Ecuador Kayaking Trips
Small World Adventures is here to give you the trip of a lifetime! We are flexible and can run any trip anytime (space available). If you don’t see something that matches your schedule or ability level then contact us. SWA also specializes in customs kayaking trips. Say you want to tailor a special trip to your group’s needs, we can do it. This is a great idea for special birthdays, anniversaries, or friends’ reunions. A minimum of 6 people is required for a custom trip, 12 people is the minimum to buy out an entire week (hotels, vans, guides, everything). Contact our office for details. 
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- Paddling Packrafters Class III+/IV-
- Winter Whitewater Class III+/IV-
- Intro to Creeking Class IV- Instructional
- Torrents Class IV
- Advanced Creeking Class IV+ Instructional
- Mucha Agua Class IV+/V-
- SWA’s Grand Tour of the Oriente Class IV or IV+/V-
- Rios Escondidos IV+
- Rafting Week Class IV
- Middle Fork Salmon June 2020 (FULL)
- Grand Canyon 2021 (FULL)
Ecuador Kayaking Trips
Small World Adventures is here to give you the trip of a lifetime! We are flexible and can run any trip anytime (space available). If you don’t see something that matches your schedule or ability level then contact us. SWA also specializes in customs kayaking trips. Say you want to tailor a special trip to your group’s needs, we can do it. This is a great idea for special birthdays, anniversaries, or friends’ reunions. A minimum of 6 people is required for a custom trip, 12 people is the minimum to buy out an entire week (hotels, vans, guides, everything). Contact our office for details. 
-
- Paddling Packrafters Class III+/IV-
- Winter Whitewater Class III+/IV-
- Intro to Creeking Class IV- Instructional
- Torrents Class IV
- Advanced Creeking Class IV+ Instructional
- Mucha Agua Class IV+/V-
- SWA’s Grand Tour of the Oriente Class IV or IV+/V-
- Rios Escondidos IV+
- Rafting Week Class IV
- Middle Fork Salmon June 2020 (FULL)
- Grand Canyon 2021 (FULL)
Winter Whitewater Class III+/IV- ($1,845)
Ecuador Kayaking Trips
Trip Details
There are tons of great Class III+ and IV- rivers in Ecuador, and Small World Adventures knows where to find them. On our Winter Whitewater Ecuador kayaking trip we will seek out Ecuador’s best challenging intermediate whitewater. Big water play runs, and technical rivers abound in the IV- range in Ecuador giving us many great runs to choose from. For boaters out there who are super comfortable on their local Class III and IV- runs, a week of IV- runs in the middle of winter is an ideal way to keep your skills sharp. At the same time, you’ll advance your paddling in anticipation of the upcoming boating season. SEE THAT MORPHO BUTTERFLY? asks our guide, Don Beveridge, guide at Ecuadorian kayak outfitter Small World Adventures. “Line up right below it, heading right.” We’ve already followed ducks over drops and used parrots as reference points in the jade-tongued rapids of the Lower Misahualli, an Amazon tributary five hours southeast of Quito, so keying on the iridescent insect comes easy. And alongside Beveridge, 41, who authored The Kayaker’s Guide to Ecuador, so do the rapids. Indeed, the secret to exploring the world’s exotic river canyons isn’t a Class V boof stroke; it’s going with a ringer. And with many of the world’s best kayakers supporting their habit by guiding, more foreign territory is becoming accessible to intermediate paddlers every year. – Outside Magazine
Sample Itinerary Winter Whitewater III+/IV-
This trip combines small volume technical creeking and big water play runs to give you a sample of Ecuador’s best. 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
*Please note that itineraries are subject to change due to water levels and the ability level of the group.
Day 1: Saturday—arrive to Quito airport. Most flights arrive at night and we recommend staying in one of the hotels out near the airport–there are many great choices that are 10 minutes away from the new airport. You should also arrange an airport pick up through your hotel. (If you arrive a few days early, it’s worth going into downtown Quito—a 1-2 hour drive from the airport depending on traffic—but if you arrive on the Saturday before the trip, we think it’s better just to stay out near the airport).
Day 2: One of your guides will pick you up around 9am (exact time to be confirmed by our office) and you’ll drive over the 13,000 foot Papallacta Pass and drop down into the lush Amazon Basin. If the weather is clear we will see three of the four highest snowcapped volcanoes in Ecuador. Once we arrive to the Luxor Hotel in Borja, we will enjoy the first of many excellent meals, outfit our kayaks, and head to the river.
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 in the trees, and where we can shop for local handicrafts.
Day 6: Today we’ll paddle 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 Cosanga on our way back to Small World’s base in Borja.
