Ecuador rafting & canyoning trips
| country: | Ecuador |
| departures: | Daily departures throughout the year (except 2 days at Quijos River which operates Oct-Feb). Form your own group or join other people |
| price: | From US $30 (half day) - US $160 (2 days) excluding flights, including accommodation and meals where applicable |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Go on the greatest adventure on the river! We operate half day, full day and 2 day rafting and canyoning trips from Banos and Quito.
Canyoning trips operate with minimum 2 people, rafting trips from Banos with groups of 3-12 people and rafting trips from Quito with minimum 4 people.
Prices include equipment as required and accommodation & meals where applicable, but not drinks or tips. All trips include a safety talk and instructions on how to use the equipment properly.
These trips operate year round, unless stated otherwise.
Rafting & canyoning trips from Banos
Rafting & cycling combination US $45 - Full day at Pastaza River (optional 17km cycling, 1hr 45mins-3hrs rafting)
Depart from our office in Baños at 8:15am by bicycle to Rio Verde (17km downhill). On the way we pass a few waterfalls and we can get a nice view and photos of them. The rafting trip stars at the Penal. The rafting staff sets everything up and then gives a safety talk and instructions. Once the group has practiced on land we are ready to go on the greatest adventure on the river! The landscape around you is the secondary forest and you will have the opportunity to see birds and a variety of trees. The trip ends in Madre Tierra where our driver will be waiting for us. We drive to Puyo and have lunch, then we go back to Baños, arriving around 4pm.
Rafting (class IV-V) US $80 - Full day at Pastaza River
Depart from our office at Baños at 9:15am, travelling by private transportation to San Francisco Town. On the way, we'll see waterfalls (Agoyan, Manto de la Novia, El Pailon del Diablo) where you can take some nice photos. There is also the option to cross the river on a cable car. Once we get to San Francisco, the rafting staff will set everything up and give a safety talk and instructions. The group practices on the land before we go on to the most exciting adventure in the river. On the way, we will enjoy the wild nature, bird watching and river hiking, as well as swimming in a natural pool. We can also take pictures of the high waterfalls which fall just next to the Pastaza River. After this nice experience on the class IV and V, we finish at la Penal where our driver will be waiting for us. We will get a small snack (fruits) and then go and have a warm lunch in a restaurant. The way back to Baños takes around 45 minutes.
Rafting (class III) US $35 - Full day at Pastaza River (2-3hrs rafting)
Depart from our office at Baños at 9:15am. On the way, we'll see waterfalls (Agoyan, Manto de la Novia, El Pailon del Diablo) where you can take some nice photos. Optionally, you can cross the river with on a cable car. At La Penal the rafting staff will set everything up and give a safety and instruction talk. After practicing on land we go on to the most exciting adventure in the river. On the way, we will enjoy the wild nature, bird watching and river hiking, as well as swimming in a natural pool. We finish at Madre Tierra town where our driver will be waiting for us. We will go to Puyo to have lunch and return to Baños at 3-4pm.
Canyoning US $30 - Half day at Chamana waterfall
Depart from our office at Baños at 9:15am. We will get changed into our wet suits, leaving our clothes and bags at the agency. We travel for 10 minutes in our private transportation then the guides will explain the program before a 5 minute walk to our first waterfall, which is 10m high. There, we will receive a safety talk from the guides and learn how to canyon down the waterfall. No previous experience is required. You will be able to descend more than once if you wish! Then we walk to our second waterfall which is 6m long and have another chance to canyon before we go to the highest waterfall. This time you will have the opportunity to descend a 45m waterfall. You will be impressed by the wonderful nature around us and the beauty of the landscape. After this great sensation, we walk uphill to where our private transportation is waiting for us. We will be back in Baños where you can get changed around 1pm.
Canyoning US $45 - Full day at San Jorge waterfall
Depart from our office at Baños at 9:15am. We travel by private car for 30 minutes to the entrance of the San Jorge waterfall. Along the way we will pass several waterfalls where we can stop to enjoy the natural beauty and take photos.
From here we walk for 45 minutes until we reach the waterfall. First we are given a short safety talk about how to use the equipment properly. We canyon in an area between the Sangay and Llanganates National Parks. We begin down an easy potion of the waterfall for practice and gain experience on 4 small waterfalls measuring 4-6m. Next, we progress to 4 more waterfalls measuring 8-10m. Finally we are prepared to canyon down 3 more waterfalls measuring between 45 and 60 meters. During the trip we will be able to practice several different styles of cayoning. We arrive back at the office around 3pm.
Rafting trips from Quito
Rafting (class IV-IV+) US $160 - 2 days at Quijos River - operates Oct-Feb
Depart from your hotel in Quito at 7am by private car. We travel east for 2 hours up across the páramo and down through beautiful cloud forest to the shores of the river.
