We have it all when we talk about rivers and whitewater, the high concentration of rivers in such a small area with the extreme geography and amazing geology makes of Ecuador one of the top 5 world's best whitewater kayaking destinations.  Everyone has fun here from beginners to pro's, you decide how much fun and how big you want to go. In general you will find continuous whitewater, pristine, clean, round boulder gardens with endless fun and boofs. There are so many rivers to choose from once you are down here it's just amazing and all depends on the amount of precipitation.  We are usually more concerned about having too much water!! 

The Andes split the country in 3 main regions, Costa Sierra and Oriente this last one being the on the East slopes of the massive mountain range are the headwaters of the Amazonas river the biggest volume river in the world, all this water coming down from the Andes are part of our playgrounds and the best and closest place for any kayaker that come to visit Ecuador.

Kayaking in Ecuador goes year around but the international kayakers season is between October and March. The peak of kayaking season is December and January and also happens to be dryest months. This is the rain forest so rain is expected, but it can go for weeks with no rain, there is always kayaking here unless is too much water.
 The Quijos (Kee’-Hos) Valley keeps good water levels for most of the year and Baeza (Bah-Eh-za) has become the most popular hub for whitewater kayakers in Ecuador.  Tena is only 2 hours away dropping East into the tropical jungle to 1500 feet (600m) where water is warm and weather is HOT. Great rivers all around with variety of styles of jungle creeking and bigger water. A couple hours away you get to Baños. This town has a great party vibe and has amazing good steep creeking around, but the real reason you go here for is for the RIO TOPO. Quantity and Quality of whitewater, even we lost a 1/3 of it due to a hydroelectric project it is still one of the best rivers you can paddle in Ecuador. Optional is the big volume on the Pastaza ( polluted water don’t drink it) and a couple remote runs, . Great for a weekend mission and get a few laps on the Topo or the Zuñag. Or a Rio Encanto mission could be good.


The Quijos Valley-

2 hrs East from Quito, as soon as you cross the Papallacta Pass (4000MASL) The Andes drains everything towards the RIO MARAÑON. Quickly you notice some amazing  whitewater in the creeks along the road. Soon the volume and steepness of the river changes and what you see now is the Quijos River that originates from the glaciers of the Antisana Volcano and here we start to recon many sections for over 100 km. Make a priority to come here first since is so close from UIO international airport, the whitewater here is amazing and abundant, this is kayak central, here you can hook up with more kayakers easily and get hooked with any logistics you may need to keep on moving, you have good lodging at the Hostels, Gina’s restaurant is home base and you can always find shuttles. The whole point is to make logistics easy. The Quijos river runs North along the road to Coca, making the logistics really easy for most sections,  a drytop is enough for most paddlers.
Miles of steady gradient provides endless fun. Class III-IV for days .

Rio Quijos, Class III-IV-V

We have many sections from the top in this order:

1. Lower Papallacta V

2. Cheese House IV/V

3. Bridge to Bridge IV-/IV+

4. Baeza to Borja  III/IV

5. Borja to Sardinas III/III+

6. Sardinas to Chaco III/IV ( The Chaco Canyon Section) also can run just the second half after the canyon.

7. Chaco (Confluence with Oyacachi)

8. BonBon to Moradillas bridge III/IV

9. Moradillas to Salado III+ epic Canyons.

The level of whitewater difficulty here is a reference at normal flows, consider one level higher with higher flows.

The Quijos has it all! Close to the town of Baeza, and only a couple hours from the UIO international airport the Quijos starts out technical and steep and quickly grows in size as feeder streams pour in out of the Andes. The majority of its runs are located upstream of 475-foot San Rafael Falls, one of the biggest waterfall in the country. The river's characteristics change as you keep going down starts steep and technical and ends up being really big and fun. In all, the river offers about 100 km of whitewater offering several sections, most  have good access. Most of the bigger-volume sections below the confluence of the Rio Cosanga have great play spots and are pool/drop in nature.

