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6 days Upano River Expedition, Ecuador
Level: Challenging ARU-06
The Upano River is the longest in Ecuador, making this the most fascinating multi-day rafting expedition in the country. The run begins at the town of Macas, in the southern Ecuadorian Amazon. From there, we travel through the stunning, forested Namangosa Gorge, and find out just why the Upano is named the “River of the Sacred Waterfalls” as dozens of cataracts plunge from the gorge’s walls. As we traverse the southern jungles, we will come into contact with the fascinating Shuar culture. A truly intense rafting and camping expedition, it is the best river expedition Ecuador has to offer.
DAY 1: TRANSFER OR FLIGHT QUITO TO MACAS This first day is spent traveling by land or air from Quito to Macas, a small Amazonian town in the southern Amazon. In the evening, we will have a trip briefing and welcome dinner. (D) DAYS 2 TO 5: RUNNING THE UPANO (CLASS IV) After a nutritious breakfast we will put our equipment into the water. The next four days will be spent travelling down the Upano River through the stunning Namangosa Gorge filled with towering waterfalls. This is a truly unique rafting and camping expedition through picturesque and untouched areas of the Amazonian jungle. The Upano starts as a wide and peaceful river with Class II and III rapids. Along the way, we will make contact with the intriguing Shuar Indians while they wash clothes, fish or pan for gold. After crossing under the Patuca Bridge, the riverbanks grow into towering canyon walls and water is channeled into a narrow, boulder-choked gorge. The next two days are spent plowing through stretches of river riddled with Class IV rapids, surrounded by unbelievably beautiful expanses of untouched jungle. The afternoon of our fifth day we will reach our take-out, where our vehicle will meet us to drive us back to Macas through the countryside. (B, L, D) DAY 6: TRANSFER OR FLIGHT MACAS TO QUITO Transfer or flight back to Quito. (B) INCLUDED: Private transportation, top quality rafting equipment, deluxe camping, professional certified bilingual guide and meals as indicated. NOT INCLUDED: Airfare Macas-Quito, hotel & restaurant beverages, National Park entrance fees and tips/gratuities. IMPORTANT FACTS: TRAVEL TIME: 30-minute flight from Quito to Macas or 6-hour drive. RAFTINGTIME: 4 to 6 hours each day. SEASON: October thru April ALTITUDE: 700m to 400m AVERAGE TEMPERATURE AMAZON: DAY 18-34ºC, NIGHT 15-20ºC SUGGESTED: Water sandals, hiking boots, rain coat, non-cotton trekking gear, sun block, bathing suit, hat and mosquito repellent. WHITEWATER CLASSIFICATION: Class I – easy, Class II – novice, Class III intermediate, Class IV – advanced, Class V - expert
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