Earthriver Expeditions - World-Class Adventure on the Futaleufu & Beyond

Earth River has been setting the standard for world-class river expeditions for over three decades. At our core is a passion for exploration, an unwavering commitment to safety, and a deep respect for the wild places we visit. As the original outfitter on every river we run—including Patagonia’s renowned Futaleufú—we take pride in sharing our discoveries with our guests. Led by world-class guides and backed by decades of experience, your journey with Earth River will create memories that last a lifetime.

Our Trips

Futaleufu Multi-lodge

Experience an Adventure for a Lifetime with the original Futaleufú rafting company. Our exclusive multi-lodge, multi-sport Futaleufú trip blends world-class rafting, inflatable kayaking, canyoning, mountain biking, stand-up paddleboarding, and hiking through a Northern Patagonia valley of breathtaking beauty. On the world’s only week long lodge-to-lodge river trip, the nights are spent in intimate boutique lodges with private rooms, chef-prepared meals, and wood-fired hot tubs.

Ventana Wilderness Expedition

Patagonia’s only week-long whitewater river trip. This remote journey features thrilling Class III–IV rapids, beneath ice-capped towers and spires that rival the Dolomites. Led by expert river guides and horse-packing gauchos and their tireless dogs, you’ll experience a place that hasn’t changed in a hundred years. Enveloped by an ancient hardwood forest, the crystal clear teal colored water is teeming with trout and salmon. Of all the scenic highlights, perhaps the grandest is, La Ventana (The Window)—a keyhole shaped opening carved into the granite face of a mountain.

Magpie Wilderness Expedition

First explored by Earth River in 1989, this Canadian classic is one of National Geographic’s top-rated river trips. Located in a vast wilderness the size of Alaska, it features thrilling Class IV whitewater, untouched boreal forests, and two of the most dramatic river camps in the world. Accessible only by helicopter or floatplane, it is rare to encounter another group along the week-long journey down to the St. Lawrence. The stunning scenery is often complemented by billowy, cloud-covered, bright blue skies. The river’s relatively warm, 68-degree water eliminates the need for wetsuits and invites stand-up paddle-boarding and swimming at camp.

Primrose Wildlife Safari

Journey by floatplane deep into the heart of Canada’s Yukon Territory on this one-of-a-kind whitewater rafting and sea kayaking expedition. Surrounded by towering snow-capped peaks and endless wilderness, we spend the week alternating between navigating thrilling stretches of whitewater and paddling or kite-surfing across vast, crystal-clear lakes. Camps are set on secluded beaches, littered with the footprints of some of North America’s largest mammals. By day, those footprints come to life as we spot moose, wolves, grizzlies, mountain goat and Dall sheep on this unforgettable wilderness safari.

Northern Patagonia Hiker

Discover the Uncrowded Beauty of Northern Patagonia on a Multi-Lodge Hiking Adventure, where pristine wilderness and world-class comfort come together. With a perfect blend of adventure and luxury, this journey takes you deep into the breathtaking Futaleufú Valley— renowned for its dramatic landscapes, wild rivers and mountain lakes. Trek on uncrowded trais through ancient Valdivian rainforest with towering glaciers, cascading waterfalls, and turquoise rivers. At the end of each extraordinary day, unwind in exclusive boutique lodges, complete with private rooms, spa amenities, and chef-prepared meals.

“The white-water outfitter Eric Hertz spent a lifetime searching for the perfect river. In 1990, he finally found it, in Patagonia. Earth River made an expeditionary first descent of the Futaleufu and figured out how to safely navigate it. They have since turned the Futaleufu into an outstanding adventure destination for rafters.”

New York Times

“Eric, the Futaleufu is so beautiful, so magical a river with its incredible azure water, surrounded by snow capped mountains, that Larry and I will from now on compare all other rivers to it and find them wanting. It was everything you said it was and then some, and I can’t thank you enough for encouraging us to go do it. The incredible team of guides you assembled were world class. It was a privilege to raft with them and a joy to get to know them individually.”

Suzy Calof,guest

“Earth River is more than a great river outfitter. Their contributions have made a real difference in efforts to preserve some of the world’s most beautiful rivers. NRDC has partnered with them in Quebec on the Great Whale and in Chile on the Bio Bio and Futaleufu Rivers. It is inspirational to see an outfitter working so tirelessly for river conservation.”

(Jacob Scher, Director)

Global Strategy, Natural Resources Defense Council

“Earth River Expeditions are one of the premier river runners of the world. Their staff includes many of the finest guides to be found. They have organized and guided descents down some of the toughest whitewater on earth.”

ESPN Television

“Simply put, what a wonderful, awesome experience. I can’t say enough wonderful things about Cade, Teal Ty, Thomas, & Humberto. All clearly enjoy what they do & are darn good at it. To top it all off, they’re just good people. They instilled an incredible amount of confidence in everyone, and all the while kept us all safe.”

