Would you enjoy feeling the adrenaline caused by rowing through the rivers moving waters, while being entirely surrounded by exotic landscapes composed by mountains, forests, and electric blue skies? Or would you prefer to row through calm water lagoons, observing birds and crop fields reflected in its waters, while breathing fresh air and entering an almost meditative state of mind?
Peru is one of the countries with the highest and most extraordinary biodiversity in the world. It has beaches, deserts, glacier mountains, and an extensive area of the Amazon jungle. And in between, thousands of lagoons and rivers that descend and run through these amazing places. That is why, many travelers not only visit Peru to hike through the Inca Trail or to explore the citadel of Machu Picchu, but also to paddle its waters, either in kayaks or rafting.
There are two types of kayaks: river and lake kayak. River kayaking is for moving waters. It is small and not entirely stable, that is why only one person can fit with a two-blade oar and must necessarily have previous experience.
On the other hand, there are lake kayaks, which are expedition kayaks for flat waters. These are long and stable, allowing one or two people to fit in, each with their paddle, and it is not required to have previous experience. These types of activities are ideal for sharing with the family and safe and suitable for children.
Rafting is an adventure sport that perfectly combines fun, adrenaline, and teamwork. Up to 6 rowers enter each raft, led by a river guide, and accompanied by an expert safety kayaker.
The moving waters of rivers do not always flow in the same way. There are flat sections that can become very powerful. They are categorized according to their level of difficulty in “rapids” class I to class V, the latter being the strongest within what is considered paddling. It is an activity that requires you to be present, attentive, and, above all, it invites you to have a fun time with your team.
Kayaking in a lagoon can be practiced all year round. In the case of rafting in the mountains of Peru, it is best to do so between May and October, since it is a dry season and the rivers have good water levels, ideal for practicing this sport.
River kayaking is a sport that requires a lot of demand and experience time. In our river expeditions, we always have expert kayakers, whose primary function is to be in charge of water safety.
Lake kayaking, as mentioned above, is a more leisurely activity that can be done by all family members or friends, regardless of their physical level.
As for rafting, it is a sport that requires you to be active. Since the river stays in constant movement, it is necessary to have a lot of concentration. However, previous experience is not required.
Our country is extremely rich in terms of landscapes. We have many rivers and lagoons that form vital parts of Peru. Cusco turns out to be the perfect location! Which brings together rivers and lagoons of exceptional beauty, ideal for practicing these outdoor adventure sports.
The Apurimac river is considered an Apu (“God”) in the Andean culture, and we can practice kayaking and rafting in its sacred waters. It is one of the largest canyons in the world with 3000 meters of depth, providing the kind of landscapes you won’t find anywhere else.
The Urubamba-Vilcanota River runs through the Sacred Valley of the Incas to Machu Picchu and then enters the heart of the Amazon. It is a beautiful river surrounded by mountains and green crop fields, ideal for river kayaking or canoeing.
We consider Huaypo lagoon another must-see destination near Cusco, surrounded by corn and potato fields, snow-capped mountains, and the characteristic blue sky of the Andes. In this lagoon, you can do a wide variety of activities, including kayaking and bird watching at the same time.
At Terra Explorer, we offer outdoor and luxury activities for all types of ages, tastes, and levels of experience.
You will have the option to see one of the most beautiful lagoons in Cusco region, just one hour from the city, Huaypo lagoon. Here you can enjoy absolute peace and tranquility while rowing the waters of a beautiful lagoon perched in the Andes, in a remote and exclusive place under the deep blue sky. We end the day by enjoying a delicious luxury outdoor picnic.
If you are looking into being more active, the rafting expedition on the Apurimac River is an experience you will never forget. You can join the four-day excursion, paddling the “White Canyon” section, where you will have a luxury campsite set up between the walls of an impressive canyon, hidden landscapes, and immensely starry nights.
For expert kayakers, we have expeditions to the world’s deepest canyons: Colca and Cotahuasi in Arequipa.
Now that you know more about kayaking and rafting, do you want to try these fun activities? At Terra Explorer, we have various itineraries for you. If you want to know Peru in an authentic and spectacular way, get in touch with us, and we will help you design the trip of your dreams!
To ensure the well-being and safety of our travelers and staff throughout our operational chain, Terra Explorer will comply with the health and safety measures and protocols established by the Peruvian Association of Adventure Tourism and Ecotourism (APTAE), and implement the Covid-19 health and safety guidelines for adventure tourism developed by the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA).
Our experiences are designed considering the least possible exposure, where the final destinations are usually remote places. By their very nature, our adventure activities are considered to be low risk, mainly because they are performed outdoors where ventilation is constant and making it easy to achieve social distancing.
During these times we are working together with a small staff of honorable people who have been part of the Terra Explorer family for many years. They and their families are aligned with the established health and safety measures. Employing these staff members also seeks to reactivate the local economy.
We guarantee a safe, soul-fulfilling trip to all our travelers for whom we make these adventures possible.
Terra Explorer will strictly comply with the safety, cleaning, and hygiene protocols during our internal processes, third parties, and throughout your trip. This involves:
Follow the instructions related to health and safety given by the Terra Explorer team and your guide, before and during your trip.
Stay home if:
With the intention of delivering the most flexibility at the time of confirming your trip, we will determine the amount of the initial deposit individually and according to your itinerary characteristics.
Secure your trip with a deposit and pay the rest in one or more payments, at a time that suits you best. Please make sure you adhere to our policy and pay in full at least 31 days prior to your trip date.
If you need to cancel your trip, we will apply the following flexible policies.
For more detailed information on our terms and conditions and Covid-19 policies, please contact us at [email protected]
