Recommendations for Kayaking and Rafting in Ecuador…Possibly the best tropical white water in the world!
We can say that river running is starting in Ecuador, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a better country for it. Experienced paddlers have been visiting Ecuador for the past 10 years describe the kayaking in Ecuador rivers as some of the best they’ve seen anywhere. They like to talk about wide, brown rivers that wind through thick, green foliage and precipitous rocky gorges before suddenly falling into Class IV wild white water. And, most of all, they like to remark that the water and environment is warm, the sceneries are gorgeous and the rivers are so easily accessible that it is a wonder this places aren’t overrun yet with paddlers.
From Quito from one day to one week paddling trips can be arranged, and for all levels of expertise. The upper section of rivers in the Andes, before they fall to the flat Amazon Basin, offer difficulties, even technical Class V runs best left to expert kayakers. As they flow downward and increase in water volume, the flows become softer but rapids can still be continuous, requiring endurance and sustained effort to manage the hours of Class III and IV white water…that continuity characteristic of Ecuadorian rivers are one of the most remembered by white water lovers!
Some river descriptions can be found in http://www.pioneerjourneys.com/kayaking-and-rafting-expeditions.html . Río Blanco is the most frequently run in Ecuador, in part because it is so accessible to Quito. Much of its 200 paddling km of white water in that river can be done in a day trip. Upper Blanco River has a 47 km sustained Class III-IV rapids that can be done in 4 hours! That is probably the most white water you will ever hit in a day. After that section, if you are still hungry for more white water, other rivers can be taken, the Mindo River Class III-IV, Pilaton (Class IV-V), Saloya (IV-V) or the upper Toachi (IV-V). All difficulties depend on the time of the year and we strongly recommend to always hire guiding personalized tours that will bring you to enjoy the best of that paradise.
For less experienced kayakers or also professionals, Río Quijos offers everything from Class II to steep Class IV-V white water. It is placed in an astonishing environment, near the snowed capped Antisana Volcano Reserve. Class IV-V streams drop through narrow rock canyons. There, rafters head to the main Quijos (Class III-V) and fanatic kayakers tackle the Papallacta (V) or Oyacachi (Class IV) tributaries.
Río Napo and most of its tributaries offer a crazy variety to let you paddle a different river every day during a whole week. Class III Uper Napo, Class IV Misahuallí River are maybe the most popular. As I said before, all theses rivers can suffer extreme changes in water levels but there are always alternatives thanks to the jungle mountains and weather particular conditions of tropical western Ecuador.
Pioneer Journeys (www.pioneerjourneys.com) work with the most experienced guides and has a good range of quality technical equipment. Rescue and first-aid training is a requisite for our tour leaders. Bear in mind that we have specialized in both guiding professional kayakers to personalized expeditions and also instruction courses to introduce newcomers to the thrills of white water…surrounded in that case by pristine tropical flora!