Amit Sahasrabudhe,guest

“A great deal has been accomplished with these rafting trips. I want to personally thank Earth River Expeditions for investing so much time and energy towards our goal of stopping the hydro-electric projects on our land. These raft trips succeeded in putting a human face on the proposed destruction of one of North America’s last great wilderness areas. It is a rare and special occasion when a group of visitors can develop such a rapport with the community.”

(Chief Robbie Dick – Whapmagoostui Band – Cree First Nation)

Cree First Nation

“I want to thank you again for the wonderful experience you made possible for ABC on the Futaleufu. You have brought together quite a team. The guides could not have been more helpful, professional and enthusiastic. During our week, we worked hard, accomplished a tremndous amount, but also I believe, had a great time. Personally, I can’t wait to return. I’ll keep you posted on the project as it progresses and when it is scheduled to air.”

(Dan Klein, Producer)

ABC Sports

“The trip was as wonderful as your video portrayed it. From a travel agent’s perspective our biggest concerns about adventure travel are: not fully trusting that an outfitter is as safety conscious and reliable as they profess to be and -not feeling completely confident that our clients are getting their money’s worth. Earth River passed both with flying colors.”

(Lisa Bessel)

American Express Travel

“Earth River Expeditions has contributed time, expertise and resources towards protecting the Great Whale and Magpie Rivers in Quebec and the Bio Bio and Futaleufu Rivers in Chile. By joining an Earth River Expedition tour, you are helping reach the goal of environmental awareness while providing financial support for international river conservation efforts.”
(Ronald G. Dodson, President)

Audubon International

“Early this morning, while still in bed, the river trips of my life started cascading and grade V-ing around in my mind with such intensity that I thought i’d better write you. I’ve been on nearly all the tough, commercially run white water, on nearly every continent throughout the world, and I must say that your group on the Futaleufu gets the very highest laurels. Earth River and the Futaleufu stand out in my memory as the very best of the best.”

(Fred Wiedemann, Co-founder

Outward Bound

“What a magical, extraordinary, wonderful trip I had with Earth River. The Futaleufu is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. The food was local, natural and absolutely extraordinary. Without a doubt your guides are an elite group. They pegged the meter for kindness, courtesy, thoroughness, and patience. The group absolutely loved them and we reveled in the chance to spend the week on the trip them.”

Barry Kruse,guest

“The James Bay Network Earth Special will air on TBS in a couple of weeks. We’re extremely pleased with it. Thank you for everything you did to make it possible. We literally couldn’t have done it without you and Earth River. Best of luck with your future river conservation projects — if we can be of any help, please don’t hesitate to call.”

(Kate Tobin, Senior Producer)

CNN

“I’ve rafted with Eric Hertz down some tough rivers—the Futaleufu in Chile, the Colca in Peru. He’s one of the best in the business—obsessed with safety.”

National Geographic Magazine

“After the trip was over I was wishing I could go back and start over again. I wanted to thank you for placing so much emphasis on safety. It makes a trip like this much more enjoyable. With all the safety I knew that if something happened I would still be fine.”

Ann Ehlers,guest

“To draw attention to the plight of Chile’s Bio Bio’s River, NRDC joined forces with Earth River Expeditions, who donated a trip down the threatened river. In addition to NRDC experts, the group included Chilean environmentalists, leading businessmen and the chief of the native Puenche, whose land would be decimated by the river’s destruction. A total of 49 people joined the expedition, the largest convoy to ever brave the tumultuous river.”

National Resource Defense Council (News Letter)

“Thank you for the incredible experience on the Futaleufu. I’ve never been on an expedition where the natural beauty was almost supernatural. The guides were incredible. They turned an amazing river into the trip of a lifetime. In a world where our lives are so fast paced and vacation dollars are at a premium, an experience like this is priceless.”

William Fair,guest

“What a fantastic trip! Back a week and can’t get it off my mind. But I don’t need to tell you about the rivers, scenery etc. -you’ve heard it all before. What I will say is that I am super-impressed with the people who made this trip what it was.Their attitude and their ability is exceptional, I’d feel comfortable dropping over Niagara Falls with them.”

Hunt Charach,guest

Why Earth River

Exploration

Earth River was founded on a spirit of exploration, having pioneered and developed exceptional river destinations for over 35 years. From the Futaleufú, Ventana, and recently discovered Bordali in Patagonia, Chile to the Magpie and Primrose in Canada, we’ve transformed wild, unexplored rivers into world-class rafting adventures.

Safety

World-class guides, cutting-edge safety innovations, and the finest equipment ensure every trip is as safe as it is unforgettable. National Geographic Magazine described our founder, Eric Hertz, as being “Obsessed with safety”.

Conservation

Since its inception, Earth River has been at the forefront of river preservation. Through conservation awareness trips with policy makers, media, and advocacy groups, we have played a key role in protecting rivers such as the Futaleufú, Great Whale, and Magpie. Our commitment has always been to support local communities and preserve river ecosystems.