OK lets start with the upper sections:

Papallacta creek Class IV/V

Steep quality creeking, soon to be diverted and de-water for hidroelectric and drinking water for Quito…

30 minutes uphill from Baeza on the way to Quito, is the town of Cuyuja, there is easy access to the river and a gage just downstream of the bridge. (river right). I've run this down to is lowest but I don't recommend it less than 5 , it does go but is very boat abusive and easy to pin. 6-7 is perfect. and have only run it up to 9-10 to be fast and pushy. 

 Steep and technical Part of the head waters of the Quijos. The first mile will tell you all about it, is continuous and it goes well, boat scouting is doable, soon starts showing canyon walls and gets boxed in a couple spots, scoutable and good to go.  There is so many rapids that you will loose the count, the whole run is fun non stop boof after boof that will keep you in your game. Only a couple rapids have names on this section everything else is buggy. 

After this rapid you can take out if you had enough or continue on the next section , bread and butter of every day when you are hanging out in Baeza." LA CASA DE QUESO" pretty common to do both sections. (long day)

CHEESEHOUSE from BOOF SESSIONS on Vimeo.

The CHEESE HOUSE class IV+/V comparable to the North Fork of the Payette in Idaho, it feels big and pushi from the beginning, is a in your face kind of warm up. Boat scouting is easy at lower flows yet highly consequential. Continuous rapids specially at the beginning, the very first rapid is man made and constantly changing so be very careful, some blasted rock makes some sharks here. I've seen a few people pinned here trying to sneak it, this rapid changes after every flood.
 "Hecho en Ecuador" (Made in Ecuador) as we know it, is easy to scout on the left. The next half mile is really fun and non stop stout rapid, with small eddies .
There is some fun buggy in between the bigger rapids until you get to the power house. The right line is the standard this days.
The next significant rapid is called laberinto, water gets shallow and you find yourself in the middle of the river trying to find the deeper channel, left side is junky and piton rocks wait at the bottom.
From here down is super fun with one more significant rapid Piggly Wiggly, totally changed from what it used to be, still a really fun and big rapid, highly recommended to scout as it has a couple sticky holes.
Take out at the first car bridge you see, or continue to the next section b2b :  PUENTE A PUENTE 

BRIDGE 1 TO BRIDGE 2

As 2020 super nice collection of boofs and awesome lines. The Bridge to bridge is a good warm up for the Cheese House. Solid class IV rapids with continuous characteristics and awesome boofs. Bridge 2 ( Puente Quijos 2) is your take out unless you are going to Borja. Then you are on the BAEZA-BORJA section (bridge2-4) A favorite of this area, good for higher flows, manky if low. Great character of river, read and run all the way, it is a notch down from the Bridge to Bridge with a few stouts that are constantly changing.

HIGH WATER IN THE QUIJOS (BRIDGE 3.5 - SARDINAS ) A really good option for a high water event is to put in at the walking bridge below the confluence with the Cosanga. The Few rapids left are very fun a high flows and have wide safe lines and can be run down to the Sardinas take out safely. Maybe the best option for flooded Quijos days.
RIO BORJA.- When everything else is too big, Borja still delivers a short and sweet option on this continuous rollercoaster. 

BORJA to SARDINAS : Assesment run

for the Quijos valley , this is one of the few class III options, is a great introduction to the Whitewater of the Rio Quijos and provides some quality rapids with plenty of rapids and features to practice drills and skills.

CHACO CANYON: Five stars rating to this one . Signature run of the Quijos Valley, is the perfect section for the class IV lover, big and powerful , defined large features and enough water to make it feel big a lower flows and really big at higher flows.
El Toro rapid is one of the highlight in the Chaco Canyon. Easy to scout and portage on the left if necessary , stay left of the island.

BONBON : Easily combined with a Chaco Canyon lap or a Oyacachi lap. Will provide a awesome big water feel, it has a few bigger rapids that will catch your attention yet manageable. Class III/IV . Take out at Moradillas Bridge or Bonbon. Or it will continue down to the confluence with the Salado river. Enjoy the beautiful Canyons .