Day 8: After a morning paddle on the Quijos we head back to Quito, hoping to arrive to the airport area by around 5pm. Most flights are leaving Quito around midnight these days. If you have a late flight Saturday night/early Sunday morning, you will have quite a few hours to kill. We can drop you off at the Papallacta hot springs, at a restaurant or hotel out near the airport, or can bring you into downtown Quito–your choice! If you fly out Sunday morning, you’ll need to book yourself a hotel for Saturday night.
Right for me?
Paddling Packrafters III+/IV ($1,845)
Trip Details
Sample Itinerary
Our Paddling Packrafters trip was inspired by a packrafter who joined one of our regular kayaking weeks. We were so excited about the packrafting potential in Ecuador that we decided to add it to our line up of awesome paddling weeks!
*Please note that itineraries are subject to change due to water levels and the ability level of the group.
Day 1: Saturday—arrive to Quito airport. Most flights arrive at night and we recommend staying in one of the hotels out near the airport–there are many great choices that are 10 minutes away from the new airport. You should also arrange an airport pick up through your hotel. (If you arrive a few days early, it’s worth going into downtown Quito—a 1-2 hour drive from the airport depending on traffic—but if you arrive on the Saturday before the trip, we think it’s better just to stay out near the airport).
Day 2: One of your guides will pick you up around 9am (exact time to be confirmed by our office) and you’ll drive over the 13,000 foot Papallacta Pass and drop down into the lush Amazon Basin. If the weather is clear we will see three of the four highest snowcapped volcanoes in Ecuador. Once we arrive in Borja, we will enjoy the first of many excellent meals and head to the river. We’ll do a warm up afternoon of paddling on the Quijos. We’ll stay at the Luxor in Borja tonight.
Day 3: Have breakfast, then head to the Upper Cosanga for a day of paddling.
Day 4: Wake up, have breakfast. Then we’ll head over to the Napo Valley and paddle the technical Upper Misahualli. Sleep at a riverside hotel in Tena–Los Yutzos.
Day 5: After breakfast we’ll drive south to the ultra-classic Piatua River. Back to the Yuzos hotel for another night in Tena.
Day 6: We have a long day on the river today on the Lower Jondachi! This iconic day requires a 30 minute jungle hike in, then 3 hours of paddling on a beautiful Class III+ creek, followed by 2 hours of big water Class III/IV after we hit the confluence with the Hollin River. Then we’ll drive back to Borja.
Day 7: Wake up, have breakfast, hit the river! We’ll paddle the last mile of the technical Oyacachi into the big water Bom Bon section of the Quijos.
Day 8: Today we’ll do a long half-day paddling on the Quijos or Cosanga. We’ll eat a hot lunch prepared by our cooks and you can take a shower and try to dry your gear before we pack up and head to Quito. Our hope is to arrive to the airport area by around 5pm. Most flights are leaving Quito around midnight these days. If you have a late flight Saturday night/early Sunday morning, you will have quite a few hours to kill. We can drop you off at the Papallacta hot springs, at a restaurant or hotel out near the airport, or can bring you into downtown Quito–your choice!
Right for me?
Intro to Creeking Class IV- Instructional ($1,845)
Ecuador Kayaking Trips
Trip Details
Have you wanted to step up to some fun new local creeks, but maybe you are not sure you have the requisite skills for technical runs? Here is a great opportunity to learn—and then spend a week practicing—your boof, eddy hopping, boat scouting, river signals, and how to safely boat a creek with your buddies. Ecuador is a wonderful place to learn these skills with great, continuous class III to IV creeks and technical rivers. (Just a disclaimer: this week is not about running waterfalls, but we will do more boofs than you’ll be able to count). We will spend 7 days on some of Ecuador’s most technical runs, where you will learn and refine both basic and advanced creeking skills. There will be a couple of evening “classroom” sessions where we’ll discuss skills, safety, technique, and “creeking” in general. But don’t worry, class will be over in time each night to enjoy gourmet meals and Ecuadorian night life. We also offer harder creeking runs for those of you with more advanced skills, check out our Torrents, Advanced Creeking Clinic Class IV+, or Mucha Agua trips. Sample Itinerary
Throughout the week, we’ll work on all the essential skills you’ll need to become confident on technical creek runs.Our goal by the end of the week is to have you boat scouting drops, then nailing the boofs once you find the line.If you’ve been wanting to work on your creeking skills, this is the trip for you! Sample Itinerary
*Please note that itineraries are subject to change due to water levels and the ability level of the group.
