Rivers We’ve Run

We’ve rowed many rivers across Ecuador over the years, and in 2026/2027 we may explore some new ones. Impressions below are from our own runs at varying water levels.

Tena Area

• Rio Tena — upper is steep, technical Class IV/IV+ creeking; lower is Class II
• Rio Hollin (overnighter) — full-on Class IV+ creeking with mandatory portages
• Rio Jondachi (lower) — technical Class III+ into the larger volume Hollin (III+/IV)
• Rio Jondachi (middle) — tight, technical Class IV/IV+ with a larger creeky feel
• Rio Jatanyacu — wide open big-water Class II+/III, more technical at low water
• Rio Misahualli (upper) — tight, technical Class III+ to IV+ creeking
• Rio Misahualli (middle) — open Class II small river
• Rio Anzu (middle) — technical Class III+ to begin, tapers to Class II–III
• Rio Anzu (lower) — wide open Class II+ tapering to Class II and flatwater
• Rio Piatua (upper) — tight, technical Class IV at lower water, full-on Class IV+ at high water
• Rio Piatua (lower) — more open Class III+/IV, flows into the Middle Anzu
• Rio Arajuno — mellow jungle float

Baeza Area

• Rio Quijos — upper sections are creek-like, lower sections more open and bigger water; the popular Canyon to Canyon run is Class III with a couple Class IV rapids
• Rio Oyacachi — tight, rocky Class IV+ creeking at low water

Santo Domingo Area

• Rio Toachi — big volume Class III–IV (IV+ at high water)
• Rio Blanco — big volume Class III–IV (technical at low water)
• Rio Mulaute — beautiful Class III/III+ creeking at lower water
• Rio Pachijal — beautiful, technical Class III creeking

Macas Area

• Rio Upano — high volume Class III+ to IV+ (day trips or multi-day)
• Rio Yukipa — beautiful Class III–III+ jungle river
• Rio Tutanangoza — Class III middle canyon, Class III–IV lower canyon
• Rio Tuna-Chiguaza — gorgeous limestone jungle canyon; Class III with Class VI consequences, a portage or two, and possible wood

Rivers We Hope to Explore

Ecuador is full of rivers we haven’t explored yet — these are some we’re hoping to run in the years ahead. The difficulty ratings below are our best guess, since we haven’t been down them ourselves… yet.

Tena / Archidona

• Rio Pano
• Rio Anzu (upper)
• Rio Inchillaqui
• Rio Illoculin

Baeza Area

• Upper Cosanga
• Lower Cosanga
• Rio Borja
• Rio Salado

Santo Domingo

• Rio Otongo
• Crystal Grande
• Upper Toachi
• Rio Baba
• Rio Cinto
• Rio Saloya
• Rio Bolo
• Rio Magdalena

Aguarico Valley

• Rio Chingual
• Rio Aguarico
• Rio Due

Pastaza Valley

• Upper Pastaza
• Lower Pastaza
• Rio Palora
• Rio Patate
• Rio Topo

Macas Area

• Namangoza Gorge (Rio Upano)
• Rio Paute
• Rio Negro
• Rio Seipa
• Rio Jurambaino
• Rio Cuyes
• Rio Gualaquiza
• Rio Abanico

Southern Area

• Rio Jubones