Baños: Cashaurco Canyoning Adventure with Lunch & Photos

Summary

Cashaurco canyoning in Baños Ecuador wild jumps ziplining lunch

You’ll start your day in Baños gearing up for canyoning at Cashaurco—with a local guide who knows every twist of the river. Jump into clear pools, zipline over gorges, abseil down rock faces and laugh with your group through every splash. Afterward, warm up with a fresh lunch (vegan options too) before heading back to town still buzzing from it all.

What’s the experience like?

We were barely out of Baños when our guide, Diego, started telling us about the river spirits—half joking, half serious. The drive to Cashaurco is just under an hour but it felt shorter with the windows down and that thick green smell you only get in Ecuador. I kept checking my harness straps, not because I doubted the gear (everything looked new), but because I was nervous. You know that feeling when you’re about to do something you can’t back out of?

At the parking spot, we all shuffled around getting our wetsuits on—there’s always someone who puts it on backwards (wasn’t me this time). Diego gave us a run-through of what to expect: abseiling, ziplining across the canyon, jumping into pools that looked way deeper than they were. We practiced on dry land for a bit—my hands already slippery from anticipation or maybe just humidity. Then we started walking up to the entry point. The air got cooler and you could hear water somewhere ahead but not see it yet.

The first jump caught me off guard—I thought it’d be scarier but honestly it was kind of freeing. Cold water hit my face and suddenly everyone was laughing (someone let out a weird yelp, pretty sure it was me). There were moments where we just floated quietly between rocks and mossy walls, then bursts of adrenaline as we zipped or slid down. Diego kept checking in with everyone—he even remembered I was vegan and made a joke about “jungle tofu” for lunch. It’s those small things that stick with you.

After three hours in the canyon—legs shaky but grinning—we changed back at the van. Lunch was simple but good; rice, beans, some grilled veggies for me. There’s something about eating after being cold and wet for hours that makes food taste better than usual. We scrolled through photos Diego had taken—some heroic mid-air shots, some less flattering ones (I’ll never live down my helmet hair). On the ride back to Baños city I kept thinking how I almost didn’t book this day trip to Cashaurco canyoning from Cusco… would’ve missed all of it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Extreme canyoning adventure in Baños

• Meet at office
• Depart to Cashaurco (1 hour)
• Briefing and practice (25 minutes)
• Walk to canyon start
• Explore canyon (3 hours): walk, jump, zipline, abseil, dive, swim
• Return to parking
• Change clothes
• Enjoy lunch with vegan options
• Return to Baños city

Top questions

How long does the Cashaurco canyoning tour take?

The tour lasts around 5-6 hours including transport from Baños.

Is lunch included in the Cashaurco canyoning experience?

Yes, lunch is included after the canyoning activity—vegan options are available.

Do I need previous experience for this Baños canyoning tour?

No prior experience is needed but travelers should have moderate fitness.

What activities are part of this Cashaurco day trip?

You’ll do gorge walking, jumping, ziplining, abseiling, diving and swimming.

Are certified guides provided on this tour?

Yes—all guides are certified and follow international safety standards.

Is equipment provided for canyoning at Cashaurco?

All necessary equipment is included: wetsuits, harnesses and helmets.

How many people can join each group?

The tour runs with a minimum of 2 people and maximum of 10 per group.

Are photos or videos included in the price?

Yes—the guide takes photos and videos during your adventure at no extra cost.

What’s included

Your day includes all necessary equipment like wetsuits and helmets, certified local guides who handle safety and photos along the way, private transportation from Baños to Cashaurco and back again, plus a fresh lunch afterward—with vegan options if you need them before returning to town still drying off a bit but happy.