Kayak Guide to Whitewater of Peru
In the Department of Cuzco on the road from Quillabamba to Ollantaytambo lies the valley of the Lucumayo. Born in the high pass of Abra de Malaga and flowing off the Northern flanks of Nevado Chicon is a river of the same name. Put in for the Lucumayo River First drop on Lucumayo River The [...]
Posted on January 16th, 2009 by kurt
Filed under: Class 4, Class 5, Rivers in Cuzco Region | No Comments »
Most who have stayed awake for the final six hours or so of the bus ride from Lima to Cusco have noticed the Pachachaca dropping abruptly just out of view of the bus windows, and surely have wondered where this little river goes. Sometime in late October of 2004, Brian Fletcher and I put in [...]
Posted on January 16th, 2009 by kurt
Filed under: Class 5, Rivers in Cuzco Region | No Comments »
The Rio Sonches is a steep-walled, high jungle adventure in the North of Peru. The run originates in the highlands of the Department of Amazonas and for the first 50 km follows the Chacapoyas-Mendoza road system. This upper stretch is relaxed, roadside boating and would be a good high water alternative. The gnarly stretch lies only [...]
Posted on January 16th, 2009 by kurt
Filed under: Class 5, Rivers in Central Highlands | No Comments »
Born in the highlands of the department of Pasco is one of Peru’s mightiest Rivers known as the Mantaro. Its course is directly southward through the mining town La Oroya and on past Peru’s third largest city, Huancayo. Beyond here the river is twice dammed forming Peru’s single largest source of hydroelectric power. The fertile [...]
Posted on January 16th, 2009 by kurt
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Flowing off the Northern flank of the sacred Nevado Auzangate 6372 meters (21,076 feet) is the Rio Paucartambo (also called Mapacho). After meandering through 80 + km of relative flatwater the river passes through the colonial town of Paucartambo at 3000 meters of elevation. From here begins one of Peru’s premier whitewater kayak trips and [...]
Posted on January 16th, 2009 by kurt
Filed under: Class 5, Rivers in Cuzco Region | 1 Comment »
Somewhere around Ollantaytambo the Vilccanota river changes names to Urubamba. The railroad from Cuzco to Machu Pichu follows the river and the milage posts are used to reference location. The stretch of river known as the Urubamba should be thought of as two distinct sections. The first stretch is from Ollantaytambo (km 68 to Aguas [...]
Posted on January 16th, 2009 by kurt
Filed under: Class 5, Rivers in Cuzco Region | Comments Off
Well known as the source of the Amazon, the mighty Apurimac makes its boldest statement in the bowels of the Acombamba Abyss. It is here that the river makes its final plunge to the jungles below. Starting in the highlands of Arequipa the river flows in a northwest direction forming the borders of the department [...]
Posted on January 16th, 2009 by kurt
Filed under: Class 5, Rivers in Cuzco Region | 6 Comments »
The Black Canyon presents a multi-day “warm up” for the action that lies downstream. The traditional Black Canyon run is a three day 60 km stretch beginning at Nayhua (elevation 2400 meters and finishing Puente Haulpachaca elevation 2275 meters). Puente Hualpachaca is also the put-in for the popular, class 4-5, commercial 3 day raft trip. [...]
Posted on January 16th, 2009 by kurt
Filed under: Class 3, Class 4, Class 5, Rivers in Cuzco Region | No Comments »
Apurimac means “the voice of God” in Quechua and has been an important part of the Andean landscape for centuries. There is a 2-3 day stretch of whitewater on the Apurimac that has become a popular raft trip for visitors to Cuzco. It is a classic trip that is run from May to October. The [...]
Posted on January 16th, 2009 by kurt
Filed under: Class 4, Class 5, Rivers in Cuzco Region | 1 Comment »
October 2010 update The Upper Huallaga has finally conquered. See passage at end of post but first a bit of history In early July 1999 Ethan Green, John Mattson, Mark Fair and myself bailed out of a first descent after 5 days. Our goal was to reach the town of Tingo Maria at 600 meters [...]
Posted on January 16th, 2009 by kurt
Filed under: Class 5, Rivers in Central Highlands | No Comments »
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