Day 1 Saturday: Futaleufu Arrival & Introductions
Arrive in Futaleufu via Esquel, Argentina the gateway to Patagonia or Bariloche, Argentina. If you choose to begin your adventure in Chile, you can travel to Chaiten via Puerto Montt. Connect with our company representative and travel to the remote riverside village of Futaleufu, surrounded by majestic mountains. You will find your accommodations at our comfortable lodge, and unwind from your trip with a hearty welcome dinner at the Futaleufu Adventure Center.

Day 2 Sunday: Introduction to Whitewater & Mountain Biking
We'll have a great start to this Patagonia rafting week with a beautiful moderately challenging mountain bike ride alongside the pristine waters of the upper Espolon River. Then over the river on a footbridge and up to Devil's Throat, a spectacular and still un-run Class 6 cascade at the watershed of the Rio Espolon. Below the waterfalls, we'll enjoy a riverside lunch and then trade our mountain bikes for sit-on-top kayaks and paddling gear. These kayaks are forgiving and perfect for the first timer. In double or single inflatables or sit on tops, we will tour the Espolon River and enjoy its transparent waters, inviting swimming areas, and forgiving rapids - the perfect introductory run. We will also go over river safety and what to do if you find yourself swimming in a river. The trip is one great loop that brings us to our take-out, minutes from the lodge, where pisco sours and a hearty dinner await us.

Day 3 Monday: Trekking & Rafting the Heart of the Futaleufu
In the morning we will raft Chile's most action packed section of whitewater - a virtual whitewater power storm! This section, from the Entrada Swinging Bridge to the Futaleufu stone bridge, 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. Chile rafting at its best! In a calmer section below the rapids, we will do some swim practice drills in preparation for the more intense whitewater of the coming days. You can spend the afternoon soaking up the warm Chilean culture in this secluded alpine village or participate in a hike to Eagle rock a stunning overlook.

Day 4 Tuesday: Rafting Class V Casa de Piedra to Puerto Ramirez
This morning we head back to the Futaleufu river prepared for another action packed day of whitewater rafting. This rafting run begins with a repeat of the adrenaline charged "Heart" section. At the end of the "Heart" section, however, we'll raft past the previous day's take out to where the river picks up energy as the canyon walls turn into vertical cliffs and huge glacier crowned peaks rise above. Here, we will find "Más o Menos"(Class IV+) and our first "optional" and authentic Class V rapid of this raft trip, "Casa de Piedra". We will scout and set up our extensive safety net before we enter this challenging rapid. After this exhilarating section of whitewater, we’ll run some more Class III rapids before floating to Puerto Ramirez and enjoying the scenery that you may have missed along the upper sections..

Day 5 Wednesday: Become Immersed with a Trek Back in Time
Today we take a break from whitewater rafting, and allow you to experience the cultural side of life in Patagonia. This activity has been a favorite among Expediciones Chile clients. Beginning in town, you head out towards Las Escalas valley along the mighty Rio Futaleufu. The walk leads us to a 136-acre working ranch set deep in the forest, overlooking the river valley below. Apart from the spectacular views, this self sustainable ranch, without road access or electricity is a marvel in its own right. There, you will be greeted by our host at a rustic wood crafted ranch that functions completely off the grid. You will be surprised at how tempting this simpler existence appears. You will get the full tour around the ranch, before sitting down to a feast of traditional Chilean cuisine. After lunch you can watch the owner spin his own wool and browse through his hand made products, before heading back to town where dinner and pisco sours await.

Day 6 Thursday: Raft Chile's Upper Futaleufu
This is the most demanding, committing, and hazzardous section of the Futaleufu. The highlight of our Patagonia rafting program! To raft this section safely, the river levels must be correct , you must have rafted the "Heart" section with us and met all of our safety requirements. We put-in at the Río Espolon bridge and raft to the the confluence with the Futaleufu River. At the "Gates of Infierno", we enter the "Infierno Canyon" with several consequential and continuous Class V drops. After an exciting morning of rafting in the Inferno canyon, the river widens with spectacular views of Las Escalas Valley. After a section of mild class II water, the river returns to its wild side and we encounter "Zeta" and "Throne Room", two of the most challenging (Class V+) rapids on the Futaleufu. We will portage both. After the portages, we get into an action packed section called "The Wild Mile", which contains a continuous stretch of Class III and IV rapids. Futaleufu river rafting does not get any better than the whitewater we have just experienced! After the Wild Mile we arrive at the Río Azul under the sentinel of the Tres Monjas peaks. This will be our take-out for the "Inferno Canyon" section of the upper Futaleufu. After a snack and beers on the beach, we hike up a short trail and drive back to the lodge and all of its comforts.

Day 7 Friday: Rafting the Terminator & The Heart
More of this incredible whitewater is in store for us today offering another challenging day of rafting in Patagonia. You must have previously rafted the "Heart" section with us and met all of our safety requirements. After a morning trek, we put in at the confluence of the Futa and the Río Azul, and enjoy a warm up on a beautiful stretch of river that winds around the Tres Monjas peaks. Then, the Futaleufu river takes on an extremely powerful nature, with the longest and largest rapid on the Futa, the "Terminator" (Class V). Rafting in Chile does not get better than this! Just below, we'll have to negotiate the hole filled "Khyber Pass" (Class IV+) and the Himalayas (Class IV), with perhaps the biggest standing waves in the hemisphere. If this wasn’t enough, one final pass down the Heart of the Futaleufu will be sure to leave you with a day of rafting that you won’t soon forget. We return to the lodge for a farewell festival.

Day 8 Saturday: Futaleufu Valley Departure
Today we wake up for an early breakfast for the departure to Bariloche, Argentina or Chaiten, Chile. If you are flying out of Esquel, Argentina you can relax for a couple of hours and take our shuttle. As you catch a final view of the Futaleufu Valley; 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. Many of our clients spend two weeks with us as there is always more to do. If you think you'll be itching for another adventure, a very popular alternative way to experience the entire country is to travel across Chile by water! We offer a 6-day guided sea kayaking trip that takes you from the end of the whitewater all the way down to Chaiten via the Lower Futaleufu, Lago Yelcho, Río Yelcho, and the Pacific Ocean. Two rivers, one large lake, and the enormous ocean, all surrounded by pristine Wilderness and unlimited postcard views.

PRICE: $2995.00 USD

Included: All meals, lodging, transportation, rafts, guides and river gear while rafting in Chile with us. Round trip transportation between Futaleufu and Chaiten or Esquel. See the Chile Rafting packing list for specific details. The actual program for your individual Futaleufu Rafting trip will vary according to the desires and skill level of your group, weather, or other factors.

	Experience Needed: None Physical Challenge: Medium Cultural Experience: High Lodging: Lodge Comfort Rating:  High Days away from home: 10 Days with us: 8 Max Trip Size: 16 Price: $2995.00 USD Region: Futaleufu River Valley, Patagonia Chile Lakes, Rivers, Sites Visited: Chaiten, Futaleufu Village, Rio Espolon, Rio Futaleufu, Rio Azul, Las Escalas Valley