RIO COSANGA , Class III-IV+ 

3 sections: Upper upper, upper, lower (canyon)

 Classic run, another feeder of the Quijos, this river is south of Baeza on the way to Tena. It's always good. There are three runs on this river, including a hard-to-find section just above the town of Cosanga for when it is really high. The upper starts in the town of Cosanga and starts with some class III-III+ rapids and 1 stout class IV+ totally portageable on the left, it will give you a good feel for what's to come below on the lower section. when it turns into a class IV,  IV+V at higher flows. The lowest and hardest section of the river carves through a couple canyons with a pool drop feel is certainly a beauty of Ecuador's whitewater.


Rio Oyacachi, Class IV   A favorite of the region.
This river flows into the Quijos from the west and is a continuous boof session, really fun and technical run. It can be boated from a few hundred cfs to a few thousand cfs (class V) depending on skill levels. The entire run from the town of Oyacachi was first done in 1997 and very seldom repeated since then. This is a very remote and difficult 3 day run starting high in the Andes and ending up at the Rio Quijos. The normal run is a fun Class IV section above the confluence of the Rio Quijos. It has beautiful, clear water with big granite rocks and continuous technical rapids.

Between the Quijos Valley , on the way between Baeza to Tena you have several options: 

Rio Jondachi, The UPPER , Class IV+/ V

Paddle in from the km 28 put in at the side creek UrcuSiki most have flow to put in here or Hike in at la Merced de Jondachi km24 when low.

Running out of the Guacamayos  WA-KA-MAYOS (macaws) mountains, the Jondachi offers the most fun continuous creek-like kayaking and is one of the most classic rivers in Ecuador.  It has 3 sections. The upper section is a fantastic class V run that will keep the most experienced kayakers on top of their game for several miles with big moves and boofs all over the place and maybe a couple easy portages. The middle section is a long day because needs to be combined with the lower to avoid a hike out (you can hire porters and meet them @4pm at the bridge- arrange on the way to put in and only run middle section).

MIDDLE Jondachi Class  IV 
If water is not high enough for the upper then the middle is a better option for a lower water day, it channelizes quite well. It offers endless boulder gardens and provides awesome boots. It will be full on at higher flows but manageable. (not too high)

Lower Jondachi-Hollin section class III-IV
Gorgeous tropical jungle paddling starts a little technical for the first half of the run until the confluence with the Hollin, then the water gets bigger and turns into a big water run when you meet the Hollin. Very scenic and pristine jungles with lots of waterfalls on both sides, absolutely amazing when raining or tiger water days.


Rio Hollin Class IV-III
Fantastic river experience. Great for a first overnighter or a good option for a low water week. So beautiful , comes out pristine from the Sumaco-Galeras National park and provides lots of high quality rapids.

The beginning of the run has 3 major rapids, worth scouting or portaging. The biggest one is easy to see and portage is easier on the left. It has a pool drop character at lower flows so boat scouting is easy. The Cave rapid is a very unique feature of this river and you'll be stoked to scout it before you drop in it.

The best camping comes after a walking metal bridge. The is a gigantic boulder in the middle of the river that usually holds lots of wood, so stopping above it is always recommended anyway to make sure there is clear passage. High on the left of this huge boulder there is a nice sandy beach with lots of drift wood for camp fire. There is easy access to the jungle in case there is a flash flood so that's always a plus. Watch for snakes as they also love the sandy beaches.

TENA

Welcome to the jungle! If you're looking for hot weather and warm water paddling this is as good as it gets. The rivers here fan out around town making of Tena one of the country's most popular regions for warm water kayaking. Time to get that sunscreen and bugspray out. Long sleeves and leggings work the best. Bugs can be a little savage here but is not bad if you are prepared.

Rio Misahualli, Class -III/IV+ 
upper Misahualli (Miss) Upper misahualli from Cotundo bridge down.

The upper runs on the 'Miss' are steep, tight, round boulder-choked and technical. The upper runs are in when the river has some flow and totally worth the muddy walk  for a couple extra miles of quality steep creeking. the intensity of the river comes down as you come closer to Archidona, where you want to take out. The Upper Miss has several sections having the COTUNDO section being the most popular and most consistent at all flows. Check out the APP for maps of the several options you have on this one.

