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
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
• River People Ecuador – Rafting Jondachi Hollin
*Kayak participants are responsible for bringing their own equipment, food, transportation, and covering the cost of porters ($6/boat)
PROGRAM IN PUERTO MISAHUALLI
09h00 – 17h00 Results of water quality monitoring and conservation initiatives
RIVER GINKANA (MULTISPORT TEAM GAMES) IN PUERTO MISAHUALLI – USD $10 per team of 4 students
09h00 – 12h00 Pre-registration at schools.
12h30 – 13h30 Prize ceremony
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).
PROGRAM IN AHUANO
KID’S PAINTING CONTEST
09h00 – 12h00 Covered pavilion in Ahuano
RIOS VIVOS AHUANO
14h00 – 17h00 Visits to local attractions in Ahuano
RIOS VIVOS – CHULPI CINE
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 in December
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 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).
10h00: Departure of motor dugout canoes to see the downriver races.
DOWNRIVER RACES: Puerto Misahualli – La Punta de Ahuano (17 km)
10h00 Waterfront in Puerto Misahualli. Pre-registration at Hotel Shaw in Puerto Misahualli. Final registration on the waterfront in Puerto Misahualli.
DUGOUT CANOES – USD $15 per 3-person team
DRAGON BOATS – USD $20 per 6-person team of couples
KAYAKS – All divisiones $5 per person
KIDS JUNIOR PRO (under 15 years)
WOMEN (15+)
MEN (15+)
TANDEM SIT-ON-TOP ($10 per couple)