AMAZON RIVER RAFTING, 3 DAYS

Our journey begins heading east from Quito through the Inter-Andean valley, then gaining elevation until we reach the continental divide at 4,100 meters of altitude. Here we begin a scenic descent into the Amazon Basin. We enjoy the beautiful scenery along the entire ride, from highland paramo to lush rainforest.

Our first visit is the Termas de Papallacta Spa and Resort, where we relax in thermal pools fed with mineral-rich water from the nearby volcanic hot springs. The resort is surrounded by mountainous cloud forest scenery. After lunch, we will enjoy of the visit to Guango Lodge which is a bird paradise where we will be able to spot more than 8 different species of hummingbirds among many other bird species that live year-round in this amazing forest.

Once we arrive at our lodge we will visit a Kichwa indigenous community. Here, we learn about their way of life, culture, traditions and how they express their culture in a symbiotic relationship with the rainforest through traditional songs and dances.

At the end of the day, we settle into our jungle lodge ready for a peaceful evening surrounded by rainforest sounds. (L, D)

After a delicious and nutritious breakfast we will drive to the Jatunyacu River, before we start our rafting adventure, we set off on a short hike through the jungle to a nearby group of naturally-formed river pools, where we jump, slide, and swim around incredible rock formations, helping us get comfortable in the water before rafting.

We return to the put-in, and after a brief instructional session, head for the rapids. The Jatunyacu, which means “Big Water” in Kichwa, is considered one of Ecuador’s best one-day river runs. It has lots of big waves and fun features and offers the perfect balance of challenge and accessibility for the novice rafter.

The river is surrounded by spectacular jungle scenery, birdlife, and Kichwa families that live along the shores in small bamboo and thatch houses. After an exciting first run, we head to our jungle lodge, where we enjoy a gourmet dinner and a relaxing evening amidst the jungle sounds. (B, L, D)

This morning after an early breakfast and packing all our gear and we drive toward the Jondachi River to experience Ecuador’s newest whitewater attraction. Today’s run starts with a technical section of the Jondachi, which eventually merges with the Hollin and transforms into a high-volume river with seriously big waves. We hike for 30 minutes to access the river. Before boarding our rafts, we visit a secluded river cave nearby, where we plunge into deep pools and enjoy the amazing scenery of this hidden spot. We return to the put-in to begin an epic 38 km run through a pristine jungle canyon.

The Jondachi section is tight and technical, requiring careful maneuvering between granite boulders. Once the Jondachi joins the Hollin, water volume increases significantly, creating big waves and demanding a more aggressive paddling style. The high canyon walls that frame the river are covered in lush rainforest and several picturesque waterfalls. As we paddle, we can see kingfishers, egrets, Yellow-rumped caciques, and brilliant blue and green tangaras. Above the canyon, we see several wooden footbridges built by the Kichwa people to access their deep jungle territories.

After this amazing rafting experience we continue up into the Andes, enjoying views of lush tropical valleys and waterfalls, finally, we head back to Quito. (B, L)