At
Expediciones Chile we believe that experiencing
Patagonian culture should be part of your vacation
experience. Our native wood lodge is located in
the heart of the village of Futaleufu, which allows
you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the
authentic Chilean way of life.
Futaleufu
is a quiet alpine village, surrounded
by the glacial Andes. Only founded seventy
years ago, it remains a historic frontier
outpost and its rustic charm prevails. Horses
outnumber automobiles. Local artisans craft
beautiful wood and wool products. Many locals
live simply on the vast countryside. And an
old-fashioned Patagonian rodeo frequently
rides into town to entertain the area’s
inhabitants.
At
Expediciones Chile, we strive to create the
perfect balance for our clients, giving them
a wide array of adventure activities during
the day, and in the evening, the opportunity
to experience local life.
We recommend that you interact with people
in town, allowing both the opportunity to
learn about each other’s way of life:
Drink Patagonian mate (mah-téh; a traditional
tea) with our neighbors. Ride horseback with
a local Huaso (Chilean cowboy) and experience
how a modern frontiersman lives. Savor the
flavors of locally baked breads, unique Chilean
empanadas and pastries. Join Chilean youth
in a game of fútbol (soccer); we organize
several games each week. Discover for yourself
a community that has etched out its remote
existence apart from the rest of Chile, devoted
to its national roots, but greatly influenced
by a distinctive Argentine culture.
These are only a few of the great experiences
you will have staying at our village lodge.
CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES AT EXPEDICIONES CHILE
In addition to those experiences that you
will have in town, we also offer cultural
excursions. The following are a few of our
options:
Overnight at Benedicto’s Ranch
Hike or ride horseback to a local rancher’s
farm and spend the night at his rustic homestead.
The farm is six miles from the lodge in Futaleufu,
and located in the Las Escalas Valley. Benedicto,
a 56-year old widower and his assistant, Hernán,
entertain their guests with extravagant homemade,
organic feasts. Guests can get lessons in
spinning wool, knitting, weaving and milking
cows. Bilingual guides can also offer lessons
on the Spanish language. The home has two
matrimonial beds and four twin beds to comfortably
sleep up to eight guests. It is an unforgettable
cultural experience.
Overnight at Abuela’s House in the Espolon
Valley
Traverse the pristine Espolon Lake by sea
kayak and then hike to the town of Espolon
to spend the evening with abuela. She offers
homemade feasts including delectable homemade
honey and jam. Spend the night in her comfortable
#-bedroom home. Abuela always enjoys sharing
her way of life with her international guests.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF FUTALEUFU
The pueblo of Futaleufu has a unique culture
that stemmed from the early pioneers of the
Futaleufu Valley. Due to the harsh terrain,
the founding of the pueblo occurred only seventy
years ago and it marked the beginning of recorded
human history in this region of Patagonia.
The Chileans who eventually made this area
their home migrated from the Lakes District
via Argentina. During the ensuing decades,
the only contact these nationals had with
civilization was by way of the Argentine border
towns. Until the road was built in the early
seventies, the economy of Futaleufu was largely
dependent on Argentina.
The early economy was based on trade, and
the currency most in use was the Argentine
peso. A system of barter enabled the inhabitants
to purchase the essentials of life, such as
flour, sugar, and kerosene oil. Because of
the strong ties with Argentina, the inhabitants
became deeply influenced by the culture of
the estancias (large estate ranches) in their
manner of dress and speech. The cuisine also
tended to mirror that of Argentina. Dishes
are prepared over an open fire. The clothes
of the Argentine gaucho (cowboy) are still
the preferred form of dress for working in
the open fields.
Futaleufu offers beauty, culture and excitement,
all in one. Chilean cuisine can be sampled
in several of the town’s restaurants,
along with typical Chilean pastries and breads
that are baked fresh daily at one of two local
bakeries.
Chilean Culture Immersion
Experience genuine Chilean Cultural Immersion on our adventure travel horseback riding and trekking vacations.
Kayak Chile Whitewater
Kayak in the spectacular Patagonia
Andes. Kayak Chile whitewater from our spectacular kayak eco camp.
Patagonia 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.