Media
FAQs & Facts
Here
journalists and media professionals will find
some quick facts and frequently asked questions
about Expediciones Chile. If you have other
questions, not found here, please contact our
office.
Q:
When was Expediciones Chile founded?
A:
The Company was founded in 1985.
Q: How is Expediciones Chile and Futaleufu pronounced?
A: The pronounciation is: "Ex-ped-ish-she-oh-nays" Chile and "Foo-tah-lay-oo-foo".
Q:
Who was the founder of the company?
A:
Chris Spelius accidentally discovered the river
after hearing about it from friends who had
done the first kayak descent. He knew almost
immediately that the Futaleufu would one day
become a world-class adventure destination and
made the decision that year to start Expediciones
Chile.
Q:
Where is the company based?
A:
During the Patagonia Summer (Dec. to April)
Expediciones Chile is based in Futaleufu, Chile.
During the winter months the company operates
out of Sun Valley, Idaho. The US office is open year round.
Q:
When does the season start and end?
A:
Expediciones Chile commences operation on December
1st and shuts down on April 15th. During the
winter months (July and August) we run alpine
ski trips in the Andes. The seasons of the Southern
Hemisphere are opposite those of the Northern
Hemisphere.
Q:
How many guests does Expediciones Chile serve?
A:
Approximately 500 a year.
Q:
What countries do your clients come from?
A:
Primarily the United States and Europe. We also
get many clients from Chile and Argentina.
Q:
How do your guests get to Futaleufu?
A:
From Puerto Montt, Chile they can charter in
directly to Futaleufu; they can come in by charter
aircraft via Chaiten or come in through Bariloche
or Esquel, Argentina.
Q:
Where exactly is Futaleufu?
A:
Futaleufu lies on the border of Chile and Argentina
about six hundred miles (1000km) south of Santiago,
Chile. We are about two hours southwest of Esquel,
Argentina.
Q:
What is the total travel time from the United
States?
A:
Most guests arrive in Futaleufu after about
20 hours of travel. Over night flight to Santiago,
Chile. Morning flight from Santiago to Puerto
Montt, Chile. Noon flight from Puerto Montt
to Chaiten, Chile and afternoon drive from Chaiten
to Futaleufu.
Q:
What rivers and bodies of water do you normally
operate on?
A:
We operate on the: Rio Futaleufu, Rio Azul,
Rio Espolon, Rio Palena, Rio Fuy, Rio Manzo,
Rio San Pedro, Rio Michamuida, Rio Tigre.
Lago
Espolon, Lago Lonconao, Lago Yecho.
Q:
What is the climate like in Futaleufu?
A:
Futaleufu lies in the rain shadow of the Andes
Mountains. This means it is significantly drier
than points west, along the Chilean coast, but
significantly wetter than the Argentina, steppe
and Pampas. The weather in Futaleufu is often
better and more predictable than in Torres del
Paine making it a more attractive destination
in this respect. Daytime temperatures are range
between 70 to 90F. Nighttime temperatures range
between 40 to 60F. The Latitude of Futaleufu
is approximately that of British Columbia in
the Northern Hemisphere and our climate tends
to resemble that.
Q:
What is the altitude of Futaleufu?
A:
Although we are deep in the Andes Mountains,
we are located in a river valley that is only
about 1000ft high. However, the surrounding
mountain peaks are upwards of 9000 feet and
glaciers ring the valley.
Q:
What kind of trips do you offer?
A:
Primarily weeklong and multiple week trips.
But occasionally we do shorter duration trips
and day trips if requested.
Q:
What lodging options do you have?
Q:
We have a native wood lodge in the town of Futaleufu
and a ranch and ecocamp located in the Futaleufu
valley.
A:
What are price ranges?
Q:
Our multiday trips range from $600 to $4100.
Daily rates are occasionally available on select
trips and can range from $100 to $700 depending
on the activity.
Q:
What percentage of solo travelers participate
on your trips?
A:
About forty percent.
Q:
How many guides and staff does Expediciones
Chile have?
A:
Usually between 20 and 30 depending on the time
of season.
Q:
What are the qualifications of your guides and
staff?
A:
All of our guides are experienced river professionals
with swiftwater rescue certification, CPR and
First Aid. Certification. Our head chef is an
international professor of culinary arts and
all other cooking staff are professionally trained.
Q:
What kind of rafts do you use on your trips?
A:
We have a collection of Moravia's, Hysides and
Aires. These include: Catarafts, Paddle/Row
Combo Rigs and Self-Bailing Paddle Rafts.
Q:
What kinds of trips do you offer?
A:
In the Futaleufu area we do: Whitewater Rafting,
Whitewater Kayaking, Sea Kayaking, Kayak School,
Trekking, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking,
Fly Fishing, Canyoning, Skiing, Swiftwater Rescue,
Guide Training, Photography Classes, and Learn
to Speak Spanish Classes. We also do Kayaking,
Rafting, Trekking, Skiing, Mountain Biking and
Horseback Riding safaris throughout Chilean
Patagonia and Argentina.
Q:
How can reservations be made for your trips?
A:
The Expediciones Reservation office is open
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
MST
at (888) 488-9082. Guests can also book and
reserve trips directly online using our "real
time" reservation system.