LOWER MISS
Below Tena, the Rio Hollin joins the Misahualli and the run becomes a Class IV big-water, pool-drop river with lots of playing, wonderful rain forest and one tricky portage. The river offers boatable flows of between 1000 and 10.000 cfs when in the Canyon of the Lower Miss, great big water kayaking in Ecuador.

Rio Tena class III/IV creeking(upper)

Very close to town short and sweet, this is a favorite when the rain comes in will be a blast! If the Tena is looking a little big and brown, the upper section is incredibly fun. From Shiti to Tacapi bridge, pretty short but you can do laps on it.

Rio Pano class IV 

This run can be run at pretty high levels, short and sweet you can paddle out back in town, if it rained all night in Tena this river will be in, you want it big and brown in town to be good upstream. Extremely Continuos, make sure to be on your A game for this one.


  

JATUN YACU (HaToon YaCoo) UPPER NAPO

Class III BIG WATER FUN

The bread and butter of the local community, and the commercial rafting. Jatun Yacu means big water in Quichua the native language of the region. Your first impression of the Class III Jatunyacu is that it is big. And it is--it's one of the largest-volume rivers you're likely to paddle in Ecuador. Catch it at high flows and it will take on a Grand Canyon-like feel. But don't be alarmed by its size; the rapids are spaced out and most have very clear channels. And the river's beauty matches its size, with great views of the rain forest, Andes, and riverside villages. It is a all times experience for all level paddlers. Amazing surfing and big waves.

Piatua River class III/IV Another classic, pristine clear water, very remote, running through virgin jungles, this river is a gem of the Andes, one of the most beautiful rivers around . It can be broken down in different section. If low is nice to stay on the upper section and take out at the hanging bridge and possibly do a second lap as the river spread wide and it turns into a menk fest fro the second half. If it has water you are lucky and in for a treat.

Rio Anzu: 

Upper Anzu:  Accesing on the river left shortens the run for a couple hours. Hit it at high water and it will be one of the most fun rivers ever, if everything is low, is really good as well,


Baños Area: At 6,000 feet, this part of Ecuador has a special feel; the water and air are cooler than in lower-elevation parts of Ecuador, and there are fewer bugs. Steep mountains, lots of water, makes this area unique, when talking about class V.



Rio Topo, Class IV-V 
 
Classic and so good, you will fall in love with one of the most continuous, big boulder choked rapids you can find,  This run is closer to Baños and offers a long day of powerful, technical rapids. It was first run by Gynner Coronel back in the 90's and has since emerged as one of Ecuador's classics. For the most experienced paddlers just a endless source of challenging rapids and perfectness of whitewater.
For more information go to the river guide page. 

Rio Chico Verde, Class IV/V+ : The upper Chico is a great class IV/IV+ run with good water levels, should be avoided if the water looks low the rocks are really sharp and is a boat buster, and the lower.
The lower being more steep and technical than the upper section with big drops and waterfalls is certainly one of the most challenging runs you can get into.

Rio Estancias, Class IV-V :Steep and technical, low volume, jungle feel creek. Class IV boulder gardens all the way down, boat scout ok but super continous, fun non stop. Great optional run for when Topo and Zuñag are too high.

Rio Zuniag, Class IV-V Just another great run, short and fun, makes a good warm up for class V around Baños. The run is about one mile long as it is as far the road goes. Is rite next to the Topo. just out side the toen of Rio Negro 30 minutes from Baños.








NORTHERN WEST MOUNTAINS - 
RIO LITA: is a ultra classic river hidden and off the beaten path worth the drive .  
RIO BLANCO: first d this in 2012 , continuos steep technical creeking (right side of the Mira river). Needs quite a lot of water but the logistics are easy. (road side)
RIO MIRA:  LONG mountain river, poor river quality but you can navigate class IV for days 
RIO INTAG:  Closest town is OTAVALO, a magical place in the mountains , incredible whitewater, organic coffee farms and hot springs. Rafting here is an option with anticipation and planning on the time of the year. Usually the rainy season starts around February and it can be quite exciting.



