River Rafting
Ecuador river rafting with
CRACYP is a raft journey with a
difference – not white water rafting, but a more traditional,
tranquil cruise, suitable for all the family. Drift downriver
through
the peaceful countryside, enjoying an on-board barbeque as you watch
the tropical scenery go by. Choose between a gentle half day
trip where
everything is done for you, a full day which includes helping to build
the traditional raft, multi-day adventures with overnight camping by
the river or
on
the raft, or an adventurous five-day rafting expedition to the sea.
The
raft style is traditional, a replica of an ancient Manteño
Huancavilca (pre-Inca) design that has changed little in the last
thousand years. Until the 1960s rafts of this indigenous
design were still used
for transporting bananas and cacao to markets on the coast.
The simple,
efficient raft design uses the buoyant balsa wood that is native to
Ecuador. Thor Heyerdahl used the same design for the famous Kon-Tiki
raft expedition 13000 miles across the Pacific Ocean.
The
balsa raft logs are
not wasted after your trip – they will be used for
handicrafts or insulation. The
fast-growing balsa wood is sustainably produced locally and CRACYP have
reforestation plans in the area.
River raft tour prices depend
on
group size – starting from $60 per person per day all
inclusive, based on a group of six or more and including meals, use of
camping equipment, guides, transportation to and from the river and
traditional alcoholic beverages. For smaller groups, rafting tours can
be tailor-made. For more information, email
rafting("at")cracyp.org
or call
Claudia on 08544 6080 (00593 8544 6080 if calling from outside of
Ecuador). In the past, international raft expeditions have
been
arranged.
For
accommodation before and after your Ecuador river rafting adventure,
and the chance
to explore more of the local area, see our Ecuador
farmstay
tourism project.
River
Rafting Eco Adventure Tours in Ecuador
Tranquil, traditional raft journeys, suitable for all the family,
on
indigenous-style balsa wood rafts, replicas of the Kon Tiki
A Green Progress project in rural Ecuador from CRACYP
