Expediciones
Chile has been running adventure trips in
the Futaleufu Valley since 1985 and during
that twenty-year period we experimented with
numerous ways of transporting our guests to
the Futaleufu River. Because of our long
experience, we believe we have developed the
fastest and safest transportation itineraries
available. Whether you are coming through
Puerto Montt , Chile or San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina or Esquel , Argentina we have
smoothed the way for you.
Upon Arrival: Once you land
by commercial airline in Puerto Montt, Chile
or Esquel, Argentina Expediciones Chile will
assume complete responsibility for transporting
you to the Futaleufu River Valley . We can
also make special arrangements to pick you
up in San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina should
your itinerary require it.
To Futaleufu via Puerto Montt , Chile: This is the most spectacular entry route to
the Futaleufu River Valley . In almost all
cases, we will fly you directly from Puerto
Montt to the coastal village of Chaiten on
the same day that you arrive in Puerto Montt.
The flight to Chaiten lasts approximately
thirty minutes and on clear days provides
spectacular views of the Andes Mountains and
of Chiloe Island. For those guests who have
more time, the same journey can be made by
high-speed catamaran, which departs from the
Puerto Montt harbor. We can also suggest overnight
lodging options in Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas,
or Chaiten should you desire it, or your itinerary
require it. Once in Chaiten, an Expediciones
Chile representative will meet you and transfer
you to Futaleufu in our company vehicle. The
drive in from Chaiten lasts about 3.5 hours
and is spectacular in itself. Many of our
guests have claimed that the drive in was
one of the highlights of the trip. In a short
three hours you will traverse a vast number
of spectacular ecosystems, from the coastal
plains to the dry Patagonia steppe. The journey
will take you past towering volcanoes, temperate
rainforests, hot springs, alpine glaciers,
fjord like lakes and rarely explored granite
canyons.
To
Futaleufu via Esquel, Argentina:
Coming through Esquel , Argentina is the fastest,
most efficient option for traveling to Futaleufu.
Your flight from Buenos Aires (or San Carlos
de Bariloche) to Esquel lands at the town's
Jetport, where upon your arrival an Expediciones
Chile representative will meet you and drive
you to Futaleufu. This two-hour drive follows
the Futaleufu River, which is called the Rio
Grande on the Argentine side. Toward the end
of this scenic drive, through a forested river
valley with magnificent granite cliffs, you
will cross the Argentine border into Chile
. This route requires less overland travel
and avoids the $100 reciprocity fee for entering
Chile . However, there are fewer commercial
flight options for Esquel and the connection
in Buenos Aires from an international flight
to a domestic Argentinean flight requires
changing airports with a minimum 3 hours legal
transfer time. Take note that this option
allows for an early arrival to Futaleufu,
where an afternoon trek is possible, or a
walk around Esquel, a quaint, Argentinean
town, located in the high desert region of
Argentina.
To
Futaleufu via San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina:
San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina,
known as the “Aspen of South America”, provides
an opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful
cities in the country. There are several daily
flights from Buenos Aires to Bariloche, allowing
you the freedom to easily incorporate Bariloche
into your itinerary. If you choose this route,
there are several ways to continue your journey
and join Expediciones Chile in the Futaleufu
River Valley . The fastest option is the thrice
weekly flights from Bariloche to Esquel, on
Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays. The second
option is taking a local transfer from Bariloche
to Esquel or Futaleufu, and we can suggest
possible carriers for this leg of the trip.
The last option is the inexpensive Argentinean
bus system, which is luxurious and comfortable,
providing fully reclinable seats just like
a First Class airline flight. The bus will
leave you at the Esquel Bus Station in time
for a rendezvous with the Expediciones Chile
shuttle. If you are traveling with a group
of 4 or more, Expediciones Chile will provide
private transportation from Bariloche to Futaleufu.
The 6-hour drive traverses the Argentinean
steppes, or La Pampa, leaving the verdant
Bariloche valley, and entering the Patagonian
desert, created by the regional rain-shadow
effect of the Andes Mountains . Please note
that the border of Argentina with Chile closes
at 8:00 pm and should be considered in your
travel plans.
Our
goal is to see that you get to the Futaleufu
Valley as quickly and as safely as possible.
Over the years we have had an impeccable safety
record and rave reviews from our guests about
our streamlined transportation itinerary into
the Patagonia interior.
About
Direct Flights to Futaleufu: For
certain guests and groups, for an additional
expense, arrangements can be made to charter
you directly in to the town of Futaleufu .
While this option is the most convenient for
Expediciones Chile and our guests, this over
Andes flight is not without risks, and can
occur only on days with PERFECT weather; which
occurs about only about 50% of the time. Currently
there is no permanent weather reporting station
at the airport in Futaleufu and pilots with
fully loaded planes consider taking off and
landing in Futaleufu a very challenging task.
While this time saving option is appealing,
Expediciones Chile feels that it is not currently
reliable, or safe, enough to use as our primary
means of transport. Over the past twenty years
we have been transporting guests to and from
the Futaleufu Valley, we believe our current
systems of transportation are all-around the
quickest, safest and most reliable. Call our
office if you are interested in arranging
this special air charter for your group.
For
more information on transportation options
to and from Futaleufu see our Patagonia
Travel web page.
