DAY 1: U.S. / LIMA, PERU
Fly from the U.S. to Lima.

DAY 2: CUSCO / QUEBRADA HONDA
This morning we take an early flight (on your own) to Cuzco. We arrive in Cuzco and are met by the Earth River guide and begin the drive to the river. We drive a few hours through beautiful mountain scenery, past Inca settlements VIEW and along roaring rivers to the wonderful town of Lares where we stop for lunch. Much of the population in Lares dresses in brightly colored native clothing and the town has a festival feel to it. It also produces woven goods that are sold to tourists throughout Peru. In the afternoon we drive two and a half hours to the town of Quebrada Honda where we either camp or stay in a primitive hotel.

DAY 3: YAVERO RIVER
This morning we switch from the bus to four wheel drive vehicles.VIEW Cresting the top of the Yavero Canyon we get our first glimpse of the thin green and white ribbon of water 8,000 feet below. Beyond the lush Yavero Canyon, with densely foliated mountains unfold as far as the eye can see as they penetrate into Manu National Park. On no more than a windy, barely one lane cart trail, we descend another 6,500 feet down to the put in on the river where we have lunch. Just below our starting point, a trail crosses a narrow wooden suspension bridge over a dramatic gorge.  It is believed that the Inca used this trail to escape the Spanish at Machu Picchu and access the Lost City of Gold. After a safety talk, we board the rafts and continue down river running a series of moderately challenging class 3 - 4 rapids. 

DAYS 4 - 9: YAVERO CANYON (RAFTING, KAYAKING / HIKING)
For the next five days we will paddle nearly 100 thrilling class 3 & 4 rapids VIEW through a gorgeous 7,000 foot deep canyon with multiple tributary waterfalls. Macaws, monkeys, Giant Otters and countless birds and butterflies. Spring fed seeps adorn moss covered walls. The whitewater is similar in difficulty to the Pacuare in Costa Rica only there are many more rapids. The Yavero’s most impressive rapid, Tobogan, is one of the longest commercially run class IV rapids anywhere . Here the converge and the water surges through a series of crashing waves and sweeping bends for over two kilometers. VIEW When the rapids change from class 4 to 3 we will switch from rafts to inflatable kayaks and after a kayak lesson, paddle the swimming pool temperature water through some of the best class 2 -3 beginner kayaking in the world. From the boats we will see giant otters playing in the eddies and multi-colored Macaws soaring through the old growth jungle canopy that overhangs the river. The remote canyon VIEW opens up to beautiful camping cut into the jungle engulfed in giant old growth trees VIEW The canyon’s eastern boundary is the four million acre Manu National Park. With over 15,000 different flowering plants, 1,000 species of birds, 200 different mammals including 13 different kinds of primates and hundreds of butterflies species, the Manu Biosphere Reserve is considered to be the most diverse region of the Amazon Rain Forest. There will also be the opportunity to visit with the Machiguenga Indigenous community that lives along the river and see first hand how they carve massive trees into dugout canoes in order to transport their crops down river. VIEW On day 8 (Our 6th on the river), we raft and kayak the Yavero’s final class 3 rapids and reach the confluence with the the much larger Urubamba. After running five exhilarating class 3+rapids on the Urubamba, with waves as high as 10 feet, we camp on a beautiful beach just upstream for the fabled pong Manique sacred waterfall canyon.

