Discover the Marañón River, one of the most spectacular rafting expeditions in Peru and the heart of what is often called the Grand Canyon of South America. Over 9 days, you will travel more than 140 kilometers through deep canyons, Class 3 and 4 rapids, isolated beaches, waterfalls, natural pools and landscapes that change dramatically from the dry Andes to the Amazon. The Marañón is not just a river: it is one of the country’s most unique ecosystems. Along the way, you will pass through seasonally dry forests, towering rock walls, cactus-covered slopes, hidden ravines and areas of tropical vegetation where waterfalls, springs and sandy beaches appear, perfect for camping. As we continue downstream, the landscape gradually transforms into greener and more humid terrain, creating a unique feeling of traveling between the Andes and the jungle. This journey combines adventure, nature and local culture. We will navigate some of the best rapids on the Marañón, including iconic sections such as Tupén Grande, San Lucas, Playa El Inca, Shingate, Magdalena and Lin Lin. We will also visit remote communities such as Tupén and Mendán, where life still moves at a completely different pace and where it is possible to spend time with local families, visit rural schools and experience the hospitality of the canyon. During the expedition, we will also explore hidden waterfalls, natural pools and ancient rock paintings attributed to the Chachapoyas culture, located high above the Marañón canyons. One of the most impressive parts of the journey is the Marañón Libre Conservation Area, where some of the best views of the trip can be found, along with spectacular red rock walls that give the river an almost prehistoric atmosphere. In addition to the rafting experience, you will share campsites, campfires, meals by the river and nights under the stars, becoming a true part of the expedition team. The remote beaches, canyon sunrises and simple camp life make this experience much more than just rafting. As an optional extension, the trip can continue to Chachapoyas and the so-called Kingdom of the Clouds, a cloud forest region full of history and spectacular scenery. There, travelers can visit places such as Kuelap, the Karajía sarcophagi, Gocta Waterfall, Yumbilla Waterfall and other unique landscapes of the ancient Chachapoyas territory, surrounded by mountains, mist and green forests. An ideal journey for those seeking authentic adventure, unique landscapes and one of the most important, biodiverse and threatened rivers in Peru.
Guaranteed Departure. Check out the trip schedule below.
Most people fly to Cajamarca (there are also overnight buses available). If you arrive early, you can spend the afternoon tasting Cajamarca’s famous cheese and chocolate. We meet at 6 p.m. in the hotel lobby for a group welcome dinner and orientation.
We depart by bus at 8 a.m. from Cajamarca, and we will arrive in Balsas before noon. This calm section is perfect for practicing rafting commands and safety procedures. We will arrive at the camp to give instructions on how everything will work during the trip (kitchen, bathroom, handwashing station, dishwashing area, etc.).
A hike to pre-Inca ruins and tombs with an impressive panoramic view; we will explore the ravine with fruit and coca crops, then we can cool off in a reservoir. We will arrive in Mendan early in the afternoon, spend time with the community, and then have dinner with one of the local families.
We will paddle 10 km of fun rapids to Tupen Grande, hike to the village waterfall, have lunch at a local family’s home, and continue rafting in the afternoon until reaching the camp after the San Lucas rapid (3+).
Canyon section, the deepest and narrowest part of the Canyon; we will pass the site where the mega-dam Chadín II is planned to be built, run the Playa del Inca (4) and Magdalena (4) rapids, and camp before Lin Lin (4).
Lin Lin (IV) in the morning; we will paddle other fun Class III rapids before reaching the camp after the Saura rapid (3+). In this section, we will begin to observe the rapid change in vegetation as we move deeper into the jungle.
We will arrive at the camp for an early lunch, and later in the afternoon we will hike to waterfalls with natural pools of indescribable beauty. (These 10 km can be completed the day before, allowing for a full rest day if the group prefers.)
We will stop to admire a large cave, then continue floating as we take in the incredible jungle landscapes and enjoy the last rapids before entering the wide Bagua valley. We will arrive in Puerto Malleta at approximately 2 p.m., where transportation will be waiting to take us back to Cajamarca, arriving around 10 p.m.
This itinerary includes broad and conservative time margins, which will allow us to maintain a flexible program according to the opportunities that arise in the communities and the group’s preferences throughout the trip.