Once we arrive by the Quijos River, the rafting staff set everything up. We will hear the safety talk and practice on land. When we are ready, we go on the most exciting adventure in the river! We'll experience both action and tranquillity in the spectacular rainforest and basalt canyon scenery. We run big technical rapids through the upper canyons of the Quijos. After 5 hours on the raft, we will go by car to our hostel to relax, have a hot shower or walk in the surrounding rainforest. Around 7pm a good meal will be waiting for us.
On the second day, we will head back to the river for more fun and action through the beautiful nature of this region. On the way back to Quito we will stop at Papallacta Hot Springs. We will be back at your hotel around 8pm.
Rafting (class III-IV) US $160 - 2 days at Toachi & Blanco Rivers
Depart from your hotel in Quito at 6:30am by private car. We travel west down through beautiful cloud forest for 2.5 hours to Santo Domingo de Los Colorados, and then the shores of the river.
When we arrive by the Toachi River the rafting staff set everything up. We will hear the safety talk and practice on land. When we are ready, we'll go on the most exciting adventure in the river! On the way, we'll experience both action and tranquillity in the lowland tropical rainforest of the Blanco valley rivers. We will enjoy the wild nature, bird watching and river hiking, as well as swimming in a natural pool. After 3-4 hours on the raft, we will go by car to our hostel to relax or walk in the surrounding rainforest. Around 7pm we will enjoy a delicious dinner. On the second day we'll head back to the river for more fun and action through the beautiful nature of this region. We will be back at your hotel in Quito around 7:30pm.
Rafting (class III-IV) US $70 - Full day at Toachi & Blanco Rivers
Depart from your hotel in Quito at 6:30am by private car. We travel west down through beautiful cloud forest for 2.5 hours to Santo Domingo de Los Colorados, and then the shores of the river.
When we arrive by the Toachi River the rafting staff set everything up. We will hear the safety talk and practice on land. When we are ready, we go on the most exciting adventure in the river! On the way we'll experience both action and tranquillity through the lowland tropical rainforest of the Blanco valley rivers. We will enjoy the wild nature, bird watching and river hiking, as well as swimming in a natural pool.
From June to February we will be rafting for 3 hours (27 km) plus a stop for lunch. From March to May we will be on the raft for 4 hours (45 km on the upper río Blanco). We will be back at your hotel in Quito around 7:30pm.
Canyoning trips operate with minimum 2 people, rafting trips from Banos with groups of 3-12 people and rafting trips from Quito with minimum 4 people.
Prices include equipment as required and accommodation & meals where applicable, but not drinks or tips. All trips include a safety talk and instructions on how to use the equipment properly.
These trips operate year round, unless stated otherwise.
Rafting & canyoning trips from Banos
Rafting & cycling combination US $45 - Full day at Pastaza River (optional 17km cycling, 1hr 45mins-3hrs rafting)
Depart from our office in Baños at 8:15am by bicycle to Rio Verde (17km downhill). On the way we pass a few waterfalls and we can get a nice view and photos of them. The rafting trip stars at the Penal. The rafting staff sets everything up and then gives a safety talk and instructions. Once the group has practiced on land we are ready to go on the greatest adventure on the river! The landscape around you is the secondary forest and you will have the opportunity to see birds and a variety of trees. The trip ends in Madre Tierra where our driver will be waiting for us. We drive to Puyo and have lunch, then we go back to Baños, arriving around 4pm. Rafting (class IV-V) US $80 - Full day at Pastaza River
Depart from our office at Baños at 9:15am, travelling by private transportation to San Francisco Town. On the way, we'll see waterfalls (Agoyan, Manto de la Novia, El Pailon del Diablo) where you can take some nice photos. There is also the option to cross the river on a cable car. Once we get to San Francisco, the rafting staff will set everything up and give a safety talk and instructions. The group practices on the land before we go on to the most exciting adventure in the river. On the way, we will enjoy the wild nature, bird watching and river hiking, as well as swimming in a natural pool. We can also take pictures of the high waterfalls which fall just next to the Pastaza River. After this nice experience on the class IV and V, we finish at la Penal where our driver will be waiting for us. We will get a small snack (fruits) and then go and have a warm lunch in a restaurant. The way back to Baños takes around 45 minutes.
Rafting (class III) US $35 - Full day at Pastaza River (2-3hrs rafting)
Depart from our office at Baños at 9:15am. On the way, we'll see waterfalls (Agoyan, Manto de la Novia, El Pailon del Diablo) where you can take some nice photos. Optionally, you can cross the river with on a cable car. At La Penal the rafting staff will set everything up and give a safety and instruction talk. After practicing on land we go on to the most exciting adventure in the river. On the way, we will enjoy the wild nature, bird watching and river hiking, as well as swimming in a natural pool. We finish at Madre Tierra town where our driver will be waiting for us. We will go to Puyo to have lunch and return to Baños at 3-4pm. Canyoning US $30 - Half day at Chamana waterfall
Depart from our office at Baños at 9:15am. We will get changed into our wet suits, leaving our clothes and bags at the agency. We travel for 10 minutes in our private transportation then the guides will explain the program before a 5 minute walk to our first waterfall, which is 10m high. There, we will receive a safety talk from the guides and learn how to canyon down the waterfall. No previous experience is required. You will be able to descend more than once if you wish! Then we walk to our second waterfall which is 6m long and have another chance to canyon before we go to the highest waterfall. This time you will have the opportunity to descend a 45m waterfall. You will be impressed by the wonderful nature around us and the beauty of the landscape. After this great sensation, we walk uphill to where our private transportation is waiting for us. We will be back in Baños where you can get changed around 1pm.
