Location: Salta Province between the Sianca and Lerma Valleys, Northern Argentina

Level of Difficulty: Class III / Beginner

The rollicking waves and calm drops of the Juramento make this a perfect family rafting trip.

Scenery: Pre-historic fossils, beautiful beaches, and colorful canyon walls

Juramento River canyon outlines a wild scenery surrounded by geologic formations, fossil finds and even dinosaur footprints! The multicolored canyons, white sandy beaches and weather carved limestone formations create a magical whitewater expereince. Travelers report viewing giant White Heron, unforgettable Toucans, Rufous-Collared Sparrows, and the ever-elusive Bush-Tanangers. Back on land the rainforest terrain is just as unforgettable, wrought with towering trees and tropical ferns.

Season: November – March

Regulated by the Cabra Corral Dam, prime rafting is still found in the Southern Hemisphere’s summer months after spring snowmelt.

Location: 30 kilometers from San Martín de los Andes

Level of Difficulty: Class II-III / Beginner

Known for its five major rapids and four pools, the “Terma” rapid being the most beautiful. “Cabeza del Indio” (Indian Head) is another thrilling class III rapid. The trip culminates with the adrenaline rushing “piedra tumbadora.” Enthusiasts of all levels will enjoy a trip on this river.

Scenery: Lush green forests, milky turquoise waters

One of the most beautiful rivers in South America. Travel through Andean/Patagonian forest onto a more perennial and brighter area characterized by the large amount of rainfall during the year, known as the Valdivian forest. The mystical surrounding valley has dense riparian plantlife and is home to many species of birds and animals.

Season: November – March

Summer months are best when glacier snowmelt reaches its peak.

Location: Best reached by the main starting points of the cities of Esquel or Trevelin.

Trips conclude in Corcovado city.

Level of Difficulty: Class II-III / Beginner

Ideal place for daring enthusiasts without prior experience or intermediate rafters looking to add a unique and exciting whitewater trip to their list of adventures. Cut through crystalline waves and manuver around huge boulders.

Scenery: Mesmerizing backwaters, profuse wildlife

The waters of the Corcodova can be heavy with salmon, mackerel, perch and trout. Soaring in the air and perched in the foliage, birds such as the black-faced ibis, snipes, sheld geese and ducks can also be seen. You may also catch a glimpse of a hare, a fox, or even a puma or wild boar.

Season: November – March

Rafting begins in November, when the rivers are deeper and present more challenging whitewater. In summer you can dive in deep pools or float with a life jacket in calm backwaters, the ultimate in leisure and relaxation.

Location: South of Bariloche Patagonia, Argentina

The most popular region in Patagonia and nicknamed the “Switzerland” of South America. The town of Bariloche, a 2 hour plane flight west from Buenos Aires, resembles European Alpine regions.

Level of Difficulty: II-IV / Beginner – Intermediate

Rafters look forward to such rapids as “Montaña Rusa” (Roller-coaster) and a challenging obstacle called Roca Magnética (Magnetic Rock). Fast water currents create lots of action on this river. Fun waves and cascades provide continuous smiles. In the summer quiet pools form and make a swim irresistible.

Scenery: Birdwatcher’s paradise, sandy beaches surrounded by Andean woods

The turquoise, glacial melt waters cultivate native forests and wildlife. A backdrop of snow-capped mountains surrounded by plant life such as coihues, cypresses, myrtles, maitenes, radales, cañas colihues and chilcos. Birds such as kingfishers, ibis, avutardas and lapwings may be observed flying over the crystal-clear waters of the river.

Season: November – March

Summer months provide best flows for rafting on the Manso River

Location: Grande Valley, San Rafael in Southern Argentina

The longest river in the Mendoza region flows from the Glacial Atuel Lake in the Andes ranges southeast to La Pampa (the plains).

Level of Difficulty: Class II-IV / Beginner – Intermediate

Rafting for the entire family and from beginners to intermediate rafters. As the river passes through the canyon areas and the riverbed becomes deeper, larger rapids are found. The turbulent waves of the rapids give way to brilliant surrounding landscapes. This high volume river is a point of attraction for rafters worldwide. Year round rafting is available for all skill levels.

Scenery: Multi-colored strata, picturesque vistas

The rock formations of the majestic canyon along the river boast various colors and shapes. The plentiful aqua-marine waters pass by many panoramic points including Hue Lagoon and Lake San Martín.