Day 1: Saturday—arrive to Quito airport. Most flights arrive at night and we recommend staying in one of the hotels out near the airport–there are many great choices that are 10 minutes away from the new airport. You should also arrange an airport pick up through your hotel. (If you arrive a few days early, it’s worth going into downtown Quito—a 1-2 hour drive from the airport depending on traffic—but if you arrive on the Saturday before the trip, we think it’s better just to stay out near the airport).
Day 2: One of your guides will pick you up around 9am (exact time to be confirmed by our office) and you’ll drive over the 13,000 foot Papallacta Pass and drop down into the lush Amazon Basin. If the weather is clear we will see three of the four highest snowcapped volcanoes in Ecuador. Once we arrive to the Luxor Hotel in Borja, we will enjoy the first of many excellent meals, outfit our kayaks, and head to the river. Warm up and skill review on the Rio Quijos, Pica Piedra or Lower El Chaco sections. These sections are beautiful mid volume runs perfect to get the rust off your paddling.
Day 3: After a short dry land discussion on creeking signals, boat scouting and “flow” (what we call running a technical river in a small group while supporting each other) we will paddle the upper Cosanga. You can practice technical river reading, eddy hoping, boat scouting, and other basic creeking skills.
Day 4: After traveling to the neighboring Napo Valley we paddle the Upper Misahualli, a delightful technical run, where the emphasis will be boofing. We will also cover scouting–what to look for and tools to help you make the decision to run or not–judgement, self-awareness, group-awareness and self-evaluation.
Day 5: Today you will paddle the Lower Jondachi where we will work on flow, river leading, scouting and decision making–all while running one of the prettiest rainforest rivers anywhere in the world. We will also work on general paddling technique, fine tuning your paddle strokes to be efficient and powerful at the same time.
Day 6: After breakfast, we’ll either paddle the Piatua or Upper Mishualli again, adding in river rescue plus putting all the week’s skills together on an incredible warm-water creek.
Day 7: Middle Cosanga today is full of tight moves where we will use all the skills we have been practicing.
Day 8: After a morning paddle on the Quijos we head back to Quito, hoping to arrive to the airport area by around 5pm. Most flights are leaving Quito around midnight these days. If you have a late flight Saturday night/early Sunday morning, you will have quite a few hours to kill. We can drop you off at the Papallacta hot springs, at a restaurant or hotel out near the airport, or can bring you into downtown Quito–your choice! If you fly out Sunday morning, you’ll need to book yourself a hotel for Saturday night.
Right for me?
Is the Intro to Creeking Ecuador Kayaking trip right for me?
For our Class IV- intro to creeking trip you should have a Solid Whitewater Roll, and be comfortable leading and playing in your local class III and IV- runs. Good examples would be Browns Canyon on the Arkansas River at medium to high flows in CO. Lower Gauley in WV. Green River Gorge in WA. Cheoah in NC. Chattooga Section IV at flows above 1.4 in GA. The Canyon run on the S. Fork Payette in ID. Chamberlain Falls on the N. Fork American in CA. You do not need previous creeking experience but should have good class IV- river running skills. Normally we want people to arrive with experience on similar runs to what we plan on paddling, but this week has an instruction focus so you don’t need to already be a good creeker, just have a desire to learn and practice attitude.
Torrents Class IV Our Signature Trip ($1,845)
Ecuador Kayaking Trips
Trip Details
If you enjoy nailing amazing boofs and surfing huge waves all in the same week, then the Torrents trip is for you! This trip is our most popular by far, and for good reason. Variety is what this trip is all about. You will challenge yourself on steep, continuous, technical creeks pouring off the Andes mountains, as well as on large volume, drop pool Amazonian tributaries. At this level of kayaking, there are an astonishing number of world-class rivers to choose from. Don’t be surprised if this is the best week of paddling of your life. Sample Itinerary
*Please note that itineraries are subject to change due to water levels and the ability level of the group.
Day 1: Saturday—arrive to Quito airport. Most flights arrive at night and we recommend staying in one of the hotels out near the airport–there are many great choices that are 10 minutes away from the new airport. You should also arrange an airport pick up through your hotel. (If you arrive a few days early, it’s worth going into downtown Quito—a 1-2 hour drive from the airport depending on traffic—but if you arrive on the Saturday before the trip, we think it’s better just to stay out near the airport).
Day 2: One of your guides will pick you up around 9am (exact time to be confirmed by our office) and you’ll drive over the 13,000 foot Papallacta Pass and drop down into the lush Amazon Basin. If the weather is clear we will see three of the four highest snowcapped volcanoes in Ecuador. Once we arrive to the Luxor Hotel in Borja, we will enjoy the first of many excellent meals, outfit our kayaks, and head to the river.
Day 3: Paddle the magnificent El Chaco Gorge on the Rio Quijos.
