The Andes to the Ocean is one of our most challenging self-supported Chile sea kayaking expeditions. Spend the first day whitewater rafting on the Futaleufu River before setting out on your journey across the Andes Mountains.
Kayak Touring 2007 - Canoe & Kayak Magazine
Selected Expediciones Chile's Andes to the Ocean Sea Kayak Expedition as one of the four feature trips of 2007. The Kayak Touring Issue is Canoe & Kayak Magazine's once-a-year homage to Sea Kayaking. The latest issue of Kayak Touring (Jan 2007) is on sale now!
Day 1 Saturday:
Arrival and 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
riverside town of Futaleufu, surrounded by majestic
mountains. You will find your accommodations at our
comfortable inn and town cabins, and unwind from your
trip with a hearty welcome dinner at the Futaleufu Adventure
Center.
Andes to the Ocean - Storming
Andes to the Ocean - Perfect Weather
Day 2 Sunday:
Your choice of Adventure Activities
After breakfast you choose from one our Adventure Center
activities by either joining a rafting trip, horseback
riding excursion, mountain biking trip or a day trek
near town. Later, we will help you prepare for your
up coming Patagonia sea kayaking adventure. Before the
sun sets we will arrange, gear, food, and go over logistics
of our sea kayak journey.
Day 3 Monday:
Sea Kayaking - Lower Futaleufú to Isla Monita
You will pack your kayaking gear into one of our single
or two-person sea kayaks for a memorable journey down
one of the most visually stunning sections of Patagonia:
the Rio Futaleufu Valley. Then it is off into the winding
emerald serenity of Lago Yelcho, with its world-class
trout fishing, steep glacial peaks, native trees and
exotic birds. Sea kayaking in Chile gets no better than
this! Before the evening arrives we will make camp on
a white sand beach near Isla Monita. You'll feel like
you're stranded on a deserted island in the heart of
Patagonia, Chile - nothing but the breeze, the lake
and our beach. If you can't find peace and quite here,
you won't find it anywhere.
Day 4 Tuesday:
Sea Kayaking - Isla Monita to Río Correntoso
Numerous waterfalls tumble down the lush mountainsides
as we silently sea kayak through this pristine Patagonia
wilderness. The glass-like reflection shining off the
water is only interrupted by the gentle wake from our
boats. We sea kayak on until we reach a beautiful camp
where the Correntoso River enters Lago Yelcho. Here
you will find an incredible series of sand beaches and
crystal clear waters. We'll set up camp on the beach
and enjoy a wonderful meal under the southern stars.
Trekking, fishing, and swimming opportunities abound.
Outside your tent, you will be treated to a view of
Ventisquero Yelcho - a giant glacier crowned peak with
ice extending to within 600' above sea level. Words
can't describe this wonderful campsite.
Day 5 Wednesday:
Sea Kayaking - Exit Lago Yelcho and Enter Yelcho River
to El Campo Arbol Acostado
Within 3 hours of leaving the Río Correntoso,
we'll be sea kayaking under the Puerto Cárdenas
bridge and into the Río Yelcho. The change in
scenery and water character is dramatic at this juncture
of our Chile sea kayaking adventure. We'll still have
huge mountains surrounding the waterway, but the banks
of the river are densely covered with ferns, virgin
temperate rain forest, and other impenetrable rain forest
vegetation. For most of its length, the river is smooth
and fast flowing - a Class I/II river with few obstacles.
After arriving at a bend in the river, we will sea kayak
down a lush, meandering stream to El Campo Arbol Acostado
(Camp of the Leaning Tree). At this camp there are curious
winding trails, amazing fish and bird life, and incredible
flora. To top it off, you can enjoy a stunning sunset
view of El Trono del Diablo (Throne of the Devil), an
impressive two-tiered glacier. Unwind in this site's
solitude while taking in all its grandeur.
