THE HEADWATERS RUN

27Km, Class IV-IV+

The Quijos is set to become Ecuador’s premier whitewater trip with mile after mile of class IV-IV+ rapids and spectacular jungle scenery. Expect to run more whitewater in a day than you’d do in a week elsewhere. This trip is for experienced rafters that are confident swimmers. No wimps please! Depart from your hotel, 7:00 am. Drive to Baeza. On arrival you’ll be issued with wetsuits, life jackets and helmets. After a short drive to the put-in the Trip Leader will give a thorough safety briefing and conduct a swim test. Then you’ll split into groups for an intensive in-boat paddle practice with your guide. Once we set off we’re straight into the action but with some easier rapids to warm up. Along the way we’ll stop for a riverside picnic lunch. In the afternoon we’ll raft through the first canyons of the Quijos running big, technical rapids including the famous “El Toro” and the spectacular Linares canyon. After a nice day we will drive for one hour to spent our first night in Tena. Accommodation in Austria Hostel or similar.
Meals L

UPPER NAPO RIVER

25 kilometers, Class III – III+

The Upper Rio Napo is also known locally as the Rio Jatunyacu, which means “BIG WATER” in Quichua. “Big” is probably the best word to describe this river – BIG WAVES and BIG FUN! A great trip for both beginners and experts alike, it has the perfect combination of exciting rapids, calm pools, and fabulous jungle scenery to delight everybody. Being the headwaters of one of the two rivers that form the mighty Amazon River, this is a rafting adventure that should not be passed up! No previous rafting experience is necessary. After the breakfast. We head out into the jungle for about 45 minutes to our put-in site near the village of Cando.

Once ready the boat will push off from shore and within moments you will find yourself being drenched in the first rapids, Pimpilala being one of the biggest. After this first shot of adrenaline the fun continues as you crash through walls of whitewater, explore a hidden canyon, drift silently along sheer river cliffs, and take a swim in the refreshing waters.

During the trip we’ll stop on an expansive beach by the side of the river for a delicious picnic lunch that includes fresh tropical fruits and is served with soft drinks, juice and water. At the end of the trip we celebrate a great day out with a few ice-cold beers or sodas. The drive from the take-out back to Tena takes about ten minutes. Arrival time is approximately 4pm but may be earlier or later depending on the river level. Accommodation in Austria Hostel or similar, Meals B,L,

JONDACHI RIVER

34 kilometers, Class III+ – IV

The Jondachi, is probably one of the most amazing rivers you will ever run in Ecuador, this is because of its amazing landscapes full of waterfalls and wildlife
After Breakfast we will drive north towards the community of Mondayacu which is situated at the trail head.
At the start of the hike every paddler is issued with a life jacket, helmet and paddle. Members of the community are hired as porters to carry the rafts and the all-important lunch coolers. The trail leads us up and down for about 20 minutes before the final descent to a suspension bridge across the Jondachi. The bridge is a vital link to the Quechua farms on the other side of the valley and serves us as the ideal platform to scout the first rapids.
During the trip we’ll stop at a riverside beach for a delicious picnic lunch that includes fresh tropical fruits and is served with soft drinks, juice and water. At the end of the trip we celebrate a great day out with a few ice-cold beers or sodas. Our driver we will be waiting for you to take-out back to Quito. Arrival time is approximately 7 pm but may be earlier or later depending on the river level. Meals B,L,