Day 4: It’s creeking time and we travel to the Napo valley and paddle on the delightfully technical Upper Misahualli or Jondachi depending on the water levels. 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 Cosanga, taking out just minutes from our hotel in Borja. 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 or Cosanga, we head back to Quito, hoping to arrive to the airport area by around 5pm. Most flights are leaving Quito around midnight these days. If you have a late flight Saturday night/early Sunday morning, you will have quite a few hours to kill. We can drop you off at the Papallacta hot springs, at a restaurant or hotel out near the airport, or can bring you into downtown Quito–your choice! If you fly out Sunday morning, you’ll need to book yourself a hotel for Saturday night.
Right for me?
Advanced Creeking Class IV+ Instructional ($1,845)
Ecuador Kayaking Trips
Trip Details
This trip/course is for people who are already good paddlers and are looking to become great paddlers. We focus on paddlers who have the basic and intermediate creeking skills down, feel good on IV and even IV+ creeks, but who want to refine their skills in order to push themselves even more. During the week, we will review basic creeking skills, learn advanced techniques, on-river safety, and work on putting it all together. Besides on-the-water skills, we’ll talk about the necessary mental skills, group skills, river rescue, and equipment necessary for advanced creeking. We hope to train you to be the kayaking partner everybody wants to paddle with. You can expect 7 days of Class IV and IV+ kayaking with the occasional Class V rapid thrown in. We will offer occasional dry land skills discussions in the mornings and evenings but still leave plenty of time for paddling. While this is an instructional course, you can expect to paddle one of Ecuador’s fantastic creeks each day. Contact our office to see if you are right for this course.
*Please note that itineraries are subject to change due to water levels and the ability level of the group.
Day 1: Saturday—arrive to Quito airport. Most flights arrive at night and we recommend staying in one of the hotels out near the airport–there are many great choices that are 10 minutes away from the new airport. You should also arrange an airport pick up through your hotel. (If you arrive a few days early, it’s worth going into downtown Quito—a 1-2 hour drive from the airport depending on traffic—but if you arrive on the Saturday before the trip, we think it’s better just to stay out near the airport).
Day 2: One of your guides will pick you up around 9am (exact time to be confirmed by our office) and you’ll drive over the 13,000 foot Papallacta Pass and drop down into the lush Amazon Basin. If the weather is clear we will see three of the four highest snowcapped volcanoes in Ecuador. Once we arrive to the Luxor Hotel in Borja, we will enjoy the first of many excellent meals, outfit our kayaks, and head to the river. Depending on water levels, we’ll either run the Upper Cosanga or the Bridge to Baeza section of the Quijos.
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 big water Bom Bon section.
Day 4: We’ll start the day with an instructional boofing video and discussion of the “art of boofing.” Then it’s time to run the even warmer Upper Misahualli on the way to Tena and practice those skills! 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 you can eddy hop until you are exhausted.
Day 6: Upper Jondachi! With over eighty significant rapids in a 6.5 mile run you’ll be ready for a take-out beer after this one. We’ll return to the Quijos Valley.
Day 7: Today we will paddle the Cosanga or one of the upper sections of the Quijos depending on water levels and energy levels.
Day 8: After a morning paddle on the Quijos in El Chaco Canyon or the Cheesehouse section, we head back to Quito, hoping to arrive to the airport area by around 5pm. Most flights are leaving Quito around midnight these days. If you have a late flight Saturday night/early Sunday morning, you will have quite a few hours to kill. We can drop you off at the Papallacta hot springs, at a restaurant or hotel out near the airport, or can bring you into downtown Quito–your choice! If you fly out Sunday morning, you’ll need to book yourself a hotel for Saturday night.
Right for me?
Mucha Agua Class IV+/V- (or Mucha Agua lite Class IV/IV+) ($1,845)
Ecuador Kayaking Trips
Trip Details
The Mucha Agua trip is the most difficult week of whitewater that we offer. 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. For people who are super comfortable boating Class IV/V runs, this is an awesome week full of world class boating. The “Mucha Agua” runs in the Qujios and Tena Valleys tend to be on the longer and more continuous side, so get yourself in shape so that you can get maximum enjoyment out of your week with us. If you love paddling Class IV and V runs around the world, this trip is for you. Sample Itinerary
*Please note that itineraries are subject to change due to water levels and the ability level of the group.
Day 1: Saturday—arrive to Quito airport. Most flights arrive at night and we recommend staying in one of the hotels out near the airport–there are many great choices that are 10 minutes away from the new airport. You should also arrange an airport pick up through your hotel. (If you arrive a few days early, it’s worth going into downtown Quito—a 1-2 hour drive from the airport depending on traffic—but if you arrive on the Saturday before the trip, we think it’s better just to stay out near the airport).
