Ecuador is the perfect setting to either learn to kayak or refine your skills while you are just getting started in the sport. The warm water, warm air temperature and abundance of Class I, II, and III rivers in the tropical Napo Valley provide the ideal conditions for aspiring kayakers. SWA instructors adapt our teaching format to each student’s needs and abilities to be sure they learn not only the basics of kayaking, but also advance as far as possible throughout the week. The difficulty of these courses are determined by the first people to sign up, and can vary from a group who has never kayaked before, to a crew of Class II paddlers looking to take their paddling to the next level. Few other beginner courses will introduce you to both large and small volume rivers, as well as explain and practice specific paddling techniques and safety measures unique to each type of paddling.
Tour 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 which is conveniently located on the edge of the Marsical (tourist sector of Quito). If you would like to arrive a day early we will make you a hotel reservation and suggest activities around Quito for your extra day.
Day 2: After a breakfast briefing from the trip leader we head 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 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 to the river. We usually spend this day in a quiet area on the river learning or reviewing the basic kayak strokes and maneuvers and getting used to our boats. We'll stay at CTR tonight.
Day 3: After driving to the lower elevation of the Napo Valley we will run a section of the Middle Misahualli. It's a low volume run which is perfect to practice the building blocks of kayaking—the eddy turn and ferry. After paddling we stay at a riverside hotel in the jungle town of Tena.
Days 4-6: We expand the list of maneuvers we practice such as the roll, river reading, rapid running and surfing. Some of the runs we may paddle are the Anzu, Napo, Tena, and Jatunyacu. After paddling on Day 6 we drive back to the Quijos Valley and stay at CTR.
Day 7: Today we will kayak a short section on the Rio Salado and then continue into the Rio Quijos. After paddling we will take a short hike to a beautiful nearby waterfall. We spend the evening at CTR enjoying another of Lily’s famous meals.
Day 8: In the morning we head to a beautiful hot springs resort near Papallacta about half-way to Quito. After soaking in the hot pools we continue to Quito in time to visit the handicraft market for souvenirs and take a tour of Old Town Quito if time permits. We finish off the day with a final dinner at one of our favorite Quito restaurants.
Day 9: Head home to the USA or continue exploring the many other fascinating regions of Ecuador.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price includes:
- Expert guides
- Kayak rental
- In country transportation
- Delicious meals from breakfast the first day through lunch the final day
- Lodging
- Group discounts available.
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Ecuador
Outdoor: Water Drifter
Canoeing/Kayaking/Rafting
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