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Whitewater Rafting in Chile:

Rafting in Chile: Futaleufu Extreme Lite

This trip for dedicated whitewater enthusiasts. Raft the entire Futaleufu River in just four days! This trip is designed for those who don't have the time for a full week long Chile rafting vacation but still want to experience all the Futaleufu River has to offer. This trip is based at our spectacular eco camp "Campo Tres Monjas" complete with a white sand beach at the confluence of the Futaleufu river and the Rio Azul. Watch the sun rise between the impressive spires of Tres Monjas peak overlooking the area. The CondorNest ranch is available for those that desire.

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 Sunday: Depart your home town:
Fly to Miami and connect on an over night flight to Buenos Aires Argentina. Welcome to the warmth of the southern Hemisphere in summer.

Day 2 Monday: Travel to Trevelin, Patagonia Argentina
Early morning arrival in Buenos Aires. Change airports and catch another flight to Bariloche, or Esquel Argentina. From Bariloche, a luxury bus will take you on a beautiful drive along the Patagonian lakes and mountains to Esquel. IF you fly direct to Esquel you can arrive in Trevelin with some time to enjoy the area. Trevelin, Argentina is a charming mountain village gateway just 45 minutes from Futaleufu River in Chile. Trevelin is serviced by ground transport (Bus or private taxi) from the Jet ports in Bariloche (4 hrs) or Esquel (40 min). Check into a hotel in this charming village and walk to one of several superb restaurants. Unwind, relax, and get a good nights sleep before the start of you trip 9:00 am the next morning.

Day 3 Tuesday: Rafting to the heart of the Futaleufu.
Expediciones Chile will pick you up from your hotel at 8:00 am and provide transport directly to the riverside where we put in just below the rapid Himalays for the heart of the futaleufu bridge to bridge. Here we are instructed river safety and paddling by our guides before joining our group as we jump in the rafts for an outrageous whitewater experience on the heart of the Futaleufu river! This is the most action packed section of whitewater - a virtual whitewater power storm! This section, from the Zapata swinging bridge to the Puente Futaleufu, 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. This Class 4/5 section prepares us for the sections we have yet to do. As if this highly charged river trips wasn't enough, we'll take out in one of the most gorgeous sections of the Futaleufu, the Macal section, after we have ample time to soak in the beauty of snow capped mountains, glaciers and pristine forests on the lower section. After the trip we return to our Camp and take advantage of our sauna and massuse and work out any sore muscles you might have after a big day of paddling.

Day 4 Wednesday: Climb to Tres Monjas/Hike to the Futaleufu's Secret Lagoon
Your desire and the conditions will determine your selection of activities. The challenging choice is the all day climb up the the Monjas and through the enchanted forest of rare Lenga trees to an incredible view of the area just beneath the dramatic spires. The hike takes us up to this high altitude forest of Lenga trees that have adapted to thin, poorly distributed soil; their daily fight for survival coupled with their vulnerability contribute to a fascinating environment and an exciting hike! Another choice is the hike is from camp up the hills behind to a hidden lake and down to a secret hidden secret lagoon on the Futaleufu for lunch and swimming. Or if you just want a day at camp to yourself to relax, swim, read on that beach, grab a massage or just take in the natural beauty...take the day off and do whatever.

Day 5 Thursday: Rafting Infierno to Campo
This is the most demanding, committing, and hazzardous section of the Futaleufu. The highlight of our Patagonia rafting program! To raft this section safely, the river levels must be correct, you must have rafted the "Heart" section with us and met all of our safety requirements. We put in at the Río Espolon bridge and raft to the the confluence with the Futaleufu River. At the "Gates of Infierno", we enter the "Infierno Canyon" with several consequential and continuous Class V drops. After an exciting morning of rafting in the Inferno canyon, the river widens with spectacular views of Las Escalas Valley. After a section of mild class II water, the river returns to its wild side and we encounter "Zeta" and "Throne Room", two of the most challenging (Class V+) rapids on the Futaleufu. We will portage both. After the portages, we get into an action packed section called "The Wild Mile", which contains a continuous stretch of Class III and IV rapids. Futaleufu river rafting does not get any better than the whitewater we have just experienced! After the Wild Mile we arrive at the Río Azul under the sentinel of the Tres Monjas peaks. Tonight, we are pulling out all the stops with a huge asado or open spit gill. We'll enjoy a fantastic last night at the camp with drinks, Patagonian lamb and outstanding company.

Day 6 Friday: Rafting Terminator Section/cross border to Trevelin, Argentina.
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.

Day 7 Saturday: Return to Capital City
Depending on your connections you are now are in Argentina ready for an early departure in a cab from you hotel to the bus station in Esquel for the trip to Bariloche and your flight back to Beunos Aires. A private transfer can be arranged direct from your hotel to the airport in Bariloche. If you have a flight from Esquel you have the morning to enjoy and buy gifts in Trevelin before your 2 pm flight to Buenos Aires and the connection back to your home country.



Day 8 Sunday: Return home






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: $1895.00 USD to $2595.00

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 Visited: Argentina and Chilean Patagonia, Futaleufu River Valley
Lakes, Rivers, Sites Visited: All sections of the Futaleufu river, Las Escalas Valley, village of Trevelin, village of Futaleufu, and the Rio Azul
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Futaleufu Whitewater Rafting Chile
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All levels of whitewater Kayaking in Chile. Kayaking Futaleufu from our Eco Camp.
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