WHITEWATER RAFTING

Futaleufu Whitewater Rafting

Futaleufu Adventure Center
The Futaleufu Adventure Center offers more than just raft trips and a lodge. It is a network of activities and unique places to stay: the Adventure Center Lodge, ClubFuta Eco-Camp, Wilderness Camps and the CondorNest ranch. Diverse activities draw you to the most fascinating ecosystems in this valley. Their customizable multi-sport menu allows you to create the vacation of your dreams in the style you enjoy most. Their flagship trip, the FutaFantasy, allows you to raft the entire Futaleufu and supplement the rafting with numerous other activities - or focus directly on the activities you enjoy most. This allows families or groups with diverse interests to enjoy the same vacation. All rafting vacations are customizable. You are in control!

The Adventure Lodge and the Adventure Center Office are based in the charming Patagonian village of Futaleufu; the epicenter of activity in the valley. Their whitewater rafting vacations allow you to select numerous multi-sport activities to participate in, in addition to rafting Futaleufu river: whitewater kayaking, sea kayaking, kayak school, horseback riding, mountain biking, trekking/hiking, canyoning, and eco-tours of the Futaleufu River Valley.

Whitewater Rafting the Futaleufu
The Futaleufu River is located in northern Patagonia, Chile. As a whitewater rafting river it is short, but very intense and concentrated. From top to bottom it is only 44 kilometers, or 27 miles, long. It starts at the border of Argentina, in Los Alerces National Park and ends in Chile, serving as the headwaters of Lago Yelcho. The Futaleufu has four defined sections of difficulty. The most challenging runs are on the upper part of the river and the introductory sections are at the lower stretch. You will start on the easiest sections to build your skills and your team's skills for the more difficult sections. For this reason, the trips start at the lower sections and then move towards the top. You and your team will decide to continue on to more difficult water, or to paddle the easier stretches. And, if you think you’ve had enough, there are numerous other activities waiting for you in this spectacular region of Patagonia, Chile. (The sections available to run also depend on the level of the Futaleufu.)

Overview of the Futaleufu
First Run: The first whitewater rafting run is the Heart of the Futaleufu, a Class 4/4+ action pack section. This is whitewater rafting at its best! Even experienced river runners have never seen such a continuous non-stop action section as this. One thing to consider is that this is the easiest section, and for some guests it is more than enough river to run.

Second Run: The second rafting run is the Heart of the Futaleufu plus the Class 5, Casa de Piedra. Usually people enjoy this run more the second time. Near the end of the run, guests will be given an optional swim test before continuing into the first Class 5 section below the Heart of the Futaleufu: into Mas o Manos and Casa de Piedra. If one is not comfortable in this water, the shuttle bus is waiting for you to take out. The willing group continues on through Casa de Piedra. For those that have opt out, they can watch and photograph from shore.

Third Run: If water levels are ideal, the third run is through the Class 5 Infierno Canyon with mandatory portages around Zeta and Throne Room rapids. These are a sight to behold for experienced river runners. The day culminates at the ClubFuta river camp at the confluence of the Azul and the Futaleufu. All the best that Patagonia Chile has to offer!

Fourth Run: The fourth run is putting in at ClubFuta and running through the Class 5 Terminator section. This is one of the most challenging whitewater rafting runs on the river. By the end of this day you will have run the entire Futaleufu River!

"We have traveled extensively. The Futa in Chile was the most beautiful place! And your trip was the best we have ever been on! Our expectations were surpassed! My only complaint was that first day rain storm."
Randy and Cathy Philpot SLC, UT

Trip Details

Day 1: Saturday: Arrival and Introductions
Arrive in Santiago and connect to Puerto Montt. In Puerto Montt, board your 40-minute flight to Chaitén, a flight back in time. Expediciones Chile will meet you at the airport where you'll start the drive across the Andes: volcanoes, fjord-like lakes, hanging glaciers and the turquoise rapids of the Futaleufu River. Arrive at the Adventure Center Lodge in Futaleufu, surrounded by majestic mountains. You'll unwind from your trip with a hearty welcome dinner, an open fireplace and a cozy room. (It is also possible to visit them from the Argentina side of the Andes, via Esquel.)

Day 2: Sunday: Instruction to Paddling and Mountain Biking
You'll have a great start with a beautiful moderate mountain bike ride alongside the pristine waters of the upper Río Espolón. Then over the river on a footbridge and up to Devil's Throat, a breathtaking and still un-run class 6 cascade at the watershed of the Espolón River. Below the falls, enjoy lunch and then trade mountain bikes for sit-on-top kayaks and paddling gear. In double or single crafts, tour the Espolón and enjoy its transparent waters, ideal swimming areas, and easy rapids - the perfect introductory run. The trip is one big loop that brings you to our take-out, minutes from the lodge, where pisco sours and dinner await.

Day 3: Monday: Rafting the Heart of the Futaleufu & Trekking
In the morning, run one of the most action-packed sections of whitewater you will find anywhere - a virtual whitewater power storm! This section, from the Zapata swinging bridge to the Puente Futaleufu, includes five miles of class 4+ action. Rapids such as Entrada, Pillow, Tiburon, and Mundaca with its must-see explosion hole, will keep you on your toes. In a calmer section below the rapids, do some swim training in preparation for the more intense rapids of the coming days. Spend the afternoon soaking up the Chilean culture in this secluded alpine village or participate in one of the numerous multi sport activities from the lodge.

Day 4: Tuesday: Rafting the Heart and Casa de Piedra to El Macal
This morning, head back to the river. This run begins with a repeat of the adrenaline charged Corazón section. At the end of the Corazón section, however, you'll continue past the previous day's take out to where the river picks up energy as the canyon walls turn into vertical cliffs and huge glacier crowned peaks rise above. Here, you'll find Más o Menos (class 4+) and your first authentic class 5 rapid of the trip, Casa de Piedra.

