WHITEWATER RAFTING THE DOUBLE RUN (TOACHI/BLANCO)
(2 Days, Your choice of days)
Day 1, Quito – Toachi/Blanco takeout:
The day starts when we pick you up from your hotel. We travel west down through the beautiful cloud forest to the shores of the river. The trip will take about 3 hours.
Before setting off we will fit you with life jackets and helmets, give you a co
mprehensive safety briefing and train each crew in the paddling techniques needed to navigate the way down the river. Once on the river, you can expect both the action of thrilling whitewater rapids and the tranquility of drifting silently through tropical rainforests. While you are guaranteed to get wet, you will also have the opportunity to be absorbed in the sounds of the forest and to see wildlife up close from our mobile “viewing platform.” Rafting time is approximately 3½ hours (Please note: From March to May we usually run the upper Blanco river—43km, approximately 4½ hours).
During the trip we’ll stop by the side of the river fo
r a delicious picnic lunch including fresh tropical fruits served with soft drinks, juice and water. At the end of the trip we celebrate a fun day on the river with a few ice cold beers and return to our hosteria alongside the river—the sound of the waters a constant reminder of our adventure.
Later in the day there’ll be time to hike in the surrounding rainforest or just relax by the pool. In the evening we can relive our experiences as we enjoy a delicious dinner and a few celebratory drinks.
L, D
Day 2, Toachi/Blanco – Quito:
On day two we will head back to the river for more whitewater action but also have the chance to catch our breath and take in the splendor of the surroundings. Return to Quito (approximately 6.30-7.00pm).
B, L
Additional details:
River Grading: III - IV (Depending on the time of year).
Activity Level: Moderate - Difficult
What to bring: Swimsuit/shorts, T-shirt, tennis shoes/river sandals, sunglasses (with retention strap), baseball cap, sunscreen, insect repellent, towel, dry change of clothes. During the months of March to May we highly recommend the use of a wetsuit. If you don’t have a wetsuit you can rent one. Cost is $5.
Includes: Professional guides, top of the line rafting equipment, meals as listed in itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner), transportation, one night at local lodge—twin share.
Not include: Wetsuit, beers.
We will depart from Crossroads Café and Hostel quite early in the morning for our drive to Baeza. On arrival you’ll be issued with wetsuits, life jackets and helmets. After a short drive to the boat launch, the trip leader will give a thorough safety briefing and conduct a swim test. You will then split into groups for an intensive in-boat paddle practice with your guide. Once we set off we will warm up with some easier rapids, continuously increasing in intensity and adventure. Along the way we will stop for a riverside picnic lunch. In the afternoon we’ll raft through the first canyons of the Quijos, running large and technical rapids. At the end of the day we pull the boats into shore and take a short ten-minute walk up to the lodge where we have cold beers, hot showers and a good meal waiting for us. Overnight lodging (L, D).
st we’ll pull on our wetsuits again and head back to the river for a lot more whitewater action. Today you should be prepared for one of the most exciting days of your life. And to top it off, you’ll be doing it all in one of the most beautiful parts of Ecuador. This river is set to become a legend. From the boat launch we’ll head back to Quito stopping at Papallacta Hot Springs for a well-earned soak in the volcanically-heated mineral waters. Arrive in Quito around 8 p.m. or spend the night in Papallacta. (B, L).