Small World Adventures pioneered commercial kayaking trips in Ecuador during the early 1990's and we continue to offer innovative, challenging kayaking adventures in Ecuador. We mainly operate on the eastern slope of the Andes—an area called the Oriente—which is one of the most fascinating regions on earth. We specialize in guiding small groups of paddlers on the thundering rapids of big volume Amazonian tributaries and steep upper Andean creeks. Each season we explore new areas and rivers and offer unique trips found nowhere else.
Tropical Tune-Up
Sign Up!
 Our Tropical Tune-Up trip is designed for the inspired beginner kayaker. We know that it's hard to sit the winter out when you are just learning how to kayak, so we invite you down to our tropical paradise to keep working on your skills. Although Ecuador has a reputation for being home to hard rivers, it has a plethora of Class I, Class II, and Class III runs. Plus, the warm water and warm air create the perfect setting for learning new kayaking skills!
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.
Day 4,5&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.
Cost: $1595. Price includes: Expert guides, kayak rental, in country transportation, delicious meals from breakfast the first day through lunch the final day, and lodging. Group discounts available.
Winter Whitewater Class III
Sign Up!
 A few years ago we divided our Winter Whitewater trips into a Class III trip and a Class IV- trip to ensure that people were getting on the right runs for their ability level. On our Class III Winter Whitewater Trip you can expect to run some of Ecuador’s best Class III and even Class III+ runs. The trip will focus on river running, but we will also throw in a little bit of play boating and creeking to spice things up. What could be better than a week of Class III in a tropical paradise?
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 can make your extra hotel reservation as well as suggest some activities around Quito.
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 start right out front of the cabins to get used to our boats and later head downstream for the first half of the Pica Piedra run.
Day 3: We get to paddle two technical rivers today! In the morning we will run a section of the Upper Cosanga and then travel to the neighboring Napo Valley. For our afternoon run we will paddle part of the Middle Misahualli where the water is even warmer! We'll stay at another riverside hotel right in the town of Tena so there is ample opportunity to experience everyday Ecuadorian life.
Day 4: Today we are off to the Rio Anzu for the day. This is a medium volume pool drop river that almost always serves up some fun surfing. On the way back to Tena we will take a side trip to the historic town of Puerto Misahualli where you can take photos of moneys in the trees, shop for some local handicrafts and find a cold bottle of Pilsner in the bar overlooking the park.
Day 5: Big water pool drop on the Rio Jatunyacu and a short hike up an incredible jungle slot canyon are on the menu for today’s adventure. We should be back in town in time to explore the nature preserve right across the river from the hotel before happy hour on the patio overlooking the river.
Day 6: We head back to CTR and the Rio Quijos for more of Lily’s meals and another run either on the full Pica Piedra section or the lower half of El Chaco Gorge.
Day 7: Today is graduation day. Plan on a full day of pool drop paddling on the Grand Canyon of the Quijos. This run is very remote and has beautiful waterfalls spilling into the river, not to mention great rapids. After paddling we will again enjoy the evening at CTR.
Day 8: We’ll head to Papallacta hot springs to soak in the hot pools and return to Quito in time for a tour of the souvenir markets. We will finish off the day with a final dinner together at one of our favorite Quito restaurants.
Day 9: Head home to the USA or continue exploring the many other fascinating regions of Ecuador.
Cost: $1595. Price includes: Expert guides, kayak rental, in country transportation, delicious meals from breakfast the first day through lunch the final day, and lodging. Group discounts available.
Winter Whitewater Class IV-
Sign up!
 This trip combines small volume technical creeking and big water play runs to give you a sample of Ecuador's best. A few years ago we divided our Winter Whitewater trips into a Class III trip and a Class IV- trip to ensure that people were getting on the right runs for their ability level. 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.
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. It is conveniently located on the edge of the Marsical (tourist sector of Quito). If you prefer to arrive a day early we will make your hotel reservations and advise you on local activities.
Day 2: After a breakfast briefing from the trip leader we head over the 13,000' 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 Cabanas Tres Rios we will outfit our kayaks, enjoy the first of Lily's excellent meals and head to the river. We usually paddle the Pica Piedra run which starts right out front of our riverside cabins.
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: After paddling 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 riverside lodge—Cabanas Tres Rios.
Day 8: Paddle the lower portion of the El Chaco Gorge on the Rio Quijos and then return to Quito in time for a tour of the souvenir markets.
Day 9: Head home to the USA or continue to a Galapagos cruise.
