White Water Rafting and Kayaking in South America
All that water flowing down the Andes creates one of the planet’s most exciting rafting scenes. Rivers barrel down both flanks of this massive mountain range offering everything from class II to class VI white water. The more mellow rivers of the Amazon Basin are great for float trips. Rio Futaleufú, Chile
Widely regarded as one of the planet’s greatest white water rivers, this marvel in northern Patagonia features intense class II-V rapids in its milky blue waters. The Fu, as it’s known, is revered by hardcore kayakers around the globe.
Cubato and Tijucas rivers, Brazil: Virgin rainforest births some of Brazil’s most powerful rivers, and these two beauties near Florianopolis are among the most popular. Conditions range from class II to class IV and the scenery is superb.
Tuichi river, Bolivia: The Tuichi runs right through the amazing Madidi National Park, ensuring unbeatable Amazon scenery from start to finish. Incredible flora and fauna can make it hard to concentrate on the class II-IV rapids of this river.
Cajón de Maipo, Chile: The Maipo river’s proximity to Santiago makes it a popular rafting destination for those on a tight schedule. The valley where this river runs is one of Chile’s most scenic, and the rapids just exciting enough for rafters of all levels.
Cotahuasi and Colca rivers, Peru: The 13,000-foot vertical walls that contain the Cotahuasi and Colca rivers are rated as two of the most challenging white water rivers on earth. Only class IV conditions and up can be found among the deep canyons of this Peruvian highlight.
Mendoza river, Argentina: The best whitewater in Argentina churns its way along the Mendoza. You can raft it year-round, but during the spring snow melt the river surges to class IV and V levels.
Rio Apurímac, Peru : The stunning scenery is a big reason to raft this incredible river near Cusco. It passes through a 3,000m (9,843 foot) canyon, where class III-V rapids are squeezed through the channel before mellowing out in a wildlife-infested area.
Río Manso, Argentina: This startlingly green river near Bariloche is divided into two raftable sections. The Frontera is an exhilarating white water ride, while the Inferior involves relaxing paddling and great bird watching.
Río Napo, Ecuador: The Napo River flows down the eastern flanks of the Andes into the Amazon Basin, forming a class III beauty that passes through some extraordinary rainforest.
Petrohue River, Chile: Among the many highlights of this Chilean adventure is the Osorno Volcano looming in the distance. The waters of the Petrohue are unnaturally green, and its class III and IV white water perfectly exhilarating.