Day 6 Thursday: Sea Kayaking - Yelcho River to Chaiten Viejo Camp
An hour after departure, we'll encounter Tres Piedras - a Class II rapid with the impressive Volcán Michimahuida providing a glacier and snow covered backdrop. We will sea kayak on between more mountains covered to their tops with virgin temperate rainforest. Charles Darwin and the Spanish Conquistadors agreed in their assessment of Patagonia, Chile and its forests - impossible to penetrate and breathtakingly beautiful. Sea kayaking in Patagonia gets no better than this! A leisurely afternoon paddle will lead us to our last camp, Chaitén Viejo. We'll find ourselves back in Chilean civilization by this point, but still well off the beaten path.
Day 7 Friday: Sea Kayaking - Out of the River and into the Ocean
Within 15 minutes, we'll be at the mouth of the Río Yelcho and preparing to sea kayak the salt waters of the Pacific. Our route will depend on the tides, the winds and other factors that come with Chile sea kayak travel. By the end of the day, we willsea kayak directly to the beach in front of "downtown" Chaitén, a small seaside fishing village. Your Chile sea kayaking loop is complete: hot showers, cool drinks, and a comfortable bed await you at our Chaitén base. All personal gear not taken on the trip will be waiting at your ‘hospedaje’. Another great journey passes to memory and photos - you'll be telling stories about your sea kayaking vacation for years to come.
Day 8 Saturday: Departure
After breakfast, explore Chaitén for a few hours. A quick shuttle takes you to the airport for your flight back to Puerto Montt, unless you decide you just can't leave and want to return to Futaleufu for more fun in "The World's Greatest Playground!" You will have just experienced in one week what some folks won't experience in a lifetime.
PRICE: $1995.00 USD
Included: All local transportation, shuttles, food and lodging
while in Futaleufu. Round
trip transportation between
Futaleufu and
Chaiten or Esquel. One
night of lodging in
Chaiten at the end of your trip.
All sea kayaks and equipment
specified in the packing
list. The cost of finding
alternate activities
for your sea kayaking
vacation week should
your trip be prematurely
terminated due to inclement
weather.
Experience Needed: Intermediate
Physical Challenge: High
Cultural Experience: Medium
Lodging: Lodge, Camp
Comfort Rating: High-Low
Days away from home: 10
Days with us: 8
Max Trip Size: 8
Price: $1995.00
USD
Region: Futaleufu River Valley, Yelcho Valley, Patagonia, Chile
Lakes, Rivers, Sites Visited: Futaleufu Village, Rio Futaleufu, Lago Yelcho, Rio Yelcho, Pacific Ocean, Chaiten
Traveling in Patagonia, Chile Information on traveling in Patagonia, Chile. Secrets of Patagonia Tour on our website.
Chile Rafting Whitewater rafting in Chile. Rafting from our weatherproof Futaleufu lodge.
Patagonia Seasons Information about the Patagonia seasons in Chile & Argentina. Weather information.
Patagonia Sea Kayaking Patagonia sea kayaking from the Andes to the Ocean on Lago Yelcho. Fjords, hotsprings, extinct volcanos, temperate rainforest.
Swiftwater Rescue Training Thinking about a rafting guide job on the Futaleufu? Check out our whitewater guide school & swiftwater rescue training course.
Chile Fly Fishing From our fly fishing ranch or lodge in Chilean Patagonia. Chile fly fishing trips on Lago Yelcho.
EcoTours in Patagonia Custom ecotours of the Futaleufu Valley that include bird watching and nature treks.
Kayak School, Roll a Kayak Learn the eskimo kayak roll at our kayak school. Receive world class kayak instruction from our paddling school.
University of Futaleufu Checkout the large group, instructional and corporate team building programs we offer.
Chilean Culture Immersion Experience genuine Chilean Culture on our adventure travel horseback riding and trekking vacations.
Kayak Futaleufu Whitewater Kayak in the spectacular Patagonia Andes. Kayak Futaleufu Whitewater from our kayak eco camp.
Chile Mountain Biking Experience a genuine Chile Mountain Biking tour 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 cayoning, caminatas, pesca con mosca y mucho más aventuras podrás encontrar en el corazón de la patagonia Chilena, y desde el comfort de nuestro nativo y caluroso Hotel. Rafting en lel Río Futaleufú en Español.