Cost: $1595. Price includes: Expert guides, kayak rental, in country transportation, delicious meals from breakfast the first day through lunch the final day, and lodging. Group discounts available.
Torrents- The trip SWA is famous for! Seven Days of spectacular Class IV rivers.
Sign Up!
 Variety is what this, our most popular trip, is all about. You will challenge yourself mostly on steep technical creeks but we throw in a couple large volume, drop pool rivers as well. At this level of kayaking there are an astonishing number of world class rivers to choose from in Ecuador. We take advantage of the best water levels when selecting runs for each group so don't be surprised if it's the best week of paddling of your life.
Day 1: Saturday arrival into Quito. Most flights arrive in the evening and we will be there to pick you up at the airport and take you to the hotel we use while in Quito. It is conveniently located on the edge of the Marsical (tourist sector of Quito). If you prefer to arrive a day early we can make your hotel reservations and advise you on local activities.
Day 2: After a breakfast briefing from the trip leader we head over 13,000' 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 Cabanas Tres Rios (Small World’s private riverside lodge) we will outfit our kayaks, enjoy the first of Lily's excellent meals and head upstream to the river. We will run the confluence section of the Rio Quijos and take out right at CTR in front of your cabin!
Day 3: Paddle the Pica Piedra section and 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. 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 at CTR. 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 we head back to Quito in time for a bit of souvenir shopping.
Day 9: Head home to the USA or stick around for a bit more paddling.
Cost: $1595. Price includes: Expert guides, kayak rental, in country transportation, delicious meals from breakfast the first day through lunch the final day, and lodging. Group discounts available.
Mucha Agua
Sign Up!
 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. We'll hit up many of Ecuador's classic IV+ and V- runs. For people who are super comfortable boating Class IV/V runs, this is an awesome week full of world class boating.
Day 1: Saturday arrival into Quito. Most flights arrive in the evening and 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 can arrive a day early we will make your hotel reservations for you and suggest some activities around Quito.
Day 2: After a breakfast briefing from the trip leader we head over the 13,000' 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 our private lodge, Cabanas Tres Rios, we will outfit our kayaks, enjoy the first of Lily's excellent meals and head to the river. We will run the technical Baeza to Borja section of the Rio Quijos and take out right at CTR in front of your cabin!
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 even warmer Upper, Upper Misahualli on the way to Tena. 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 ends up with a rope swing!
Day 6: With over eighty significant rapids in a six and a half mile run you hopefully have plenty of energy left for the Rio Jondachi. We will probably spend the evening in Tena.
Day 7: After breakfast we travel back towards our lodge CTR and paddle the lower Cosanga on the way taking out right at our cabins.
Day 8: After a morning paddle on the Quijos in El Chaco Canyon or the Cheesehouse section, we head back to Quito in time for a bit of souvenir shopping and a farewell dinner at one of our favorite restaurants.
Day 9: Head home to the USA or continue onto one of SWA's other adventures.
Cost: $1595. Price includes: Expert guides, kayak rental, in country transportation, delicious meals from breakfast the first day through lunch the final day, and lodging. Group discounts available.
Rivers and Beaches
Sign Up!
 This trip has been featured in Outside Magazine and is unlike anything offered by anyone else. We paddle four solid days on the rivers in the Quijos valley (our favorite) and then three great days at the beach kayak surfing! We'll share our secret point break where we haven't ever seen another surfer (board or kayak). If you want to maximize your vacation time this is the trip that will do it. It’s also a great vacation for non-paddling friends or family members. SWA’s Rivers and Beaches is truly a break from winter! The lodging couldn’t be more convenient: Cabanas Tres Rios on the banks of the Rio Quijos and a beachfront hotel in a small fishing village.
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. It is conveniently located on the edge of the Marsical (tourist sector of Quito). If you prefer to arrive a day early we can arrange a hotel reservation and activities for you.
Day 2: After a breakfast briefing from the trip leader we head over the 13,000' 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 Cabanas Tres Rios we will outfit our kayaks, enjoy the first of Lily's excellent meals and go paddling on the Rio Quijos.
Day 3, 4: We spend full days paddling the rivers in the Quijos and Oyacachi valleys while staying at our exclusive Cabanas Tres Rios.
Day 5: After paddling the Rio Cosanga we head back to Quito for the evening.
