Rafting Baños: Pastaza River, Canopy & Canyoning

Three river sports in one day on Ecuador's best rafting river

A full-day activity in Baños combining rafting on the Pastaza River (Class III–IV), canopy zip-lining 300 meters above El Manto del Novia waterfall, and canyoning down four waterfalls ending at the 50-meter Cascada del Silencio. The day starts at 9:00 AM with rafting and lunch, moves to canopy at 2:30 PM, then canyoning at 3:30 PM. A live guide speaks English, Spanish or French. The group travels by air-conditioned vehicle between sites.

Step-by-step itinerary

Rafting, canopy, and canyoning adventure

• 9:00 AM - Rafting on Pastaza River
• Enjoy lunch with photos and videos
• 2:30 PM - Canopy zip line over waterfall
• 3:30 PM - Canyoning at Chamana Waterfall

The experience

The Pastaza River, 28 kilometers long and ranked among the world's best for rafting, opens with Class III–IV rapids that demand active paddling but suit all fitness levels. You spend the morning navigating the current with a guide, stop for lunch partway through, and get photos and videos of the run. The river itself is the draw: technical enough to keep your attention, wide enough that the canyon walls close in around you.

After lunch, you move to the canopy site. The zip line runs 1,300 meters round trip, suspended 300 meters above El Manto del Novia waterfall: high enough that the water below looks like mist. You clip in and slide down steel cables strung between platforms in the trees, then walk back up. It is a different kind of speed from the river: controlled, aerial, a moment to see the landscape whole.

Canyoning closes the day. You descend four waterfalls, rappelling down rock faces and into pools, with the final drop at Cascada del Silencio. A 50-meter waterfall that is the largest in Baños. The guide sets anchors and manages the rope. You move at your own pace down each one. An air-conditioned vehicle picks you up between each site, so you are not hiking in wet gear for hours.

What’s included

• Rafting on the Pastaza River with lunch and photos.
• canopy zip-lining above El Manto del Novia.
• canyoning down four waterfalls including Cascada del Silencio.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport between sites.
• live guide in English, Spanish or French.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (6 to 75 years) · Under 6: can't be included in the booking

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “next to the Hotel Le Petite”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Special holiday offer. Best of Ecuador | Tour Operator - Explorjungle

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, Spanish or French, so you can follow the instruction and safety briefings in your language. All three activities suit any fitness level, though the canyoning involves rappelling down wet rock and the canopy requires comfort with heights.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

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

The Pastaza River runs Class III–IV, which means technical rapids that need active paddling but are suitable for all fitness levels. The guide leads you through the current. The river itself is the instruction.

How high is the canopy zip line above the waterfall?

The canopy runs 300 meters above El Manto del Novia waterfall, with the full line covering 1,300 meters round trip between platforms in the trees.

What happens during the canyoning part, and how many waterfalls do you descend?

You rappel down four waterfalls, with the last and largest being Cascada del Silencio at 50 meters high. The guide sets the anchors and manages the rope. You control your descent into pools below each drop.

What time does the day start and end?

Rafting begins at 9:00 AM with lunch included. Canopy starts at 2:30 PM and canyoning at 3:30 PM. The full day runs approximately eight hours from start to finish.

Is lunch included, and what else comes with the booking?

Lunch is included during the rafting portion. Photos and videos of the rafting are also provided, and an air-conditioned vehicle transports the group between the three activity sites.