This trip combines small volume technical creeking and big water play runs to give you a sample of Ecuador's best. A few years ago we divided our Winter Whitewater trips into a Class III trip and a Class IV- trip to ensure that people were getting on the right runs for their ability level. For the IV- trip, we are focusing on paddlers with great foundational skills, but who are not yet comfortable on solid Class IV. On this trip, you should expect great variety in runs, a little play boating, a little river running, a little creeking, and whole lot of fun.
Sample Itinerary Day 1: Saturday arrival into Quito, most flights arrive in the evening. We will be there to pick you up at the airport and take you to the hotel we use while in Quito. It is conveniently located on the edge of the Marsical (tourist sector or Quito). If you prefer to arrive a day early we will make your hotel reservations and advise you on local activities.
Day 2: After a breakfast briefing from the trip leader we head over the 13,000' Papayacta pass and drop down into the lush Amazon Basin. At Cabanas Tres Rios we will outfit our kayaks, enjoy the first of Lily's excellent meals and head to the river. We usually paddle the Pica Piedra run which starts right out front of our riverside cabins.
Day 3: We spend all day on the lower Quijos running drop pool rapids in some of the best rainforest accessible to kayakers. Waterfalls abound on the jungle-covered cliffs with little evidence of human impact in this spectacular gorge.
Day 4: After traveling to the neighboring Napo Valley we paddle the upper Misahualli, a delightful technical run. We'll stay at another riverside hotel right in the town of Tena so there is ample opportunity for interaction with, or observation of, Ecuadorian life.
Day 5: Big water play on the Rio Jatunyacu and a stop at a jungle tributary swimming hole and slot canyon. After paddling we visit Puerto Misahualli where we can expect to see monkeys playing and local handicrafts.
Day 6: After paddling the remote full day lower section of the Rio Jondachi we will return to our Tena hotel.
Day 7: Paddle the middle section on the beautiful Rio Cosonga on our way back to Small World’s riverside lodge—Cabanas Tres Rios.
Day 8: Head to Papallacta to enjoy the hot springs resort and return to Quito in time for a tour of the souvenir markets.
Day 9: Head home to the USA or continue to a Galapagos cruise.
Torrents- The trip SWA is famous for! Seven Days of spectacular class IV rivers.
“Any two days of this trip would have been worth coming down and paddling with SWA” Peter, .... PA.
Variety is what this, our most popular trip, is all about. You will challenge yourself mostly on steep technical creeks but we throw in a couple large volume, drop pool rivers as well. At this level of kayaking there are an astonishing number of world class rivers to choose from. We take advantage of the best water levels when selecting runs for each group so don't be surprised if it's the best week of paddling of your life.
Sample Itinerary Day 1:Saturday arrival into Quito. Most flights arrive in the evening and we will be there to pick you up at the airport and take you to the hotel we use while in Quito. It is conveniently located on the edge of the Marsical (tourist sector or Quito). If you prefer to arrive a day early we can make your hotels reservations and advise you on local activities.
Day 2: After a breakfast briefing from the trip leader we head over 13,000' Papallacta pass and drop down into the lush Amazon Basin. At Cabanas Tres Rios (Small World’s private riverside lodge) we will outfit our kayaks, enjoy the first of Lily's excellent meals and head upstream to the river. We will run the confluence section of the Rio Quijos and take out right at CTR in front of your cabin!
Day 3:Paddle the Pica Piedra section and magnificent El Chaco gorge.
Day 4: It’s creeking time and we travel to the Napo valley and paddle on the delightfully technical upper Misahualli. Tonight, we will stay in the heart of historic Tena and have time to wander through town sightseeing.
Day 5: Today we kayak one of the most scenic rivers in Ecuador, the Piatua. The adventure factor is high on this run just to get to the put-in since it is at the end of a remote, small road. Expect a clear, technical river with uncountable boofs and nonstop rapids, a new favorite on our trips.
Day 6: After breakfast we will head back to the Quijos valley and run the Rio Cosonga, taking out at CTR. It's a low volume tributary of the Quijos and one of the best in this valley.
Day 7: We have lots of runs to choose from such as the playful big-volume Bom-Bon section or maybe the technical Oyacachi or upper Quijos.
Day 8: After a morning paddle on the Quijos we head back to Quito in time for a bit of souvenir shopping.
Day 9: Head home to the USA or stick around for a bit more paddling.
Cost: $1595. Price includes: Expert guides, kayak rental,in country transportation, delicious meals from breakfast the first day through lunch the final day, and lodging. Group discounts available.
Mucha Agua
This trip has a strong focus on Ecuador's creeks and it's steeper, more continuous rivers. We'll most likely throw in 1 or 2 days of bigger volume boating, but for the majority of the week you should bring your creeking game. We'll hit up many of Ecuador's classic IV+ and V- runs. For people who are super comfortable boating Class IV/V runs, this is an awesome week full of world class boating.
