Marañon River, CAjamarca - amazonas
Rio Marañón flows through heart of the Peruvian Andes on way to Amazon
Has carved spectacular valley - comparable to Grand Canyon - in Northern Peru
Rafting is best - and sometimes only - way to enjoy this remote wonder.
Accommodation during journey is in tents on pristine river beaches.
Side excursions to friendly villages, ancient rock art, waterfalls & natural pools.
Choice of 3-day snapshot … or 8-day epic, beginning in Cajamarca & ending in Jaen or Chachapoyas.
Overview
The Marañón River is Peru’s second longest river and a major tributary of the mighty Amazon.
It rises some 160 km (100 miles) to the northeast of Lima, and flows in a northerly, then easterly direction, through the Andes, until it meets the Ucayali River, near Nauta, Loreto, to become the Amazon River.
Marañon River - Peru’s Grand Canyon?
Along the course of its 1,737 km (1,079 miles), the Marañon travels through jaw-dropping mountain, cloud forest, high and low jungle scenery.
Adventurers now have the chance to raft one of the most spectacular sections, from Balsas to Puerto Malleta, in the province of Amazonas.
Access is from Cajamarca Airport, with the exit point - 8 days later - being close to Chachapoyas and Jaen Airport.
Alternatively, for those shorter in time, there is an intense 3-day journey, beginning and ending in Jaen, and incorporating a day and a half in the raft.
There is time to run the exciting Palaguas Rapids, as well as explore the waterfalls, pools and rock paintings around Lonya Grande.
Prices
| Itinerary | Length | Prices From |
|---|---|---|
| Marañon Rafting | 3 Days | £341 / $440 |
| Marañon Rafting | 8 Days | £1,340 / $1,730 |
Included in the above 3-Day Marañon Rafting price:
● 1 night’s hotel in Lonya Grande
● 1 night’s fully-supported camping in tents.
● All meals specified in itinerary.
● All river rafting & camping equipment
● All transfers & entrance fees.
● English & Spanish-speaking guides.
Included in the above 8-Day Marañon Rafting price:
● 1 night’s hotel in Cajamarca
● 6 nights’ fully-supported camping in tents.
● All meals specified in itinerary.
● All river rafting & camping equipment
● All transfers & entrance fees.
● English & Spanish-speaking guides.
Not included:
● Items on packing list.
● Travel Insurance to cover rafting up to class IV
● Personal alcoholic beverages
● Flights
Dates
3D Marañon Rafting Dates: 2023
There are no set departure dates, but we can arrange for groups of 4 or more any time from May to November.
8D Marañon Rafting Dates: 2023
Fri, May 12 - Fri, May 19
Fri, May 26 - Fri, Jun 2
Fri, Jun 9 - Fri, Jun 16
Fri, Jun 23 - Fri, Jun 30
Fri, Jul 7 - Fri, Jul 14
Fri, Jul 21 - Fri, Jul 28
Fri, Aug 4 - Fri, Aug 11
Fri, Sep 1 - Fri, Sep 8
Fri, Sep 15 - Fri, Sep 22
Fri, Sep 29 - Fri, Oct 6
Fri, Oct 13 - Fri, Oct 20
Fri, Oct 27 - Fri, Nov 3
Fri, Nov 10 - Fri, Nov 17
Fri, Nov 24 - Fri, Dec 1
NB. Marañon Rafting expeditions will depart on the above dates, with a minimum of 4 passengers. Those dates in bold are guaranteed to depart.
3D Itinerary
Day 1: Jaen or Bagua Grande or Chachapoyas - Lonya Grande
On arrival at Jaen Airport, we welcome you and then drive to the village Lonya Grande, a journey of some three hours.
Alternatively we can pick you up in Bagua Grande or Chachapoyas.
Dinner & overnight at Hotel Renacer, or similar.
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2: Lonya Grande - Marañon River - Tingo Palaguas: Carachupe Petroglyphs & Cataracts
Natural pool at Las Cascadas.
We should wake up this morning to stunning views over the Marañon Valley.
After breakfast and a briefing on the day’s activities, we pack our things and then visit the Petroglyphs at Carachupe.
We then make the short, but stunning drive down into the Marañón Valley.
We have an early lunch, before hiking up to Cascada Libre and Las Cascadas, stunning geological formations created by streams carving their way through sandstone as they descended into the valley.
After a safety briefing, we board the rafts to paddle down to Tingo Palaguas, where Roy and the Carrasco family host us at their riverside beach camp.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Tingo Palaguas - Red Canyon - Puerto Malleta - Jaen or Chachapoyas
Dry Forest scenery in Marañon Valley.
We recommend an early start in order to explore the Dry Forest which surrounds Tingo, and the steep-walled Palaguas River Canyon.
Early morning is the best time to spot the endemic birdlife that inhabits these forests.
We then enjoy a hearty breakfast back at camp, before launching onto the river once again, to take on the exhilarating Palaguas Rapid.
The rest of the morning is spent paddling through the Marañon River’s incredible Red Canyon, making stops along the way to rest and enjoy the views.
