RIVER BETA: YOUR GUIDE TO RAFTING & KAYAKING IN ECUADOR

A few words about Safety
The information contained in this overview is not comprehensive or intended to serve as a "river guide". Rivers change constantly and these changes may affect their level of difficulty and/or navigability. Consult or hire a professional outfitter or guide service if you are inexperienced or unfamiliar with the area, or any of the conditions described below.

Water levels can rise rapidly and without warning in Ecuador. Usually, high water is accompanied by lots of sediment which turns the rivers muddy brown. Accidents and swims can happen at any water level, but recovery and rescue are much more difficult at higher flows. Respect rising water levels and don't hesitate to stop, and hike out, if necessary. Always carry extra food, warm layers, and emergency supplies in case a trip runs longer than expected. A common rule of thumb is that "CLEAR IS GOOD".

Use sound judgment and make good decisions to prevent accidents from happening. Ecuador is "remote" by nature. Evacuation from rivers may be arduous and far from health care facilities. Boat within your ability and with people you know. Always let someone know where you are going and be knowledgeable about the river and area you are paddling.

QUITO
While paddling options are limited in and around the Capital city, most of the rafting outfitters running rivers in "Santo Domingo" and Baeza / El Chaco base from here. For kayakers, this is also the best place to gear-up for trips and meet other paddlers. Be sure to take care of any special needs like cashing traveler's checks, ATM withdrawals, cash advances, equipment purchases, packaged foods and/or medicines here, before setting out into more remote areas which may lack these conveniences.

Western Slope
SANTO DOMINGO DE LOS COLORADOS
Due to the wealthy agricultural base and strategic location between the coast and the sierra, Santo Domingo de los Colorados is a booming city which offers modern services and conveniences. The city was named after the native Tsachila Indians known as "los Colorados", who traditionally paint their hair bright red with natural achiote dye.

The western side of the Andes drops more steeply than the Amazon side, and most of the runnable whitewater is found at lower elevations where temperatures are warmer all-around. This is the most agriculturally productive area in the country, and most of the usable land was cleared long ago for banana and African oil palm plantations. For this reason, some of the best views of native landscapes, birds and vegetation in this striking tropical habitat are from the rivers.

The rainy season tends to run from January to June, when most of the rivers are full. However, storms in the highlands can bring levels up on the Toachi and the Blanco Rivers even when the coastal region is dry.

The Toachi and Blanco Rivers are the most popular rivers in the area for year-round rafting and kayaking. These rivers drain from the protected watersheds of the Illinizas Ecological Reserve and Volcano Pichincha, respectively, so water-quality is generally good, despite nearby population centers.At normal flows, the classic rafting daytrip runs from the Km 13 access on the Toachi River down to the confluence with the Blanco River and to the town of Valle Hermoso or La Concordia, and includes the infamous class IV "El Sapo" rapid. At higher levels, raft trips may switch completely to the Rio Blanco and run from as far upstream as San Miguel de los Bancos, and enjoy a roller-coaster ride through huge waves all the way to the take-out.

During the rainy season, advanced kayakers revel in the creeking options on the Cristal and Otongo Rivers, while Intermediate paddlers will be more at home on the Río Baba. For solid paddlers that want to explore the area a bit further, the Río Sarapullo, the Río Bolo and the Río Damas are highly recommended.

If water levels are low, check out the incredible Upper Toachi Canyon from Union del Toachi to the town of Alluriquin. The Pilaton River also offers several road-accessible sections with miles of challenging whitewater.

Upper Amazon Basin
BAEZA / BORJA / EL CHACO
The Quijos River Valley offers world-class whitewater just 2.5 hours from Quito. After driving over the Papallacta Pass, the road to Lago Agrio follows the Papallacta River corridor and offers a few striking glimpses down into the class V Papallacta Gorge, which starts at the town of Cuyuja.

The Quijos River joins the Papallacta just below the gorge and has more than 60 km of accessible whitewater all the way down to the magnificent 480-foot San Rafael Falls - don't miss the take-out! Intermediate to Expert kayakers will enjoy a wealth of paddling opportunities based from either Baeza, Borja or El Chaco, where tourist information and services can be found.

