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Whitewater Rafting in Chile:
Futaleufu River Rafting: Futaleufu Lite

New Itinerary Coming Soon!

Raft Chile's mighty Futaleufu with two days of spectacular multisport options from the comforts of our Patagonia Lodge located in the quaint riverside town of Futaleufu. This is a four day trip, a shortened version of Futaleufu Lodge Week.

Acclaimed as one of the most demanding rafting runs in the world, the Futaleufu River provides rafters the ultimate whitewater challenge. The river's name is derived from a local Mapuche Indian word meaning “big, big river” and it lives up to its billing in every respect. Since the early 1990s rafting in Chile has become synonymous with this river and it has beckoned an elite group of international rafters daring enough to tempt the Class V power of Futaleufu. The first time you connect to the intriguing power of this river you will know it is unlike any river you have rafted before. It has earned its reputation as The Greatest Whitewater on Earth!!!

Day by Day:

Day 1: Futaleufu Arrival & Introductions
Arrive in Futaleufu via Esquel, Argentina the gateway to Patagonia or Bariloche, Argentina. If you choose to begin your adventure in Chile, you can travel to Chaiten via Puerto Montt. Connect with our company representative and travel to the remote riverside village of Futaleufu, surrounded by majestic mountains. You will find your accommodations at our comfortable lodge, and unwind from your trip with a hearty welcome dinner at the Futaleufu Adventure Center.

Day 2: Intro to Whitewater & Mountain Biking
We'll have a great start to this Patagonia rafting week with a beautiful moderately challenging mountain bike ride alongside the pristine waters of the upper Espolon River. Then over the river on a footbridge and up to Devil's Throat, a spectacular and still un-run Class 6 cascade at the watershed of the Rio Espolon. Below the waterfalls, we'll enjoy a riverside lunch and then trade our mountain bikes for sit-on-top kayaks and paddling gear. These kayaks are forgiving and perfect for the first timer. In double or single inflatables or sit on tops, we will tour the Espolon River and enjoy its transparent waters, inviting swimming areas, and forgiving rapids - the perfect introductory run. We will also go over river safety and what to do if you find yourself swimming in a river. The trip is one great loop that brings us to our take-out, minutes from the lodge, where pisco sours and a hearty dinner await us.

Day 3: Trekking & Rafting the Heart of the Futaleufu River
In the morning we will raft Chile's most action packed section of whitewater - a virtual whitewater power storm! This section, from the Entrada Swinging Bridge to the Futaleufu stone bridge, includes five miles of Class IV+ rafting action. Rapids such as "Entrada", "Pillow", "Tiburon", and "Mundaca" with its must-see explosion hole, will keep you on your toes. Chile rafting at its best! In a calmer section below the rapids, we will do some swim practice drills in preparation for the more intense whitewater of the coming days. You can spend the afternoon soaking up the warm Chilean culture in this secluded alpine village or participate in a hike to Eagle rock a stunning overlook.

Day 4: Rafting Class V Casa de Pierda to Puerto Ramirez
This morning we head back to the Futaleufu river prepared for another action packed day of whitewater rafting. This rafting run begins with a repeat of the adrenaline charged "Heart" section. At the end of the "Heart" section, however, we'll raft past the previous day's take out to where the river picks up energy as the canyon walls turn into vertical cliffs and huge glacier crowned peaks rise above. Here, we will find "Más o Menos"(Class IV+) and our first "optional" and authentic Class V rapid of this raft trip, "Casa de Piedra". We will scout and set up our extensive safety net before we enter this challenging rapid. After this exhilarating section of whitewater, we’ll run some more Class III rapids before floating to Puerto Ramirez and enjoying the scenery that you may have missed along the upper sections.

Day 5: Become Immersed with a Trek Back in Time
Today we take a break from whitewater rafting, and allow you to experience the cultural side of life in Patagonia. This activity has been a favorite among Expediciones Chile clients. Beginning in town, you head out towards Las Escalas valley along the mighty Rio Futaleufu. The walk leads us to a 136-acre working ranch set deep in the forest, overlooking the river valley below. Apart from the spectacular views, this self sustainable ranch, without road access or electricity is a marvel in its own right. There, you will be greeted by our host at a rustic wood crafted ranch that functions completely off the grid. You will be surprised at how tempting this simpler existence appears. You will get the full tour around the ranch, before sitting down to a feast of traditional Chilean cuisine. After lunch you can watch the owner spin his own wool and browse through his hand made products, before heading back to town where dinner and pisco sours await.