DAY 9: YAVERO CANYON / URUBAMBA RIVER / PONGO DE MANIQUE / KITINI
Early this morning, we board the rafts and kayaks and within minutes canyon walls close, and rise hundreds of feet above us as we enter the mysterious and breath takingly beautiful Pongo Mainique Canyon. This 3 kilometer, slot divides the upland cloud forest with the Amazon Jungle. Here the mighty Urubamba takes a final plunge through one last mountain range before entering the flat Amazon basin. This canyon is an important spiritual place for the Machiguenga native people who believe that the souls of their dead reside in the Pongo. In 2001 the Wildlife Conservation Society did a survey of the Pongo Manique and the immediate area around it and said, “The lowland rain forests and mid-mountain cloud forests within a radius of five miles of the Pongo Mainique possibly comprise the single most biologically diverse site on the face of the earth. “ Beyond its cultural and biological significance, the Pongo Mainique is one of the most enchanted places in South America. Upon entering the Pongo, we paddle past smooth, water scalloped walls, VIEW covered in iridescent, emerald moss with delicate seeps of water collecting into dozens of tiny waterfalls. Around the bend, the symphony of water grows as dozens of impressive waterfalls cascade into the river from as high as 100 feet in heart of the Pongo, over a dozen significant waterfalls can be viewed at once.  The chorus of water grows deafening as we run an exciting class 4 rapid framed within this cathedral of falling water.  Then suddenly we round a bend and the canyon walls give way to the open plane of the Amazon basin. We pull over at a trailhead and take a wonderful 1.5 hour hike to the top of the canyon where we are afforded a spectacular view of the Pongo Manique and beyond to where the green carpet of the Amazon spreads out as far as the eye can see. After the hike, we are met by a large, motorized wooden dugout canoe that transports us 2 hours back up river to the road to the road at the town of Ivochote where we baord the bus for a two hour drive to the jungle town of Kiteni where we spend the night at a promitive hotel.

DAY 10: HYDRO-ELECTRICA / AGUAS CALIENTES / MACHU PICCHU / OLLANTAYTAMBO
This morning we drive three and a half hours to the jungle city of Quillabamba where we have lunch. In the afternoon, we over a high mountain pass with dramatic views of the snow-capped Andes to a trailhead at Hydro-Electrica. From here we walk two spectacular miles along the Urubamba River with soaring cliffs rising two thousand feet over us. VIEW We reach the town of Aguas Calientes in the middle of the afternoon and hop on the next bus leaving for Machu Picchu. Surrounded by formidable peaks this ancient mountain-top Inca City stands sentinel over the Urubamba Valley 2,000 feet below. This is an extraordinary time to visit this wonder of the world because the crowds have left. Dominating the site are massive stone walls, buildings and courtyards interconnected by stone steps and access doors. Some of the carved stone blocks that make up the walls weigh 150,000 pounds and are 18 feet high. How this Herculean union of stones was assembled without the use of cement is a mystery. Instead of moving with a throngs of tourists, we are able to discover this architectural masterpiece of man and nature in relative solitude. It is even possible to take sweeping photographs and video of the complex without anyone else in them. We watch the sun set over the imposing mountains and take the bus back down to Aquas Calientes where we baord the narrow gauge train for the two hour ride to the town of Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Vaslley where we check into a hotel dinner and spend the night at a hotel. That evening we have our farewell dinner.

DAY 11:  OLLANTAYTAMBO / CUZCO / LIMA / UNITED STATES
This morning we drive 1 hour to the Cuzco airport and board our flights to Lima and then on to the United States.

Info Coming Soon...

YAVERO RIVER GENERAL INFORMATION

The following information on weather, health and physical conditioning is extremely important and should be read carefully. If you have any questions after going over it, please contact our office.

CANCELLATION INSURANCE: If there is any chance you may have to cancel your trip, you must purchase travel insurance for your protection. Insurance will cover every aspect of your trip including: your deposit, lost baggage and unforeseeable medical emergencies and evacuation. It will also cover additional transportation costs in case you have to be caught up to the expedition due to delays with your international flight.  We recommend the company Travel Insured International.

ARRIVAL , MEETING TIME & PLACE: People often arrive into Lima on different days and at different times. If at all possible, we highly recommend leaving Thursday and spending the night in a hotel near the Lima airport. Not only does this break the travel time up, but it guarantees you will be on an early flight to Cuzco the following morning. You will be responsible for getting yourself from the United States to the Cuzco, Peru by 9:30 AM Friday. An Earth River guide and the bus will meet you at the Cuzco Airport, with a sihn, when you arrive. The guide will help you pack for the trip. Your extra gear will be safely stored in Cuzco until the trips conclusion.

