ITINERARY
FUTALEUFÚ – EXPERIENCE PROGRAM
About the destination:
- Futaleufú, in the Los Lagos Region, is one of the best-known adventure tourism destinations in Chilean Patagonia, famous worldwide for the rapids of the Futaleufú River
- Access is by two flight legs: Santiago – Puerto Montt on a commercial flight and Puerto Montt – Chaitén on a light aircraft
- The last night is spent in Chaitén deliberately, to protect the logistics of the trip and avoid any delay on the route Futaleufú – Chaitén that could jeopardise the return flight
Meals:
- The accommodation in Futaleufú is on full board: breakfast, lunch and dinner
- On excursion days lunch is provided according to the activity: box lunch on the route, lunch at the accommodation or at a restaurant, as applicable
- The accommodation in Chaitén includes breakfast only: lunch and dinner that day are not included
The main rafting run is your choice:
- The Day 3 you do one of these two sections of the Futaleufú River: Puente a Puente o Full Day. You do not do both
- The choice is made by the passenger and must be stated when booking, so that it can be arranged with the local operator
Level of demand:
- This is an adventure tourism program with high-difficulty river activities, with rapids up to class V. Good physical condition, being comfortable in the water and a willingness to follow the guide’s instructions are required
- The Cañón del Infierno is subject to assessment of the group, water flow, weather, safety and the guide’s final decision. If it cannot go ahead, the operator offers the available alternative
- The activities are not recommended for people with reduced mobility
- For much of the journey there may be little or no phone signal
Not included:
- Meals not specified
- Any other expenses not mentioned
- Any other services not specified
- Personal insurance or travel insurance
- Extra nights and extra transfers due to flight cancellations or rescheduling by the airlines (this is not common, but it is important to travel informed)
- Technical clothing or suitable attire for the activity, unless otherwise stated for each excursion
What to bring:
- Personal water supply (mandatory)
- Camera or phone with a charged battery
- Sun protection: hat, sunscreen and sunglasses
- Comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for the service, according to the destination and the weather conditions
- For the river activities: swimsuit, towel, warm clothing and a change of dry clothes
- For the trek and the horse ride: trekking shoes, waterproof jacket and warm clothing
Flight: Santiago – Puerto Montt
Transfer: Puerto Montt Airport – Puerto Montt Aerodrome
Light aircraft flight: Puerto Montt – Chaitén
Transfer: Chaitén Aerodrome – Accommodation in Futaleufú
Check In – accommodation: From 15:00
If the flight arrives before check-in time, luggage can be left safely at reception and that time used in the common areas of the accommodation or exploring the town of Futaleufú
The activity Duckies on the Espolón River is an adventure experience ideal for getting started on the white water of Chilean Patagonia, combining nature, moderate adrenaline and direct contact with one of the best-known river settings in the south of Chile. The excursion takes you along the Espolón River in inflatable kayaks, known as duckies, among crystal-clear waters, native vegetation and the mountains typical of Los Lagos Region.
The route starts with departure from your accommodation in Futaleufú to the starting area, where the local team gives the safety instructions, the equipment and the technical guidance to enjoy the descent with peace of mind. The experience takes place on a section of class II and III rapids, which makes it fun and active but more accessible than the more difficult sections of the Futaleufú River.
It is deliberately the first activity of the program: it lets you adapt gradually to the river before the more intense days that follow.
On this day you do one of the two sections, not both. The passenger makes the choice and it is arranged with the local operator at the time of booking. Both are rafting experiences on the Futaleufú River, one of the world’s best-known rivers for this activity, and both are of high difficulty with rapids up to class IV+. The difference lies in the duration and in the stretch of river covered.
Option A: Puente a Puente Section
It is the classic experience of the destination and the most direct way to get to know an intense, representative part of the Futaleufú River. The day starts with the transfer from the accommodation to the operations point, where the safety talk, the handover of technical equipment and the preparation take place. The descent lasts approximately 1 hour 30 minutes and passes through named rapids such as Entrada, Tobogán, Pillow, Toro, Mundaca, Puma, Cóndor y Tiburón. It is the half-day option.
Option B: Full Day Section
It is the full day and the most intense rafting experience of the program, together with the Cañón del Infierno. After the safety talk and the handover of equipment, the route crosses the El Azul, Playa Chucao and Campo Base El Guapito, and includes sections of great intensity, notably the rapid Terminator, as well as the Paso Las Cabras and the Himalayas. It involves approximately 3 hours on the river and includes lunch.
The Laguna Pinilla Trek, also known as Laguna Toro, is the mountain day of the program and complements the river activities with a land-based experience in Chilean Patagonia. The route takes you into mountain landscapes, natural trails and mountain areas close to the Refugio El Guapito, one of the quietest and most authentic settings of the destination.
The route starts with departure from your accommodation in Futaleufú to the trailhead, near the El Guapito. The activity is of medium-to-high difficulty and requires good physical condition: it involves approximately 4 hours of ascent and 3 hours of descent, so it starts early.
It is deliberately placed in the middle of the program, to balance the river days. In addition, if any rafting outing cannot go ahead because of weather, water flow or safety conditions, this trek serves as the local operator’s operational alternative.
The Cañón del Infierno Rafting is the most extreme experience of the program and one of the most demanding sections of the Futaleufú River. It takes place in a setting of technical rapids, high water volume and the deep landscapes of Chilean Patagonia.
The day begins with departure from your accommodation to the operations area, where the group assessment, the safety talk, the handover of technical equipment and the preparation take place. The stretch corresponds to Puente Espolón – Chucao and may include class V rapids, among them Purgatorio, Danza con Ángeles, Dinamita y Salida.
It is placed at this point of the program deliberately: by then the local guide has already seen the group on the river during the previous days and can judge properly whether they are ready to take on this section. The activity ends with a Patagonian barbecue at the accommodation.
The horse riding in Futaleufú is a rural and nature tourism experience that lets you discover the Patagonian landscapes from a calm, authentic perspective connected to local life. It takes place in areas close to the Futaleufú River, among country roads, open fields, forests, natural viewpoints and views towards mountains, rivers and crystal-clear lakes.
The route starts with departure from your accommodation to the La Dificultad, about 25 km south of the town in the direction of Chaitén, near the point where the Azul River meets the Futaleufú River. The experience is led by local riders.
It deliberately closes the program: it is the least intense day and lets you finish the trip calmly after the river and mountain days.
Check Out – accommodation in Futaleufú
Transfer: Accommodation in Futaleufú – Accommodation in Chaitén
- Pick up at the accommodation between approx. 07:15 and 07:30
- You need to be at reception at the time indicated
Check In – accommodation in Chaitén: From 15:00
Why you stay overnight in Chaitén: this night is planned deliberately to protect the logistics of the trip and prevent any delay on the route Futaleufú – Chaitén. This way you arrive in good time and with no risk of missing the light aircraft flight to Puerto Montt
Check Out – accommodation in Chaitén: 11:00
Transfer: Accommodation in Chaitén – Chaitén Aerodrome
Light aircraft flight: Chaitén – Puerto Montt
Transfer: Puerto Montt Aerodrome – Puerto Montt Airport
Flight: Puerto Montt – Santiago
End of our services.
