The Best South America White Water Rafting Trips

South America White Water Rafting
Photo courtesy South American Outdoors

South America White Water Rafting trips are known for world class rivers originating in the Andes Mountains, has exciting expeditions that take you through spectacular canyons, tropical rain forests, and native villages.

The criteria for the Best South America White Water Rafting is based on rivers that fall into the Classes III - V, have long periods of rapids, and great scenery.





The Top South America White Water Rafting Trips

Futaleufu River, Chile
Class V
Widely regarded as one the best White water rafting experiences in the world, the Caribbean colored river runs down through the Andes from a chain of sunny lakes in Argentina to the Pacific. The rugged glacial mountains and vegetation provide a beautiful background to a world class rafting experience, with no bugs. Beware, upper Class V section has been a magnet to the most expert rafters from around the world. Many of the trip operators offer private camps with luxurious stone hot tubs, tree houses, natural stone shelters with fire places, and horse back riding. The 40-mile run has some of the world’s most intense Class V rapids. A popular spot is the Thrown Room, a massive, rolling stretch leading to a huge boulder, where rafters have to choose between running an intense rapid on one side or paddle through a raft gulping hole on the other. There are trips that have optional arrangements for Class IV participants to avoid the Class V rapids.
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Stay at:
Futaleufu River Bio Expeditions Camp
Futaleufu, Chile
Multi-sport trip in the heart of Patagonia! Activities include: white water rafting the Class IV-V Futaleufu River, hiking and horseback riding, fly fishing, daily yoga classes, and mountain biking! Stay at our deluxe riverside adventure camp with hot tub, sunset bar, massage, wine tasting, and more!


Rio Upano, Ecuador
Class: IV - V
October to February. This is a very scenic, tropical white water rafting experience that takes you down to the Amazon Basin in Ecuador through warm water, the tropical heat, virgin rain forests, and beautiful 100-foot-high waterfalls. Located in the center of the country in the Tungurahua Province, the town is conveniently located at the base of the Tungurahua Volcano and is the last major town before the Amazon Basin begins, giving it the nickname as the "Gateway to the Amazon"
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Stay at:
Boutique Hotel Mansion del Angel
Quito, Ecuador
This former mansion, built in the 19th century, overlooks Alameda Park and is a 10-minute walk from Quito´s historic quarter. It offers luxurious accommodations and is restored in its original charm. The large and spacious rooms and suites all feature a unique décor.


Rio Cotahuasi, Peru
Class IV-V
Peru has some of the best white water rivers in the world with awesome scenery, native villages, hot springs, world-class rapids, spectacular campsites, unexplored archaeological ruins, and spectacular canyons. A trip down the Cotahuasi River will take you through the deepest canyon in the world, twice the depth of Arizona’s Grand Canyon, measuring 11,587 feet from river to rim. The Rio Cotahuasi is one of the relatively unknown world class rafting spots with it's first descent in 1994. The river has over 100 miles over a continuous stretches of Class IV and V drops, one of the longest in the world.
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Stay at::
Casa Andina
Lima, Peru
This hotel is located in the Miraflores area, close to Kennedy Park, Larcomar, and Huaca Pucllana. Local attractions also include Olivar Park and National Museum. Hotel restaurant In addition to a restaurant, Casa Andina Select - Miraflores features a spa tub. Other amenities include complimentary wireless Internet access and a business center.