Raft the Rio Maranon: Grand Canyon of the Amazon

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Join our raft/kayak expedition as we paddle through the scenic and arid main Grand Canyon section, with fun class III-IV rapids, amazing side hikes, beautiful beach camps, friendly residents, and Inca ruins. Rio Maranon is the parent stream or "mainstem" source of the Amazon, meeting no stronger rival at any junction on its route to the Atlantic. It therefore is the Upper Amazon and the only stream meriting this title.

From its birthplaces at glaciers on the highest tropical mountains in the world [Yerupaja and Huascaran; 6600-6800 m (21000-22000 ft)], the Maranon courses north over about 1/3 of the length of the country of Peru in the central Andes. As it does so, it is squeezed into the bottom of an arid canyon up to 3000 m (10000 ft) deep on both sides - more than double the depth of Arizona's Grand Canyon.

A SierraRios expedition in 2012 explored what the Maranon was like, and learned of plans for over a dozen hydroelectric dams. The subsequent expeditions are intended to increase appreciation of the river by individuals so more authoritative opinions can be formed against the dams.,The trips are open to everyone: rafters, kayakers, IKers, and passengers. No prior whitewater experience is necessary on a raft.