Latin America / Chile
Chile Futaleufu Rafting and Multisport Tour
Raft, Hike and Much, Much More in Patagonia's Futaleufu River Canyon
Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime? The Futaleufu River in the Patagonia region of southern Chile is the setting for non-stop fun. Set amid stone towers, snow-capped peaks and old-growth forests, the mighty "Fu" offers some of the best whitewater rafting found anywhere in the world.
Days 1-3: U.S.-Santiago-Puerto Montt-Chaiten
Note: the following is a summary description of the multi-camp itinerary. See the detailed itineraries for both the multi-camp and base camp options in the drop-down menu under Trips Details for more thorough descriptions.
Depart from the U.S. in the evening of Day 1 and arrive in the lovely town of Puerto Varas via Santiago the following day. A transfer takes us the next morning to the short and scenic charter flight to Chaiten followed by a 3-hour drive to Terminador, the first of four camps.
Days 4-5: Rio Futaleufu-Terminador Camp-Cave Camp
Put in on the Futaleufu for our first taste of Class 4 whitewater. In the afternoon we switch to kayaks on the turquoise Rio Azul, a tributary to the Futaleufu. A second day of rafting through impressive Infierno Canyon brings us to fabulous Cave Camp, with open-air cliff dwellings set above Zeta Rapid and a natural stone hot tub.
Days 6-7: Tree House Camp-Cave Camp
The day begins with an exhilarating Tyrolean traverse across Zeta Rapid followed by a hike to the top of the canyon and Tree House Camp, with eight tree houses perched 35-feet up in a grove of old-growth giants. After a hike back down to the river the following day, a 250-foot zip line ends with a plunge into a blue pool. After lunch we strap on climbing harnesses to climb and rappel off of Tower of the Winds.
Days 8-9: Rio Futaleufu-Campo Mapu Leufu-Puyuhuape
After some more incredible rafting, try canyoneering down the 400-foot deep Rio Blanco slot canyon. Or take a kayak lesson on the pond at Mapu Leufu. The final day--"Big Friday"-- is one of the most impressive commercial rafting days imaginable and those with enough adventurous spirit can conquer the Class 5+ Terminador.
Days 10-11: Chaiten-Puerto Montt-Santiago-U.S
We're shuttled back to the airstrip in Chaiten for our charter flight to Puerto Montt and then on to Santiago and home.