Canyoning US $45 - Full day at San Jorge waterfall
Depart from our office at Baños at 9:15am. We travel by private car for 30 minutes to the entrance of the San Jorge waterfall. Along the way we will pass several waterfalls where we can stop to enjoy the natural beauty and take photos.
From here we walk for 45 minutes until we reach the waterfall. First we are given a short safety talk about how to use the equipment properly. We canyon in an area between the Sangay and Llanganates National Parks. We begin down an easy potion of the waterfall for practice and gain experience on 4 small waterfalls measuring 4-6m. Next, we progress to 4 more waterfalls measuring 8-10m. Finally we are prepared to canyon down 3 more waterfalls measuring between 45 and 60 meters. During the trip we will be able to practice several different styles of cayoning. We arrive back at the office around 3pm. Rafting trips from Quito
Rafting (class IV-IV+) US $160 - 2 days at Quijos River - operates Oct-Feb
Depart from your hotel in Quito at 7am by private car. We travel east for 2 hours up across the páramo and down through beautiful cloud forest to the shores of the river.
Once we arrive by the Quijos River, the rafting staff set everything up. We will hear the safety talk and practice on land. When we are ready, we go on the most exciting adventure in the river! We'll experience both action and tranquillity in the spectacular rainforest and basalt canyon scenery. We run big technical rapids through the upper canyons of the Quijos. After 5 hours on the raft, we will go by car to our hostel to relax, have a hot shower or walk in the surrounding rainforest. Around 7pm a good meal will be waiting for us.
On the second day, we will head back to the river for more fun and action through the beautiful nature of this region. On the way back to Quito we will stop at Papallacta Hot Springs. We will be back at your hotel around 8pm.
Rafting (class III-IV) US $160 - 2 days at Toachi & Blanco Rivers
Depart from your hotel in Quito at 6:30am by private car. We travel west down through beautiful cloud forest for 2.5 hours to Santo Domingo de Los Colorados, and then the shores of the river.
When we arrive by the Toachi River the rafting staff set everything up. We will hear the safety talk and practice on land. When we are ready, we'll go on the most exciting adventure in the river! On the way, we'll experience both action and tranquillity in the lowland tropical rainforest of the Blanco valley rivers. We will enjoy the wild nature, bird watching and river hiking, as well as swimming in a natural pool. After 3-4 hours on the raft, we will go by car to our hostel to relax or walk in the surrounding rainforest. Around 7pm we will enjoy a delicious dinner. On the second day we'll head back to the river for more fun and action through the beautiful nature of this region. We will be back at your hotel in Quito around 7:30pm. Rafting (class III-IV) US $70 - Full day at Toachi & Blanco Rivers
Depart from your hotel in Quito at 6:30am by private car. We travel west down through beautiful cloud forest for 2.5 hours to Santo Domingo de Los Colorados, and then the shores of the river.
When we arrive by the Toachi River the rafting staff set everything up. We will hear the safety talk and practice on land. When we are ready, we go on the most exciting adventure in the river! On the way we'll experience both action and tranquillity through the lowland tropical rainforest of the Blanco valley rivers. We will enjoy the wild nature, bird watching and river hiking, as well as swimming in a natural pool.
From June to February we will be rafting for 3 hours (27 km) plus a stop for lunch. From March to May we will be on the raft for 4 hours (45 km on the upper río Blanco). We will be back at your hotel in Quito around 7:30pm.
how this holiday makes a difference
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All guides on these trips are local Ecuadorians who have experience in rafting and canyoning. En route to the river or waterfalls, guides explain the flora and fauna that they see on the way. The restaurants that we use belong to the local communities; our tourists have the opportunity of eating typical Ecuadorian dishes.
We travel to our rafting and canyoning locations along established footpaths. Also we advise our tourists to respect the footpath and avoid throwing rubbish away. On all our trips we provide our tourists with plastic bags, so each person can gather their garbage and nobody throws it away in the countryside, or contaminates the environment. Each month we organise for students of the high schools in Baños to collect garbage and clean the banks of the Pastaza river, where raft to levels III and IV. At the San Jorge and Chamana waterfalls, we organize a "Minga" (work) with students of the high schools to gather the garbage and clean the footpath. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |