Day 1
Arrivals
Upon arrival to Cajamarca Airport a
private taxi will be waiting to take you to Hotel Laguna Seca, a hotel fit for
the president of Peru. 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...)
10-minute transfer to hotel.
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: 1900m. 2 hours /16km Rafting
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 handfull 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
Finish rafting and drive to Cocachimba After enjoying our
last morning in the Red Canyon, we navigate the last rapids and arrive at noon
to our finish point in Puerto Malleta. After a local lunch, 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.
Day 9
HIKE TO GOCTA WATERFALL
Wake up with the sounds of the dozens of colorful
Cloudforest 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 10
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 11
FLIGHT HOME OR ONWARD TRAVEL 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 Cloudforest. We depart
at 10am to arrive to Jaén around 2pm, in time for you to take and afternoon
flight back to Lima
Packing Items
- At the start of the journey everyone
will be provided with a 60L Drybag to store your belongings. - Everything we take should be necessary
for the journey, please read the packing list carefully and avoid unnecessary
items due to limited space on rafts. - High value or irreplaceable items,
Aerosol cans, Glass Containers of any kind and/or excessive amounts of soap
should be avoided - Daypack (small) or fanny pack
- Water bottle with a locking carabiner
(To clip onto raft throughout the day. Carabiner must be able to lock when
clipped onto raft) - Headlamp or flashlight with batteries
(rechargeable is ok) - Sunglasses with securing strap
- Toiletries (natural ingredients &
biodegradable where possible) - Small towel and washcloth
- Sunscreen and lip balm: waterproof and
SPF 30 or higher (travel size) - Moisturizer for hands and face.
(travel size) - Insect repellent (non-DEET repellent
is preferable, can buy in Peru) - Small personal first aid kit with
band-aids, antibiotic ointment, ibuprofen, diarrhea & anti-nausea
medication, etc. - A spare pair of glasses or contacts if
you use these (It is possible that water and sand can cause problems for people
using contacts)
FOOTWEAR
- On River shoes (Water shoes or
sandals) - Lightweight Hiking boots or Shoes (for
side hikes) - Sandals or flip-flops for around camp
- Socks
- Neoprene or wool socks for the river
(optional)
CLOTHING
- Long-sleeved shirt & long pants
for off river - Long pants or shorts + leggings &
long sleeve shirt for on river (long sleeves & pants important for sun and
bug protection) - Medium weight fleece, sweater or
jacket - T-shirt and/or lightweight quick-dry
top - Board Shorts
- Undergarments as many as required for
the trip - Bathing suit
OPTIONAL ITEMS
- Lightweight Jacket, windproof and
waterproof. (highly recommended if travelling in wet season November-May)! - Tent. (Tents are provided, however
feel free to bring your own lightweight shelter if you prefer.) - Sarong
- Bandana and Bug Net
- Camera (spare battery recommended)
and/or Binoculars. - Paddling gloves for sun & water
protection - Reading, writing, drawing, painting
materials - Small travel-sized game
- Cap or visor that can fit under a
helmet
*If you cancel when your spot is confirmed and outside of 60 days until departure, you can receive a trip credit for your down payment minus the $100 cancellation fee.
