Sacred Waterfalls Rafting Expedition,
5 Days

 

Level: Challenging (Class IV to IV+)
UR-05

Activities: Whitewater Rafting, Indigenous Encounters, Hiking, Bird Watching

Season: November to March

Accommodations: Camping and Jungle Lodges

Breathtaking Amazon jungle scenery, indigenous cultural encounters, and plenty of white water and class IV and IV+ rapids are waiting for you on the Upano River, also known as "The Gorge of Sacred Waterfalls"! For experienced rafters who enjoy the rush of white water, this trip takes you down the best multi-day class IV river in Ecuador. Our unique trip also includes extended cultural encounters with the Shuar indigenous people - the famous head-shrinkers of the Amazon.

Trip highlights:

• Exhilarating whitewater rafting (class IV-IV+) down the Upano River
• Cultural encounters with Shuar Indians, the Amazon "head-shrinkers"
• Enjoy the fun hydraulics and towering canyon walls of Namangosa Gorge
• Bird watching, hiking, and wildlife exploration in pristine Amazon rainforest
• Top-notch bilingual rafting and nature guides accompany you on your journey

DAY 1: FLY FROM QUITO TO MACAS

Today we fly from Quito to Macas, a small town in the southern Amazon. After arriving in Macas, we take the time to appreciate the city as it is today, as it was destroyed twice by the Shuar indigenous peoples while they fought against the early Spanish colonists. In the evening, we enjoy a welcome dinner and a short trip briefing to prepare us for tomorrow's our rafting journey. Overnight in a hotel in Macas. (D)

DAY 2: RAFTING THE UPPER UPANO AND SHUAR INDIGENOUS ENCOUNTERS

After breakfast, we drive to our put-in site on the Upano River and begin our whitewater rafting journey. When we first meet the Upano, she is a wide river alternating between verdant valleys and steep boulder passages, with mostly class III rapids and a sprinkling of class IV rapids that get our heartbeats racing. Not to be underestimated, slightly further downstream the Upano morphs into a narrow but powerful channel of water when it cuts through the Namangosa Gorge. On this first day of rafting, we will get used to paddling as a team, while we take the time to appreciate the stunning rainforest ecology around us. This is a truly unique rafting and camping expedition through picturesque and untouched areas of the Amazonian jungle. We are guaranteed to see a variety of birdlife, which often includes numerous species of parrots and birds of prey, and we may see more than a dozen varieties of butterflies. This section of the Amazon is pristine primary forest, with thatched-roof hut settlements of the Shuar indigenous peoples dotted here and there along the riverbanks. The Shuar can often be seen washing clothes or fishing along the shores of the upper Upano. They are famously (or infamously) known as the "shrinking heads" peoples of the Amazon. When we make camp for the night on the riverbanks of the Upano near Sucua, we will visit a Shuar community nearby. They will likely talk to us about the ancient practice of head-shrinking and how and why it was done: the Shuar believed that shrinking the heads of enemies killed in battle was a way of preventing their victim's spirits from seeking vengeance, and gave the warrior who possessed the shrunken head greater powers. After our cultural exchange with the Shuar, we enjoy dinner at our campsite and a peaceful night's sleep along the riverbanks. (B, L, D)

