Location: South Island of New Zealand near Mt. Cook National Park and South Westland

Wilderness multi-day river rafting trips are rare in New Zealand’s South Island. That’s what makes a Landsborough multi-day river trip so special and alluring — three whole days to lose one’s self in the eternal quality of wilderness river travel. The Landsborough draws its headwaters from the high alpine border of Mt. Cook National Park and travels 70 kilometers to its confluence with the Hast River in South Westland.

Level of Difficulty: Class II-III / Beginner

A Landsborough multi-day river trip is more than just a river rafting trip… it’s a wilderness experience. The trip begins at the foot of glaciers and 10,000-foot mountains. Along the way you pass through ancient beech forests – home to a wide variety of native birds. There is also plenty of time for bushwalking, canyoning and of course… relaxing.

Season: November – March

Landsborough multi-day rafting trips are available November to the end of March. High water levels can be expected during the spring snow melt (November-December) while lower and more consistent flows are prevalent during the summer.

Location: Skippers Canyon, near Queenstown

Shotover river rafting trips float through Skippers Canyon, sometimes called the Grand Canyon of New Zealand. The Shotover River, which is a tributary to the Kawaru River, is filled with breathtaking scenery, challenging rapids and intriguing gold rush history. There is no question why a Shotover river rafting trip is the South Island’s most popular whitewater adventure.

Level of Difficulty: Class III-IV / Intermediate

Starting at Deep Creek, Shotover river rafting trips begin with peaceful waters before entering the Lower Canyon and a long section of exhilarating rapids formed by large stone slabs in a narrow gorge. Rock Garden, Miner’s Revenge, Squeeze, Anvil, Jaws, Sequel, Toilet, and Pinball are among the exciting rapids found on this run. Just before Cascade, the last big rapid, rafts float through the unforgettable 557-foot Oxenbridge Tunnel.

Season: Year-round

River trips generally last 4-4.5 hours including transfers and shuttles. Shotover River rafting trips are available throughout the year. Helicopter transfers are optional in spring & summer, but required for river access in winter months.

Location: Arequipa, Peru

Begin your trip in the city of Arequipa in Southern Peru, preserved as a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO, by viewing the mummified remains of a young Inca girl found atop the peak of Ampato presently named “Juanita.” From there, travel by bus northwest to the town of Huambo. The Colca River valley is an extremely remote location.

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

Few people have witnessed the incredible Colca river since its first descent in 1981. Reserved for the true adventurer because the canyon is so remote and the whitewater can be intense at times.

Scenery: Condors and Salmon in an area with incredible Incan history

Colca refers to small holes in cliffs that can be seen in the valley and canyon along the river. These holes were used in Incan and Pre-Incan times to store Andean crops such as potatoes or as tombs. Ancient terraces still cultivated along some lower sections of the valley can be seen from the river. Through a worldwide effort to preserve these majestic creatures, a growing population of Andean Condors can be seen soaring on the rising thermals above the river canyon while Black salmon and otter accompany the trek downstream.

Season: December – May

The Southern Hemisphere’s summer months provide the best weather and flows for rafting trips on the Colca River.

Plunge through the canyons of the Upper Amazon and experience lush river valleys containing some of the best whitewater rafting Peru has to offer. From the peaks of the Andes, the glacial meltwater flows through the Sacred Inca Valley and into the Amazonian jungles. 

Apurimac River Rafting Trips (Class III-V):
Flowing through a Gorge 10,000 ft deep, twice the depth of the Grand Canyon, this river system is world renowned as the most distant source of the Amazon River. Glacial melt-water from the Nevado Mismi Ridge in Southern Peru cultivates the headwaters of this river system.

Urubamba River Rafting Trips (Class II-IV):
Travel to the historic capital of the Inca (Inka) Empire, Cusco, near the Urubamba Valley and delight in a whitewater adventure on three sections of this magnificent river. Profound scenery and an amazing array of flora and fauna fill the river canyon from exotic tropical flowers and giant eucalyptus trees to profusions of cactus. Journey through various areas of interest such as Sicuani, Urcos and the Sacred Valley of the Inca before descending into the rain forest and jungle.

There are great Peru whitewater rafting trip options for all levels of whitewater experience on four of Peru’s best rivers. Choose from a 1/2 day trip to a week-long excursions on rivers located near the two largest cities in the country: Cusco and Arequipa.  

River Rafting Trips near Cusco

Choose from the Urubamba River or the Apurimac River.

River Rafting Trips near Arequipa

Choose from the Cotahuasi River or the Colca River.

Raft on some of the deepest river canyons in the world, accessible only by boat or kayak the rivers highlighted below maintain an ecosystem rarely visited by mankind and entirely untouched and pristine. It is said that the emotional experience of rafting in such remote canyons is unparalleled anywhere else on earth. 

Colca River Rafting Trips (Class II-IV):
The Colca River canyon is accessible only by raft or kayak and few people have had the incredible opportunity to experience this breath taking river and the ancient cultural ties the people of the valley continue to cultivate in present day life.

Cotahuasi River Rafting Trips (Class IV-V):
Challenging whitewater on the deepest river canyon on earth! Because this area is not often visited it has managed to remain one of the most pristine river canyons found on this planet.

More About Rafting in Arequipa

In addition to your expedition through Colca Canyon, a trip to Machu Pichu along the Inca Trail is a worthy undertaking and highly recommended. The ancient ruins nestled between two soaring peaks were built by Incan ruler Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui in the 15th century.

Location: Arequipa, Peru

Arequipa, second largest city in southwest Peru. A one hour plane flight from Lima.

