Upper Amazon Whitewater Rafting & Yoga Expedition, Ecuador

Some places don't feel like they should exist. The transition between the high Andes and the Upper Amazon is one of them. Vistamar and River People run this 8-day expedition retreat through one of the most remote and biodiverse corners of the planet, twice: 8–15 November 2026 and 1–7 November 2027.

At the heart of it is a 3-day whitewater camping expedition down the Hollín River: 60 kilometres of Class III and IV rapids through virgin canyons, ancient trees and untouched primary rainforest that almost nobody gets to see. River People pioneered commercial trips on the Hollín more than 20 years ago, and there is no better guide into it. You camp two nights deep in the canyon, eat three meals a day cooked riverside, hike to hidden waterfalls and walk the jungle after dark. No whitewater or camping experience is needed: all gear, safety equipment and guiding are provided.

Around the expedition are two days in Archidona, based at Orchid Island, with the Misahualli waterfalls, the Grand Canyon waterfall hike and an afternoon with an Indigenous Amazonian community whose ancestral knowledge spans thousands of years. There's a night out in the river town of Tena, a tree-to-chocolate tour at the Tastayaku cacao farm, and a closing night high in the Andes at Termas de Papallacta, one of South America's most extraordinary hot-spring retreats, soaking in the pools at dawn before the drive back to Quito.

Daily yoga runs through the week, from riverside jungle sessions in the canyon to a restorative yin practice after the river. This isn't a tour; it's an expedition, built to keep you present, energised and open to a place that is still genuinely wild.

Vistamar are upfront about what expedition travel means: river conditions can occasionally require an extra night on the water, and in an emergency the way out is downstream. The team carries a satellite phone, but there are no helicopter evacuations from this canyon. If that sounds energising rather than alarming, this trip is for you.

What's included

- 4 nights' lodging in Archidona at Orchid Island - 1 night at Termas de Papallacta, with entrance to the hot springs - 3-day, 2-night Hollín River whitewater expedition: expert River People guides, all whitewater and safety equipment, all camping gear, transport, and three meals a day prepared riverside - Riverside yoga and daily yoga throughout the week - All breakfasts and lunches in Archidona, and breakfast at Papallacta - Guided waterfall excursions, including Misahualli and the Grand Canyon waterfall hike - A river journey to visit and learn from Indigenous Amazonian communities - Tastayaku cacao farm and chocolate factory tour - Jungle exploration, a night jungle walk and wildlife encounters - All ground transportation, including one group transfer to and from Quito airport - Guided evening outings in Tena and Archidona, with transport

What's not included

- International flights - Individual airport transfers outside the one included group transfer - Dinners on land (guided outings are included; the meal itself is paid locally) - Alcohol - Spa treatments at Papallacta - Travel insurance