Day 2: One of your guides will pick you up around 9am (exact time to be confirmed by our office) and you’ll drive over the 13,000 foot Papallacta Pass and drop down into the lush Amazon Basin. If the weather is clear we will see three of the four highest snowcapped volcanoes in Ecuador. Once we arrive to the Luxor Hotel in Borja, we will enjoy the first of many excellent meals, outfit our kayaks, and head to the river. Time-allowing we will head to the Lower Cosanga to warm up. Or, if we are short on time, we will run the technical Baeza to Borja section of the Rio Quijos.
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 big water Bom Bon section.
Day 4: It’s time to run the quintessential Class IV/V run of Ecuador–the Upper Jondachi. While only 10km long, this run boasts over 85 rapids and will definitely have you ready for a beer by the time we hit the take out! 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: Depending on water levels we will either hit up the super technical Upper Misahualli or head back to the Quijos Valley to paddle a section of the Quijos. We will spend the night back in Borja.
Day 7: If the group is still feeling strong, we’ll head to the upper reaches of the Quijos River and paddle the Cheesehouse section, Bridge to Bridge and however much more of the Quijos the group is in the mood for!
Day 8: After a morning paddle on the Quijos in El Chaco Canyon or the Cheesehouse section, we head back to Quito, hoping to arrive to the airport area by around 5pm. Most flights are leaving Quito around midnight these days. If you have a late flight Saturday night/early Sunday morning, you will have quite a few hours to kill. We can drop you off at the Papallacta hot springs, at a restaurant or hotel out near the airport, or can bring you into downtown Quito–your choice! If you fly out Sunday morning, you’ll need to book yourself a hotel for Saturday night.
Right for me?
SWA’s Grand Tour of the Oriente Class IV+/V-
12-day trip (now available as a Class IV option as well) ($3,300)
Ecuador Kayaking Trips
Trip Details
On this trip, SWA guides will give you a tour of Ecuador’s best rivers, most remote corners, and most scenic areas. It will take a special kind of person to enjoy this trip. You need solid Class IV+/V- kayaking skills so that you can enjoy the Upper Jondachi and the Rio Oyacachi (or solid Class IV skills if you are joining the Class IV version). But you also need to be happy kayaking a super remote and beautiful Class III run so that you will find enjoyment in the Rio Suno and Hollin. You will need to be stoked on exploring remote parts of Ecuador, checking out tropical birds, and visiting out of the way towns that very few tourists ever get to spend time in. Your capacity for adventure needs to be high, but you must also be ok chilling out in the van as we cruise the country and lounging at a funky hotel perched on the shoulder of an active volcano.
If this sounds good to you, join us for an Epic Ecuadorian Road trip!
*Please note that the itinerary for the tour will vary widely depending on water levels, river access (controlled by dam keepers), and group ability levels. The info below will give you a rough idea of the travel schedule.
Day 1: Saturday—arrive to Quito airport. Most flights arrive at night and we recommend staying in one of the hotels out near the airport–there are many great choices that are 10 minutes away from the new airport. You should also arrange an airport pick up through your hotel. (If you arrive a few days early, it’s worth going into downtown Quito—a 1-2 hour drive from the airport depending on traffic—but if you arrive on the Saturday before the trip, we think it’s better just to stay out near the airport).
Day 2: One of your guides will pick you up around 9am (exact time to be confirmed by our office) and you’ll drive over the 13,000 foot Papallacta Pass and drop down into the lush Amazon Basin. If the weather is clear we will see three of the four highest snowcapped volcanoes in Ecuador. Once we get to the Quijos Valley we will outfit our kayaks, enjoy the first of many excellent meals and go paddling on the Rio Quijos.
Days 3: We spend a full day paddling the Oyacachi and Quijos rivers while staying in the Quijos Valley.
Day 4: Head north and paddle the Salado River en route to stay at a funky hotel on the shoulder of an active volcano.
Day 5: Drive further north and paddle the Chingual River which makes the border between Ecuador and Colombia. Sleep in Lumbaqui.
Day 6: Now it gets tricky. We’ll paddle the Coca River if the dam people allow us access. Depending on where we access the run, this could be a very long day! If we get denied, we may access the river from a different location, or consider heading back to the Quijos Valley. But remember, the key to this trip is an adventurous attitude!
Days 7: Paddle the Suno River–this requires a 45-minute hike in (with porters) and return to Loreto.
Day 8: Adventure time! We’ll the lower 3/4 of the Hollin–very long day–and sleep in Tena.