Level of Difficulty: Class V / Advanced

The most extreme whitewater found in Peru. The whitewater is challenging but it also takes a truly adventurous spirit to brave such a remote river canyon.

Scenery: Spectacular desert canyon, known to be the deepest raftable canyon in the world.

The river is surrounded by sheer granite walls and there are spectacular views of the Andes. Declared a National Tourist Reserve Zone, habitat for endangered and protected species such as Condors and Vicuñas (a relative of the llama and Alpaca) has been set aside along the river.

Season: December – May

Whitewater rafting trips on the Cotahuasi River are offered during the Southern Hemisphere’s summer months.

Location: Southwest of Cusco (Cuzco)

The Apurimac cuts through the Andes, moving northwest to join other rivers that converge and eventually form the Amazon River. It is approximately a five hour journey by bus from Cusco, west to the river put-in.

Level of Difficulty: Class III-IV / Intermediate-Advanced

Not only does this river hold a special place in the hearts of avid rafters but it also sparks interest and wonder in anyone seeking thrills and adventure in what seems like the remote ends of the earth. Completely immersed in the river valley and its ancient customs and culture the river preps you for the building challenges as you maneuver downstream. “Trinche” (Meat Fork) and “Mesa” (“Table”) are great Class III warm-up rapids for the motherload of the trip, the Class V rapid known as “Dolor de Muelas” (“Toothache”).

Scenery: Towering granite walls, one of the deepest canyons in the world

In Quechua its name means “the speech of God” or “the talking God” which seems logical because anyone who is aware of this river’s vast beauty and mystique would want to say something about the Apurimac. Holding some of the most pristine beaches for camping, the river is cradled by sun bleached side walls that have been carved and sculpted by the elements and supports rare wildlife like puma, otters and the elusive Andean bear.

Season: June – October

The Apurimac River runs during Peru’s winter months, and the Northern Hemisphere’s summer.

Location: Close to Cusco, Peru

The Urubamaba River is located in high elevations (over 10,000 feet) in the Andes Mountains. It flows parallel to the Sacred Valley of the Incas (Inkas).

Chuquiqwana Section: Class III-IV (Intermediate – Advanced)

The Chuquiqwana Section of the Urubamba is full of fun whitewater adventure for any skill level. This section is best for adventurers seeking the most whitewater action. The level of water depends on seasonal flows. Rafters paddle through lush, green lowland river valleys and ancient cities. They float past the pre-Inca city of Piquillacta, the lakes of Huacarpay and Urcos and experience the vibrant and bustling outdoor markets of thriving local villages.

Ollanta Section: Class III (Beginner)

The Ollanta river has great rapids easily enjoyed by all levels of whitewater experience. This is the most moderate of the three sections with equal time for paddling and downtime for sightseeing along the bank of the river. The landscape surrounding the Ollanta Section is breathtaking. Pre-Inca cities, profuse vegetation and pristine sandy beaches make for a remarkable backdrop. For avid bird watchers, the river valley is teeming with avian species. Many elusive and sought after exotic birds for can be seen in the river valley including the Blue-mantled Thornbill and Giant Conebill along with various types of brightly hued hummingbirds.

Huaran Section: Class I-II (Introductory / All Skill Levels)

Small riffles in the water do not demand much paddling. Most energy you expend in the raft has to do with taking in as much of the scenery along the riverside and in the canyon walls as you can. This is a great trip for families with young children who would like an introduction to rafting. Children take a short hike toward the end of the trip, accompanied by an adult, to the Huarán’s forest. In the meantime, the adults raft the largest rapid of the river named, most fittingly, Huarán. This rapid varies from a Class-II or IV, depending on the season and level of water.

Season: December – May

Rafting on all three sections is available during the Southern Hemisphere’s summer.

Location: 20 Minutes From Cairns
Although the North Johnstone River empties itself into the Pacific Ocean just 20 minutes south of Cairns, Australia, it originates some 450 miles above in the World Heritage rainforests of Palmerston National Park. Rafting trips meet at an old converted dairy farm at Mulgalli Falls, a two hours drive from Cairns. From there, rafters and equipment are helicoptered into the heart of the rainforest to begin their 4 to 6 day journey.

Level of Difficulty: Class IV-V / Advanced
The North Johnstone River is rated Class IV-V, making it one of the more challenging whitewater rivers Australia has to offer, and also one of the longest advanced rafting runs available.

Canyon: Dense Rainforest, Dark Basalt Cliffs, Waterfalls
The lush rainforests of Palmerston National Park would engulf almost any other river, but the North Johnstone’s relentless currents push through, forging a deep canyon that is utterly inaccessible to every means of transport other than by raft. The surrounding scenery is so varied and dense that it is difficult to summarize. Boats float past some of the oldest trees living on the planet, some of which first sprouted out of the ground more than 3,000 years ago. When the greenery gives way to rock walls, dark basaltic cliffs emerge and waterfalls spill hundreds of feet into the river. One of the more memorable falls on the trip is 150-foot Stairway to Heaven, an Aboriginal burial site. Wildlife sightings include bird spiders, water dragons, saltwater crocodiles, pythons, egrets and eagles. At night, a luminous fungus lights up the canyon walls as fireflies dance through Kauri trees and King Ferns. The rapids are big and technical. One narrow gorge, called Mordor, is so full of impressive Class V whitewater that it actually competes with the canyon in its grandeur.

Season: April through June
Because the North Johnstone is one of Australia’s un-dammed, naturally flowing rivers, its season is very dependent on winter rains. An average season lasts from April through June. Each rafting trip ranges from 4 to 6 days in length.