Day 1: Saturday arrival into Quito. Most flights arrive in the evening and we will be there to pick you up at the airport and take you to the hotel we use while in Quito which is conveniently located on the edge of the Marsical (tourist sector or Quito). If you can arrive a day early we will make your hotel reservations for you and suggest some activities around Quito.
Day 2: After a breakfast briefing from the trip leader we head over the 13,000' Papallacta pass and drop down into the lush Amazon Basin. At our private lodge, Cabanas Tres Rios, we will outfit our kayaks, enjoy the first of Lily's excellent meals and head to the river. We will run the technical Baeza to Borja section of the Rio Quijos and take out right at CTR in front of your cabin!
Day 3: We stay in the Quijos drainage today but hop on the Rio Oyacachi for hours of continuous powerful and technical rapids. After the confluence with the Quijos we have the option of continuing downstream on the Bom Bon section.
Day 4: It’s time to run the even warmer upper Misahualli on the way to Tena. This run is very low volume with large granite boulders creating fun slots and boofs. We stay at our riverside hotel in the heart of Tena. Day 5: The Rio Piatua is today’s mission. This very remote medium volume river is usually super clear and very continuous. There are fun boofs in almost every rapid and ends up with a rope swing!
Day 6: With over eighty significant rapids in a six and a half mile run you hopefully have plenty of energy left for the Rio Jondachi. We will probably spend the evening in Tena.
Day 7: After breakfast we travel back towards our lodge CTR and paddle the lower Cosanga on the way taking out right at our cabins.
Day 8: After a morning paddle on the Quijos in El Chaco Canyon or the Cheesehouse section, we head back to Quito in time for a bit of souvenir shopping and a farewell dinner at one of our favorite restaurants.
Day 9: Head home to the USA or continue onto one of SWA's other adventures.
Cost: $1595. Price includes: Expert guides, kayak rental, in country transportation, delicious meals from breakfast the first day through lunch the final day, and lodging. Group discounts available.
Rivers and Beaches
This trip has been featured in Outside Magazine and is unlike anything offered by anyone else. We paddle four solid days on the rivers in the Quijos valley (our favorite) and then three great days at the beach kayak surfing! We'll share our secret point break where we haven't ever seen another surfer (board or kayak). If you want to maximize your vacation time this is the trip that will do it and it’s also a great vacation for non-paddling friends or family members. SWA’s Rivers and Beaches is truly a break from winter! The lodging couldn’t be more convenient: Cabanas Tres Rios on the banks of the Rio Quijos and a beachfront hotel in a small fishing village.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1: Saturday arrival into Quito, most flights arrive in the evening. We will be there to pick you up at the airport and take you to the hotel we use while in Quito. It is conveniently located on the edge of the Marsical (tourist sector or Quito). If you prefer to arrive a day early we can arrange a hotel reservation and activities for you.
Day 2: After a breakfast briefing from the trip leader we head over the 13,000' Papallacta pass and drop down into the lush Amazon Basin. At Cabanas Tres Rios we will outfit our kayaks, enjoy the first of Lily's excellent meals and go paddling on the Rio Quijos.
Day 3, 4: We spend full days paddling the rivers in the Quijos and Oyacachi valleys while staying at our exclusive Cabanas Tres Rios.
Day 5: After paddling the Rio Cosonga we head back to Quito for the evening.
Day 6: We catch a morning flight to the beach and our vehicle and boats meet us at the airport for the one hour drive to our beachfront hotel. The surf is right out front so grab your boat and walk the 100 yards to a great, uncrowded beach break! Surf till the sun sets then come in for a shower to wash that salt water off. Of course the evening meal is seafood with lots of icy beers to wash it down!
Day 7: We charter a small boat to take us out to our secret point break. The waves are big but kayaker friendly and the paddle back out is easy. Of course there is more cold beer and seafood when we get back to the cabins.
Day 8: After a morning surf we head to a nearby town for an evening flight to Quito.
Day 9: Head home to the USA or continue onto one of SWA’s all river kayaking trips.
Cost: $1,795 for 5 to 7 participants (if the group number is less than 5 the cost is $1895). Price includes: Expert guides, kayak rental, in country transportation, delicious meals from breakfast the first day through lunch the final day, lodging.
We may reverse the schedule on some trips with the surfing being at the beginning of the week.
Class IV Rafting
On this trip you'll not only experience exciting class IV paddle rafting, but also much of what has made Ecuador famous with adventure travelers. You can hike in the jungle, soak in the nicest hot springs resort in Ecuador and watch monkeys playing in the forest. SWA's expertise on the rivers of Ecuador, combined with our 15 years of experience leading tours around the country, guarantee an exciting and unique rafting vacation.. By the way, we don't camp on our rafting trips, but stay in the beautiful riverside lodge—Cabanas Tres Rios (CTR). Adventure travel doesn't mean you have to rough it!
