About Expediciones Chile

EXPEDICIONES CHILE (Pron: "Ex-ped-ish-she-oh- nays" ) started in the winter of 1985, when a U.S. kayaker from the 1984 Olympic Team was trying to hit all the greatest whitewater rivers in the world. He came upon Chile’s Futaleufu River, fell in love and his life has never been the same!

Chris Spelius not only paddled the Futaleufu from top to bottom, alone, but went up again to walk the entire Futaleufu to find the best location for a camp. He couldn’t resist the granite canyons, warm turquoise water, white sand beaches ringed by glaciers and towering, extinct volcanoes, – and soaring condors. He named his camp, which is at the confluence of the Rio Azul and the Rio Futaleufu, – Campo Tres Monjas. The camp now has a dining lodge, hot sauna, rustic outside showers, drying shed. The camp allows no automobiles. Guests must paddle a canoe to get to it.

The company started with kayaking trips only, but soon also added rafting, sea kayaking, fly fishing trekking, horseback riding mountain biking and other multi-sport adventures. Expediciones Chile now has a lodge in the town of Futaleufu, and a camp and ranch in the Futaleufu valley, catering to all comfort levels. Expediciones Chile is celebrating it’s twentieth anniversary this season and now has clients from all over the world: U.S.A, EUROPE, AUSTRALIA, AFRICA and ASIA and sometimes has a waiting list.

The company office is now based officially in Sun Valley, Idaho – after eighteen years in Bryson City, North Carolina. Chris Spelius, still a competitive kayaker, often goes on trips or fills in as a river guide. He now has a Chilean wife who has learned to kayak – and a six-year-old daughter.

- written by Carol Spelius