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Kayak Chile: Futaleufu Whitewater Kayaking |
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In 1986, Expediciones Chile's founder Chris Spelius kayaked the Futaleufu (Fu, Futa) River for his first time. After kayaking rivers all over the world, he believed that he had stumbled upon an undiscovered kayaking nirvana in the Futaleufu River Valley. The Futaleufu River has it all, from a beautiful background of glaciers and rugged peaks to turquoise, champagne-like water flowing from pristine lakes. Chris was enthralled by river features from the dramatic, explosive class III waves trains to the play waves placed above thundering class V+ rapids. Chris was so impressed by what he found in Patagonia that he began pioneering commercial whitewater kayaking trips on the Futaleufu River just one year later, and Expediciones Chile (Kayak Chile) was thus born.
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(1 min 22 sec) |
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(1 min 21 sec) |
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(77 sec) |
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(2 min 11 sec) |
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(31 sec) |
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Why guided trips?
This is a question that we hear every year and the answer is multifaceted. The Futaleufu river ranks as one of the top kayaking destination in the world. It can be large and fast. Many sections of the river are continuous and many of the portage trails and scouting spots are on private property or are difficult to find. The river also changes markedly during the season as water levels fluctuate. This makes even detailed river descriptions inadequate. In addition there is the logistical issue of transporting a kayak into a very remote area of Chilean Patagonia and arranging for daily shuttle transportation. On our guided trips all of these factors are eliminated or minimized. Our guides know the best put-ins and takeouts; they know the river levels and best play features because they are paddling every day. All transportation, shuttles and meals are arranged beforehand. There is not a minute of wasted time so that all of your attention can be devoted to paddling this magnificent river. With our large "quiver" of latest model kayaks, you also have the option of paddling a number of different kayaks through the week to suit the present water levels and your paddling style.
What are guided trips like?
You will be surprised what you are capable of paddling with guidance and building your skills in a well constructed progressions. The camaraderie on the river and at dinner with kayakers from different parts of the world is enlightening. Knowing you have a guide to back you up or a cat a raft downstream of you is reassuring. Our guided kayak Futaleufu trips run every week from the beginning of December through mid April. We run our Class II/III, Class III/IV and Class IV/V kayak trips simultaneously. This allows paddlers with different skills to enjoy the same kayak vacation. Kayak Chile guests eat together and camp together but break up into skill groups during the day that best match their paddling ability. We also will combine our groups on some stretches of river. For example, on some days our Class III/IV trip might join our Class IV/V group, but will portage the harder rapids while the other group paddles through. In addition to the Futaleufu, there are numerous Futaleufu tributaries and other rivers in our region that make this an ideal destination for Class II/III paddlers.
What about kayakers with a non-paddling partner?
Expediciones Chile has a full range of multi sport activities to choose from. These include whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, kayak school, horseback riding, trekking, mountain biking, canyoning and fly fishing. Take a tour of our website to see what Expediciones Chile has to offer a non-paddling partner.
What about kayakers who are traveling solo?
About forty percent of people who sign-up for trips with us come on their own. Don't feel like you need to postpone coming to Chile if you don't have friends who want to paddle the Futaleufu this winter. We will set you up with a group paddling at your level and you will quickly make new friends!
Whitewater
Kayak Chile:
Guided
Futaleufu Kayaking Trips
Kayak
Chile Week - Class II/III
During this week, we will explore the Class II/III sections of Rio Futaleufu river system, and work on developing skills that will enable us to paddle big volume water. The Futaleufu River and its tributaries, the Espolon and the Azul Rivers, contain 45 miles of exciting, pristine whitewater, of which 33% of the rapids are class II - III.
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Week version: (8 Days in Patagonia, Chile / 7 overnights / 6 Active Days)
Light version: (6 Days in Patagonia, Chile / 5 overnights / 4 Active Days) |
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Futaleufu River Valley Kayaking
Kayak
Chile Week - Class III/IV
During this week, we will explore the Class III/IV sections of Rio Futaleufu river system, and work on developing skills that will enable us to paddle big volume water. The Futaleufu River and its tributaries, the Espolon and the Azul Rivers, contain 45 miles of exciting, pristine whitewater, of which 50% of the rapids are class III - IV.
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Week version: (8 Days in Patagonia, Chile / 7 overnights / 6 Active Days)
Light version: (6 Days in Patagonia, Chile / 5 overnights / 4 Active Days) |
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Futaleufu River Valley Kayaking
Kayak
Chile Week - Class IV/V
“The Greatest Whitewater on Earth” This is an exhilarating week for advanced Class IV-V paddlers. Our aim is to prepare and support you to paddle as many of the sections and rapids that you desire. You can have a fun week without paddling any of the Class V, as the Futaleufu has explosive fun waves and surf spots that will challenge you for the entire week.
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Week version: (8 Days in Patagonia, Chile / 7 overnights / 6 Active Days)
Light version: (6 Days in Patagonia, Chile / 5 overnights / 4 Active Days) |
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Season Pass Kayaking
This is a total vacation and immersion experience. You will spend a month or more in an outdoor dream on the banks of the Futaleufu and Azul rivers at our Tres Monjas Eco-Camp. Meals, accommodations, transport, kayak and safety are provided, – minimizing the off-river hassle and maximizing your paddling time. Your paddling partners will be a ExChile's expert guide/instructors along with other kayakers that are with us each week. You will get the inside view on what it takes to be a kayak instructor/guide on the Futaleufu River.
