Day 1 Friday: Depart your home town
Fly to Miami and connect on an over night flight to Buenos Aires Argentina. Welcome to the warmth of the southern Hemisphere in summer.
Day 2 Sunday: Arrival and Introductions
Arrive in Valdivia, Chile on the early afternoon flight where you are welcomed by the Expediciones Chile staff. It will be, roughly, an hour drive to the small village of Panguipulli, known as The Village of Roses, on the shores of Lago Panguipulli. Our hotel this night is a quaint lodge located lakeside providing awe-inspiring vistas.
Day 3 Monday: Rio San Pedro
We drive outside town and put in at the Rio San Pedro. This clear and warm river is our introduction to rafting in Patagonia and big white water. After getting our first taste of rafting in Chile we drive two hours on a winding gravel road to the remote lakeside town of Choshuenco. The village takes its name from the volcanic snow capped peak overlooking Lago Panguipulli. Our comfy cabanas and inn is situated on the sandy beach of this sparkling warm lake. We have dinner on the porch overlooking the beach.
Day 4 Tuesday: Rio Fuy
Our put in is at the bridge on the lower Rio Fuy. This class 4 section starts off with instant whitewater frenzy. The most difficult rapid is with-in 500 yards, a 8-foot ledge ramp followed immediately by more class 4 action! As we approach Lago Panguipulli, the pace eases up and you find yourself in a scenic river valley surrounded by volcanic peaks. Rafting in Patagonia doesn't get better than this. The river swirls into Lago Panguipulli from where it is only a short paddle across the warm lake back to our black sandy beach and our lodge and cabins.
Day 5 Wednesday: Trekking the Volcano
After a hearty Chilean breakfast we are bound for the complete ascent of the snowcapped Volcano Choshuenco The view is stunning, overlooking the valley, lakes and rivers below. Departing at 8:00 am you will be back on your lakeside lodge by 4:00 pm.
Day 7 Friday: Crossing the Andes to a night out in Bariloche
We pack up the safari mobile and trailer as we depart early to a remote ferry crossing of Lake Pirehueico high in the Andes. After getting our passports stamped we drive down off the mountain into San Martin de Los Andes an Andean resort town. Here we eat lunch and take a turn on to a rarely traveled gravel road through a desert in the rain shadow of the Andes. The bizarre eroded formations will make you get your camera out. Departing the desert we arrive on the shores of Lago Nahuel Haupi home of the sparkling city on the lake, San Carlos de Bariloche. We check into our Hotel in the city center and this is a dinner out on our own at one of the great restaurants in town. This night experience the Argentinean night life. Just get enough sleep for the paddle the next day.
Day 8 Saturday: Argentina Rafting: Rio Manso & National Park Nahuel Haupi to Trevelin
After breakfast we drive south to the Rio Manso in National Park Nahuel Haupi. This class 3/4 gorge has engaging whitewater action making for an excellent day of Patagonia rafting. We traverse the national park where we will see ancient Alerce trees. We take out at a remote border of Argentina and Chile. Here we have a late lunch at a real working ranch. We load up our safari mobile and drive south in to Patagonia with a quick stop at the artist community of El Bolson. Now the drive takes us out into the desert caused by the rain shadow of the massive Andes near Futaleufu. By nightfall we arrive at a remote farm house converted into a bed and breakfast situated in Argentina just a few miles from the Futaleufu River and the border with Chile. Our Argentine hosts will be waiting with a full on Asado prepared just for us. The stars are nothing short of spectacular.
Day 9 Sunday: Patagonia, The Futaleufu
After a super breakfast with eggs and home made bread and jams we bin the Futaleufu part of our Patagonia rafting safari. . We pile into the Safari vehicle and thirty minutes later we get our first look at the Futaleufu. The excitement builds with a quick shuttle across the Chilean/Argentinean border and into the Futaleufu Valley. We go direct to the Futaleufu put in where we will meet your guides and rafts. After changing into our river gear, your luggage will be whisked away and magically show up at your tent or cabin at our river eco-camp before you arrive. After the introduction of whitewater and paddling skills we encounter a section of mild class II water flowing through the Las Escalas valley. A couple of hours later the river shows 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 our first action packed section called "The Wild Mile" which contains Tres Islas (IV), Roller Coaster (III), Honorable Mention (IV), Wild Mile (IV minus) and the climatic Thing. The excitement doesn't stop until we get to the confluence of the Futaleufu and Azul rivers as we take out on the unspoiled beach at our Camp Tres Monjas with the stunning peak of the same name standing guard. Our secluded camp, complete with sauna, showers and dining hall, will serve as the base for the rest of the week's adventures. This setting is arguably one of the most stunning on the river. Relax in the sauna and ready yourself for an elegant meal on the beach.
Day 10 Monday: Mountain Bike/ Introduction to kayaking
Today we explore the Rio Azul Valley on Mountain Bikes riding upstream along the river. Soft pastures juxtaposed with towering glaciers will, surely, remind you of scenes from the Sound of Music or Heidi. We will cross the turqoise Rio Azul on a swinging bridge on our way to a meadow with an overlook on the river and to the glaciers towering above. Luckily, we will continue biking down the Azul Valley back to camp ensuring you've had all your eyes can handle of this amazing, idyllic natural beauty. An incredible day off from rafting in Patagonia. For the afternoon there is an option for a longer ride, or head back to calm water for a half day introduction to the world of whitewater kayaking on the Rio Azul or the Rio Espolon. We have sit on top kayaks, inflatables and whitewater kayaks If you are curious about this sport, this could be your chance to take a sampler and learn the basics. You let us know your desires and we will pick the appropriate kayak for you. You may experience some Class 2 whitewater in the safety of our hands.
