Chili River Rafting near Arequipa: Class II & III Rapids

A morning of paddling through Class II and III rapids, green canyon walls rising around you.

Chili River rafting near Arequipa is a 5 km whitewater adventure on Class II & III rapids, 20 minutes from downtown, with hotel pickup, expert bilingual guide, full safety gear and a light snack included. The experience runs 50–60 minutes of active paddling. No prior rafting experience is required, and the guide assists throughout. Children from age 8 are welcome. Pregnant travelers should not participate.

The experience

How do you get from your hotel to the river without renting a car? The operator picks you up from your accommodation or a meeting point in Arequipa, drives you 20 minutes to the base camp at Ecorígenes Charcani, and you're geared up and briefed before the paddling starts. That's the setup that makes this work for anyone staying in the city.

Once on the water, you spend 50–60 minutes paddling through a scenic stretch of the Chili River. The rapids are Class II and III: fast enough to feel real, manageable enough that beginners paddle without panic. Your guide stays with the group the whole time, calling out strokes, reading the current, and steadying anyone who needs it. The canyon walls are green and close; the water moves; you're doing the work, not watching someone else do it.

After you come off the river, there's a light snack (water and a cookie), while you catch your breath. Then the drive back to Arequipa, with drop-off at an authorized stop or as close to your hotel as the route allows. The whole outing, from pickup to return, takes about three hours. Professional photos are available as an add-on if you want to keep the moments.

What’s included

• Round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off in Arequipa.
• expert bilingual guide in English and Spanish.
• full rafting gear including wetsuit, splash jacket, life jacket, helmet and neoprene shoes.
• safety briefing and continuous assistance from guides throughout.
• light snack of water and cookie after the paddle.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 11:00 and 14:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (8 to 12 years) · Under 8: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 25

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by Cusipata Rafting Arequipa

Is this one for you?If you're staying in Arequipa without a car, the pickup from your hotel solves the transport problem and gets you to the river in 20 minutes: no arranging a separate ride, no navigating to the base camp yourself. The guide speaks English and Spanish, so language isn't a barrier to following instructions or asking questions on the water.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (8 to 12 years). Under 8: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How far is the Chili River from downtown Arequipa?

The Chili River base camp at Ecorígenes Charcani is about 20 minutes from downtown Arequipa by vehicle, included in your pickup and drop-off.

Do I need rafting experience to paddle the Chili River?

No experience is required. The Class II & III rapids are beginner-friendly, and your expert guide assists you throughout the 50–60 minutes of paddling, calling out strokes and steadying the raft as needed.

What gear do I get, and do I need to bring anything?

Full rafting gear is provided: wetsuit, splash jacket, life jacket, helmet and neoprene shoes. Bring a change of clothes and a towel. The operator supplies everything else for the water.

What happens if I want photos of the rafting?

Professional photos are available as an optional add-on at checkout, so you can capture and relive the moments on the water.

How long does the whole experience take from pickup to return?

The full outing is about three hours, including hotel pickup, the safety briefing, 50–60 minutes of paddling, a light snack, and return drop-off to Arequipa.