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Greatest
Whitewater Class III/IV and a variety of multi-sport activities
The Futaleufú river valley is in the heart of Patagonia,
one of the most secluded regions on our planet. From Puerto Montt
and after fourty minute flight you get in Chaiten, a small coastal
town. A spectacular three and a half hour drive, accented by turquoise
lakes and rivers, glacier crowned mountains, lush plant life, and
small villages, brings you to the small town of Futaleufú
a walking village with a spectacular view of snow-capped peaks,
nestled deep in an emerald green valley with unusual looking vegetation.
After a hard day of play, you're invited to relax and enjoy the
comforts of the Adventure Center 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. Besides
there is also a beautiful inn located in the village. We often use
the inn for our smaller groups. And finally, for those guests desiring
a unique cultural experience we offer a cozy Hospedaje run by one
of the families in the village.
The Río Futaleufú is world renowned for its brilliant
turquoise to emerald colored water, majestic alpine beauty, dramatic
cliff faces, and adrenaline charged rapids, ultimate explosion waves,
sunshine, and warm weather. The Futaleufú is gaining a reputation
as having the "Greatest Whitewater on Earth". The rapids
range from Class 3, 4 and 5.
This program offers two options: one is focus on rafting Chile's
national treasure: the Río Futaleufú, plus several
other types of outdoor adventure sports the other is focus on less
rafting and more multi-sport activites blending both culture and
wilderness adventures. These different activities allow you to have
the best experience possible while exploring the spectacularly diverse
ecosystems of this region. The nature experience waits: kayaking
and rafting the pristine, iridescent rivers, silently gliding across
a glacial lake, hiking up the Andes Mountains and rappelling down
hidden canyons. Every evening, return to the comforts of wood lodge
for hearty dinners, hot showers and a cozy room. The following is
a suggested itinerary. Use it as a model and choose how to best
get your heart pumping in The Heart of Patagonia, Chile.
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| Day 1 Sat
PUERTO MONTT-CHAITEN-FUTALEUFU |
| Arrival
in Puerto Montt. Tickets will be waiting for you at the local counter
in the airport. Take a local plane for your 40 minute flight to Chaiten;
it's a flight back in time. We will meet you at the airport where
we start our drive past volcanoes, fjord-like lakes, hanging glaciers
and the turquoise rapids of the Futaleufú River to the remote
riverside town of Futaleufú. Here you will find our Lodge surrounded
on all sides by majestic mountains. You'll unwind from your trip with
a hearty welcome dinner, an open fireplace, and a cozy room. (D) |
| Day 2 Sun
INSTRUCTION TO PADDLING & MONTAIN BIKING |
| We'll have
an easy morning hike to a breathtaking over look of the town and valley.
We will then return to our lodge for a Chilean sit down lunch. After
lunch, we'll become familiar with the latest in mountain bike technology
and will ride alongside the pristine waters of the upper Río
Espolón (class 2), enjoying the beautiful white sand beaches
and crossing small tributaries via wooden bridges. After 5 kilometers,
we arrive at the impressive waterfalls of the Rio Espolón,
The Devil's Throat! Below the falls, we'll trade our mountain bikes
for sit-on-top kayaks and paddling gear. In double or single crafts,
we will 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 us to our take-out, minutes from
the lodge, where we will have a delicious dinner and a good night's
sleep. (B, L, D) |
| Day 3 Mon
HIKING & RAFTING THE CORAZÓN OF THE FUTALEUFU |
| In the
morning we will raft Chile 's 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
4+ rafting 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, we will 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 our lodge. (B,L,D) |
| Day 4 Tue
RAFTING CORAZÓN AND CASA DE PIEDRA TO EL MACAL |
| This morning
we head back to the river. This rafting run begins with a repeat of
the adrenaline charged Corazón section. At the end of the Corazón
section, however, we'll raft 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, we find Más
o Menos (class 4+) and our first authentic class 5 rapid of this raft
trip, Casa de Piedra. (For guests not wanting to do the class V Casa
de Piedra section our warm shuttle bus will be waiting to take you
off the river before this section.). (B,L,D) |
| Day 5
Wed WE ENTER THE WORLD OF HORSEBACK RIDING & CANYONING |
(Ala Carte
Multi Sport Day)
These two activities are the highest rated in our raft Chile program.
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 lead 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. Check
out our photos of these activities. One photo was selected for use
in the 2000 Patagonia catalogue. We can also do a day of trekking,
mountain biking or sea kayaking for those who request it. (B,L,D)
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| Day 6 Thu
FUTALEUFU-CHAITEN-PUERTO MONTT |
| We will
depart early in the morning for a scenic drive to Chaiten, where you
catch your flight back to Puerto Montt and connect to your flights
back to your home country. You will have just experienced in one week
what some folks won't experience in a lifetime. (B) |
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| Departures:
Every Saturday to Thursday from December 4 through March 19, min 2
participants. |
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| Every Saturday
to Thursday from December 4 through March 19, min 2 participants.*
Exceptions during season: December 28 & January 4, 2005 |
| Season:
December to March. |
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INCLUDED :
- All ground transportation, shuttles.
- Local air tickets Puerto Montt-Chaiten-Puerto Montt.
- All nights accommodation in Río Grande Lodge based on
double occupancy.
- All meals, wine with dinner.
- Experts bilingual guides.
- Instruction and use of a kayak, or raft.
- Sporting equipment needed for your described trip.
- Kayakers need to bring paddle, personal paddling gear and camping
gear. Please see packing list for details on our General Information.
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| * Please
see packing list for details on our General Information. |
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NOT INCLUDED :
- Any type of insurance
- Gratuities and personal extras as communications costs, laundry,
meals or drinks or transportation out of the program and other
personal items
- Medical expenses in case of illness or injury.
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| You should
be in good health for these wilderness trips. The minimum age for
the trip is 18 years. There is no upper age limit, but older guests
should be aware of the rigors of a whitewater expedition. Previous
experience is suggested. Oar-rigged (center and stern frame) rafts
will be rowed by our staff. You have the option of walking around
any of the rapids. Experienced safety kayakers will help to cover
all the safety aspects while we are in the river. |
we hardly suggest having your own personal travel insurance. This
must include: evacuation from remote sites, emergency repatriation
and medical & hospital expenses. Also it should cover cancellation
& curtailment and personal effects.
Chile requires no vaccinations for entry from any country. There is
no malaria or yellow fever, the tap water in most cities is chlorinated
and the general standard of hygiene is one of the highest in South
America. |
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