We have lunch in Puerto Malleta, before boarding a private vehicle to drive back to Jaen, or onwards to Cocachimba (for Gocta Waterfall) or Chachapoyas.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
8D Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Cajamarca
On arrival at Cajamarca Airport, a driver will meet you and take you to the designated hotel.
The rest of the day is free to explore downtown Cajamarca, try some of the local dairy produce and/or the hot springs at Baños del Inca.
This evening, we have an introductory briefing and dinner.
Dinner & overnight at Hotel Laguna Seca, or similar.
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2: Cajamarca - Balsas
After breakfast, we make the impressive four-hour drive through the Peruvian highlands to Celendin, before descending 1,900 m (6,234 ft) to the town of Balsas in the Marañon Canyon.
On arrival at the river, we have lunch and sort out all the rafting and camping equipment, in readiness for entering the river.
Our expert river guides give a safety briefing and training for the upcoming rapids. We will be travelling in a 5-m (16-ft) oar-assisted raft.
Almost as soon as we have set off, we plunge into the Class-III Balsas Rapid, which gives a taste of what is to come.
Tent set up on Marañon River beach.
Once through the rapids, we run through a set of rescue drills, to prepare us safely for the journey ahead.
After some two hours on the river, we arrive at our first beach campsite, near Playa el Cura, for our first night under canvas.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rafting Distance: 16 km (10 miles)
Day 3: Playa el Cura - Mendan
This morning, early, we have the option of a sunrise hike to the cliff-top pre-Inca ruins at Playa el Cura, where there are great views of the Marañon River canyon.
The trail is only 2 km (1.25 miles) but on account of the steepness, takes 1.5 hours in total.
We then board the rafts again to continue downriver, encountering several Class-III rapids along the way. This is a remote, wild stretch, where the winds can be strong in the afternoon.
Mixed age & gender soccer in Mendan. Shinpads optional!
Our aim is to reach the friendly village of Mendán.
Here we can try the locally-grown coconuts and fruits, have a cold beer … and perhaps have a game of football with the local kids!
Dinner is a home-cooked meal in Mendan.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rafting Distance / Time: 29 km (18 miles) / 6 hours approx.
Day 4: Mendan - Tupen
After a lazy morning and breakfast, we say goodbye to our new-found friends in Mendan, and board the rafts again.
It is just a short, fun float, over continuous Class-III rapids, to the village of Tupén.
In the afternoon, we can explore the area. It is just a short walk, through fields, to the village centre and school, where the kids are always keen to practice their English, have a game of football … or show off their incredible treehouse!
For a more challenging hike, just ask your guide.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rafting Distance / Time: 8 km (5 miles) / 1.5 hrs
Day 5: Marañon River: Class III - IV Rapids
White water on the Marañon River.
Today is a day of whitewater, as we tackle a number of Class-III - IV rapids including:
Tupén Grande
San Lucas
Playa el Inca
Shingate
Magdalena
We also pass the proposed site of the Chadin II Dam, which thanks to the determination of locals, has not been given the go-ahead.
Tonight we camp on a stunning, deserted river beach in the heart of the canyon.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rafting Distance / Time: 27 km (17 miles) / 6 hours approx.
Day 6: LinLin - Marañon Libre Conservation Area
Today we float through the deepest and most isolated part of the canyon. As we descend, the vegetation becomes lusher.
Marañon Libre Conservation Area.
Early in the day, we confront LinLin Rapid, the largest on this section of the river.
This is followed by several more rapids, before we arrive at Marañon Libre Conservation Area, where we can relax and enjoy one of the most stunning vistas of the trip.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rafting Distance / Time: 38 km (24 miles) / 6 hours approx.
Dramatic entry into natural pool at Las Cascadas.
Day 7: Las Cascadas & Rock Paintings
After breakfast, we set off on foot to explore the geological phenomenon called Las Cascadas.
This is made up of dozens of natural pools and cataracts, formed by small streams descending towards the Marañon.
We can lounge in these pools, while taking in the stunning views over the Marañon Valley.
In the late morning, we travel downstream to Tingo Palaguas, the location of the Carrasco family’s farm, where we stop for a homemade lunch.
Cave paintings near Tingo Palaguas.
In 2019, the family discovered ancient rock paintings on a rocky outcrop high above the Marañón.
We visit these paintings, after lunch, and learn how they played a key role in preventing the damming of the river.
In the afternoon, we raft one of the most scenic sections of the entire Marañon Canyon: red sandstone walls and lush green shrubs clinging to cliffs.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rafting Distance / Time: 9 km (6 miles) / 2 hours approx.
Day 8: Puerto Malleta - Jaen
After navigating the final rapids of our journey, we arrive at Puerto Malleta. Here we have a celebratory final lunch before saying goodbye to our river team.
Transport is provided to make the two hour journey back to Jaen Airport, for a flight back to Lima.
Alternatively, we can transfer to Cocachimba (for Gocta Waterfall) or Chachapoyas, a journey of roughly four hours.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Rafting Distance / Time: 17 km (10.5 miles) / 2.5 hours approx.
