Cusco: Urubamba River Rafting & Zip Line Day Trip

Urubamba River rapids, zip line thrills, lunch & sauna retreat

You’ll start your day with hotel pickup in Cusco before heading out to raft the Urubamba River’s lively rapids with a local guide. After paddling through cool water and canyon echoes, unwind at Cusipata Lodge with lunch and a hot sauna. Try out their zip line if you’re feeling bold—or just watch others laugh their way across. It’s a day full of energy and small surprises.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip private transport from your hotel in Cusco straight to Cusipata River Lodge where you’ll find lockers for your things before gearing up with wetsuit, helmet, life jacket, spray jacket and neoprene shoes—all provided. You’ll raft with an experienced local guide (and safety kayaker nearby), enjoy a fresh lunch at the lodge after paddling, try out their zip line if you want some extra thrill, then wind down with hot showers and time in their sauna before heading back to town.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Rafting and zip line adventure

• Pick up from hotels in Cusco
• Drive 1.5 hours to Cusipata River Lodge
• Store luggage at private campsite
• Enjoy hot showers and sauna
• Experience rafting on Urubamba River rapids
• Have a delicious lunch
• Excited zip line activity
• Relax and enjoy local hospitality

The Experience

The van picked us up right from our hotel in Cusco—no scrambling for taxis or anything. I remember watching the city fade behind us as we drove out toward the Urubamba River. Our guide, Diego, kept cracking jokes about how “nervous laughter is good luck for first-time rafters.” I didn’t admit it then, but he was probably talking to me. The drive took maybe an hour and a half? It went by fast because everyone was swapping stories about past travel fails (someone lost a shoe in Lake Titicaca—don’t ask). When we finally pulled up to the Cusipata River Lodge, you could smell eucalyptus and wood smoke in the air. I liked that there were proper showers and lockers; makes you feel like you’re not just being thrown into the wild.

Getting into all the rafting gear felt kind of awkward at first—neoprene shoes are tighter than I expected—but Diego made sure everyone’s helmet fit right. He explained how this section of the Urubamba River has rapids that look wild but are actually safe for beginners. Standing on those river stones with cold spray hitting my face, I had this weird mix of nerves and excitement. The water was colder than I thought it’d be (even with the wetsuit), but once we started paddling through those rapids, it was just pure adrenaline and laughter echoing off the canyon walls. There’s this one bend where everything goes quiet for a second except for birds overhead—I still think about that moment.

After rafting, we dried off back at the lodge—my hands were shaking a bit from both cold and thrill—and then came lunch. Simple food always tastes better after something like that; maybe it’s just hunger talking. Someone tried to pronounce “chuquicahuana” and Diego almost choked laughing (I’m still not sure any of us got it right). Then came the zip line—honestly, I wasn’t planning to do it but ended up going twice because it felt like flying over all that green valley below. We finished with time in their sauna; steam rising up while you could still hear distant river sounds outside—it felt good to just sit quietly after so much action.

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Urubamba River rafting tour?

Yes, private transportation picks you up from your hotel in Cusco and brings you back after the tour.

Do I need rafting experience for this day trip?

No experience is necessary—the section of Urubamba River used is suitable for beginners as well as experienced rafters.

Is lunch provided during the rafting & zip line tour?

Yes, lunch is served at Cusipata River Lodge after your activities on the river.

Are showers available after rafting?

Yes, there are hot showers and a relaxing sauna at Cusipata Lodge for use after rafting.

What equipment is included on this Urubamba rafting day trip?

You get all necessary rafting gear: wetsuit, life jacket, helmet, neoprene shoes, plus access to lockers.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options and all areas are wheelchair accessible according to the operator’s info.

How long does it take to reach the river from Cusco?

The drive from Cusco to the put-in point at Cusipata Lodge takes about 1.5 hours each way.