Summary

Cotahuasi River Valley (June and July)

Prices From	USD$ $2,850.00
1st Departure	05.31.2009
Provider	Global Descents
Destination	Peru
Duration	11days
Challenge	Moderate
Avg Rating	Not Rated

  At over twice the depth of Arizona’s Grand Canyon, the Cotahuasi is the deepest canyon in the world!  Measuring 11,587 feet from river to rim, this scarcely-explored Peruvian wilderness remains one of the most pristine environments on Earth.  The Cotahuasi River Canyon features a rare glimpse into the Incan world; a geologic, floral, and faunal paradise; and a river-runner’s dream!  Draining the western slope of the Andes Mountains, the waterway courses 100 miles over a continuous series of Class IV and V drops, making it one of the most gripping stretches of commercially run whitewater anywhere.  Visitors to the Cotahuasi encounter some the rarest and the most extraordinary Incan archeological sites, visit a quaint Peruvian village replete with natural hot springs, spot enormous Andean Condors, and experience one of the most fantastic wilderness river expeditions on Earth!     

Cotahuasi – Brief Itinerary

Day 1-  Arrive in Arequipa, met by your expedition leader and transfer to first class accommodations. 

Day 2-  Transfer from Arequipa to the Andean town of Cotahuasi.

Day 3-  Explore the town of Cotahuasi and relax at local hot springs.

Day 4-  Hike from Cotahuasi, around Sipia Falls, and down into the Cotahuasi Canyon and to the river.

Day 5-10-  Rafting the Cotahuasi River, one of the world’s greatest river expeditions.

Day 10-  Float to he take-out and transfer to Arequipa for celebration fiesta and first class accommodations.

Day 11-  Transfer to the airport for flight to Lima and home or on to your next destination.

Itinerary

Day 1

After a short domestic flight from Lima, you arrive in the southern city of Arequipa.  At the airport you will meet your expedition leader and will transfer directly to your first class accommodations.  Tonight, during dinner, we’ll cover all of the details of our upcoming adventure.

Day 2

This morning we’ll leave Arequip early morning for a day’s drive to the town of Cotahuasi.  Our journey will take us over a 15,000 foot pass with spectacular views of the 21,000 foot Coropuna Volcano.

Day 3

Today we’ll spend exploring the narrow streets of this fascinating interesting Andean town.  In the afternoon we’ll take the short drive to the Luicho Hot Springs for a nice soak to help prepare us for the long hike ahead of us in the morning.

Day 4

After loading our gear onto mules this morning, we’ll begin our day-long trek down the canyon and to the river.  Our hike will take us around the colossal Sipia Falls, which cascades more than 400 feet.  We’ll continue for a short distance on an ancient Incan trail 3000 feet above the river before beginning our decent into the river canyon.  Tonight we camp at our riverside put-in.

 

Day 5-9

Day five we begin the river portion of the expedition.  After a detailed safety orientation and paddling introduction, we head downstream into the deepest and one of the least-explored canyons in the world!  Over the course next 6 days and 100 miles, we’ll paddle some of the finest, most continuous class IV and V whitewater in the on Earth.  We’ll stop frequently to rest, to absorb the splendor of this extraordinary place, and to explore the numerous pre-Incan and Incan ruins.  Every afternoon we’ll pull our boat ashore and make camp, oftentimes at the site of abandoned Incan villages, pitching our tents directly beside traces of ancient civilization.  We’ll share decadent dinners, hot breakfasts, and plentiful lunches as we peruse the sky for soaring gigantic Andean Condors; and we’ll leave ample time for exploring side canyons, ancient trails leading out of our camps, and for recuperating every night.  The quality of our journey through the Cotahuasi canyoncannot go understated - this is one of the Earth’s wonders in terms of spectacular scenery, wilderness remoteness, archeological exploration, and expedition quality!

Day 10

The whitewater subsides substantially as we begin to float past small villages and local fisherman harvesting the river.  We arrive at our take-out mid-morning, eat a great lunch, de-rig and load all of our equipment.  Bidding farewell to the miraculous Cotahuasi River Canyon, we’ll make a quick stop for cold beverages and then travel seven hours to our deluxe accommodations in Arequipa.  After cleaning up we’ll reconvene for an extravagant final fiesta.  Congratulations to completing one of the world’s most remote and challenging river expeditions!

Day 11

After breakfast, we’ll transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima and home.

