Kayak Ecuador
Class II-III – Class IV Whitewater Trips in Ecuador
The remarkable diversity of whitewater is what brings you to Ecuador. The experiences you will have with us is what will bring you back.
Ecuador consists of the towering Andes, snow capped volcanoes, jungle birds and animals, expanses of Amazon jungle, the Pacific Coast and the Galapagos Islands. Visit just once and you will embrace the theme #allyouneedisecuador. The rivers of Ecuador are what initially brought us to this beautiful country, but it is the people and the scenery of this favorite destination that have kept us here all these years.
You will paddle more continuous whitewater in a week than one can usually do in a year’s worth of boating.
We’ve been sharing Ecuador with the paddling community for 25+ years and it just keeps getting better!
Kayaking and rafting in Ecuador allows you to experience a place that is still remote and untouched in spirit. The rivers in Ecuador are nothing less than remarkable. The paddling in Ecuador compliments our Costa Rica trips in the diversity of rivers to be boated at all skill levels. Similar to Costa Rica, Ecuador paddling is done in more rural, jungle, rain-forest environments.
From Class III to Class IV+, the rivers vary from steep, technical runs similar to rivers found in the southeast US, to big water runs full of surf waves and play holes. On some days you will be in a dry top, on others just a short sleeve paddling jacket to avoid the sun! Not sure which level trip is right for you? Check out our Which Trip is Right For You Help Page.
Ecuador 2022/2023
Trip Schedule
Our itineraries include:
Class II-III kayak/Raft Cultural
Class III Kayak
Class III-IV Kayak
Class IV Kayak
Class III-IV Kayak/Raft
Class III-IV Raft
as well as custom itineraries.
Option
Class
Trip Dates
Stepping It Up
III-IV
Nov 11 – Nov 19, 2022
Family Fun Thanksgiving Week of Rivers
II-III with raft/ducky/shredder options
Nov 18 – Nov 26, 2022
Combo Skills Week
III – III/IV
Nov 25 – Dec 03, 2022
Multi-Sport Cultural Week: Kayaks, Rafts, Culture and more!
Mixed: from Class II – Class III-IV depending on the craft and the day
Dec 02 – Dec 10, 2022
Split Group Trip
Kayaking & Rafting Options
Class III and Class IV
Dec 09 – Dec 17, 2022
Skill Development and River Running
Class III
Dec 16 – Dec 24, 2022
Holiday Paddling Week
One or Two Week Trip Options
Class III and Class IV
Dec 23 – Dec 31, 2022
Holiday Paddling Week
One or Two Week Trip Options
Class III/IV -IV
Dec 30, 2022 – Jan 07, 2023
On the Fence: Stepping it Up
Class III/IV with Class IV Options
with a special emphasis on building up to Class IV
Jan 06 – Jan 14, 2023
On the Fence: Stepping it Up
Class III/IV with Class IV Options
with a special emphasis on building up to Class IV
Jan 13 – Jan 21, 2023
Best of Ecuador’s Class IV
Class IV
Jan 20- Jan 28, 2023
Class III-Class IV
Kayak & Rafting Combo
Custom Class III-IV
Kayaking & Rafting
Jan 27 – Feb 04, 2023
Best of: Creek/River Running Combo
IV
Feb 03 – Feb 11, 2023
Paddlers/Non Paddlers
Looking for
a custom trip?
Custom Itineraries
On & Off the Water
Any of our scheduled weeks
can be turned into
a custom trip
Custom Trips
Any week is available for a custom trip, regardless of the published class.
If you have a group of 6-8 that wants to enjoy Ecuador together you may select any of the published trip dates available for a custom trip. Custom trips can include paddling and non-paddling options for split groups.
Looking to improve specific river skills?
Our international guides are also some of the most experienced kayak instructors in the industry.
On top of that, Ecuador is the perfect place to improve your overall skills during a week of paddling.
Take the opportunity to focus on any or all of the following:
- Improving your boof
- Honing you creek running skills
- Big water maneuvering and boofing
- Improving your roll on both sides and the art directional rolling
- Or just kick back and have fun running new rivers for a week.
Because of varying water levels that cannot be anticipated in advance, we prefer to not guarantee you any specific river or type of paddling.
That is the fun of Ecuador – come prepared for everything.
Trip Prices
The 9-day trip: $1750.00.
Any 2-week combination: $3150.00
For groups of six or more, count on a $100/person discount.
Looking for a custom trip? Pick any week that is currently available, regardless of the trip designation and we will make it yours. There is a six person minimum to block out a custom trip.
