Tena

Tena sits at 500 metres where the Andes give out into Amazon foothills, at the meeting of the Tena and Pano rivers, and its position between steep catchment and warm lowland has made it the whitewater capital of the country: the Jatunyacu, Jondachi, Misahualli and Anzu rivers within reach give runs from gentle grade two floats to committing grade four and five, with a resident community of rafting and kayaking operators. It is also a jumping-off point for Kichwa community tourism, jungle lodges and caves in the surrounding forest. The town itself is modest, hot and green, with a pedestrian bridge over the confluence and a riverside walk, and it works as a base rather than a sight.

What you actually see

• Whitewater on four rivers - grade two to grade five within reach.
• The confluence and footbridge - the two rivers meeting in town.
• Kichwa community tourism - visits and stays in surrounding villages.
• Jungle caves and forest trails - the country around the town.

When to go

Year round; river levels are higher and pushier roughly March to August. Two days as a base. Operators run daily trips. It is hot and humid at any season.

Honest expectations

The town itself has little to look at and rains hard. Rafting safety standards vary between operators; check equipment and guide certification. High water closes some runs entirely.

Nearby

Misahualli is downriver; Puyo lies south.