Day 1 Monday: 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 Tuesday: Rafting the Heart of the Futaleufu to Puerto Ramirez
Today we will raft Chile's 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. In a calmer section below the rapids, we will do some swim training in preparation for the more intense rapids coming up. At the end of the "Corazón" section we will raft past the stone bridge 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 find "Más o Menos" (Class V-) and our first optional and authentic Class V rapid of this Patagonia rafting trip, "Casa de Piedra". Rafting in Chile does not get better than this! 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 3 Wednesday: 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 4 Thursday: Raft Chile's Upper Futaleufu
This is the most demanding, committing, and dangerous section of the Futaleufu River. The highlight of our Chile rafting program! To raft this section safely, the river levels must be right, you must have previously rafted the "Heart" section with us and met all of our safety requirements. We put in at the bridge on the Río Espolon and soon arrive at the confluence with the Futaleufu River. At the "Gates of Infierno", we enter the "Infierno Canyon" with several serious and continuous Class V drops. After an exciting morning of chile rafting in the canyon, the river widens with spectacular views of the Las Escalas Valley. After a section of gentle water, the Futaleufu river returns to its wild side and we encounter "Zeta" and "Throne Room", two of the most ferocious rapids on the Futa. We will portage both. After the portages, we get into the action section called "The Wild Mile Home", which contains continuous Class III and IV rapids. We arrive at the Río Azul under the sentinel of the Tres Monjas peak. This is the take out for the "Inferno Canyon" section. After a snack and beers on the beach, we hike up a short trail and drive back to the lodge and all of its comforts. Patagonia rafting at its best!



Day 5 Friday: Rafting the Terminator & The Heart
More of this incredible whitewater is in store for us today offering another challenging day of rafting in Patagonia. You must have previously rafted the "Heart" section with us and met all of our safety requirements. After a morning trek, we put in at the confluence of the Futa and the Río Azul, and enjoy a warm up on a beautiful stretch of river that winds around the Tres Monjas peaks. Then, 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 "Kyber 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. We return to the lodge for a farewell festival.

Day 6 Saturday: Futaleufu Valley Departure
Today we wake up for an early breakfast for the departure to Bariloche, Argentina or Chaiten, Chile. If you are flying out of Esquel, Argentina you can relax for a couple of hours and take our shuttle. As you catch a final view of the Futaleufu Valley; surrounded by hanging glaciers and snow capped mountains, take a moment to reflect upon all of the amazing sights and experiences of this past week. After all these years we are still stunned that views like these exist. Many of our clients spend two weeks with us as there is always more to do. If you think you'll be itching for another adventure, a very popular alternative way to experience the entire country is to travel across Chile by water! We offer a 6-day guided sea kayaking trip that takes you from the end of the whitewater all the way down to Chaiten via the Lower Futaleufu, Lago Yelcho, Río Yelcho, and the Pacific Ocean. Two rivers, one large lake, and the enormous ocean, all surrounded by pristine Wilderness and unlimited postcard views.

PRICE: $1995.00 USD

Included: All meals, lodging, transportation, rafts, guides and river gear while rafting in Chile with us. Round trip transportation between Futaleufu and Chaiten or Esquel. See the Chile Rafting packing list for specific details. The actual program for your individual Futaleufu Rafting trip will vary according to the desires and skill level of your group, weather, or other factors.

	Experience Needed: None Physical Challenge: Medium Cultural Experience: High Lodging: Lodge Comfort Rating:  High Days away from home: 8 Days with us: 6 Max Trip Size: 16 Price: $1995.00 USD Region: Futaleufu River Valley, Patagonia Chile Lakes, Rivers, Sites Visited: Chaiten, Futaleufu Village, Rio Futaleufu, Rio Azul, Las Escalas Valley