THE COAST :
SANTO DOMINGO - LOS BANCOS
RIO PACHIJAL : IV-V
RIO BLANCO: III
RIO MULAUTE : IV - LOWER : III
RIO TOACHI:  La Union to Alluriquin down

THE SOUTH

MACAS / SUCUA (from the ERI description)
Macas and Sucua are the preferred destinations to paddle rivers in the Upano Watershed, which offers superb whitewater for all skill levels in an area that is off the beaten track for most tours and is more culturally intact than other areas of the country. The airport in Macas services direct flights to and from Quito, which makes reaching this distant area more convenient. Otherwise, it is about 3 hours from Puyo, 5 hours from Tena, or 9 hours from Quito by bus. On clear days, the Sangay Volcano (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 eruptions of one of the most continuously active volcanoes in the world. ATM services are limited here, so be sure to bring cash reserves and everything you need. Due to paved roads and new access points, the Upano River can now be easily broken-down into a variety of one-day rafting or kayaking trips based from Macas or Sucua, that range in difficulty from Class III-IV+. The Upano River is divided into a series of braided, alluvial channels as it flows around Macas, but then becomes more defined and channelized as it nears Sucua, and then passes through a series of canyons with exceptional geology as the river flows past Huambinimi, Huambi and Logroño towards the last take-out option before entering the Namangoza Gorge at the Patuca-Yuquianza road bridge.

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 comes close to the river. From there it is about 60 km down to Macas. For those looking for a bigger adventure, the section above Alshi can be run started from the tunnel on the Macas-Guamote-Riobamba road where a trail leads down to the river from the downstream side of the tunnel. Be prepared for a long day of beautiful, solid Class V with some portages.The Tutanangosa River is a tributary of the Upano located near Sucua. It has an upper section above the town of Sucua with challenging class IV-V rapids, followed by a lengthy section of flatwater with numerous access points, followed by a surprising mini-gorge with Class IV drops which finishes just as the river reaches a road bridge and access at Sucua. From there, the river has a nice Class III (IV) section which finishes at a bridge that crosses over a beautiful gorge with a steep trail on RL leading up to the road. Below there, the river picks up and builds character with some harder rapids and several spots that are prone to collect trees and strainers. The last take-out is on the upstream / RR-side of the main Macas - Gualaquiza road bridge before the Tutanangosa River flows into the Upano River.

Well below the confluence of the Tutanangosa River, the combined flows of the Negro and the Paute Rivers join the Upano River to form the Class IV+ Namangoza Gorge. This beautiful, waterfall-lined canyon has "big-water" waves and features and is now preferably run as a full-day-trip started from the balneario on the Negro River, just upstream of the confluence with the Paute and the main road bridge at Bella Union. Most groups take-out in the Shuar community of Yuquianza, just downstream of the Yuquianza River confluence, and well upsream of an impressive hanging foot bridge, which is the first foot bridge across the river below the Namangosa Gorge. Hire a shuttle in advance, as bus traffic can be minimal at the take-out.

A new road has opened access to a good Class IV section of the Abanico River, upstream of the Abanico hydro project. Below the hydro project, the Abanico River crashes over 3-4 marginally runnable rapids and flattens out abruptly before joining the Upper Upano River about 50 km above Macas with no good access in between. For that reason the Lower Abanico has only been paddled a few times, as the section above the hydro project is the best section to paddle, as is the Upper Upano for the overnight trip. For those looking for easier Class III (+) paddling, the Yukipa River and the Seipa River both offer good options. The Yukipa River was recently made accessible by a new road, and has excellent scenery. There are 2-3 sections which can be run. The final section which runs into the Upano is Class IV+ with portages. The Seipa River also runs into the Upano River, but has milder gradient compared to the Yukipa. A new road is opening up sections higher up on the Seipa. The Tuna Chiguaza River 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, log jams, and sieves. Take-out at the hanging bridge just before the confluence with the Pastaza River or at the main Puyo-Macas road bridge over the Pastaza just below the confluence. There is no more road access below the main Puyo-Macas road bridge. (source ERI )

RIO MADGALENA

RIO COFANES

RIO AGUARICO

RIO UPANO