Day 11 Tuesday: Morning Hike/Rafting to the heart of the Futaleufu
We cross the Futaleufu in our double canoes. Join the trail heading downstream for several hours to our put in just below the rapid Himalays. We jump in the rafts for an outrageous whitewater experience on the heart of the Futaleufu river! This is the most action packed section of whitewater - a virtual whitewater power storm! This section, from the Zapata swinging bridge to the Puente Futaleufu, 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. This Class 4/5 section prepares us for the sections we have yet to do. As if this highly charged river trips wasn't enough, we'll take out in one of the most gorgeous sections of the Futaleufu, the Macal section, after we have ample time to soak in the beauty of snow capped mountains, glaciers and pristine forests on the lower section. After the trip we return to our Camp and take advantage of our sauna and massuse and work out any sore muscles you might have after a big day of paddling. Patagonia rafing at its best!
Day 12 Wednesday: Climb to Tres Monjas/Hike to the Futaleufu's Secret Lagoon
Your desire and the conditions will determine your selection of activities. The challenging choice is the all day climb up the the Monjas and through the enchanted forest of rare Lenga trees to an incredible view of the area just beneath the dramatic spires. The hike takes us up to this high altitude forest of Lenga trees that have adapted to thin, poorly distributed soil; their daily fight for survival coupled with their vulnerability contribute to a fascinating environment and an exciting hike! Another choice is the hike is from camp up the hills behind to a hidden lake and down to a secret hidden secret lagoon on the Futaleufu for lunch and swimming. Or if you just want a day at camp to yourself to relax, swim, read on that beach, grab a massage or just take in the natural beauty...take the day off and do whatever.
Day 13 Thursday: Rafting Infierno to Campo
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. Tonight, we are pulling out all the stops with a huge asado or open spit gill. We'll enjoy a fantastic last night at the camp with drinks, Patagonian lamb and outstanding company.
Day 14 Friday: Rafting Terminator Section/cross border to Trevelin, Argentina
For our last day of rafting on the river we've managed to somehow save the best for last. We are taking off from camp as the rest of the luggage is loaded into our vehicles. We are headed to a section of the river called the Terminator section. You must have previously rafted the "Heart" section with us and met all of our safety requirements because 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 Patagonia rafting that you won't soon forget. After we finish this section, we will have rafted the entire length of the Futaleufu! Our vehicles will be waiting at the take out as we make our way toward the border on our way to Trevelin after changing into dry clothes. Check into your hotel, take a shower and change clothes before enjoying your last night in Patagonia. There are a handful of outstanding and reasonably priced restaurants in Trevelin that we can recommend. Relax, recover and look back on the exciting week of rafting before heading back the following morning.
Day 15 Saturday: Return to Capital City
Depending on your connections you are now in Argentina for an early departure in a cab from your hotel to the bus station in Esquel, for the trip back to Bariloche and your flight to Buenos Aires. A private transfer can be arranged directly from your hotel to the airport in Bariloche. If you have a flight from Esquel, you have the morning to enjoy; buy gifts in Trevelin before your 2:00 pm flight to Buenos Aires and the connection back to you home country.
Day 16 Sunday: Return to Home Country
Town Bed and Breakfast
Eco Camp Campo Tres Monjas/tent $3995.00 USD
Eco Camp Campo Tres Monjas/cabin $4295.00 USD
Condornest private group 2 to 8 $4495.00 USD
Hotel Bariloche
Farm House Bed and Breakfast
| Price per Person: $3995.00 USD to $4495.00 USD |
Special Flexibilities: Exchile will be flexible to make your trip a total success. The actual program for your custom trip will vary according to the desires and skill level of your group, weather, or other factors. Patagonia has constantly changing weather patterns that might affect what day is best for a certain activity. If a certain part of your trip is not possible due to danger risks and weather extremes, our experienced guide staff will work with you to figure out the best possible option to substitute for the weather complications. If you have any concerns, please feel free to ask us more about the situations and what is guaranteed on the trip.
Included: Your described trip, guiding, instruction, activity equipment, local transportation, shuttles, all meals, wine with dinner, acomodations at our eco-camps, cabins, ranches or lodges, while on your trip. We offer a free pick up on Sunday mornings at 9 am in Trevelin at your hotel, and drop off to your hotel in Trevelin, Argentina on Fridays at 9 pm. See the packing list of your activity, for the specific clothing that is required.
Not Included: Transportation to and from your home town, and your accommodations and meals in Trevelin Argentina or alternate trip pick up point. You can reserve and prepay on the web your transport from your final air destination, to and from your pick up-drop off point before and after your trip, or you can direct us to charge your visa card and do it for you. We higly recommended having exchile make hotel reserves in Trevelin. (room capacity in this small village is limited). Expediciones Chile is not financially responsible for your travel complications getting to your trip pick up point and from the drop off point, HOWEVER, we will be relentless allies in offering our services to help solve any issues that you may encounter.
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| Season: January |
| Experience Needed: None |
| Physical Challenge: Moderate |
| Cultural Experience: Maximum |
| Nature Experience: Maximum |
| Comfort Rating: Medium High |
| Max Trip Size: 16 |
| Min Trip Size: 4 |
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| Region: Corridor of Andean Lakes. Complete cirucuit of Northern Patagonia Chile and Argentina |
| Lakes, Rivers, Sites Visited: Rio San Pedro, Ruy Fuy, Rio Enco, Rio Manso, Bariloche, San Martin de Los Andes, Trevelin, Futaleufu, Rio Azul |
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Direct Line, USA:
+1.208.629.5032 (7am/5 pm mst)
Toll Free, USA:
+1.888.488.9082 (7am/5 pm mst) |
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| Travel Consultant 1 |
Travel Consultant 2 |
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Downloadable pdf:Chile Rafting