WHAT IS INCLUDED: Ground transportation from Cuzco at the start of the trip, back to Cuzco an the trip’s conclusion. It also includes food, hotels the last two nights, Machu Picchu fees and the train back to Cuzco.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED: International air to Lima and inner country air to Cuzco and other travel related expenses such as, but not limited to: entry fees, insurance, visas, passports, medical costs, airport taxes or other transportation costs resulting from a deviation from our itinerary are not included. Guide gratuities are also not included. If you are delayed for any reason (missed flight) and unable to reach Cuzco by the set meeting time, you will be responsible for any extra hotels and meals as well as the ground transportation necessary to catch you up to the trip (an Earth River agent will help you arrange these things). Note: Trip insurance will cover these additional expenses. Leaving a day early and staying in a hotel the night before in Lima is the surest way to avoid problems.

AIR TRANSPORTATION:
 Airfare from the US to Cuzco, Peru is not included in the trip price and must be arranged independently. You can contact our travel agent, Gilda if you would like help arranging your flights. She finds very good deals and gives great service. She can be reached at: 786-206-0710 or 1-866-498-0530 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  As soon as you have secured your flights down to Lima and connecting flight to 
Cuzco, please e-mail this information down to Earth River’s office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. so we know your schedule. The e- mail should include; Yavero trip date, date leaving US, flight # and arrival time into Cuzco as well as the flight # and departure time leaving Cuzco at the end of the trip. Remember you must arrive in Cuzco by 9:30 AM on the arrival date and should book your flight out of Cuzco at the trip’s conclusion after mid day (12:00).

*IMPORTANT NOTE:
 If you are delayed on your international flight and unable to make a national flight that arrives in by 9:30 AM Friday morning, you will still be able to do the trip but we will have to hire a taxi to catch you up. Please call the Earth River emergency number at 845-626-4361 and we will arrange for the vehicle and driver to meet you
 at the Cuzco airport to take you to the river which can cost $650 as the journey for the taxi which will need to travel 16 hours round trip.

CONDITIONING: Paddle rafting class 4 whitewater is somewhat demanding as is inflatable kayaking class 2 & 3 rapids so it is a good idea to be in good physical condition. If you are not currently in good condition, you should become involved in an exercise program prior to the expedition. Safety aside, being fit will improve the quality of your experience.

EXPERIENCE: It is absolutely fine for non experienced rafting guests to join us the Yavero Expedition. The whitewater is class 4 and the (optional) inflatable kayaking is also suitable for first timers.

PASSPORTS: You will need a current passport for traveling in Peru but do not need an additional visa.

ADDITIONAL TRAVEL WITHIN PERU: If you have a few extra days you might want to spend a day in the Inca City of Cuzco and or possible an additional day at Machu Picchu hiking up Huayna Picchu.

FINAL PAYMENT: The final trip balance is due 75 days prior to the trip’s departure. Those people who paid their deposit with a credit card will be automatically billed for the balance on the card we have on file unless you call the office 75 days before the trip’s departure with another credit card or send in a personal check. If you would like the final payment handled another way please call our office.

SINGLE ROOMS: There is no single supplement charge for people traveling alone as long as you are willing to share with another guest of the same sex. If you request single accommodations for the hotel nights on the trip, it must be done in advance when the balance of payment is due and the additional charge is $250.

GEAR: Please see the gear listo

ADDITIONAL MONEY: Generally, $500 per person will be adequate for any shopping, airport taxes, and river guide tips. You will be able to exchange money at the airport when you arrive in Lima or Cuzco.

GRATUITIES: Gratuities for the guides are not included. If you think the guides and help have done an outstanding job, -10 percent (approx. $350) of the expedition cost per person is considered a generous tip. Usually a member of the group will collect the tip and hand it to the trip leader (head guide) who will distribute it evenly among the guides and employees.

