Vilcanota River Rafting and Zipline: Class III-IV Rapids

Vilcanota River whitewater and a zipline drop at the same camp

Rafting and zipline adventure from Cusco on the Vilcanota River, one of Peru's premier whitewater runs. You paddle class III, III+ and IV rapids for several hours with a professional English-speaking guide, then zip down two lines at the same riverside camp before returning to the city. Pickup from your Cusco hotel is included. All rafting gear, wetsuit, life-jacket and helmet are provided. The full day runs 8 hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Rafting and zipline adventure

• Pick up from accommodation in Cusco
• Drive to Oropesa and pick up bread
• Drive to rafting starting point
• Get geared up and safety briefing
• Raft on Vilcanota River rapids
• Reach camp and change clothes
• Have lunch at camp
• Zipline on two fun ziplines
• Drive back to Cusco city centre

The experience

A van picks you up from your Cusco hotel between 8:30 and 9:00am. Timing varies because the driver collects passengers from several hotels across the city, so be ready in the lobby. The half-hour drive takes you to Oropesa, a small Andean town where you stop for fresh homemade bread to take along for lunch. Then it's on to the Vilcanota River, where you'll gear up and get a safety briefing from your guide before entering the water.

The Vilcanota is one of Peru's most important rivers for whitewater rafting, and you'll paddle class III, III+ and IV rapids surrounded by Andean landscape. The rapids keep coming for hours. This is not a gentle float. You're in the boat with other travelers, all paddling together, and the guide navigates from the stern. After the water work, you reach camp where you can change into dry clothes and eat lunch.

At the same camp, you then clip into a harness and zip down two lines: a different kind of adrenaline after hours in the river. The ride back to Cusco is a chance to rest. You'll be dropped at the city centre by late afternoon. All rafting equipment, wetsuit, life-jacket and helmet stay with you for the day, and a professional guide who speaks English leads both the water and the zipline sections.

What’s included

• Pickup from your Cusco hotel.
• professional English-speaking guide.
• all rafting equipment including wetsuit, life-jacket and helmet.
• lunch at the riverside camp.
• two zipline descents.
• return transport to Cusco city centre.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (7 to 77 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Bamba Travel

Is this one for you?Book this if you want hands-on paddling through class III and IV rapids rather than watching from shore. You'll be actively working the paddle for hours in a shared group boat.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

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.

What are the rapids like on the Vilcanota River?

The Vilcanota carries class III, III+ and IV rapids, which means continuous whitewater with waves and obstacles that require active paddling and some technical skill, but no portaging. You'll spend several hours on the water paddling through them.

Do I need rafting experience to book this?

No prior experience is required. Your guide provides a safety briefing before you enter the water, and you paddle as part of a group with the guide steering from the stern. Moderate physical fitness is needed because you're paddling for hours and the rapids are continuous.

What happens at the camp after rafting?

At the riverside camp, you change into dry clothes, eat lunch, and then zip down two ziplines before heading back to Cusco. The ziplines are at the same location, so there's no additional travel.

What's included in the price?

Pickup from your Cusco hotel, all rafting gear (wetsuit, life-jacket, helmet), the professional guide, lunch, and the zipline experience are all included. Drinks at lunch and rafting shoes are available as add-ons at checkout.

What time does pickup happen and where do I meet the group?

Pickup runs between 8:30 and 9:00am from your Cusco hotel. Because the van collects passengers from multiple hotels, your exact time may vary: be ready and waiting in the lobby. You'll be dropped back at Cusco city centre in the late afternoon.

Is this tour suitable for everyone?

The activity is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or those with poor cardiovascular health. You need at least moderate physical fitness because you're paddling continuously through class III and IV rapids for several hours.