Gear List

What To Bring  (Cotahuasi)

-river sandals that stay on your feet (Chacos or better)
-lightweight hiking shoes
-warm, packable sleeping bag
-water bottle with carabiner to attach to the raft
-headlamp/headtorch
-brimmed hat for sun protection
-sunglasses with retainers
-sunscreen
-camera (waterproof for the raft)
-lightweight pants/shirt for camp
- clothes for town before and after trip
-polypropylene/ capilene top and bottoms
-lightweight shell/raingear
-warm fleece jacket and pants
-warm hat, socks and gloves
-swimsuit/swim shorts
-lightweight shell
-book/journal
-toiletries

Optional

-binoculars
-personal first aid kit
-Spanish language book
-book on ancient Incan culture

Global Descents Provides

-All meals upon arrival in Arequipa
-All transportation during your trip with Global Descents
-All rafting equipment (wetsuit, life jacket, fully adjustable helmet, nylon paddling jacket)
-Quality expedition tent
-Comfortable Therma-Rest sleeping pad
-World class guide team
-Good Clean Fun!

 

Travel Information

Activity Location Arequipa, Peru Arequipa, Peru

Destination Location Peru Travel Tips Water- Unfortunately, water for consumption while traveling internationally is not always as reliable as your water at home.  It is imperative that we all pay close attention to our own personal hygiene and staying healthy before and throughout the river expedition.  Please be dutiful in washing your hands continuously throughout the trip, especially before and after eating and using the toilet.  We cannot trust tap water and water served from unknown sources.  Drink only bottled water, or bring your own water purification system or tablets.  Your staff will always provide plenty of clean water throughout the river portion of the expedition. Health Precautions-Recommended immunizations include Typhoid and Hepatitis A-B. Please contact the Center for Disease Control, your personal physician or the Global Descents travel desk for more information. Visa Requirements- There are no Visa requirements for stay in Peru up to ninety days.  You need only to possess a passport that remains valid for at least six months after your planned departure date from Peru. Money- The national currency of Peru is the Sol, which comes in denominations of S/. 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. At the time of this writing, the exchange with the U.S dollar was S/.3.3 to 1 USD. Foreign currency can be exchanged in all change bureaus.  Change houses offer better exchange rates than banks.  ATMs are also available throughout the country’s larger cities. Shopping- There is excellent shopping throughout Peru.  All transactions will take place in Soles so make sure that you visit the change house or ATM prior to heading to the market.  Iberica, the renowned chocolate factory in Arequipa is a must see attraction.  Incan wool goods, ceramics, and incredible restaurants await throughout the country, as well.  Resist food sold on the street as sanitation regulations do not exist for these vendors.   Trip Extensions Machu Pichu-Inca Trail Colossal Machu Pichu, the “Lost City of the Incas,” is among the most well-preserved and isolated archeological sites on Earth.  Tucked away high in the Peruvian Andes, the ancient retreat consists of stone palaces and temples, expansive courtyards, and dedications to Incan deities.  The Sapa Inca Pachacuti built the town sometime in the mid 15th century, and it was used by the Incan nobility until the Spanish conquest of Peru in 1532.  From that point on the site was virtually forgotten by the outside world until being re-discovered by archaeologist Hiram Bingham in 1911.  Our trip features an overnight train ride that takes us to the base of the ruins at legendary Aguas Calientes, and follows with an extraordinary excursion through the ruins and around the Machu Pichu area.  Contact Global Descents travel office for more details! Nearby Destinations Arequipa Situated in the Andes at an altitude of 7740 feet, Arequipa was founded in 1540 by Spanish explorer Manuel Garci de Carbajal, and remains one of the most charming cities in South America.  Derived from a Quechua phrase translated as “come and stay” Arequipa beckons visitors with its stunning architecture, being constructed almost entirely of sillar, a dazzling white volcanic stone.  The districts of “La Ciudad Blanca (The White City,)” as the city is commonly known, contrast between native influence and colonial heritage.  Three snow-capped volcanoes, El Misti, Chachani, and Picchu Picchu encompass the metropolis.  The convent of Santa Catalina, constructed as a city within the city in 1580, housed 450 nuns for more than four centuries.  Stories and legends circulated throughout the city about the mysterious convent until it opened its doors to the public in 1970; today it stands as a curious attraction.  UNESCO named the historic city center of Arequipa a World Heritage Site in 2000. Cusco The ancient town of Cusco was the political capital of the Incan Empire.  Positioned at 11,500 feet high in the Peruvian Andes, the picturesque town offers a combination of enchanting old-world character and simple modernity.  The town remains the starting point for Machu-Pichu/Incan tours, and hosts a variety of sites within the city, including the palace of the Incas, the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Virgins of the Sun.  The impressive Spanish Cathedral of Santo Domingo serves as a reminder of the area’s post-Columbian heritage.  Visitors interested in Incan history must pay a visit to the Incan center town of Cusco!