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(4 Weeks)
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Whitewater Kayak Chile
Patagonia Custom Group Trips
Expediciones Chile brings you to the best whitewater in Patagonia, Chile and Argentina. Our Argentina kayaking and Chile kayaking Safari trips bring you to the frontiers of whitewater paddling in these two spectacular countries. Experience some of the greatest whitewater in South America with our Patagonia Custom trips!
Patagonia Kayak School
Kayak School Instruction
Whitewater kayak instruction and lessons based out of our eco-camp in the remote, world famous Futaleufu River Valley in Patagonia, Chile. The Exchile Kayak School was founded by U.S. Olympic Team paddler and internationally acclaimed kayak instructor, Chris Spelius. Whether you want to Learn to Roll a Kayak or sharpen your paddling skills, you will receive expert kayak instruction from our experienced team of instructors in a setting that is beyond your imagination.
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Adventure Travel in Chile, Rafting Patagonia Adventure Travel in Chile. Rafting in Chile & Argentina Rafting Torres del Paine W and FitzRoy trekking.
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Traveling in Chile & Patagonia Information on traveling in Patagonia Chile. Secrets of Patagonia Tour on our website. Air Tickets.Patagonia
Travel Information
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Rafting in Chile Whitewater rafting in Chile. Rafting from our weatherproof Futaleufu lodge and our comfortable whitewater eco camp.Chile
Rafting on the Futaleufu
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Weather in Patagonia Information about the weather in Patagonia Climate in Chile & Argentina. Weather forecasts. |
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Sea Kayaking in Chile Go Sea Kayaking in Chile from the Andes to the Ocean on Lago Yelcho. Fjords, hotsprings, extinct volcanos, temperate rainforest. Experience the Glaciers and Fjords of Tierra del Fuego. |
Raft Guide School Thinking about a rafting guide job on the Futaleufu? Check out our whitewater guide school & swiftwater rescue training course. |
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Fly Fishing in Chile and Argentina Go fly fishing in Chile from our ranch or lodge in Chilean Patagonia. Fly fishing trips on Lago Yelcho. Fly fishing trips on Rio Grande.Patagonia
Fly Fishing
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Custom EcoTours in Chile Custom ecotours through Chile’s Patagonia and the Futaleufu valley that include bird watching and nature treks.
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Kayak School Learn the eskimo kayak roll at our kayak school. Receive world class kayak instruction from our paddling school in Patagonia Chile South America. |
Group Conferences in Patagonia Checkout our large group, instructional and corporate team building programs offered every year. |
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Futaleufu Information Information About the Futaleufu River in Patagonia Chile. Futaleufu guidebook of river sections.
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Ex Chile Travel Agent Info Information on traveling in Chile. Travel agent discounts and commissions. Low Cost fares to Chile and within Chile.
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Patagonia Horseback Riding Patagonia horseback riding vacations and holidays with genuine Huasos & Corralero Horses.
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Honeymoon Cabin Our Condor Nest Ranchito is the perfect honeymoon cabin located beneath the Tres Monjas towers. |
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Kayak Chile Whitewater Kayak in the spectacular Patagonia Andes. Kayak Chile whitewater from our spectacular kayak eco camp. Kayak Hostel, Kayak Lodging Kayak Futaleufu and Kayak Pucon, Kayak Chile. |
Office Internship Jobs Office internships and employment opportunities in rafting, kayaking and fly fishing & adventure travel office. |
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Canyoning Chile canyoning and rappelling day added on to your custom trip. |
Chilean Culture Immersion Experience genuine Chilean Cultural Immersion on our adventure travel horseback riding and trekking vacations.
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Patagonia Mountain Biking Experience a genuine Chile Mountain Biking through Chilean Patagonia and Argentina. |
Rafting en el Río Futaleufú con las mejores aguas blancas de clase mundial (5,4,3,). Kayak de mar, mountain biking, cabalgatas, sit-on-top kayaking canyoning, caminatas, pesca con mosca y mucho más aventuras podrás encontrar en el corazón de la patagonia Chilena, y desde el confort de nuestro nativo y caluroso Hotel. Rafting en el Río Futaleufú en Español. |
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Expediciones Chile has been running adventure travel trips in Patagonia since 1985. Try rafting Chile on the Futaleufu river. Trekking Patagonia in Torres del Paine, Cerro Fitz Roy and Los Glaciares National Parks. Sea kayaking Patagonia from the Andes to the Ocean or take lessons at a world class paddling school. Kayak Futaleufu whitewater from our kayak eco camp. Mountain biking in Patagonia wilderness. Earn a swiftwater rescue certification on the Futaleufu river. Fly fishing Chile and Argentina on the famous Lago Yelcho. Snow Skiing in Chile & Argentina. Eco tours and yoga travel vacations. Information about weather Patagonia, Patagonia travel and maps of Chile on our website. |
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