Ecuador.
A Boater’s Paradise.
Join us for a fully escorted, small-group whitewater adventure through some of the best rivers in South America — easy to reach, affordable, and priced in U.S. dollars, in partnership with our trusted Ecuadorian friends.
Trip Details
A Boater’s Paradise
Ecuador is a boater’s paradise. Ecuador has more rivers per square mile than any other country on earth! This South American country is easy to reach, with airlines serving Quito and Guayaquil, affordable lodging and food, easy transport, and prices in U.S. dollars — no currency conversion headaches. The rivers are fantastic: everything from placid jungle floats to Class V+ kayak-only runs. Rafters, catarafters, packrafters, inflatable kayakers, and hardshell kayakers will all find whitewater to match their skill level, from big-water Class III to creeky Class IV+ and stomping big-water Class IV+.
- Small groups — 8 people maximum
- Airport transport from Quito included
- Local logistics, lodging, food, and shuttles handled by our Ecuadorian partners
- Bring your own gear or rent locally (boats, PFDs, helmets)
- 7-Day/6-Night Class III+ Intermediate and Class IV/IV+ Advanced itineraries available
- Longer custom trips possible — just ask well ahead of time
Rivers We’ve Run
We’ve rowed many rivers across Ecuador over the years, and in 2026/2027 we may explore some new ones. Impressions below are from our own runs at varying water levels.
Tena Area
- Rio Tena — upper is steep, technical Class IV/IV+ creeking; lower is Class II
- Rio Hollin (overnighter) — full-on Class IV+ creeking with mandatory portages
- Rio Jondachi (lower) — technical Class III+ into the larger volume Hollin (III+/IV)
- Rio Jondachi (middle) — tight, technical Class IV/IV+ with a larger creeky feel
- Rio Jatanyacu — wide open big-water Class II+/III, more technical at low water
- Rio Misahualli (upper) — tight, technical Class III+ to IV+ creeking
- Rio Misahualli (middle) — open Class II small river
- Rio Anzu (middle) — technical Class III+ to begin, tapers to Class II–III
- Rio Anzu (lower) — wide open Class II+ tapering to Class II and flatwater
- Rio Piatua (upper) — tight, technical Class IV at lower water, full-on Class IV+ at high water
- Rio Piatua (lower) — more open Class III+/IV, flows into the Middle Anzu
- Rio Arajuno — mellow jungle float
Baeza Area
- Rio Quijos — upper sections are creek-like, lower sections more open and bigger water; the popular Canyon to Canyon run is Class III with a couple Class IV rapids
- Rio Oyacachi — tight, rocky Class IV+ creeking at low water
- Rio Cosanga — a Class IV tributary to the Quijos still on our list
Santo Domingo Area
- Rio Toachi — big volume Class III–IV (IV+ at high water)
- Rio Blanco — big volume Class III–IV (technical at low water)
- Rio Mulaute — beautiful Class III/III+ creeking at lower water
- Rio Pachijal — beautiful, technical Class III creeking
Macas Area
- Rio Upano — high volume Class III+ to IV+ (day trips or multi-day)
- Rio Yukipa — beautiful Class III–III+ jungle river
- Rio Tutanangoza — Class III middle canyon, Class III–IV lower canyon
- Rio Tuna-Chiguaza — gorgeous limestone jungle canyon; Class III with Class VI consequences, a portage or two, and possible wood
Rivers We Hope to Explore
Ecuador is full of rivers we haven’t explored yet — these are some we’re hoping to run in the years ahead. The difficulty ratings below are our best guess, since we haven’t been down them ourselves… yet.
Tena / Archidona
- Rio Pano
- Rio Anzu (upper)
- Rio Inchillaqui
- Rio Illoculin
Santo Domingo
- Rio Otongo
- Crystal Grande
- Upper Toachi
- Rio Baba
- Rio Cinto
- Rio Saloya
- Rio Bolo
- Rio Magdalena
Aguarico Valley
- Rio Chingual
- Rio Aguarico
- Rio Due
Pastaza Valley
- Upper Pastaza
- Lower Pastaza
- Rio Palora
- Rio Patate
- Rio Topo
Macas Area
- Namangoza Gorge (Rio Upano)
- Rio Paute
- Rio Negro
- Rio Seipa
- Rio Jurambaino
- Rio Cuyes
- Rio Gualaquiza
- Rio Abanico
Southern Area
- Rio Jubones