Day 1: Arrival
& Introductions
Arrive at either of our entry points in Puerto
Montt, Chile or Esquel, Argentina, the gateway
to Patagonia. Connect with our representative
and travel to the remote ocean-side town of
Chaiten, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and
majestic mountains. You will find your accommodations
at our comfortable inn and town cabins, settling
in with an early snack. Before dinner we meet
for introductions and a classroom session to
become familiar with your kayaks, equipment,
and river safety procedures. Unwind from your
trip and your first day of kayak instruction with
a hearty welcome dinner at our Chaiten hosteria.
Day
2: Termas del Amarillo - Hot Springs
Early wake up call and breakfast. Introductions
to getting in and out of your kayaks and rolling.
We drive 30 minutes to the hot spring and spend
the morning laying the foundations for your
roll. An explanation of each roll, and which
best suits you, will be the focus of the day.
In the afternoon, we put in on the Rio Negro
on a flat-water section to learn the basic stroke
techniques. After a couple of hours of kayak instruction,
we return to our hosteria to refresh, and a trip
around Chaiten and its cultural museum.
Day 3: Back
to the Hot Springs
Another early morning, and return to the hot
springs for more roll practice and lunch in
this idealistic setting. In the afternoon, return
to the Rio Negro to continue your kayak instruction
on down-river paddling skills. The adventurous and quick
learners have the option to try out your rolling skills
on moving water. After another couple
of hours of paddling, we return to our hosteria
and offer this evening an optional visit to
the Santa Barbara beach just on the outskirts
of Chaiten.
Day 4: Horseback Riding
& Canyoning (A La Carte Multi Sport Day)
These two multisport activities are the highest
rated in our ExChile program. Go back in time
and
horseback ride through the 'trails of neighbors'.
It is a network of narrow roads that locals
travel on foot, oxcart or horse that lead to
the valleys and isolated villages. A full
day
out in the 'Last Frontier' in Patagonia. Or
rappel, trek and swim your way through the
unique
micro-environments of the Patagonian Canyons
that we offer. Few eyes have ever seen this
paradise. We can
also
do a day
of trekking, mountain biking or sea kayaking
for those who request it.
Day
5: Rio Espolon and an
Introduction to River Features
After a late morning wake up, we head
off for kayak instruction on our secret blue lagoon located on the
edge of the pristine Rio Espolon. We practice
our
rolls in the comforts of the lagoon and once
our confidence is built up, head off into
the
Class II/III moving water, our first real rapids
that will test your skills for the next few days.
We will practice the ferrying technique, crossing
the Espolon several times, as well as strengthen
our ability to identify river features such
as tongues, waves, holes, and eddies. We will
get our first chance to surf our first standing
wave, on a completely safe part of the river.
Day
6: Rafting the Corazón
of the Futaleufu
Today will be a day off from the kayak instruction program. In the morning we will raft Chile's most action
packed section of whitewater. 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.
Spend the afternoon soaking up the Chilean Culture
in this secluded alpine village or participate
in another of the numerous multisport activities
from our lodge.
Day
7: Graduation Day
Today is our graduation day for our Learn to
Kayak - Multisport Course. We will let you
loose, and go paddle the entire Rio Espolon,
allowing for students
to practice their skills in more radical environments,
following their own lines, but having a professional
safety-net to back them up. Each student will
be monitored and advised on better techniques
to be emphasized in the future. After today's final kayak instruction,
you will have the skills necessary to kayak
Class II/III sections,
as well as have the experience of having rafted
the Futaleufu. Not many can say that! A farewell
dinner, and a ceremony welcoming you to the
kayak community await you at the kayak school
lodge.
Day
8: 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:
$2195.00 USD
Includes:
All meals, lodging, transportation, kayaks,
kayak instruction, guides and river gear
while paddling with us.
Round trip transportation between Futaleufu
and Chaiten or Esquel. See the kayak
school packing list for specific details.
The actual
Kayak instruction program for your individual
trip will vary according
to the desires and skill level of your
group,
weather, or other factors.
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| |
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| Experience Needed: None |
| Physical
Challenge: Low |
| Cultural
Experience: Medium |
| Lodging: Lodge,
Inn |
| Comfort
Rating: High |
| Days
away from home: 10 |
| Days
with us: 8 |
| Max
Trip Size: 12 |
| Price: $2195.00
USD |
 |
| Region: Futaleufu
River Valley, Patagonia Chile |
| Lakes,
Rivers, Sites Visited: Pacific
Ocean, Chaiten, Futaleufu Village,
Termas del Amarillo, Rio Futaleufu,
Rio Azul, Rio Espolon |
|
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|
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Also offered at the Patagonia South Kayak School: Beginning Kayak Instruction, Intermediate Paddling Instruction, Advanced Paddling School Courses. How to Roll a Kayak clinics and private kayak lessons.
Downloadable
pdf: Kayak
School