Season: Year-Round

Level of flows depends on season. Peak flows are found November through March

Whitewater can be found in many regions of this vast country for all levels of whitewater experience. Choose from Half-Day romps to week long whitewater excursions from the salt plains of the northern most region of Argentina to southwest Patagonia near the Chilean border.

Alumine River Rafting Trips (Class III-IV): The Alumine is one of the true gems of Patagonian Argentina in terms of whitewater rivers. Beginning rafters can get their bearings on the class III whitewater in the upper canyon in preparation for the intermediate class IV whitewater downstream.

Atuel River Rafting Trips (Class II-IV): The longest river in Argentina and a world renowned destination for rafting, the Atuel offers a variety of whitewater rapids for a broad range of water enthusiasts from novice to experienced.

Corcovado River Rafting Trips (Class II-III): Flowing through the Patagonia region of Argentina one feels complete immersion in the natural surroundings of the Corcovado River. Ideal for beginners or more experienced rafters looking for a classic Argentine adventure.

Hua-Hum River Rafting Trips (Class III): Meaning “Hole in the Sky” in the Mapuche language, the Hua-Hum River has been said to be one of the most beautiful rivers in South America.

Juramento River Rafting Trips (Class III): Río Salado, literally meaning “Salty River” also goes by the name Juramento. The source of this multi-named river is found in the Andes Mountains. Traveling through the Salta region to the Santa Fe region of Argentina the river offers rafting for all skill levels.

Manso River Rafting Trips (Class II-IV): The Manso River, meaning “calm”, makes its way through the oldest protected region of Argentina, Nahuel Huapi National Park. The best rafting is found in its lower stretch near the border of Chile, the most popular region of Patagonia.

More About Rafting in Argentina

One of the best aspects of rafting in Argentina is that you can pair your river trip with an excursion to many points of interest throughout various regions of the country. Highlights include rafting in the Salta region in northern Argentina and then traveling a few hours east to Iguaza Falls near the Brazilian border. Home of the most magnificent waterfalls in the world and an hour and a half from Buenos Aires, the Devil’s Throat gorge gushes water over a drop 230 feet high. Visit Bariloche, a region resembling the alpine regions of Europe and nicknamed the “Switzerland” of South America for its soaring mountians and crystal clear lakes or the world famous vineyards of Mendoza in central Argentina, this gateway to the high Andes and the Chilean border produces over 70 percent of Argentinian wine. At the very southern tip of Argentina, Tierra del Fuego cradles distinct flora and fauna on this unique Patagonian island.

Location: Julian Alps, west of Triglav, Slovenia

Near the Italian border in northwestern Slovenia, the sections of this beautiful alpine river pour into and out of Lake Bohinj. The river forks and creates two sections that eventually converge once again. The Sava Dolinka flows through the cities of Kranjska Gora, Gozd Martuljek, Jesenice, near Bled and Lesce. The shorter, Sava Bohinjka originates under the Komara Ridge and then flows into Lake Bohinj, creating a small delta. Afterwards, as Sava Bohinjka, flows out of Lake Bled before it meets Sava Dolinka near Radovljica. The river valley also includes a beautiful and encanted gorge called “Blejski Vintgar”.

Level of Difficulty: Class II-IV / Beginner-Intermediate

The varying level of flows on this river are ideal for sightseeing and high adventure. The Class II sections create ample opportunity to lose yourself in the fairy-tale scenery that surrounds the verdant waters of the Sava while the Class IV whitewater twists and turns through steep Cretaceous limestone canyons making for a thrilling intermediate whitewater run.

Scenery: Endangered wildlife habitat, pristine glacial water

The river valley is dense with oak and beech while at higher elevations the forest consists of spruce, fir and pine groves. The canyon is a veritable cornucopia of endangered wildlife some no longer found in other parts of Europe. Catch a glimpse of marmots, alpine ibex, Eurasian lynx, red fox, jackal, various owl species and even a traditionally hunted edible doormouse common in the beech forests. There is also a limited population of wolves and brown bears.

Season: April – October

Rafting trips on the Sava River are offered during the spring and summer.