Day 9: Paddle the Upper Anzu if levels allow (if not we’ll paddle the Piatua River). Sleep in Tena again.
Day 10: Kayak the iconic Upper Jondachi and head back to the Quijos Valley.
Day 11: Return to the Oyacachi, or paddle a different section of the Quijos.
Day 12: Paddle the Lower Cosanga and then head back to the airport in the afternoon. We hope to get you to the airport area by around 5pm. Most flights are leaving Quito around midnight these days. If you have a late flight Saturday night/early Sunday morning, you will have quite a few hours to kill. We can drop you off at the Papallacta hot springs, at a restaurant or hotel out near the airport, or can bring you into downtown Quito–your choice! If you fly out Sunday morning, you’ll need to book yourself a hotel for Saturday night.
*NOTE: We may end up skipping the Loreto portion of this trip (which means missing the Suno River and potentially the Hollin). This largely depends on our ability to access the Coca River, which for this, we are sadly at the whims of the guards for the Coca-Codo Sinclair project. If we skip Loreto, we will still go north to Lumbaqui, and south to Tena and the Anzu, but will just spend 1 extra day in Borja and 1 extra day in Tena if we don’t go to Loreto. The itinerary for the Class IV version of this trip will skip the hardest runs listed on the itinerary, and will include the Lower Jondachi, Piatua, middle Cosanga, and possibly the Upper Mishualli.
There is a 4 person minimum for this trip.
Right for me?
Rios Escondidos Class IV+/V- ($1,845)
Ecuador Kayaking Trips
Trip Details
Since 2009 we have been leading trips to these “hidden” rivers in the Northern part of Ecuador. The Due, Chingual, Aguarico and Coca rivers (the Rio Quijos below San Rafael falls) are a bit off the beaten track, but well worth the effort. Especially for paddlers that have been to Ecuador before, the rivers, rainforest, wildlife, and scenery make this a unique experience. On this trip, we will spend 4 days basing out of The Luxor in the Quijos Valley and paddling the classics there. We will spend the other 3 days basing out of a hotel two hours north of our lodge in a small town called Lumbaqui. This trip requires a willingness for a little extra adventure in the form of long walks to put-ins and some slightly off the beaten path traveling.
*Please note that itineraries are subject to change due to water levels and the ability level of the group.
Day 1: Saturday—arrive to Quito airport. Most flights arrive at night and we recommend staying in one of the hotels out near the airport–there are many great choices that are 10 minutes away from the new airport. You should also arrange an airport pick up through your hotel. (If you arrive a few days early, it’s worth going into downtown Quito—a 1-2 hour drive from the airport depending on traffic—but if you arrive on the Saturday before the trip, we think it’s better just to stay out near the airport).
Day 2: One of your guides will pick you up around 9am (exact time to be confirmed by our office) and you’ll drive over the 13,000 foot Papallacta Pass and drop down into the lush Amazon Basin. If the weather is clear we will see three of the four highest snowcapped volcanoes in Ecuador. Once we arrive to the Luxor Hotel in Borja, we will enjoy the first of many excellent meals, outfit our kayaks, and head to the river.
Day 3: Today we paddle the technical Rio Cosanga, running slots and boofing our way down through a beautiful rainforest-covered gorge.
Day 4: We travel north and put in on the medium volume Rio Due and paddle across the equator in the first rapid. You’ll experience a couple hours of fast action on the Due and then confluence with the Rio Agua Rico where it is big water time. Tonight we stay in the village of Lumbaqui and if it is clear we will see three volcanoes from the hotel roof.
Day 5: Today we start super early for a decent of the Rio Coca. After a short drive we hike almost two hours (downhill) to the put in. It’s a big water, pool drop river in an amazing rainforest canyon. The final hour or so is pretty much flat but the current keeps moving. We return to Lumbaqui for the evening.
Day 6: It’s time to kayak the Upper and Lower Macaw sections of the Rio Chingual. The rapids are pool drop, big, powerful and steep. After paddling we will head back to Borja for more great home-cooked food.
Day 7: Today we will paddle the technical, medium volume Rio Oyacachi.
Day 8: After a morning paddle on the Quijos in El Chaco Canyon or the Cheesehouse section, we head back to Quito, hoping to arrive to the airport area by around 5pm. Most flights are leaving Quito around midnight these days. If you have a late flight Saturday night/early Sunday morning, you will have quite a few hours to kill. We can drop you off at the Papallacta hot springs, at a restaurant or hotel out near the airport, or can bring you into downtown Quito–your choice! If you fly out Sunday morning, you’ll need to book yourself a hotel for Saturday night.
Right for me?
