Day 1 Saturday: Arrival
and Introductions
You arrive in Puerto Montt, Chile
on the early afternoon flight where you are welcomed
by the Expediciones Chile representative. After
the arrival of the rest of your group, you are
transferred to the town of Puerto Varas, a charming
German-founded town at the southern end of the
Chilean Lake District. Depending on your time
of arrival, you can spend this day any number
of ways – hiking on the flanks of Volcan
Osorno, fly-fishing on the Petrohue or simply
enjoying the town and the splendid views across
the lake. In the evening, the group meets for
a welcome dinner before retiring to our comfortable
guesthouse.
Day
2 Sunday:
The Rio Neltume
On our first day, we have an early
breakfast and rush off on our four-hour drive
to the lakeside town of Choshuenco. The village
takes its name from the volcanic snow capped peak
overlooking Lago Panguipulli. Our comfy inn is
situated on the sandy shore of this sparkling
warm lake. You ease into paddling by warming up
on the Class III Río Neltume. At the confluence
with the lower Río Fuy you continue downstream
through a Class III+ boulder garden with eddies
to catch and waves to surf. As we approach Lago
Panguipulli, the pace eases up and you find yourself
in a scenic river valley surrounded by volcanic
peaks. The river swirls into Lago Panguipulli
from where it is only a short paddle across the
warm lake back to our sandy beach and the Choshuenco
Lodge.
Day
3 Monday: The Lower Fuy
We begin at the pasture put-in
on the lower Fuy River. This Class IV section starts
off with a bang. The put-in is within sight of
the most difficult rapid, a 10-foot ledge drop
followed immediately by more Class IV action.
From here to the wooden bridge take-out, there
is plenty of fun eddy hopping Class III/IV action.
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Day
4 Tuesday: The Upper Fuy
After a relaxing Chilean breakfast
we are bound for the Upper Fuy’s steep creek
like drops. This action-packed day kicks off with
a series of clearly defined Class IV drop-pool
rapids that will keep your adrenaline pumping.
You will take-out above the 30 foot, Las Leonas
Falls. If the water levels are right and some
people in the group are up for it, the guides
may take them through the falls. After paddling
Las Leonas Falls, you visit the un-run Huilo Huilo
Falls and then drive to Panguipulli where you
get a chance to check out the local nightlife
before drifting off to sleep. For paddlers who want less of a challenge we can break the group in two and head over to the Rio Enco or do a less demanding stretch of the Rio Fuy.
Day
5 Wednesday: A La Carte
Kayaking - Repeat & Play More!
The group takes its pick for the
day’s run. Return to the upper or lower
section of the Fuy, or take it easy and paddle
across the lake to the Rio Enco and its Class
II/III rapids. Maybe after these days of paddling
you are ready for a hike up the Volcan Mocho
Choshuenco, or a horseback ride around
the Fuy Valley?
How about a day lounging at the beach, or reading
a book? This day is yours to enjoy!
Day
6 Thursday: The
Rio San Pedro
We put-in on the Río San
Pedro for some Class III/IV big water action.
This run is set amongst some unusual geology,
creating a spectacular backdrop. The clarity,
warmth and
turquoise color of the water will inspire you.
After paddling we drive four hours to Puerto
Montt
where you will spend the night.
Day
7 Friday: Fly to Chaitén
and run the Michimahuida
After a good night’s
sleep in Puerto Montt you head to the airport
for your flight to Chaitén and the Río
Futaleufu. From the airplane you will catch breathtaking
views of southern Chile’s rugged coastline.
After arrival, we quickly ride to the upper Michimahuida River for a late run. The Michimahuida is a not to be
missed steep creek that originates off the side
of a Strato-Volcano (dependent on water levels).
Numerous waterfalls plunge into the Michimahuida
gorge making it a spectacular place to paddle.
Day 8 Saturday: Arrive
at Campo Tres Monjas and the meet the Schoolhouse
Today you have the option to sleep
in late and relax. We load into our mini-bus for
a three-hour drive through some amazing scenery,
complete with hanging glaciers and finally arriving
to our Futaleufu River base camp, Campo Tres Monjas.
When we arrive at camp, you will have time to
select one of the many private campsites as your
own. Afterwards, your guide will introduce the
Futaleufu to you, with an introductory run of
the “School House” rapid for your first
taste of the Futaleufu. If time allows, we will
make a quick run of the Rio Azul, putting in at
the bridge and taking out at camp. Take a break,
go off on several of our local trails, or enjoy
a sauna and hot shower before sitting down to
a hearty meal prepared by our chef and served
in the main dining lodge. With a sauna and masseuse
to return to each evening, life just does not
get any better than it does at Campo Tres Monjas!
The
following Futaleufu itinerary is scheduled for
Class IV-V Paddlers
Class
II/III paddlers will follow the Kayak
Chile Week itinerary
Class III/IV paddlers will follow
the Futaleufu
River Valley itinerary
Day
9 Sunday: Terminator Section
You
wake to the brilliance of life along the shores
of the Futaleufu River, with the jagged Three Nuns (Tres
Monjas) peaks standing sentinel over the river
and camp. After a delicious breakfast, you outfit
your kayak and put-in at our beach for your first
taste of the big water of the Futaleufu, the “Terminator”
section. You will have the opportunity to warm
up on numerous Class III rapids, and then have
the option of walking, sneaking (IV+), or running
the huge and impressive Class V “Terminator”
rapid. From the Terminator, we will continue downstream
on the Futaleufu to the Class IV “Khyber
Pass”, and on to some giant wave action
in the Class IV “Himalayas”. Here
you will surf some of the biggest standing waves
in the hemisphere! We will return to camp to relax
in the hot sauna or on the naturally formed white
sand beach.
