided into the upper and lower sections. Dividing these sections is the Pongo de Mainique, a whitewater canyon that opens into the Amazon plain.

One of the highlights of rafting on the Urubamba River is getting through the Huchuy Qosqo Gorge. In this section, the river surges through narrow, stunning canyons that offer a blend of excitement as you tackle the waters and marvel at the breathtaking scenery and towering canyon walls.

If you are a newbie at river rafting, there’s nothing to worry about. The river starts gently so you can practice the required maneuvers. It then builds into class II-III rapids that are more fun and challenging. Catch a glimpse of big eucalyptus trees, cacti, beautiful flowers, local wildlife, and birds like torrent ducks as you paddle along.

The dry season between early May to December is normally the ideal rafting time for adventurous first-timers and less experienced boaters. During this time, rafting the river offers technical rapids with rocks, waves, and wholes.

The “Chuquicahuna- (CHUQUI)” on the upper Urubamba is the most popular rafting section of the river that produces fast class III and III+ rapids that are sure to get your adrenaline pumping. This scenic Chuquicahuana section is more than 6 miles long and naturally divided into shorter sections with names like The Knife, The Siphon, Butterfly, Hawaii Bombay, Ali, Batan, and more. At the Chuquicahuana, tour operators provide a professional rafting guide in a kayak to ensure your safety and protection.

Rafting the Urubamba River normally lasts between 1.5 to 2 hours. After which, most tour operators provide a picnic lunch to cap the adventure.

Put on that wet suit, vest, and helmet! We’re going river rafting!