Trip price is based on rooms set up as double occupancy. If you would prefer guaranteed single occupancy for the week, you may do so at a prorated cost.
A $350.00 deposit is necessary to hold your space for this trip, with the full balance due45 days before your departure date. .
What you can count on during your trip
A nine day trip (including your travel days). We start many of the trips with a cultural day to get used to the altitude, and get settled in for the next six amazing paddling days on the beautiful rivers of Ecuador.
Time off-river. What makes our trips stand out is that we do more than just kayak. You’ve traveed miles to this fascinating country, we want you to experience it!! So while paddling is the focus of our trips, we also spend time immersing you in the culture of this amazing country.
Have extra days you can travel? Whether arriving early or staying later, we can help you set up such great side trips.
Accommodations. We take care of your in-country accommodations from Friday, your first night, through the following Friday night with us, for a total of eight night’s accommodations. Accommodations are booked as double occupancy, but we offer a single occupancy upgrade.
Food. All your in-country meals – from Saturday morning to your last night with us. We have a selection of favorite restaurants.
Transportation. In-country private transportation with Angel, who has been with us for 25 years.
Your Kayak. Our extensive fleet of boats steer more towards river runner/creek boats, but also include river running playboats.
Guides. We use a combination of national guides who call these rivers their backyard runs and guides who you know well from North Carolina. With 25+ years’ experience on the rivers of Ecuador, our hand-picked guides understand fluctuating water levels, flexibility, and support.
Proof. You will finish up your trip with a complete set of photos of your trip. Already getting excited? Enjoy previous trips’ photos to vicariously experience your trip.
Looking to improve specific river skills? Our international guides are also some of the most experienced kayak instructors in the industry. During every trip, we offer you the opportunity to improve your overall skills. Ecuador is the perfect place to focus on any or all of the following all in one week:
- Creek running skills
- Improving your boof
- Big water maneuvering and boofing
- Improving your roll on both sides
- Directional rolling
Not included in your trip price is airfare, airport taxes, adult beverages during the trip, snacks, miscellaneous tips and your taxi ride to the airport on your way home.
Travel Arrangements
Flights should be arranged into Quito, Ecuador. You should plan on arriving Friday afternoon/evening for the paddling part of your trip. Do not be deterred by late arrivals into Quito, that is very typical. Included in your trip are accommodations from Friday night through the following Friday night. Departure can be planned for any time after 8PM on that following Friday. We encourage you to take extra days to explore Ecuador, as there is so much more to the country than we can offer in one week of paddling. You will need a valid passport. The passport must have an expiration date of greater than six months after your return date.
Our Ecolodge Base in Ecuador
Whether you need a break from the fast pace of Quito, or are looking to explore the Oriente of Ecuador during your visit, the lodge is a perfect destination for enjoying the beauty of the Quijos Valley.
We have a commitment to Ecuador since 1995, with trips that will exceed your expectations. So what is it that makes our trips stand out?
Logistics
Lodging
Guides
Experience
Transportation
Commitment
Our commitment to giving you a higher quality trip than you could do on your own. We also feel it is important to make the trip more than just the whitewater.
In addition we support local environmental initiatives, paddling clubs and river rallies to help build a strong local paddling community
From the partnerships we have with the hotels, guides, restaurants, panaderias, shops, and even local politicians over 25+ years so that there is an understanding at the local level of the value of whitewater tourism.
Value
We will run a better value trip than you could do on your own in one action-packed week. Your trip price includes all lodging, meals, equipment, in-country transportation and trip-related expenses, from the first evening of your trip to the last evening. There are no surprise expenses: you stay in quality hotels, order off the menu in restaurants, and enjoy more than just kayaking while you are in country.
Questions? Call us at 828-488-6199
We understand choosing an international destination is an exciting and can be overwhelming. We WANT to speak with you about it. Please call with any questions you have regarding an international adventure travel experience as we would love to speak about you about some of our favorite places on earth.
Have a group of friends that you want to share a week with? Custom groups are welcome. We offer custom itineraries for rafting, kayaking, cultural exploration and more. Ecuador is a treasure chest for international travel and we want to help you make the most of your trip.
Payment Policy:
For all our trips, a deposit is required at the time you make your reservation. Due dates for trip balances depends on the dates of your trip. Please be prepared to pay by check, Visa, MC, Discover or American Express.
Cancellation:
There is a cancellation policy in line with each trip itinerary. We highly recommend that you look into trip insurance as last minute accidents/changes/life demands sometimes do happen and we cannot refund your trip after the cancellation date.