Rafting Week Class IV ($1,845)
Trip Details
Raft the RIO QUIJOS: WHERE THE 2005 WORLD RAFTING CHAMPIONSHIPS WERE HELD! See the river in style with Small World Adventures on thundering Amazonian tributaries such as the Rio Quijos, Jatunyacu and Jondachi. SWA specializes in week-long non-camping rafting adventures. We have new rafting equipment, Hyside self-bailing rafts, 23 years of experience running the rivers of Ecuador and some of the most experienced guides anywhere. Internationally (besides Ecuador) we have guided in Honduras, Nepal, Chile, Costa Rica, Canada, Norway, Peru, New Zealand, Australia, Bhutan and of course all over the USA. The tropical rivers are fantastic, our riverside lodging is luxurious and the food outstanding. Check out our unique itineraries and consider linking one up with a trip to the Galapagos or any of the other popular tours of Ecuador. We can help you arrange everything. These rafting adventures are also excellent for mixed groups of kayakers and rafters who want to run rivers together, but in different boats. Here’s what Outside Magazine had to say about our rafting trips: “Not all adventures are created equal—especially those that end the day with a hot spring and a cold beer in a riverside cabin. When you’re not kicking back on this weeklong trip, you’re rafting the Class IV Rio Quijos and Rio Jatunyacu, both tributaries of the Amazon.” Previous rafting experience is helpful but not necessary. Participants just need a willingness to paddle and have a great time. Feel free to contact our office and talk with us about which trip is right for you. info@smallworldadventures.com 970-309-8913
Sample Itinerary
*Please note that itineraries are subject to change due to water levels and the ability level of the group.
Day 1: Saturday—arrive to Quito airport. Most flights arrive at night and we recommend staying in one of the hotels out near the airport–there are many great choices that are 10 minutes away from the new airport. You should also arrange an airport pick up through your hotel. (If you arrive a few days early, it’s worth going into downtown Quito—a 1-2 hour drive from the airport depending on traffic—but if you arrive on the Saturday before the trip, we think it’s better just to stay out near the airport).
Day 2: One of your guides will pick you up around 9am (exact time to be confirmed by our office) and you’ll drive over the 13,000 foot Papallacta Pass and drop down into the lush Amazon Basin. If the weather is clear we will see three of the four highest snowcapped volcanoes in Ecuador. Once we arrive to the Luxor Hotel in Borja, we will enjoy the first of many excellent meals, get outfitted with gear, and head to the river.
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.
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 Jatunyacu 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 into 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 offers big volume pool drop rapids.
Day 7: We will drive back to the Quijos valley and raft the powerful rapids of El Chaco gorge while viewing basalt canyons and incredible rainforest. After rafting we return to Borja for a home-cooked meal.
Day 8: Today we head to the Papallacta hot springs resort for a soak in their beautiful pools high in the Andes. Then we head back to Quito, hoping to arrive to the airport area by around 5pm. Most flights are leaving Quito around midnight these days. If you have a late flight Saturday night/early Sunday morning, you will have quite a few hours to kill. We can drop you off at the Papallacta hot springs, at a restaurant or hotel out near the airport, or can bring you into downtown Quito–your choice! If you fly out Sunday morning, you’ll need to book yourself a hotel for Saturday night.
Right for me?
Middle Fork Salmon, Idaho
2020: June 25th-30th. FULL
The Middle Fork Salmon in Idaho is one of North America’s most iconic multi-day river trips. On this trip, you will descend 3000 feet in elevation through 100 miles of unforgettable Class III-IV rapids and breathtaking scenery. Towering granite walls, desert side-hikes and natural hot springs will keep you busy when you aren’t running classic Middle Fork rapids like Velvet Falls and Pistol Creek. Each night we will make camp along the banks of the river where you can relax, listen to the river flow by and stare at the stars with zero light pollution to drown them out. The Middle Fork runs through the heart of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness which contains over 2.5 million acres of protected land. This is some of the most rugged and beautiful country on our continent, and we know your 6-day trip down this river will be etched in your heart forever. We run our trips through Wilderness River Outfitters–a family owned and operated business–that has been guiding the Middle Fork since 1972. Now the kids run the business and their deep-rooted passion for and knowledge about the river will leave a lasting impact on you. Kayakers should be confident Class III+/IV boaters with a solid combat roll. Rafters are welcome too! No experience necessary for rafters, but an adventuresome attitude is required.
