Rafting at Juramento River
Adrenaline in the water
We left Salta on a Saturday in February heading to kilometer 34 of provincial route 47, where Salta Rafting's base is located. Mr. @tripticity_ did not participate in the trip for convenience, but a great friend did.
The trip takes about two hours from downtown, because after arriving at the town of Coronel Moldes you must cross the entire Cabra Corral dam to take the detour to the base.
Upon arrival, we were familiarized with the life-saving elements that we had to use during the tour, helmet and life jacket, and we were offered available suits and nautical footwear. Then it was the turn of a brief instructive talk about rafting and we were informed about the safety protocols before going out on the river.
That day, nine rubber boats were leaving, with eight tourists and a guide each, so the anxiety of the small crowd was felt.
Once the teams were formed for each inflatable boat, we all lifted it together and went down to the river.
During the first part of the tour, our guide gave us additional indications, while we enjoyed the green landscape of the Juramento Canyon. Birds and butterflies passed overhead, and on the banks the vegetation contrasted with the wild flow that meandered along the high walls of rust-colored stone. There, our friendly guide Robert told us the reason for the colors of the rock, so the reddish hills account for the existence of iron oxide, the greenish for the presence of copper and brown for the limestone.
The Juramento river is born in the Nevado del Acay, it is called Calchaquí river while it goes through the valleys, then it takes the name of Guachipas river when it leaves the Quebrada de las Conchas and gets closer to the General Belgrano dam, and then it takes the name of Juramento in honor of the act of swearing of the national flag by the glorious Army of the North. It has a length of 2,210 kilometers and flows into the Paraná River.
Then the energetic Robert showed us clear marine sediments that arose as a consequence of the collision of tectonic plates of the Pacific Ocean and South America. Most impressive were the dinosaur footprints, the Cretaceous beach, seaweed fossils dating back millions of years and part of the sea floor.
By then, he decided it was time for my "baptism". During that short, peaceful ride, before the rapids, I had told him that it was my first time in Salta Rafting, so he didn't hesitate to throw me into the river and pull me back into the boat. The water felt cool, although the surprise of the plunge did not leave much time for doubt. In addition, the first class two rapids were approaching. We were getting ready for the next more intense class three rapids, in which the rocks form well-marked grooves in which the dinghy crashes and generate big waves that inevitably soak the whole crew.
As we went down and another class three rapid approached, the excitement increased as by then we all wanted to feel the adrenaline of speed, the movement of the waves and the freshness of the water while bathing.
Robert was giving us the paddling instructions: "forward, forward, forward", or "right back, left forward" and we managed to place the dinghy back on the course to continue with the descending.
We went through a total of ten rapids of pure emotion and adventure sensation in the canyons of the landscape.
From the beginning of the trip, it is about fifteen kilometers to Paraje Los Lapachos, which takes about two hours. But before arriving, Robert invites anyone who dares to jump into the water and let the flow take them to the meeting point. @tripticity_ hesitated but took courage and jumped in. There is not much depth so the recommendation is to do the plank with your feet in front of you and relax while the river does its job. Once on land, we all helped to load the raft and took the bus that returned us to the base in a half hour trip.
The rafting has an intermediate difficulty, but no previous knowledge is required to do it. A fundamental recommendation, in addition to sunscreen, it is essential to bring mosquito repellent because mosquitoes abound, and an extra change of dry clothes is key because it gets soaked.
Once back at the base, you can hire the lunch option in which a barbecue with salads is served. At the end, the photographs that the rescue kayaker takes during the tour are offered for sale.
The rafting experience on the Juramento River is undoubtedly a recommendable option for those looking for adventure during a visit to the wonderful province of Salta.
