This trip will introduce you to all the highlights of the Futaleufu river and its tributaries. A great way to experience the Futaleufu without the Class V adrenaline rush.

Day 1: Arrival and Introductions
Arrive at either of our entry points in Puerto Montt, Chile or Esquel, Argentina, the gateways to Patagonia. Connect with our representative and travel to the remote riverside town of Futaleufu, surrounded by majestic mountains. Here you will find your accommodations at Kayak Chile's, Tres Monjas Eco-Camp along the banks of the Futaleufu River. A hearty meal, hot sauna, and wonderful views welcome you to Chile.

Day 2: Rio Espolon
You wake up to the brilliance of life along the Futaleufu River with the jagged Tres Monjas peaks standing sentinel over the river and camp. After a delightful breakfast we take a short drive to the Rio Espolon. After warming up on the crystal clear water, review your techniques, practice rolls on both sides, surf the dynamic Espolon surf wave, and prepare for the big water of the Futaleufu.

Day 3: Futaleufu, the El Macal Section
Today we put-in on the Futaleufu River, below the impressive Class V “Casa de Piedra” rapid. Vertical cliff walls surround this gorgeous Class III “El Macal” section, along with glacier crowned peaks. We will practice all of our big water skills as we work our way down this introductory stretch of the Futaleufu River. Rip it up on "Every Man’s (and Woman’s) Surf Wave"; feel the power of the rapids, and enjoy some of the best scenery on the river.

Day 4: Kayak the Río Azul
Today, if water levels permit, we will take a break from the big water of the Futaleufu. We will drive to the footbridge put-in on the Río Azul, a tight, glacial-fed creek that runs through a lush micro canyon. Here you get a chance to relax and paddle the technical drops, surf and cartwheel at some excellent play spots, and enjoy the scenery. We take-out at camp where the Río Azul meets the Río Futaleufu.

Day 5: Futaleufu, Terminator Section
After breakfast, we put-in at our camp beach and head down river into the “Terminator” section. We will warm up on numerous Class III and IV rapids, and then we will walk around the huge and powerful Class V “Terminator Rapid”. Some of the more intrepid paddlers in the group will have the opportunity to sneak (Class IV+) the “Terminator” on the left side. From the “Terminator” we will carefully pick our route through the hole-filled Class IV “Kyber Pass”, and on to some giant wave action in the Class IV “Himalayas”. Here you will surf some of the biggest standing waves in the hemisphere! We return to the Kayak Chile eco-camp to relax on one of our white sand beaches or take a soothing hot sauna.

Day 6: Kayak the Río Palena (or Rio Tigre)
We will take a scenic drive to the Río Palena on the border with Argentina, where we have an ox-cart waiting to help us to the put-in on this Class III/III+ paddle. It's a gorgeous drive through a valley with a slightly different ecosystem than the Futaleufu River Valley. Water levels permitting, we may run a section of the spectacular Rio Tigre, a nearby tributary of the Palena.

Day 7: Upper Futaleufu; below the Infierno Canyon
For an exciting finale, we head to the remote and spectacular upper section of the Futaleufu and the Las Escalas Valley. An exciting shuttle ride through an old growth forest brings us to the river just below the Infierno Canyon. This visually spectacular section of river includes the Class V rapids “Zeta” and “Throne Room”. We will take the well worn footpaths around the two rapids, and head into the “Wild Mile Section ”, four miles of continuous whitewater action which takes us right back to our camp. After a full day on the river, you begin to pack up and enjoy Kayak Chile's farewell asado and fiesta.

Day 8: Departure
Wake up for an early breakfast and drive back to Chaitén, Chile and your flight to Puerto Montt, or relax for a couple of hours and take our shuttle to Esquel, Argentina. As you catch a final view of the Río Futaleufu; surrounded by hanging glaciers and snow capped mountains, take a moment to reflect upon all of the amazing sights and experiences of this past week. After all these years we are still stunned that views like these exist.

Price: $1595.00 USD

Included: All meals, lodging, transportation, guides and kayaks while paddling with us. Round trip transportation between Futaleufu and Chaiten or Esquel. See the packing list for specific details. The actual Futaleufu River Valley Week program for your individual trip may vary according to the desires and skill level of your group, the water levels, weather, or other factors.