| Question | |
|---|---|
| Cost? | $2050 per person. |
| Boat? | You should paddle a boat you are comfortable in. Play boats are okay if you can sit in all day long. |
| Entirety? | You will paddle the whole river. We know you can do it! |
| Rent? | Yes – We can help you lineup a rental kayak. |
| Arrive? | You arrive in Stanley Idaho before 6pm on June 24th. Fly commercially into Boise Idaho then take Gem Air into Stanley Idaho. Make your reservations at the Mountain Village Lodge (800.843.5475) in Stanley. They will pick you up at the Stanley Airport. We will have an orientation at 6:00pm on June 24th at the Mountain Village Lodge. |
| Finish? | We get off the river June 30th. WRO will provide transportation to Salmon from Cache Bar take out. It is about a two hour drive. You can either fly out of Salmon to Boise late that day or stay in Salmon and fly out the next morning. We recommend staying at the Stagecoach Inn (208.756.2919) in Salmon or at the Best Western Vista (800.727.5006) in Boise. |
| Driving? | If you choose to drive to Stanley you can arrange to have your car shuttled from Stanley to Salmon by River Shuttles or Blackadar Boating. |
| Skills? | As long as you have a solid combat roll and Class III+ to Class IV skills you'll love it! |
| Rafters? | Absolutely – If you don't kayak you can ride a raft. |
| Temp? | Spring weather in Idaho can be fickle. Be prepared for 90 and sunny and 50 and rain. You'll probably get a little of both. |
| More? | Contact our office |
| Ready? | Your non-refundable $400 deposit is due ASAP to Small World Adventures |
| Payment? | Full payment due April 15th 2019 |
Grand Canyon of the Colorado River (FULL)
2021: August 31st-September 13th. 14 days on the River
It’s impossible to describe what people feel as they travel through this timeless place! A journey through the Grand Canyon can be a life-changing experience. We are sure this trip will impact your life and give you fresh eyes to see the world. If you’ve dreamed about rafting or kayaking down the mighty Colorado through the Grand Canyon, this is a great opportunity to do it–why wait? We tailor our Grand Canyon trips around kayakers which means we stop at the great play spots, run the classic rapids such as Hermit and Lava numerous times. It also means we supply kayak guides (two of SWA’s great guides) to show you the good lines and, more importantly, to show you the best surf waves! Non-kayakers are welcome too! This is a great way for friends or family with a mix of kayakers and rafters to enjoy the Grand Canyon together. Our guides will take you on amazing hikes and fill your head with interesting knowledge. We will give you good lines and help you in any way we can. You will paddle, hike and eat your way through this Canyon while making new friends and running amazing whitewater. We run our trips through Arizona Raft (AZRA) who have been guiding in the Canyon since 1974. AZRA guides know where all the great hikes are, and are amazingly knowledgeable about the geology and history of the Grand Canyon. They will also feed you well with gourmet meals each day. SWA founder Larry Vermeeren works full time for AZRA as a raft guide in the summers. Larry is the trip leader for Small World trips. With Larry in charge we have a trip leader that really understands how to do a great trip for both rafters and kayakers. Small World Adventures will provide the kayak guides, can provide rental kayaks if you are traveling from afar, and will also provide the fun and friendly atmosphere on the river! Kayakers will love paddling through this awe-inspiring place. And, it’s even better to surf a big wave while contemplating John Wesley Powell’s epic adventure or the slow geological processes that formed the canyon. Whatever you like to contemplate while on the river, we know a trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon will leave a lasting impact.
Cost? $TBD. (Cost of the 2020 trip is $4515 and the 2021 trip should be within a few hundred dollars of this. The National Park Service sets the pricing so we have to wait until their rates are published).
Boat? You should paddle a boat you are comfortable in. Play boats are okay if you can sit in all day long.
Entirety? You will paddle the whole river. We know you can do it!
Rent? Yes – We can help you lineup a rental kayak.
Arrive? You arrive in Flagstaff AZ by 7pm on August 30th for a trip orientation at Little America Hotel. Reduced rate for AZRA folks. 2515 E. Butler Ave Flagstaff AZ. If you are driving and bringing your own kayak you must arrive by 10am on the 30th to drop your boat off at AZRA’s warehouse. Warehouse address is 4050 E. Huntington Dr. Flagstaff
Finish? We get off the river September 13th. AZRA provides transportation from Diamond Creek take out back to Flagstaff. We’ll arrive between 4-6pm
Driving? Leave your car parked at Little America’s parking lot. AZRA takes care of the transportation to and from Flagstaff.
Skills? As long as you have a solid combat roll and Class III+ to Class IV skills you’ll love it!
Rafters? Absolutely – If you don’t kayak you can ride a raft.
Temp? September is a great time to be in the Grand Canyon. You should have hot days on the river and cooler nights for sleeping.
More? Contact our office
Ready? Your non-refundable $750 deposit is due ASAP to Small World Adventures.
Payment? Full payment due April 15th 2021