Arequipa: Río Chili Rafting Tour with Pickup & Gear

Summary

Rafting the Río Chili near Arequipa with local guides and city pickup

You’ll feel your heart race as you paddle through Río Chili’s rapids just outside Arequipa, guided by locals who know every twist and splash. With hotel pickup and all gear included, even first-timers can dive in. Expect laughter (and maybe some nerves), riverside snacks afterward, and memories that stick long after you dry off.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I was a bit nervous when we pulled up to the riverbank — not scared exactly, but you know that jittery feeling when you’re about to do something totally new? The Río Chili looked colder than I expected, with this kind of sharp brightness in the water. Our guide, Javier, handed me a wetsuit and grinned like he’d seen my face before. “Don’t worry, it’s only cold at first,” he said. I believed him… sort of.

The drive from Arequipa’s center was so quick — maybe 20 minutes? We were still joking about breakfast by the time we got there. There was this faint smell of eucalyptus along the road and a few dogs chasing each other near the put-in spot. Once we suited up (the booties felt weirdly good), Javier gave us a rundown in both Spanish and English. He made us practice paddling on land first — I definitely splashed myself before we even got in. So yeah, coordination is harder than it looks.

Once we hit the rapids, everything just snapped into focus. The river isn’t huge but it’s fast — Class III mostly, with some bits that felt wilder (I think they said Class IV?). Water slapped my face a couple times and I actually laughed out loud; I didn’t expect to have that much fun getting soaked. At one point we passed under an old bridge where two kids waved at us from above — I waved back but almost lost my paddle doing it.

After about an hour on the water (honestly felt shorter), we climbed out shivering but smiling. They had snacks waiting — some sweet bread and hot tea that tasted better than anything fancy after all that splashing around. My hands were still shaking from adrenaline or maybe just cold. The ride back into Arequipa was quiet; everyone kind of sunk into their seats, wet hair dripping, nobody really needing to talk much right then. I still think about that view downriver as we left — something about the light bouncing off the rocks stuck with me.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Rafting on Río Chili near Arequipa

• Drive 20 minutes from Arequipa center
• Raft 6-7 km on Río Chili
• Navigate Class II, III, and IV rapids
• Enjoy 1 hour rafting on the river
• Return to starting point

Top questions

How far is Río Chili from Arequipa city center?

The river put-in is about a 20-minute drive from central Arequipa.

Is previous rafting experience required?

No experience is needed; guides explain everything for beginners.

What class are the rapids on this tour?

The section includes mostly Class II and III rapids, with some Class IV parts.

How long does the whole rafting trip take?

The full tour lasts about 3 hours door-to-door, with roughly one hour on the water.

Are children allowed on this rafting tour?

Yes, children can join if accompanied by an adult.

Is hotel pickup included for all hotels?

Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in Arequipa’s city center only.

What should I bring for rafting Río Chili?

You don’t need special gear; wetsuit, helmet, life vest, booties, and splash jacket are provided.

Are snacks provided after rafting?

Yes, a post-rafting snack is included at the end of the activity.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off within Arequipa’s city center, all river gear like helmet, wetsuit and booties so you don’t have to pack anything extra, expert local guides leading you through each rapid safely (and with plenty of jokes), plus snacks waiting for you when you finish paddling down Río Chili together.