Day 1 Saturday: Arrival and Introductions
Arrive in Puerto Montt, Chile on the early afternoon flight where you are welcomed by the Expediciones Chile staff. It will be a four-hour drive to the small village of Panguipulli, known as The Village of Roses, on the shores of Lago Panguipulli. Our hotel this night is a quaint lodge located lakeside providing awe-inspiring vistas.

Class IV-V Group

Class III-IV Group

Day 2 Sunday: Rio San Pedro
Today you get your first taste of Chilean whitewater and it is BIG. We drive outside town and put-in at the Rio San Pedro. We paddle the San Pedro with its clear water, play waves and play holes. Lunch will be set up by the side of the river - a typical paddlers river lunch, with some Chilean additions. Kayakers are free to play to their hearts content. Afterwards we drive two hours on a winding gravel road to the remote lakeside town of Choshuenco. The village takes its name from the volcanic snow capped peak overlooking Lago Panguipulli. Our inn is situated on the sandy beach of this sparkling warm lake. Dinner is served on the porch overlooking the beach and lake.

Day 3 Monday: Rio Fuy
Today the river is narrower and steeper. Our put-in is at the bridge above the Lower Rio Fuy or on the Rio Neltume. This Class IV section starts off in whitewater frenzy. The most difficult rapid is within 500 meters, an 3-meter ramp followed immediately by more Class IV action! After lunch and 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 black sandy beach and our inn.

Day 4 Tuesday: The Upper Fuy
This action-packed day is the perfect blend of a steep river, lush exotic trees, turquoise water, and challenging defined drops that need to be scouted. This is Chile kayaking at its best! After an action packed 8 kilometers, we stop and scout the 10 meter high Las Leonas Falls, to see if the section below is something we may want to do at this water level. We take-out and put-in again on the Middle Fuy and paddle back to the lodge on the lake. Paddlers return to the lodge in time to enjoy Pisco Sours on the native wood terrace.

Day 5 Wednesday: The Upper Fuy and Los Leones Falls
We return to the Upper Fuy, feeling a little more comfortable on our second run and looking forward to the optional Las Leonas Falls section. This is perhaps the most impressive steep whitewater in Chile or Argentina. We return to dinner overlooking the beach. 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 6 Thursday: Crossing the Andes
Today’s drive will take us between two environmental extremes. We depart our sleepy village early to a remote ferry crossing on Lake Fuy high in the Andes surrounded by lush forests. After getting our passports stamped, we drive down off the mountain into San Martin de los Andes, an Andean resort town. Here we eat lunch and take a turn down a rarely traveled gravel road through a dry desert in the rain shadow of the Andes. The bizarre eroded formations will plead with you to take photos. Departing this unusual area, after crossing the Rio Traful and Rio Limay we arrive on the shores of Lago Nahuel Haupi. The energetic city of Bariloche sparkles in the distance. We check into our hotel in the city center and eat at one of the best restaurants in town. This night you are set loose to experience the infamous Argentinean nightlife.

Day 7 Friday: Argentina Kayaking: Rio Manso & National Park Nahuel Haupi
After breakfast, we drive south alongside other undeveloped crystalline bodies of water. Today, we paddle the stunning frontier section of the Río Manso, a narrow gorge with carpeted rock formations. The walls are covered with a dense moss hence the name “The Shaggy Carpet Canyon”. The run is Class III-IV with plenty of opportunities to surf, frolic, play and see ancient Alerce trees, before we reach the border of Chile. No border guards can be found here! You can straddle the international boundary with a foot in each country. We arrive at a ranch as guests of a Swiss family that immigrated to Argentina before World War II and has been ranching in the Andes ever since. Antonio John, the older gentleman, will charm you with his dashing looks and traditional dress. Here we have an early dinner and afterwards we drive deeper into Patagonia to the artistic community of El Bolson on the banks of the Rio Azul. After checking into our lodge, we will have the opportunity to visit the arts and craft fair located at the town park.

Day 8 Saturday: Patagonia and National Park Los Alerces
This day consists of a drive south towards Parque Nacional Los Alerces. It is this area (Cholila) that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid hung out when they were on the lam. Parque Alerces covers an area of huge snow capped mountain with a series of pristine lakes interconnected with rivers. It is known for an ancient Alerces reserve on the far side of a lake. There are numerous trekking options in this park. At the southern edge of the Park, we enter a huge range of mountains through a valley that was carved by the water of the Río Futaleufu. We arrive at our Adventure lodge shortly before dinner.

The following itinerary is scheduled for Class IV-V Paddlers

Class II-III paddlerswill follow the Kayak Chile Week itinerary
Class III-IV paddlerswill follow the Futaleufu River Valley itinerary

Day 9 Sunday: Terminator Section
You wake to the brilliance of life along the shores of the Futaleufu, 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 - also named "The Bridge-to-Bridge 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 Chaiten, 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: $2995.00 USD

For non-kayakers, other Safari Options are available, such as Whitewater Rafting and Mountain Biking. Please contact our office for further information.

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.

	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 Price: $2995.00 USD Region: Lakes District, Region X, Futaleufu River Valley, Patagonia Chile Lakes, Rivers, Sites Visited: Puerto Montt, Bariloche, San Martin de los Andes, Chaiten, Futaleufu Village, Rio Espolon, Rio Futaleufu, Rio Azul, Escalas Valley, Rio Fuy, Rio San Pedro, Rio Manso, Rio Enco, Rio Neltume

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.