Nature and health go hand-in-hand in Slovenia therefore the unspoiled landscape of lakes, crystal clear rivers, forests and meadows make for some of the best scenic outdoor adventure in Europe. Around half of this picturesque country is covered in forest and the only primeval forest in Europe is also found here. The narrow whitewater canyons, wide slow moving rivers and high mountain lakes that wind through the dense foliage make for a pristine rafting experience. Here in this small and easily covered area, where hundreds of birds migrating south stop briefly and where dozens of unique indigenous plants find their home, more diverse experiences await you all year round than can be found anywhere else.

Soca River Rafting Trips (Class III-IV):
On the banks of the stunning Soca River, the small town of Bovec is fast becoming a mecca for water-based adventure seekers. It is one of the five most unspoilt rivers in the Alps. There is no wonder why this fairy-tale valley is fast becoming the most happening rafting destinations in the world.

Sava River Rafting Trips (Class II-IV):
Known as the “the Emerald Beauty,” the Sava river is a right side tributary of Danube River. It is created by two headwaters, Sava Dolinka (Class II) and Sava Bohinjka (Class III-IV) which join between the Slovenian towns of Lesce and Radovljica.

More About Rafting in Slovenia

Other outdoor activities popular in Slovenia that can be easily combined with a rafting trip include kayaking, outsider canoeing (two-man inflatables) and canyoning or hydrospeeding. Bicycling or hiking around popular attractions like Lake Bled and the picturesque mountain towns of Bojihn and Bovec or tandem paragliding in the Julian Alps are also highly recommended. Eco-tourism is also heavily promoted and visitors are encouraged to stay in the countless mountain lodges or tourist farms (over 300 available) in the region that are eager to showcase the rich Slovene hospitality. Another river highlight is seeing the ancient artifacts left by Romans, Celts, and even prehistoric settlers who submerged their personal belongings, from swords to dishes, in the shallow and mysterious Ljubljanica River believed to hold ancient mystical powers.

Location: Julian Alps, west of Triglav National Forest, in Slovenia’s far northwest corner bordering Italy

Flows through Western Slovenia and North-Eastern Italy. An Alpine river in character, its source lies in the Trenta valley in the Julian Alps of Slovenia. The headwaters of Soca river are found near Mount Triglav, meaning “Three Heads,” this mountain range is a Slovenian symbol and tallest peak in the country. Cutting through the town of Bovec, the area is known as the whitewater hub in Slovenia and for the best whitewater around.

Level of Difficulty: Class III-IV / Beginner – Intermediate

Rising waves and fun rapids create ample opportunities for enthralling whitewater rafting. The torrents of water and the proximity of the waves are great for both beginners and experienced rafters while the calm water in many bends allow time to take in the breathtaking scenery.

Scenery: Habitat for endangered fish species and blind cave-dwelling salamander, Quaint Baroque villages

Defined as “One of the most exciting valleys on Earth” the Soca river is known for its large population of endangered marble trout. Cradled by steep gorges, villages usually with a traditional Baroque Steeple in its center dot the riverside. Winding high into vivid green Alpine pastures, the mighty Julian Alps create a magnificent backdrop against the pastoral river valley. The bold aquamarine waters flow swiftly through canyons, green meadows and villages that have withstood the test of time. A distinctly warm Mediterranean climate creates a unique atmosphere for this European riverside. The most unusual creature to inhabit caves in the area is the olm, or proteus, a blind amphibian unique to the subterranean waters of the Soca river basin.

Season: April – October

The best time to go rafting on the Soca River is during the spring and summer.

Location: Near Queenstown on the South Island of New Zealand

The Kawarau is the largest water volume river in New Zealand with commercial whitewater rafting trips. Flows from Lake Wakatipu range from 2,000 to 20,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). The Kawarau offers beginner Class II-III rapids. It’s close proximity to Queenstown makes this a popular half-day river trip.

Level of Difficulty: Class II-III / Beginner

There are four significant rapids on this stretch of river… Smiths Falls, Twin Bridges, Do Little Do Nothing (named after an American guide whose name was Doolittle and “did nothing” while running the rapid back in the 70’s), and the unforgettable 400m Dog Leg. Stretches of quiet water allow ample time to practice paddling & rafting techniques. This great combination of calm stretches & whitewater make this trip a great introduction to the thrills of whitewater rafting.

Season: Year-round

The Kawarau Gorge is four miles in length. Kawarau river trips last about four hours including transfers/shuttles. River trips are available all year.