Day 6: Futaleufu Valley Departure
For our last day of rafting on the river we've managed to somehow save the best for last. We are taking off from camp as the rest of the luggage is loaded into our vehicles. We are headed to a section of the river called the Terminator section. You must have previously rafted the "Heart" section with us and met all of our safety requirements because the Futaleufu river takes on an extremely powerful nature, with the longest and largest rapid on the Futa, the "Terminator" (Class V). Rafting in Chile does not get better than this! Just below, we'll have to negotiate the hole filled "Khyber Pass" (Class IV+) and the Himalayas (Class IV), with perhaps the biggest standing waves in the hemisphere. If this wasn’t enough, one final pass down the Heart of the Futaleufu will be sure to leave you with a day of rafting that you won't soon forget. After we finish this section, we will have rafted the entire length of the Futaleufu! Our vehicles will be waiting at the take out as we make our way toward the border on our way to Trevelin after changing into dry clothes. Check into your hotel, take a shower and change clothes before enjoying your last night in Patagonia. There are a handful of outstanding and reasonably priced restaurants in Trevelin that we can recommend. Relax, recover and look back on the exciting week of rafting before heading back the following morning.

Accomodations:

Eco Camp Campo Tres Monjas/tent $1895.00 per person

Eco Camp Campo Tres Monjas/cabin $2195.00 per person

Condornest private group 2 to 8 $2,395.00 meals at campo

Price per Person: $1995.00 USD

Special Flexibilities: Exchile will be flexible to make your trip a total success. The actual program for your custom trip will vary according to the desires and skill level of your group, weather, or other factors. Patagonia has constantly changing weather patterns that might affect what day is best for a certain activity. If a certain part of your trip is not possible due to danger risks and weather extremes, our experienced guide staff will work with you to figure out the best possible option to substitute for the weather complications. If you have any concerns, please feel free to ask us more about the situations and what is guaranteed on the trip.

Included: Your described trip, guiding, instruction, activity equipment, local transportation, shuttles, all meals, wine with dinner, acomodations at our eco-camps, cabins, ranches or lodges, while on your trip. We offer a free pick up on Sunday mornings at 9 am in Trevelin at your hotel, and drop off to your hotel in Trevelin, Argentina on Fridays at 9 pm. See the packing list of your activity, for the specific clothing that is required.

Not Included: Transportation to and from your home town, and your accommodations and meals in Trevelin Argentina or alternate trip pick up point. You can reserve and prepay on the web your transport from your final air destination, to and from your pick up-drop off point before and after your trip, or you can direct us to charge your visa card and do it for you. We higly recommended having exchile make hotel reserves in Trevelin. (room capacity in this small village is limited). Expediciones Chile is not financially responsible for your travel complications getting to your trip pick up point and from the drop off point, HOWEVER, we will be relentless allies in offering our services to help solve any issues that you may encounter.

 
Season: Dec 6, 2009 to April 15, 2010
Experience Needed: None
Physical Challenge: Moderate
Cultural Experience: Moderate - High
Nature Experience: High
Comfort Rating:  High
Max Trip Size: 18
Min Trip Size: 4
Region: Futaleufu River Valley, Patagonia Chile
Lakes, Rivers, Sites Visited: All sections of the Futaleufu river, Las Escalas Valley, village of Trevelin, village of Futaleufu, and the Rio Azul
Chile Rafting Trip Calendar Trip Itinerary
 

Downloadable pdf:Chile Rafting


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Futaleufu Whitewater Rafting Chile
Adventure Travel in Patagonia, Chile Rafting & Argentina Rafting.
Torres del Paine and FitzRoy trekking.

Patagonia Travel Guidebook
Chile & Argentina Patagonia travel information. Secrets of Patagonia Tour.

Kayaking Futaleufu Chile
All levels of whitewater Kayaking in Chile. Kayaking Futaleufu from our Eco Camp.
Patagonia Weather & Climate
Information about the the seasons weather and climate in Patagonia, Chile & Argentina..
Sea Kayaking Patagonia Chile
Sea Kayaking Patagonia from the Andes to the Ocean.
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Fly Fishing Patagonia, Chile from our fly fishing ranch or lodge.
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Checkout our custom eco tours of the Futaleufu Valley that include bird watching and nature treks.

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Learn to roll a kayak at our kayak school. Receive world class kayak
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Rafting & Kayaking around the Globe
Expediciones Chile resource page to find other outfitters around the globe.
Trekking Patagonia Chile
Trekking Patagonia in Torres del Paine, Cerro FitzRoy and Los Glaciares National Parks.
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Checkout the instructional and corporate programs we offer.

Chile Horseback Riding, Patagonia
Chile horseback riding from the Andes to the Ocean experience the real patagonia


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Skiing in Chile The Andes Mountains have some of the world's greatest skiing. Skiing Chile, Patagonia and Argentina. Guide School Thinking about a guide job on the Futaleufu? Check out our whitewater guide school.
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Canyoning and rappelling vacations in Patagonia, Chile.
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