Rafting White Water on Maipo River

· White Water Rafting

Exciting Whitewater Adventures on Maipo River

One of the most exciting and dramatic ways to explore the beauty of the Chilean Andes is by whitewater raft. In addition to its magnificent scenery and delicious wines, Chile is world famous for its whitewater rivers and hosts thousands of visitors each year who come to test themselves against its world class whitewater. The Maipo River is usually among the first stops for whitewater enthusiasts because of its challenging class III and IV whitewater and it`s close proximity to Santiago.

Born high among the summits of the rugged Andes Mountain Range, the Maipo begins as a trickle of melt water when the pure winter snows begin to succumb to the bright summer sun. The trickle soon becomes a torrent as it rushes in streams down through dozens of mountain canyons, finally to merge and form the main body of the river. At an elevation of 1.000 meters, the Maipo cuts through the canyons of Cascada de las Animas and drops over 18 meters per kilometer on it`s rush to the sea. The many boulders which fill the narrow riverbed create a challenging obstacle course and it here that the most exciting rapids can be found. The Cascada de las Animas Nature Sanctuary straddle the roaring rapids where we launch our rafts for the 16 kilometers decent downriver to the town of San Jose de Maipo. Expect to end the trip very wet, and grinning ear to ear wishing that it lasted longer.

Each of our inflatable rafts which make the descent is designed and built for professional use and is equipped with modern whitewater safety equipment. Each raft is under the control and supervision of a trained river guide, and each of our guests is fitted with a special whitewater rafting life preserver, whitewater helmet, rafting wetsuit and splash jacket. Our guides are trained to take "first timers" on the trip and will quickly put you at ease and have you riding the rapids like a professional in fact over 70% of our guests experience the Maipo as their very first whitewater rafting trip.

. Rafting full day with transportation from Santiago
November - March
Class III and IV

09:00 hrs: Our van meets you at your hotel in Santiago.
10:30 hrs: Arrive at Cascada de Las Animas. Meet your guides and get outfitted with your rafting equipment: wetsuit, helmet, splash jacket and life preserver.

The lead guide will give a safety instructional talk to the group and then we will walk to the river where our rafts are waiting.

The Maipo River is rated as a class IV from November to February (snow melting season) and as a class III the rest of the year; in both cases "first timers" are welcomed (no experience required), as well as experienced rafters. From November to February, this fun and exciting trip runs some 16km, passing through beautiful gorges and agricultural terrain typical of the Chilean countryside. The take-out point is the town of San Jose de Maipo, from where we transport you back to Cascada de Las Animas. From March to September the take-out point is at El Melocoton, 9 kms downstream from the put in. In both cases, the time in the water is around 1 hour.

13:30 hrs: Return to Cascada de Las Animas for a hot shower and enjoy a delicious lunch at the restaurant. The evening is free for relaxing at the swimming pool (summer), taking a sauna (winter), or exploring one of the many trails in the Nature Sanctuary.

17:30 hrs: Return to Santiago and your hotel. Arrive at your hotel around 18:30hrs.

. Rafting Adventure for 2 or 3 hours

November - March
hrs 10:30, 13:00 and 15:00
Class III and IV

Arrive at Cascada de Las Animas.

Meet your guides and get outfitted with your rafting gear: wetsuit, helmet, splash jacket and life preserver.

The lead guide will give a safety instructional talk to the group and then we will walk to the river where our rafts are waiting.

The Maipo River is rated as a class IV from November to February (snow melting season) and as a class III the rest of the year; in both cases "first timers" are welcomed (no experience required), as well as experienced rafters. From November to February, this fun and exciting trip runs some 16 km, passing through beautiful gorges and agricultural terrain typical of the Chilean countryside.

The take-out point is the town of San Jose de Maipo, from where we transport you back to Cascada de Las Animas. From March to September the take-out point is at El Melocoton, 9 km downstream from the put in. In both cases, the time in the water is around 1 hour.

After we exit the river, we will have time for a quick snack before boarding our waiting transport bus for the quick ride back to Cascada de Las Animas.

Campground showers are available for you after we return.