Day 10 Monday: El Corazón
- Heart of the Futaleufu
This day is filled with the big
exploding waves for which the Futaleufu is world
famous. We put-in at the “Zapata’s”
Swinging Bridge and run the “Corazón”
– the Heart of the Futaleufu - previously
named "The Continuous Section". Here
you will find plenty of Class IV big water action,
including “Entrada”, “Pillow”,
and “Mundaca”, one of the largest
breaking wave holes in the world. This nonstop
Class IV section will keep your adrenaline pumping
and the evening air filled with good cheer.
Day 11 Tuesday: El
Corazón, Más o Menos & Casa
de Piedra
Like the previous day,
we put-in at the swinging bridge at “Zapata,”
but we will pass the Futaleufu Bridge take out
and continue on to the Class IV+ “Más
o Menos”, and the technical Class V “Casa
de Piedra”. Finally the river eases off
for the beautiful and playful Class III “El
Macal” section. After a big day on the river
you will be ready to slip into the wood-heated
sauna and ease your tired muscles. Our camp masseuse
will be available for any of your sore muscles
and joints.
Day
12 Wednesday: A La Carte
Kayaking - Repeat & Play More!
The
group takes its pick for the day’s run.
Return to “Pillow Rock” and “Terminator
Wave” for some surfing and flat spinning?
Or go back to the exploding chaos of “Mundaca”?
Maybe after so many days of paddling you are ready
for a hike up to Tres Monjas, or a horseback ride
to the Upper Futaleufu? How about a day lounging
on the beach, or reading a book? This day is yours
to enjoy!
Day
13 Thursday: Kayak the Río
Azul
Today,
if water levels permit, we take a break from the
big water of the Futaleufu and explore a spectacular
side canyon. We drive to the footbridge put-in
on the Río Azul—a tight, crystal
clear creek that runs through a lush micro canyon.
Here you get a chance to relax and paddle the
technical drops, surf and cartwheel at some excellent
play spots, and enjoy the scenery. We take-out
at the Tres Monjas Camp, where the Río
Azul meets the Río Futaleufu.
Day
14 Friday: Upper Futaleufu
& Infierno Canyon
For an exciting finale, we head
to the remote and spectacular upper section of
the Futaleufu. Those paddlers who are ready for
the committing Class V Infierno Gorge will put-in
above the Mini-Canyon just outside of the town
of Futaleufu, or on the Río Espolón.
Others will take a spectacular shuttle drive and
enter the river below the Gorge. This visually
spectacular section of river includes the Class
V rapids “Zeta” and “Throne
Room”, which will test even the strongest
of kayakers. Or, take the well-worn footpaths
around the two rapids, and head into the “Wild Mile Section ”: four miles of continuous whitewater
action, which takes us right back to our tents
and dry clothes at camp. After a full day on the
river, you can begin to pack up, and enjoy a farewell
barbeque and fiesta arranged by our chef, specialized
in international cuisine.
Day
15 Saturday: Departure
Wake up for an early breakfast
and drive back to Chaitén, Chile and your
flight to Puerto Montt, or relax for a couple
of hours and take our shuttle to Esquel, Argentina.
As you catch a final view of the Río Futaleufu;
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.
Price:
$2495.00 USD
Included:
All
meals, lodging, transportation, guides and kayaks
while paddling with us. One way transportation
between Futaleufu and Puerto Montt or Esquel.
See the packing list for specific details. The
actual program for your individual trip will vary
according to the desires and skill level of your
group, the water levels, weather, or other factors.
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| Experience
Needed:
Class
III/IV/V
Kayak |
| Physical
Challenge: Medium |
| Cultural
Experience:
High |
| Lodging:
Inn,
Lodge, Camp |
| Comfort
Rating:
High
Medium |
| Days
away from home: 16 |
| Days
with us: 14 |
| Max
Trip Size: 14
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| Price:
$2495.00 USD |
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| Region:
Region X, Futaleufu River Valley,
Fuy River Valley, Patagonia Chile |
| Lakes,
Rivers, Sites Visited:
Rio
Neltume, Rio Fuy, Rio San Pedro, Rio
Michimahuida, Rio Azul, Rio Futaleufu,
Rio Espolon, Panguipulli, Choshuenco,
Puerto Varas, Puerto Montt, Futaleufu
Village, Chaiten |
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Other Kayak
Chile Safari Itineraries: International
Patagonia Kayak Safari. Southern
Patagonia Kayaking Safari. Fuy-Futaleufu
Chile Kayaking Safari. Kayak
in Argentina with our Argentina Week
of Rivers. Kayak
Instruction at our Patagonia South Kayak
School. Expedition
Sea Kayaking in Patagonia, and Guided
Futaleufu Kayaking Trips.
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