Waterdog Tours was founded in 2007 by Flaco Ashqui and Dan Cohen as a spin off project from Dan's
time as a Peace Corps volunteer in El Chaco. The company is proud to be guide owned and operated by
local residents of the Quijos Valley. In an area of the country where the main opportunities for jobs are
dairy farming and oil pipeline maintenance work, Waterdog Tours is committed to providing a more
sustainable income generation activity for local residents in the form of adventure based tourism. We use
local guides, local transportation, local hotels and restaurants, and our money stays in the community
unlike large tourism operators based out of Quito.
time as a Peace Corps volunteer in El Chaco. The company is proud to be guide owned and operated by
local residents of the Quijos Valley. In an area of the country where the main opportunities for jobs are
dairy farming and oil pipeline maintenance work, Waterdog Tours is committed to providing a more
sustainable income generation activity for local residents in the form of adventure based tourism. We use
local guides, local transportation, local hotels and restaurants, and our money stays in the community
unlike large tourism operators based out of Quito.
Edison "El Flaco" Ashqui- President and Trip Leader
Flaco's rafting experience on the Quijos started as an adrenaline seeking youth with a small plastic
blowup raft (pictured above) and some homemade paddles fashioned out of PVC tubing and old plastic
scraps. Although he has left the old toy raft behind, he brings the same tireless spirit and love of the
sport to all of his trips. As a kid he grew up working farms throughout the Quijos Valley and eventually
found jobs as a pipeline maintenance worker. He pursued rafting in his days-off and was trained as a
guide in Tena, Ecuador while simultaneously working part-time as a guide on the Quijos. He brings that
same work ethic to Waterdog Tours along with unmatched charisma.
Flaco's rafting experience on the Quijos started as an adrenaline seeking youth with a small plastic
blowup raft (pictured above) and some homemade paddles fashioned out of PVC tubing and old plastic
scraps. Although he has left the old toy raft behind, he brings the same tireless spirit and love of the
sport to all of his trips. As a kid he grew up working farms throughout the Quijos Valley and eventually
found jobs as a pipeline maintenance worker. He pursued rafting in his days-off and was trained as a
guide in Tena, Ecuador while simultaneously working part-time as a guide on the Quijos. He brings that
same work ethic to Waterdog Tours along with unmatched charisma.
Klever "Eduardo" Ashqui- Rafting Guide and Director of
Marketing
Eduardo was never too far behind the heels of older brother Flaco as a
kid and gained the type of affinity and appreciation for the water that
one only acquires by growing up on its banks. Eduardo recently gained
his degree in tourism from the University of Latacunga UTC. He
completed his thesis on ecotourism in Holguin, Cuba in 2011 and his
studies and travels relating to this theme have taken him to Columbia
and Peru. Now back in Ecuador, he has refound his passion for all
things rafting. Eduardo is the energetic center of the group and never
misses a chance at a laugh. He says to all clients, "Come and live a new
experience!". Eduardo is also responsible for all of Waterdog Tours'
strategic marketing efforts.
Marketing
Eduardo was never too far behind the heels of older brother Flaco as a
kid and gained the type of affinity and appreciation for the water that
one only acquires by growing up on its banks. Eduardo recently gained
his degree in tourism from the University of Latacunga UTC. He
completed his thesis on ecotourism in Holguin, Cuba in 2011 and his
studies and travels relating to this theme have taken him to Columbia
and Peru. Now back in Ecuador, he has refound his passion for all
things rafting. Eduardo is the energetic center of the group and never
misses a chance at a laugh. He says to all clients, "Come and live a new
experience!". Eduardo is also responsible for all of Waterdog Tours'
strategic marketing efforts.
Gustavo Ashqui- Safety Kayaker and Rafting Guide
When Gustavo isn't barreling down the Quijos in his kayak, you can find him in
the libraries of the University of Latacunga UTC. Gustavo brings the same
scrutiny to detail to river safety that he has gained through his studies of
mechanical engineering. He has begun teaching kayak lessons to local Quijos
valley youth and will no doubt be the inspiration for many of Waterdog Tours'
future raft guides and safety kayakers.
As the de facto supervisor of safety for all river trips, it may just be Gustavo that
you are thanking most at the end of a long day on the Quijos.
When Gustavo isn't barreling down the Quijos in his kayak, you can find him in
the libraries of the University of Latacunga UTC. Gustavo brings the same
scrutiny to detail to river safety that he has gained through his studies of
mechanical engineering. He has begun teaching kayak lessons to local Quijos
valley youth and will no doubt be the inspiration for many of Waterdog Tours'
future raft guides and safety kayakers.
As the de facto supervisor of safety for all river trips, it may just be Gustavo that
you are thanking most at the end of a long day on the Quijos.
| WHITEWATER RAFTING IN THE CLOUDFORESTS OF THE ECUADORIAN AMAZON |
| Waterdog Tours - Ecuador Rafting in the Quijos Valley Contact Us: Email- info@waterdogtours.com Tel- 099558156 / 062329091 |
Jonhs Salazar- Rafting Guide
Jonhs Salazar is one part local legend and two parts all around great guy. Jonhs
grew up in the small town of Las Palmas just downriver from El Chaco long before
rafting had even reached Ecuador. Jonhs is the chief of the local firefighters and
has volunteered his time saving lives and stopping fires in El Chaco for almost 20
years. His day job is chauffeur for the local mayor and when he isn't carting
around dignitaries, he enjoys guiding for Waterdog Tours and taking in sun in the
valley that he loves and we all know loves him.
Jonhs Salazar is one part local legend and two parts all around great guy. Jonhs
grew up in the small town of Las Palmas just downriver from El Chaco long before
rafting had even reached Ecuador. Jonhs is the chief of the local firefighters and
has volunteered his time saving lives and stopping fires in El Chaco for almost 20
years. His day job is chauffeur for the local mayor and when he isn't carting
around dignitaries, he enjoys guiding for Waterdog Tours and taking in sun in the
valley that he loves and we all know loves him.
ABOUT US
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