This is a cloud forest zone, and the rivers drain from snow-capped volcano peaks. Dress appropriately for cold water and rapidly changing conditions with a dry top, wetsuit or paddling jacket and splash pants with insulating layers.

The best time for commercial rafting on the Quijos River is from November - March, when water levels tend to be more predictable. Rafting is generally limited to two different daytrip sections. The most popular run is from the town of Borja to the confluence with the Oyacachi River, which includes the spectacular Linares Gorge. The other rafting section from Bombón to the Estación Salado, has a more secluded feel and finishes just a short drive from San Rafael Falls.

The Cosanga Gorge is one of the highlights for kayakers in this area. There are impressive, pool-drop rapids in the canyon, stunning scenery and waterfalls along the sides. Torrent ducks are often seen frolicking in the whitewater rapids. Put-in for this class IV section at the footbridge at Oritoyacu. The first good take-out option for this daytrip is past the confluence with the Quijos River at the town of Borja.

The Oyacachi River is another kayaking classic. It has excellent water quality and very continuous current with powerful boulder-ledge-drop rapids. There are two main put-in options off the "Via San Juan" that heads upstream from the town of El Chaco. The lower put-in is the easier section of the two, but still has several class IV drops. The runs can be combined for a full day of paddling. The best take-out is just below the confluence with the Quijos River.

TENA
Tena is a boater's paradise and offers year-round paddling options. With eight rivers within an hour from Tena catering to all skill levels from beginner, flat-water runs, to gnarly class V steep creeks, to lush, jungle canyons and big water play - there is something here for everyone. Water temperatures are warmer and a simple paddle jacket with light layers is usually appropriate. Make sure to bring insect repellent or cover up to keep the sand flies off. Kayaking equipment can be rented locally from several outfitters in town.

The drier season is from November to March. The rainy season is May - August with higher water levels observed.

Tena is 5-6 hours SE from Quito by bus and has a full range of food and lodging options. The Jatunyacu or "Upper Napo" is the last free-flowing, major tributary of the Amazon in Ecuador, and drains from the Volcano Cotopaxi and the rugged and pristine Llanganates Natl. Park in the Andean Cordillera. Be advised that water temperatures are cooler here than most rivers around Tena. The most popular section is from Cando to Puerto Napo, and can be broken down into shorter sections. At normal levels, the river is class III with a few mild class IV rapids, and is fun for the whole family. "Jatunyacu" means "big river" in the native Kichwa language and also means "big fun" for paddlers. There are lots of surf waves, great scenery and several Kichwa communities along the river.

The Río Piatua is the hottest new run happening around Tena and has everyone excited about the enchanted waters and fun rapids and AA+ scenery that leave a wide-eyed grin on every paddler's face.

The Río Jondachi - Gem of the Andes. This class IV-V steep creek attracts expert kayakers from around the world to challenge its continuous rapids through sculpted, granite boulders. The road bridge that crosses the Jondachi River at Km 18 on the main road from Archidona to Baeza, divides the Upper and Lower sections. The standard put-in for the Upper Jondachi starts at Km 28, also known as "La Merced de la Jondachi". There is a 20 minute walk on a wide trail down to the river. The road roughly follows the river through this section, but is far from the river. There is another put-in access at Km 30, which is recommended at medium to high flows. The Lower Jondachi is another outstanding river trip. This is a very long day-run through a beautiful and remote river corridor. After paddling 20 km of class III-IV whitewater, the gradient eases off and the Jondachi joins the Hollin River, which drains off of the Volcano Sumaco. The take-out is another 12 km downstream on the Hollin River at the road bridge near the community of "Nuevo Santo Domingo".

The Upper Misahualli River has various sections of class III-IV paddling between the towns of San Francisco, Cotundo and Archidona. The whitewater gets better the further upstream you go from Archidona. The Lower Misahualli Canyon between Tena and Puerto Misahualli has a difficult portage best-suited to advanced paddlers with local knowledge.Novice runs are found on the Anzu, Napo, and Tena Rivers. The Hollin, Huataracu, and Pucuno Rivers drain off of the Volcano Sumaco and are overnight and multi-day trips for expert boaters.