Sample Itinerary
Day 1: Saturday arrival into Quito, most flights arrive in the evening. We will be there to pick you up at the airport and take you to the hotel we use while in Quito. It is conveniently located on the edge of the Marsical (tourist sector or Quito). If you prefer to arrive a day early we will make your hotel reservations and advise you on local activities.
Day 2:We meet for an 8:00am breakfast and an orientation by our trip leader who will outline the week’s itinerary and special events. Afterwards we head out in our van over a 13,000 foot Andean pass and if the weather is clear we will see three of the four highest snowcapped volcanoes in Ecaudor. Once we arrive at SWA's riverside cabins, you'll move into your comfortable room, check out all the necessary river equipment and enjoy the first of many excellent meals by our chef Lily. We will put in right out front and paddle the fun pool drop rapids of the Pica Piedra run.
Day 3:It's another spectacular day of rafting downstream on the remote and beautiful Grand Canyon of the Quijos. This fourteen-mile run has over twenty-five big pool drop rapids including the famous Gringos Revueltos. After rafting we take a short walk to a beautiful waterfall before returning to CTR.
Day 4:Today we head to the Napo valley for a couple days of rafting but first we enjoy a short hike on the top of an 8,000 pass and visit an animal recovery center on the way to our riverside hotel in Tena.
Day 5:Rafting on the big volume Rio Jatunacu is today’s focus. It's full of wide-open, fun rapids and we'll take a side-hike into the rainforest as well. The SWA guides will introduce you to guiding techniques and you can guide the easier rapids. After rafting we take a short excursion to visit Puerto Misahualli where we can expect to see monkeys and local handicrafts.
Day 6: The rainforest gorge of the lower Rio Jondachi is a place no one will forget. We start with a half hour hike to this remote river while porters carry the raft to the river. The first couple hours of whitewater on the Jondachi River consist of continuous, technical rapids. After lunch, we will hit the confluence with the Hollin River, which is big volume pool drop rapids.
Day 7:Back in the Quijos valley we raft the powerful rapids of El Chaco gorge while viewing basalt canyons and incredible rainforest. After rafting we return to Cabanas Tres Rios, enjoy a beer on the riverside deck or a game of horseshoes and more of Lily’s great meals.
Day 8:After breakfast we head to the Papallacta hot springs resort for a soak in their beautiful pools high in the Andes. Our plan is to arrive into Quito with sufficient time for you to visit a local market and various shops for souvenirs.
Day 9:Fly home or continue exploring Ecuador.
Trip minimum: 4 participants
Cost: $1595. Price includes: Expert guides, rafting equipment, in country transportation, delicious meals from breakfast the first day through lunch the final day, lodging.
Not Included: Drinks, tips, flights and souvenirs.
This trip combines small volume technical creeking and big water play runs to give you a sample of Ecuador's best. A few years ago we divided our Winter Whitewater trips into a Class III trip and a Class IV- trip to ensure that people were getting on the right runs for their ability level. For the IV- trip, we are focusing on paddlers with great foundational skills, but who are not yet comfortable on solid Class IV. On this trip, you should expect great variety in runs, a little play boating, a little river running, a little creeking, and whole lot of fun.
Variety is what this, our most popular trip, is all about. You will challenge yourself mostly on steep technical creeks but we throw in a couple large volume, drop pool rivers as well. At this level of kayaking there are an astonishing number of world class rivers to choose from. We take advantage of the best water levels when selecting runs for each group so don't be surprised if it's the best week of paddling of your life. 
This trip has a strong focus on Ecuador's creeks and it's steeper, more continuous rivers. We'll most likely throw in 1 or 2 days of bigger volume boating, but for the majority of the week you should bring your creeking game. We'll hit up many of Ecuador's classic IV+ and V- runs. For people who are super comfortable boating Class IV/V runs, this is an awesome week full of world class boating. 
This trip has been featured in Outside Magazine and is unlike anything offered by anyone else. We paddle four solid days on the rivers in the Quijos valley (our favorite) and then three great days at the beach kayak surfing! We'll share our secret point break where we haven't ever seen another surfer (board or kayak). If you want to maximize your vacation time this is the trip that will do it and it’s also a great vacation for non-paddling friends or family members. SWA’s Rivers and Beaches is truly a break from winter! The lodging couldn’t be more convenient: Cabanas Tres Rios on the banks of the Rio Quijos and a beachfront hotel in a small fishing village.
On this trip you'll not only experience exciting class IV paddle rafting, but also much of what has made Ecuador famous with adventure travelers. You can hike in the jungle, soak in the nicest hot springs resort in Ecuador and watch monkeys playing in the forest. SWA's expertise on the rivers of Ecuador, combined with our 15 years of experience leading tours around the country, guarantee an exciting and unique rafting vacation.. By the way, we don't camp on our rafting trips, but stay in the beautiful riverside lodge—Cabanas Tres Rios (CTR). Adventure travel doesn't mean you have to rough it!