Day 5: Wednesday: Ala Carte Multi Sport Day - Canyoning or Horseback Riding
These two activities are the highest rated in EC's programs. Go back in time and horseback ride through the "trails of neighbors". It is a network of narrow roads that locals travel on foot, oxcart, or horse that leads to the valleys and isolated villages. A full day out in the "Last Frontier" in Patagonia. Or rappel, hike and swim your way through a unique microenvironment of Canyon Gelves and Canyon Palenque. Few eyes have ever seen this paradise. You can also do a day of trekking, mountain biking or sea kayaking for those who request it. (The day of mountain biking will cross over to Argentina if the group elects this option.)

Day 6: Thursday: Rafting the Infierno Canyon, Zeta & Throne Room
This is the most demanding, committing, and dangerous section of the Futaleufu. To run this section safely, the water levels must be right, you must have previously run the Corazón section with EC and met all of their safety requirements. Put in at the bridge on the Río Espolón and soon arrive at the confluence with the Río Futaleufu. At the Gates of Infierno, enter the Infierno Canyon with several serious and continuous class 5 drops. After an exciting morning in the canyon, the river widens with spectacular views of the Las Escalas Valley. After a section of gentle water, the river returns to its wild side and you'll encounter Zeta and Throne Room, two of the most ferocious rapids on the Futa. You will portage both. After the portages, get into the action section called The Wild Mile Home, which contains continuous class 3 and 4 rapids. Arrive at the Río Azul under the sentinel of the Tres Monjas peak. This is the take out for the Inferno Canyon section. After a snack and beers on the beach, hike up a short trail and drive back to the lodge and all of its comforts.

Day 7: Friday: Rafting the Terminator Section & Trekking
More of this fantastic whitewater. You must have previously run the Corazón section with EC and met all of their safety requirements. After a morning hike, put in at the confluence of the Futa and the Río Azul and enjoy a warm up on a beautiful stretch of river that winds around the Tres Monjas peaks. Then, the river takes on an extremely powerful nature, with the longest and largest rapid on the Futa, the "Terminator" (class 5). Just below, you'll have to negotiate the hole-filled Kyber Pass (class 4+) and the Himalayas (class 4), with perhaps the biggest standing waves in the hemisphere. Take out and return to the accommodations at the lodge or camp, for a going-away dinner "fiesta", live local music, and a video review of the week.

Day 8: Saturday: Depart for Home
After breakfast, depart back to Chaitén where you catch your flight back to Puerto Montt and connect to your flights back home. If you think you'll be itching for another adventure, a very popular alternative way to get to Chaitén is to travel it by water! Expediciones Chile offers a six-day guided sea kayaking trip that takes you from the end of the whitewater all the way down to Chaitén via the Lower Futaleufú, Lago Yelcho and Río Yelcho. Two rivers and one large lake, all surrounded by pristine Wilderness and unlimited postcard views.

You will have just experienced in one week what some folks won't experience in a lifetime!

Commitment to Safety
Rafting the Futaleufu needs to be taken seriously. That is what EC does. Trips are led by well-trained, hand-selected "Dream Team". They LOVE what they do and they will share their passion for river safety with you. Expediciones Chile calls their method of safety the Triangle Safety System.

Triangle Safety System:
1. Your guide in your raft is in charge of your safety.
2. Their Safety Cataraft as an extra rescue platform in case of swimmers or flips.
3. Their safety kayaker as a flexible rescuer that can get to any little nook in the river.

Rafts & Equipment
The equipment is top of the line and rafts are custom-designed to their specifications for rafting in Chile on the Futaleufu by Maravia rafts of Boise Idaho.

Expediciones Chile has been running trips in Patagonia Chile and down the Futaleufu since 1985 without major incidents or injuries. They have an unsurpassed record of safety in the whitewater industry.

Futaleufú Adventure Center Lodge & Inn
Nestled deep in the Andes of southern Chile, in a remote sector of Patagonia, lies the little village of Futaleufu. Here Olympic kayak paddler Chris Spelius has created an international destination for rafting, kayaking, paddling, fly fishing, sea kayaking, and outdoor adventure sports.

After a hard day of play, you’re invited to relax and enjoy the comforts of the Centro Aventura Lodge, where tired adventurers together enjoy a family-style Chilean meal, fine Chilean wines, and an evening of leisure and camaraderie around the bar and fireplace. The Adventure Lodge is an example of humble yet warm Patagonian construction. A masseuse is available to soothe your muscles. A little village is waiting to be explored.

Their 20-year history in this remote valley has also allowed them to find the best first-class places to stay in the village of Futaleufu. Besides the Centro Aventura Lodge there is also a beautiful inn located in the village. They often use the inn for smaller groups. And finally, for those guests desiring a unique cultural experience, Expediciones Chile offers a cozy Hospedaje run by one of the families in the village.

No matter which accommodations you select, Patagonian culture and nature awaits outside your doorstep. Bike trails and foot paths lead to the river. Guides, equipment, paddling school, lodge, camps and ranches combine to give you the perfect launching pad for exploring the Futaleufu River and exploring its tributaries.

Confirmation
Once Expediciones Chile receives your evaluator, application, and medical history/waiver, they will confirm that your trip is available and that you have met the skill requirements of your trip selection if any. At this time, however, no reservations will have been made in your name (see Deposit information).

Verified Reservation
You will receive verification from their office that they have made the necessary reservations for you. At this point, it's time to really get excited because YOU ARE TRAVELING TO THE BEST KEPT SECRET IN CHILE!