12th annual edition of the Jondachi Fest
January 15 – 18, 2026
JONDACHI FEST 2026 OVERVIEW
The goal of the 12th annual Jondachi Fest event is to motivate local communities and authorities to make a commitment to preserve the quality and integrity of the Jondachi, Hollin, Misahualli and Napo River corridor intact and free-flowing for the conservation of freshwater biodiversity and sustainable economic alternatives. Your participation helps promote the protection of this unique and outstanding Andean Amazon river corridor.
If you are not a kayak or rafting enthusiast, please consider visiting other natural heritage attractions for waterfalls, hiking, biking, birding, caving, geologic sites, and cultural activities that are suitable for the entire family and all ages to enjoy throughout the Jondachi-Hollin-Misahualli-Napo ecological corridor.
EXPLORE TOURISM ATTRACTIONS IN THE JONDACHI-HOLLIN-MISAHUALLI-NAPO CORRIDOR
The Jondachi Fest has helped keep hydro development from moving forward on the Jondachi River for many years. However, the proposed hydro projects on the Upper and Middle Jondachi are currently up for bid, and another hydro project has been announced in the Misahualli Canyon, in addition to the serious threats from new roads, subsistence-level agricultural expansion, and other inappropriate development and interventions in the river corridor. We have already lost many outstanding rivers to poorly-conceived hydro projects and many other rivers are threatened by mining activities, so it is important to preserve the ecological connectivity throughout the free-flowing Jondachi-Hollin-Misahualli-Napo watershed corridor, and use this as a model for protecting other river corridors.
Your support and participation helps defend the value of these resources and show the importance of paddle sports tourism for the local economy! Thanks for coming down to Ecuador to paddle this winter and for making out for this event. Together we can change the course of inappropriate development and help protect strategic, free-flowing watershed corridors in Ecuador!
Jondachi Fest 2026
Monday, January 12 – Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Practice runs for Class V kayak race on the legendary Upper Jondachi River
08h00 – 17h00: Meeting points in Tena and Baeza
Thursday, January 15, 2026
08h00 – 17h00: Upper Jondachi River
Upper Jondachi – Safety Kayak Registration
Friday, January 16, 2026
Watershed Forum – Civic Plaza Auditorium in Tena
09h00 – 14h00
Explore tourism attractions in the Jondachi-Hollin-Misahualli-Napo watershed corridor
08h00 – 17h00: TOURISM ATTRACTIONS
Traditional shaman ceremony on the Napo River, and Inauguration of the event in Ahuano
17h00 – 18h30: Group descent in dugout canoes from La Punta de Ahuano to Ahuano, free and open to the public.
CHULPI CINE in Campana Cocha (near Ahuano)
19h00 – 20h30 Environmental film presentation in covered pavilion in Campana Cocha
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Explore tourism attractions in the Jondachi-Hollin-Misahualli-Napo watershed corridor
08h00 – 17h00: TOURISM ATTRACTIONS
PROGRAM IN ARCHIDONA
Rafting and Kayak descents of the Jondachi and Hollin Rivers
08h30 – 17h00: Middle and Lower Jondachi and Hollin Rivers (Meet at 08h30 at the Café Tortuga on the waterfront in Tena)
*Kayak participants are responsible for bringing their own equipment, food, transportation, and covering the cost of porters ($6/boat)
• Caveman Adventures – Rafting Jondachi Hollin
• River People Ecuador – Rafting Jondachi Hollin
PROGRAM IN PUERTO MISAHUALLI
09h00 – 17h00 Workshops and conservation initiatives
10h00 / 14h00 / 16h00
Registration open in January, or on the waterfront in Puerto Misahualli at the event (subject to availability).GINKANA (TRADITIONAL TEAM GAMES) IN PUERTO MISAHUALLI – USD $10 per team of 4 (min 2 women)
14h00 – 16h00 Waterfront in Puerto Misahualli
PROGRAM IN AHUANO
KID’S PAINTING CONTEST
09h00 – 12h00 Covered pavilion in Ahuano
RIOS VIVOS AHUANO
14h00 – 17h00 Visits to local attractions in Ahuano
CHULPI CINE in Ahuano
18h00 – 20h30 Environmental film presentation in covered pavilion in Ahuano
Sunday, January 18, 2026
08h00 – 17h00: TOURISM ATTRACTIONS
PROGRAM IN PUERTO MISAHUALLI – LA PUNTA DE AHUANO
50K-TRIATHLON IN AHUANO – USD $10 per team of 6 participants including at least 2 women
Registration open
08h00: Race meeting in covered pavilion in Ahuano.
09h00: Start of Triathlon
• BIKE from the covered pavilion in Ahuano to the Pusuno River (18 km) – 1 participant
• RUN from the Pusuno River to Puerto Misahualli (3 sections x 5 km = 15 km) – 3 participants
• TANDEM SIT-ON-TOP KAYAK in the Napo River from Puerto Misahualli to La Punta de Ahuano (17 km) – 2 participants
13h00: Prize ceremony in La Punta de Ahuano with downriver races (see below)
RAFTING FOR BEGINNERS IN PUERTO MISAHUALLI – USD $10 per person
10h00 / 14h00 / 16h00
Registration open in January, or on the waterfront in Puerto Misahualli at the event (subject to availability).
11h00: Departure of motor dugout canoes to see the downriver races.
14h00: Return to Puerto Misahualli
SUP DOWN THE NAPO RIVER: Puerto Misahuallí – La Punta de Ahuano (17 km)
Accompany the downriver races along the Napo River on a Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) – $10 per person
10h00 – Meet at SUP AMAZON banner on the beach in Puerto Misahualli
11h00 – Group descent in SUP down the Napo River from Puerto Misahualli to La Punta de Ahuano
14h00 – Return to Puerto Misahualli
∙ SUP AMAZON – Paddle the Napo River
DOWNRIVER RACES: Puerto Misahualli – La Punta de Ahuano (17 km)
10h00 Waterfront in Puerto Misahualli. Online registration open soon. Final registration on the waterfront in Puerto Misahualli.
TRADITIONAL DUGOUT CANOES – USD $15 per 3-person team (min 1 woman)
DRAGON BOATS – USD $20 per 6-person team (min. 2 women)
KAYAKS – All divisiones $5 per person
∙ KIDS JUNIOR PRO (under 15 years)
∙ WOMEN (15+)
∙ MEN (15+)