BAÑOS / PUYO
With a full array of food & lodging options, live bands and street musicians, daily markets, hot springs, waterfalls, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and any number of activities and attractions to choose from, Baños is a natural tourist destination about 4 hours from Quito. Despite the marginal water quality in the Pastaza and Patate Rivers, Baños continues to be one of the more popular rafting destinations in Ecuador. Between the many rafting operators in town, there is sure to be a trip that is right for you.

Kayakers generally opt to paddle the crystalline side-creeks and tributaries of the Pastaza River such as the Río Puela, Verde Chico, Verde, Topo, Zuñac, and the Encanto, rather than the Pastaza itself. These rivers drain out of the the Llanganates Natl. Park and other protected areas, and are all expert-level runs. Puyo is an alternate town to base from, and is situated at the bottom of the Pastaza Canyon about 1.5 hours from Baños and 3 hours south of Tena. It is a working-class town with local tastes, and lacks the nightlife and tourist attractions of Baños, however, it is easy to find double-cab pickup trucks to get to the river, and is a bit closer to the Topo, Zuñac and the Encanto.

The Río Topo is one of the best big-water steep creeks in Ecuador. It drains from Cerro Hermoso in the Llanganates Natl. Park, and has exceptional scenery and water quality in a remote river corridor. Go with someone who knows the run, otherwise be prepared for a full day of scouting. The take-out is at the main road bridge near the town of "Río Negro". A road just east of the bridge leads upstream to the put-in, just past the forestry control sign and a small building, where a short trail leads down to a footbridge over the river. This is a class V run and should only be attempted by strong groups of expert paddlers at moderate water levels. When the Topo is running high, the nearby Río Zuñac offers a good option. A trail runs alongside the river and is worth the hike up for the great scenery and paddling. Andean "Cock-of-the-Rocks" and Torrent Ducks are often seen on this run.

MACAS
Macas is a comfortable place to base from for running the Upano River, which is one of the few multi-day rafting trips in Ecuador. The airport services direct flights to and from Quito, which makes reaching this distant area more convenient. Otherwise, it is about 5 hours from Puyo, or 12 hours from Quito by bus. On clear days, Volcano Sangay (5230m) can be seen from Macas towering over the jungle landscape with a thin whisper of smoke trailing from its picturesque, snow-capped cone. "Sangay" means "Peaceful One" in the native Shuar language - an appropriate name for the passive eruptive quality of one of the most continuously active volcanoes in the world.

The Upano River is usually offered as a 5-6 day rafting itinerary which includes camping, whitewater, and cultural interactions with local Shuar communities. From Macas, the river starts off coursing through braided, island channels with smaller rapids until entering the class IV Namangoza Gorge just below "Patuca". This beautiful, waterfall-lined canyon has "big-water" waves and features and should only be entered at moderate water levels due to a problematic river-wide ledge hole. The sand flies are notorious here, so make sure you bring insect repellent and cover up the legs and ankles. Most groups take-out at Yuquianza, which is the first access below the Namangoza Gorge. For kayakers without raft support, there are several access points which allow breaking the Upano trip into shorter daytrip sections, as well as running the Namangoza Gorge in one long day, starting from Patuca. Hire a shuttle in advance, as bus traffic can be minimal at the take-out.

Skilled kayakers with appropriate provisions will want to experience the Upper Upano, which is an exceptional class IV-V overnight trip. The put-in is about an hour from Macas near the town of Alshi, where the road crosses the river. There is an alternative put-in on the Río Abanico, at the road bridge en route to the Upper Upano put-in, which offers a little more excitement down to the confluence with the Upper Upano. Most paddlers take-out at the main road bridge in Macas.

The Río Chiguaza is an excellent low-water run with remarkable geology. The put-in is at the bridge on the road to "Huamboya", about an hour north of Macas. Although the rapids are class III, they often have class VI consequences due to the severe undercut rocks and sieves. Take-out when the river reaches the main road. The Tutanangosa River, near Sucua, has great class III paddling about an hour south of Macas. There is also a good creek run near Santiago de Mendez on the Río Yunganza from El Rosario to the town of Yunganza.

General Advice for Rafting

Getting Around Travelling with kayaks in Ecuador

Intl. Scale of River & Rapid Difficulty