Day 6: We catch a morning flight to the beach and our vehicle and boats meet us at the airport for the one hour drive to our beachfront hotel. The surf is right out front so grab your boat and walk the 100 yards to a great, uncrowded beach break! Surf till the sun sets then come in for a shower to wash that salt water off. Of course the evening meal is seafood with lots of icy beers to wash it down!
Day 7: We charter a small boat to take us out to our secret point break. The waves are big, but kayaker friendly and the paddle back out is easy. Of course there is more cold beer and seafood when we get back to the cabins.
Day 8: After a morning surf we head to a nearby town for an evening flight to Quito.
Day 9: Head home to the USA or continue onto one of SWA’s all river kayaking trips.
Cost: $1,795 for 5 to 7 participants (if the group number is less than 5 the cost is $1895). Price includes: Expert guides, kayak rental, in country transportation, delicious meals from breakfast the first day through lunch the final day, lodging.
We may reverse the schedule on some trips with the surfing being at the beginning of the week.
Rios Escondidos
Sign Up!
 The Rios Escondidos Trip is the newest edition to our already great line up of trips. This trip was designed with our return guests in mind—we always like showing you something new, so we thought this was a great opportunity to do it. Paddlers should be confident in Class IV+/V- water. This trip will be a combo of big water river running, and low volume creeking. We will split time between our lodge in the Quijos Valley, and a hotel just north of us in the Agua Rico drainage.
Day 1: Saturday arrival into Quito. Most flights arrive in the evening and 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 your hotel reservations for you and suggest some activities around Quito.
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 get to our private lodge, Cabanas Tres Rios, we will outfit our kayaks, enjoy the first of Lily's excellent meals and head to the river. We will run the confluence section of the Rio Quijos and take out right at CTR in front of your cabin!
Day 3: Today we paddle the technical Rio Cosanga, running slots and boofing our way down through a beautiful rainforest-covered gorge. We end up at CTR in time for happy hour at the horseshoe pit.
Day 4: We travel north and put in on the medium volume Rio Due and paddle across the equator in the first rapid. We have 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. The last few miles are on the upper Agua Rico. After paddling we will head back to CTR for more great Lily food.
Day 7: After breakfast we will paddle the technical, medium volume Rio Oyacachi.
Day 8: After a morning paddle on El Chaco Canyon or the Cheesehouse section of the Quijos, we head back to Quito in time for a bit of souvenir shopping and a farewell dinner at one of our favorite restaurants.
Day 9: Head home to the USA or continue onto one of SWA's other adventures.
Cost: $1595. Price includes: Expert guides, kayak rental, in country transportation, delicious meals from breakfast the first day through lunch the final day, and lodging. Group discounts available.
Class IV Rafting
Sign Up!
 On this trip you'll not only experience exciting Class IV paddle rafting, but also much of what has made Ecuador famous with adventure travelers. You can hike in the jungle, soak in the nicest hot springs resort in Ecuador and watch monkeys playing in the forest. SWA's expertise on the rivers of Ecuador, combined with our 15 years of experience leading tours around the country, guarantee an exciting and unique rafting vacation.. By the way, we don't camp on our rafting trips, but stay in the beautiful riverside lodge—Cabanas Tres Rios (CTR). Adventure travel doesn't mean you have to rough it!
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. It is conveniently located on the edge of the Marsical (tourist sector of Quito). If you prefer to arrive a day early we will make your hotel reservations and advise you on local activities.
Day 2: We meet for an 8:00am breakfast and an orientation by our trip leader who will outline the week’s itinerary and special events. Afterwards we head out in our van over a 13,000 foot Andean pass and if the weather is clear we will see three of the four highest snowcapped volcanoes in Ecuador. Once we arrive at SWA's riverside cabins, you'll move into your comfortable room, check out all the necessary river equipment and enjoy the first of many excellent meals by our chef Lily. We will put in right out front and paddle the fun pool drop rapids of the Pica Piedra run.
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 before returning to CTR.
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 Cabanas Tres Rios, enjoy a beer on the riverside deck or a game of horseshoes and more of Lily’s great meals.
Day 8: After breakfast we head to the Papallacta hot springs resort for a soak in their beautiful pools high in the Andes. Our plan is to arrive into Quito with sufficient time for you to visit a local market and various shops for souvenirs.
Day 9: Fly home or continue exploring Ecuador.
Trip minimum: 4 participants
Cost: $1595. Price includes: Expert guides, rafting equipment, in country transportation, delicious meals from breakfast the first day through lunch the final day, lodging.
Not Included: Drinks, tips, flights and souvenirs.
site map
|