DAY 3 & 4: RAFTING THE UPANO RIVER IN NAMANGOSA CANYON GORGE

On the morning of day 3, after crossing under the Patuca Bridge and entering the stunning Namangosa Canyon Gorge, the Upano River changes her mood and becomes a very fast-moving body of water that propels our raft forward through class IV-IV+ rapid after rapid. The riverbanks grow into towering canyon walls lush with vegetation, and water is channeled into a narrow, boulder-choked gorge. The Shuar call this the "Gorge of Sacred Waterfalls," and we should be sure to ask them about the mythology surrounding the river canyon during our community visit. Stunning views of white waterfalls are the only thing that interrupts the green of the canyon walls. Combined with sightings of tropical birds and colorful butterflies, we are left breathless by the natural beauty of the canyon, as well as the thrill of the fast-moving white water. The river's volume increases as we move downstream, while the deep gorge creates fantastic hydraulics that we and our raft take advantage of with the help of our experienced rafting guide. The end of day three finds us camping at a site known as Mina, with another full day of exhilarating rafting ahead of us. On day four, hiking trails and hidden caves give us spaces to stop and seek wildlife along the riverbanks. We can swim in the numerous tributary streams that feed into the Upano, offering different temperatures and volumes of water. The afternoon of day four, we reach our take-out site, where our vehicle is waiting for us to drive back through the countryside. We reach Macas in the evening and spend the fourth night of our journey here. (B, L, D both days)

DAY 5: FLY FROM MACAS TO QUITO

After breakfast, we have a chance to explore the town of Macas during the morning before arriving at the airport to board our noon return flight to Quito. (B)

INCLUDED: Private ground transportation (with driver); all camping gear, including sleeping bags, kitchen, social and bathroom tents; all meals as described; all rafting and safety equipment; overnight jungle lodge accommodations; and professional certified bilingual rafting and nature guide(s).

NOT INCLUDED: Flight Quito-Macas-Quito; hotel and restaurant beverages, tips, or gratuities; and guide tips.

**PLEASE NOTE** This itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions and river water levels.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• TRAVEL TIME: 40 minute flight each way, Quito-Macas-Quito
• RAFTING TIME: 5-7 hours daily, depending on water level
• SEASON: November to March
• ALTITUDE: 1,600 to 7,500 feet (500 to 2,300 meters)
• AVERAGE TEMPERATURE - AMAZON: DAY 68-95ºF / 20-35ºC, NIGHT 64-71ºF / 18-22ºC
• SUGGESTED ITEMS TO PACK:water sandals, flashlight, sunblock, and mosquito repellent
• WHITEWATER CLASSIFICATION: Class I - easy, Class II - novice, Class III - intermediate, Class IV - advanced, Class V - expert

ADITIONAL INFORMATION:

Equipment
During the camping portions of the trip, we use the following equipment: a portable toilet, solar showers, biodegradable soap, Eureka & Northface tents, Hyside and Avon rafts, lifejackets, dry bags, and rubber (Wellington) boots.

Safety
Guides are WFR (Wilderness First Responder) certified. We use a complete first aid kid, including an anti-snakebite suction cup. We use GPS equipment for exact positioning, as well as a satellite phone for emergency communications. Our contingency plan includes a helicopter emergency evacuation service (cost is additional, but could be reimbursed by your travelers’ or health insurance).

About the food
The majority of the food is brought in from Quito, including drinking water. During the trip, we offer gourmet and local foods freshly cooked by our staff. Breakfast includes granola, fresh fruit, whole wheat bread, fresh coffee or tea, cereal, marmalade, pancakes or French toast, yogurt, and eggs of your choice. Box & picnic lunches include a variety of sandwiches, fruits, cheeses, dried fruits, juices, and fresh vegetables. Dinner includes fresh soups, pastas, local dishes, rice, beans, plantains, yucca, meats, fish, mashed potatoes, fresh salads and vegetables, complemented with wine, water, and/or juice.

About this Tour
Campsites may vary, based on weather conditions. We recycle and transport out all non-organic garbage. Although we attempt to stick to the itinerary, changes may occur due to weather and river conditions, health, or other variables. Alternate river runs are available and may be substituted for those on the itinerary due to river water levels. Being flexible will allow you to get the most from your experience.

**PLEASE NOTE** This itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions and river water levels. Security is always our main concern. Due to fast flooding during rains or other sudden changes in water levels, we are always prepared to change or cancel our river itinerary. Possible alternative itineraries include: 2 days of rafting on the Quijos River; 1 day of rafting on the Cosanga River; and/or 1 day of rafting on the Misahuallí River.