GEAR STORAGE: Because space and weight are limited in the baggage rafts and dugout canoes you will be allowed one bag river bag, which can weigh up to 30 pounds. The Earth River representative in Cuzco will give you a medium size river dry bag for the trip. Your suitcase and other belongings will be safely stored in Cuzco until you return. We would like you to pack your passports, wallets and other valuables in your river bag.

*IMPORTANT PACKING TIP: Each year a few people (approx. 2 %) of our clients end up in a foreign country without their belongings due to the airlines misplacing their bags. By the time they receive them from the airline, often the trip is nearly over. Because this is a real possibility we highly recommend the following steps to protect yourself. Pack all necessary river gear (paddle jacket, river shoes, hat, sun glasses, bathing suit, etc.) into the largest legal carry on bag you can find and don’t check it. Pack everything else in a duffle bag. This way if you become separated from your checked bag you will have the most important things for the river as well as the clothes on your back for camp.

WEATHER: We will be traveling in the dry season. Most of the rain in Peru falls between October and April. The climate is mild enough that even if it rains it is not cold although it is possible to have a sudden cold front (60’s) at any time throughout the year. The upper part of the river will have daytime highs in the mid 80’s and nights will be in the lower 70’s. When we get down to the Urubamba near the Amazon Jungle, daytime temperatures will be in the upper 80’s and night time will be in the high 70’s. Machu Picchu is up at 8,000 feet and daytime temperatures there could be in the high seventies. The water will be in the upper 60’s on the Yavero and the lower 70’s on the Urubamba. There is always a chance of rain so you should come prepared with rain pants and a rain jacket or paddle jacket. The water on the river is warm enough that wet suits are not necessary.

HEALTH INFORMATION: If you should need medical attention, there are hospitals in Quillabamba and Cuzco. There have been only a few yellow fever cases reported in Peru in a number of years but the Peruvian government never-the-less recommends a yellow fever vaccination for trips to the rainforest. We do not feel this is necessary. This vaccination is requested for visits to most rainforest areas around the world. If you decide to take it, the vaccination is only effective starting 10 days after it is administered so that you would need to get the shot two weeks before your trip’s departure.  A prophylaxis against Malaria is recommended by many outfitters who take people to Manu National Park (near the Yavero River) but the area we will be traveling does not have a malaria problem. The United States Public Heath Service recommends the following health precautions as well for traveling in Peru. These are only recommendations and not required: a tetanus shot if one has not been received in the past ten years and Hepatitis shots. If you feel more comfortable, consult your doctor for his or her recommendations. It is important to avoid drinking water directly from hotel taps rivers, lakes or streams. Drink soda or bottled water. Avoid salads and fruits that you cannot peel yourself and make sure that all food has been properly cooked. We will be treating the water on the river. Strict food and water precautions are essential not only for your own safety and well-being, but for other members of the group and the success of the expedition as a whole. Because everyone will be in close quarters throughout the trip, intestinal problems can easily be passed from one person to the next, which could jeopardize the entire expedition. Unsanitary food preparation is the most common way to spread disease. Anyone coming in contact with community food should make sure hands are washed first. If you see someone who has not washed and is helping with a meal (including guides and safety kayakers), please remind them. If you are feeling even the slightest bit ill, stay away from community food until you have fully recovered.

EMERGENCIES: We carry a satellite phone. Because the area we are traveling in is so remote,  it could take a helicopter a full day to get someone to a hospital.

ALTITUDE: You will be flying into Cuzco which is at 11,600 fee. The river starting point is 4,000 feet. Machu Picchu is at 8,000 feet.

POLITICAL CLIMATE: The political climate in Peru is stable but you should be careful with your wallet, passport, camera, and belongings. Get a belt pack that you can tuck under your shirt, and do not let your belongings or camera out of your sight.

EVACUATION: We will carry a sat. phone and it will be possible to contact a helicopter in the event of an emergency. This is a very remote river without roads so it is imperative that you are extremely careful and do not take unnecessary risks or chances. It is important also important that everyone keeps their life jacket and helmet on during scouts and portages.

EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION: In case there is an emergency at home while you are away the following phone number should be given to a relative or friend: 845-626-4361. The person should ask for Troy or Eric. It will not be possible to get information while you are on the river expedition but we can reach you the final three days of
the trip.

What's Included:

The Yavero expedition trip price includes: everything from the Cuzco airport, back to the Cuzco Airport including all ground transportation, hotels, meals, guides, Machu Picchu fees, instruction and equipment required for the described trip.  

Not Included:

International air to Lima and inner country air to Cuzco. Other travel related expenses such as, but not limited to: entry fees, insurance, visas, passports, medical costs, airport taxes or other transportation costs resulting from a deviation from our itinerary are not included. End of trip gratuities to the guides are also not included. If you are delayed for any reason (missed flight) and unable to reach Cuzco by the set meeting time, you will be responsible for any extra hotels and meals as well as the ground transportation necessary to catch you up to the trip (an Earth River agent will help you arrange these things). Trip insurance will cover these additional expenses. Leaving a day early and staying in a hotel the night before in Lima or Cuzco is the surest way to avoid problems.

Securing space:

To secure a trip space, an initial deposit of $600 per person is required. You can make this payment by credit card (Visa or Master Card) or by check payable to: Earth River Expeditions. Your deposit should be mailed to the Earth River office (180 Towpath Road, Accord, New York, 12404), along with a completed registration form, signed liability release and signed terms and responsibility release and medical form and send back in the regular mail to the Earth River office. The Balance of Payment is due 75 days prior to the trip’s departure and may be paid by check or credit card. For your convenience, we will charge the balance to your credit card 75 days prior to trip departure.

LODGE STATS:

Type: Remote, 10 room, hand crafted wooden lodge on large wilderness lake.

Location: 2,000 acre property on 30 mile long Lago Yelcho which the Futaleufu River empties into.  

Brief Description: The Yelcho Lodge is located on the shore of spectacular Lago Yelcho with views of soaring glacier-capped mountains rising from it's shore.  

Number of nights: 1 (night 9)

Access: A spectacular one hour motorized boat trip across fiord like, Lago Yecho. Boat trip begins at Futaleufu rafting take out. Once reached by boat, the lodge is a short drive (on pavement) to the Chaiten airport where group flys back to Puerto Montt at the trip's conclusion. 

Lodge property: 2  miles of lake shoreline.  

Amenities: Bathrooms in rooms, wood stoves, fireplace, electricity, private cabins.

Multi-sport Activities in immediate vacinity of lodge: Sea kayaking & hiking to where glacier meets rain forest

NATURAL FEATURES IN IMMEDIATE VACINITY: 

Infierno Canyon: Hiking trail along lake.  
Yelcho Glacier: Yelcho Glacier trailhead. 
Trails system: Hiking trails along lake and to glacier and waterfalls. 

LODGE STATS:

Peuma Lodge:

Type: Remote, wooden, hand crafted wilderness "micro" lodge.

Location: Remote valley on tributary of Futaleufuwith trail access to Lago Obsession and a 5 minute drive to Futaleufu River. 

Number of nights: 3 (nights 5, 6 & 7)

Brief Description:Located in a wild, spectacular valley, ringed by old growth hardwood trees, the 9 room Peuma Lodge has nine hexigon cabinswith private baths and wood stoves, a main living/dining "great room" with central fire place and an expansive deck with a hot tub which affords dramatic views of towering snow-capped mountains in every direction. The property's phenomenal location make it a rare, true wilderness, multi-sport lodge. 

Acces: One mile private dirt road. 10 minute mountain bike ride to river.

Lodge property: 800 private acres of open fields and native Patagonia forest laced with hiking trails.

Amenities: Bathrooms in rooms, wood stoves, wood fired hot tub, "Great room" with central fireplace, large deck with 360 degree mountain views. No Wi-fi.No internet. 

Multi-sport activities in immediate vicinity of lodge: Hiking, horseback riding (experienced riders), mountain biking, stand-up paddle boarding. 

