White Water Rafting from Quito: Pastaza River Level III+

Paddle through rainforest rapids, then cross a canyon on cable to reach three waterfalls

A full-day white water rafting trip from Quito takes you down the Pastaza River (level III+ rapids) between Sangay and Llanganates National Parks, then into the Avenue of the Waterfalls for hikes, a 500-meter cable car crossing, and views of Bride's Veil and Agoyan waterfalls. Hotel pickup starts at 5:30 a.m., lunch is included, and guides speak English and Spanish.

Step-by-step itinerary

White water rafting and waterfall hikes

• Hotel pickup in Quito at 5:30 a.m.
• Admire volcanoes during breakfast
• Drive to Pastaza River for rafting
• Raft on Pastaza River (level III+)
• Lunch after rafting
• Hike downhill to Devil's Cauldron waterfall
• Cross canyon by cable car to Manto de la Novia waterfall
• View Agoyan waterfall
• Return to Quito hotel by 7:00 p.m.

The Experience

Your guide picks you up at 5:30 a.m. from your Quito hotel and drives south toward Baños de Agua Santa, a town nestled on the slopes of Tungurahua Volcano at 1,820 meters. On the way, you'll see Antisana, Los Ilinizas, Cotopaxi and Tungurahua itself while you have breakfast. At 9 a.m., you switch to local transport and head downhill to the Pastaza River, dropping to 1,050 meters where the vegetation shifts from subtropical rainforest to Amazon tropical rainforest. This is where the paddling starts.

The Pastaza River runs level III+ rapids between Sangay and Llanganates National Parks—one of the main tributaries feeding the Amazon. You'll paddle through the dramatic changes in landscape as the canyon walls rise around you. After the rafting section, you stop for lunch, then move into the Avenue of the Waterfalls. A downhill hike takes you to Devil's Cauldron (Pailón del Diablo), and then you board a cable car that spans 500 meters across the Pastaza River canyon to reach Manto de la Novia (Bride's Veil Waterfall). From there, you get a view of Agoyan waterfall. The full day ends around 7 p.m. when you're back at your Quito hotel.

Safety equipment is provided, and the guides are experienced in both the river section and the waterfall hikes. Children are welcome from age 10. The trip is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or poor cardiovascular health; you should have at least moderate physical fitness for the paddling and hiking combined.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return transport from Quito.
• safety equipment for rafting.
• entrance fees to both national parks and waterfall sites.
• lunch after the river section.
• English or Spanish-speaking guide.
• cable car crossing of the Pastaza River canyon.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availableNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Ecuador Best Tours

Is this one for you?An 11- to 12-hour commitment means you leave before dawn and return after dark, which works if you have a full day free but rules out half-day plans or evening activities. The early start and long drive give you the full river-to-rainforest transition and all three waterfalls without rushing the hikes or the cable car crossing.

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Top questions

What is the Pastaza River like for someone who has never rafted before?

The Pastaza River runs at level III+ difficulty, which means moderate to challenging rapids with waves and some maneuvering required. You'll paddle through a canyon between two national parks, watching the vegetation change as you descend from subtropical to tropical rainforest. Safety equipment is provided and guides are experienced.

How long is the full day, and what time do I need to be ready?

The trip runs 11 to 12 hours total. Your guide picks you up at 5:30 a.m. from your Quito hotel, and you return around 7 p.m. Breakfast happens on the drive; lunch is included after the rafting section.

What happens in the Avenue of the Waterfalls after the rafting?

After lunch, you hike downhill to Devil's Cauldron waterfall, then board a cable car that crosses 500 meters over the Pastaza River canyon to reach Bride's Veil Waterfall (Manto de la Novia). From there you see Agoyan waterfall. The hikes are comfortable and the cable car does the heavy crossing for you.

Are children allowed, and what's the age requirement?

Children are welcome from age 10. Specialized infant seats are available if you have younger children, though the rafting and hiking sections are designed for kids who can manage moderate physical activity.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to bring?

The price includes hotel pickup and return transport, all safety equipment for rafting, entrance fees to the parks and waterfalls, lunch, and an English or Spanish-speaking guide. Bring water, sun protection, a change of clothes, and secure footwear for the hikes.