ITINERARIES

1. DOWN RIVER RUN (1day- class IV)
Depart from Crossroads Café and Hostel, 6:30 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. At the end of the day we celebrate a fun day on the river with a few icy cold beers and return to Quito (approx. 7:30 pm).
River Grading: IV
What to bring:
swimsuit/shorts, spray jacket, tennis shoes/river sandals, sunglasses (with retention strap), baseball cap, sunscreen, insect repellent.
Includes: 
Professional guides, expert safety kayaker for every two boats, all rafting equipment, wetsuits, transport, lunch.
Not included:
Breakfast, additional alcoholic drinks, personal expenses, tips.
Departures: Any day (Minimum 4 pax)

2.THEHEADWATERS RUN (2dasy - OVER 50KM, CLASS IV+)
Day 1 Depart from Crossroads Café and Hostel, 7am. 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. At the end of the day we pull the boats into shore and take a short ten-minute walk up to the lodge where we have cold beer, hot showers and a good meal waiting for us. O/n lodge. (L, D).

Day 2 After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast we’ll pull on our wetsuits again and head back to the river for a lot more whitewater action. Today you should be prepared for one of the most exciting days of your life. And to top it off you’ll be doing it all in one of the most beautiful parts of Ecuador. This river is set to become a legend. From the take-out we’ll head back to Quito stopping at Papallacta Hot Springs for a well-earned soak in the volcanically heated mineral waters. Arrive approx. 8pm or spend a night at Papallacta. (B, L).

River Grading: IV-IV+

What to bring:
For on the river: swimsuit/shorts, spray jacket, tennis shoes/river sandals, sunglasses (with retention strap), baseball cap, sunscreen, insect repellent.

For off the river: dry change of clothes (long-sleeved shirt, long pants and a light jumper), shoes/boots, personal items (i.e. Toiletries / medication).

Includes:
Professional guides, expert safety kayaker for every two boats, all rafting equipment, wetsuits, transport, meals as stated and shared accommodation.

Not included:
Additional alcoholic drinks, personal expenses, tips, and entry to Papallacta Hot Springs.

Departures: Saturdays from September to February. Other days with a minimum of 6

ITINERARIES

1.THE GEROGE RUN (5 days)
A journey down the Río Upano is a very special experience. Rafting the Upano we witness the many moods and changing character of a jungle river. We set off on a shallow and braided river having to choose a route where the waters divide into numerous channels. The pace steadily increases until the river plunges into the magnificent Namangosa Gorge. Here we tackle rapids up to grade IV+ in the midst of virgin rainforest and the spectacle of dozens of waterfalls cascading from the lip of the gorge.  Finally, the river broadens and deepens to become a calm but powerful giant on it’s way to meet the Río Amazonas. One of the highlights of this trip is the night we spend camped by a Shuar settlement. Here we have the opportunity to visit a traditional farm and learn about the Shuar way of life.

Day 1:  Fly Quito-Macas (14.00). Drive to our put-in and first night camp. Orientation briefing from the trip leader and meet the guides.

Days 2–4: We begin with a comprehensive safety briefing and instruction in paddling techniques. Then we’ll launch our rafts - laden with camping equipment and fresh supplies - onto the jungle waters. During the days we’ll take time out from the action to explore the edge of the jungle, venture up to cascading waterfalls or simply drift through the calmer stretches in awe at our surroundings. At night we’ll camp on sandy beaches by the side of the river and enjoy an excellent meal in this most extraordinary ‘restaurant’.

Day 5:  After a relaxing morning in our final camp we raft a short distance to the take out point  and drive back to Macas. Overnight in Macas.

Day 6:  In the morning you can explore this small jungle town that offers great views across the Upano valley and also the local market which is the center of commerce for the valley. Afternoon flight back to Quito (15:00).

River Grading:  IV – IV+

What to bring:
For on the river: swimsuit/shorts, T-shirt, tennis shoes/river sandals, sunglasses (with retention strap), baseball cap, sunscreen and lip balm, insect repellent, water bottle (1litre), thermal top, light rain jacket.
For off the river: long-sleeved shirt, long pants (not jeans), light jumper/fleece jacket), shoes/boots, personal items (i.e. toiletries/medication), sleeping bag, Thermorest or sleeping pad, headlamp or torch, small towel, plastic bags for wet gear.

Includes:
Professional guides, complete rafting and group camping equipment, all meals on the river (i.e. from dinner Day 1 to lunch Day 5), transport from Macas to the river and back, 1 night accommodation in Macas.

Not included:
Flight (or bus) Quito-Macas-Quito personal expenses, meals in Macas.

Departures: Thursdays from August to February

ITINERARIES

UPPER NAPO RIVER (1day/25 Kilometers - class 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.

Includes:
Professional guides, top-of-the-line rafting equipment, transportation to the river and back to Tena, a delicious riverside lunch, and unsurpassed safety

ITINERARIES

LEARN TO KAYAK COURSE
This course starts with the basic techniques of whitewater kayaking and builds on those techniques with lots of on-river time. More advanced techniques are introduced each day as your confidence in whitewater increases. By the end of the course you should be ready to read and run grade III rapids (under supervision of more experienced paddlers!).

Program:

Day 01: Meet in Tena. The morning will be spent learning basic paddling techniques and safety procedures. Lunch. In the afternoon we will practice balance and edging techniques. Discussion of river reading.

Day 02: The emphasis today will be on moving into, out of and across the current and practicing techniques learned on Day 1. Lunch. Introduction to Eskimo roll.

Day 03: Practice Eskimo roll. Rapid running. Emphasis on balance and edging techniques.

Day 04: This day will be spent running lots of rapids to bring all your newly learned skills together. Emphasis will be on perfecting technique, reading whitewater and river running skills. And of course having loads of BIG fun!

Included:
Kayaking instruction, all equipment, transport during the course, lunch.

Not included:
Transport ex Quito, accommodation and meals except lunch