Rafting Río Majes from Arequipa: Class III-IV rapids

Run Class III and IV whitewater, then explore the valley that feeds it

A full-day rafting trip on the Río Majes near Arequipa takes you through a 20–25km section of high white-water rapids, with a professional guide, all gear provided, and hotel pickup from the city. After 3 hours on the water, you eat lunch featuring the famous Majes River shrimp and visit the Toro Muerto petroglyphs carved into the valley walls. The river put-in is a 3-hour drive from Arequipa's center; children from age 10 are welcome, and no prior rafting experience is required.

The Experience

How do you get from Arequipa to serious whitewater without spending a week in the backcountry? The answer is the upper Majes River, a 20–25km run of Class III and IV rapids that lives three hours' drive into the Majes Valley. A professional guide meets you at your hotel in Arequipa's city center, drives you to the put-in, and walks you through the gear—helmet, life vest, wetsuit, booties, splash jacket—before you push off into water that demands focus but not mountaineering skill. The rapids come in clusters; between them the river slows enough to breathe and look around.

The 3-hour paddle is the centerpiece, but the valley is the context. Once you're off the water, lunch waits: the Majes River shrimp is what the region grows, and it tastes different here than anywhere else you'll eat it. Then the guide takes you to the Toro Muerto petroglyphs, rock carvings that sit on the valley walls and date back centuries—you walk among them in the afternoon light before the drive back to Arequipa. Breakfast, snacks, and coffee are built into the day; you bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen and water. The guide speaks English, Spanish or German depending on your group.

Children from age 10 can join, though everyone needs to swim and have at least moderate fitness—the rapids are real, and the day is long. Dietary restrictions are handled at booking; vegetarian options exist. The operator asks for your height and shoe size when you reserve, so the gear fits before you arrive.

What’s included

• Professional rafting guide in English, Spanish or German.
• all river gear including helmet, life vest, wetsuit, booties and splash jacket.
• breakfast, lunch featuring Majes River shrimp, snacks and coffee.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Arequipa's city center.
• visit to the Toro Muerto petroglyphs.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for heart conditions

Operated by Kanuwa Rafting

Is this one for you?The rapids demand steady paddling and comfort in moving water, so this trip suits someone with at least moderate fitness who wants to be active on the water rather than watch from a boat. The full day—drive, 3 hours of paddling, lunch, petroglyphs and the return—means an early start and a late finish, which works if you have the time and want the valley experience built in, not just the rapids alone.

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Top questions

What are Class III and IV rapids like for someone who has never rafted before?

Class III and IV rapids on the Río Majes are challenging enough to keep your attention but manageable with instruction and a guide who reads the water. The professional guide walks you through technique before launch and steers from the back of the boat, calling out when to paddle hard and when to brace. Most of the day is active paddling through fast water with waves and holes that rock the boat; between rapids the river settles. No prior experience is required, but you do need to be comfortable in moving water and able to swim.

How far is the drive from Arequipa to the river, and what is the put-in like?

The river put-in is a 3-hour drive from Arequipa's city center. The guide picks you up at your hotel, drives you into the Majes Valley, and reaches the starting point in the morning. The put-in itself is a beach where the guide fits your gear and briefs the group before you launch.

What is the Toro Muerto and how much time do you spend there?

Toro Muerto is a site of ancient petroglyphs carved into the rock walls of the Majes Valley, dating back centuries. After lunch and a rest following the rapids, the guide takes you to walk among the carvings in the afternoon. The time there is not fixed in the itinerary, but it is part of the full-day structure after the water.

What should I bring, and what gear does the operator provide?

Bring a swimsuit, towel, drinking water, sunscreen and insect repellent. The operator provides all river gear—helmet, life vest, wetsuit, booties and splash jacket—fitted to your size at the put-in. Breakfast, lunch with fresh Majes River shrimp, snacks and hot drinks are included; you do not need to pack food.

Can children do this trip, and is there an age limit?

Children are welcome from age 10 and up. They must be able to swim and have at least moderate physical fitness to handle the Class III and IV rapids and the full day of paddling. The guide will brief younger paddlers on technique and safety before launch.

What happens if I have dietary restrictions or allergies?

Vegetarian options are available and can be arranged at booking. The operator asks you to advise any specific dietary requirements or allergies when you reserve, so the meals are prepared to suit your needs.