NATURAL FEATURES IN IMMEDIATE VACINITY: 

Lago Obsession: crystal clear, deep lake surrounded by towering, ice-capped glacier with "cold" swimming, pack rafting and some of the most beautiful stand-up paddle boarding found anywhere.  

Wildlife:  The Peuma Lodge wilderness area is home to puma, endangered huemul (similar to elk) and Andean condor which are often seen gliding in the thermals.View

MULTI-SPORT ACTIVITIES:

Hiking: Lago Obsession trail. 
Horseback riding: Miles of riding trails for experienced riders. 
Standup paddle boarding:  Lago Obsession
Pack rafting: Lago Obsession

Nights: 7 nights in small, comfortable lodges
(additional night in Puerto Varas hotel at start of trip)

Lodge Locations: On Futaleufu River or tributary lakes.

Brief Lodge Description: Three exotic private lodges in the Futaleufu Valley.
Lodges are remote on spectacular 800 acre properties. The Earth River lodge itinerary
was designed to have guests do as little driving as possibe with total driving
time less then our multi-camp trip.  Lodges are so diverse that one feels like
they are on a different vacation at each one. You can view these stunning
properties by watching the multi-lodge brochure video on this site. 

Amenities: Wood fired hot tubs, spectacular decks with exspansive views,
indoor fire places & wood stoves, water front campfires, bathrooms in the rooms, electricity, internet, chef prepared meals served with Chilean wine.

Lodge Trip History:  Earth River has been running the Futaleufu as a camping
trip since 1991. In 2014, the company ran it's first lodge trip on the Futaleufu
which utlized just one lodge.  The trip was expanded to three lodges in 2017 
to cut driving time down as much as possible. 

        "We loved the lodges!"

- Wendy Brown, December 2016

Earth River pioneered commercial rafting on the following classic destinations:

Rio Futaleufu - Patagonia, Chile
Earth River's trademark trip is Patagonia, Chile's Futaleufu having pioneered commercial rafting and multi-sport trips there. Since making the first ever complete raft descent in 1991, our trip has evolved from an intense, class 5 expedition, to a unique "Patagonia Experience" suitable for anyone from 6 to 80 with a spirit for adventure. Our multi-lodge and multi-camp trips allow us to run a unique journey with each remote camp or lodge offering there own unique set of adventure activities including; rock climbing, rappelling, kayaking, hiking, fly fishing, zip lining, mountain biking, horseback riding, stand-up paddle boarding and canyoning. A gorgeous trail system allows hikers, fly fisherman, horseback riders, mountain bikers and experienced and novice rafters to all share a week in Patagonia like none other.

Magpie River - Laurentian Mountains, Quebec, Canada
In terms of dramatic scenery, untouched wilderness, spectacular camps and numerous class 4 - 4+ rapids, the Magpie is without question one of the top whitewater rafting destinations in the world and in the top two or three in North America.  Earth River pioneered rafting on this now classic trip completing the first rafting expedition in 1988.  Besides the incredible solitude and whitewater, the river boasts two of the world’s most spectacular river camps.

Rio Yavero - Andes/Amazon, Peru
Only a handful of people have made this extraordinarily diverse journey. It begins in an area that once led to the Lost Incan City of Gold and ends at soaring mountain-top Inca ruins of Machu Picchu. The river takes you from the white crown of the Andes to the raucous, green symphony of the Amazon Jungle. The exotic sights and sounds along the river are astounding: palm tree-size ferns, massive cacti, giant otters, finger-size monkeys, blizzards of butterflies, and rainbow-colored Macaws.

This recently discovered whitewater gem has over 100 class 3 and 4 rapids, for paddle rafting and inflatable kayaking. Two of South America’s grandest marvels, the Pongo Mainique Canyon and Machu Picchu, are part of the itinerary. In terms of biological diversity, native culture and history, weather, scenery and whitewater, this Peruvian journey stands alone in the world of river-based adventure travel.  It is also rare to find a river with few bugs, swimming pool temperature water, days in the low eighties and nights in the sixties.