Futaleufú Rafting Multi-Sport Lodge Trip
Futaleufu, Chile
“The World’s Wildest Most Comfortable River Trip”
Earth River's trademark trip is Patagonia Chile's Futaleufu, having pioneered commercial rafting and multi-sport trips there since 1991. This unique adventure combines rafting, inflatable kayaking, hiking, stand-up paddle boarding, mountain biking and canyoneering to explore a valley of unimaginable beauty. Evenings are spent at three comfortable boutique lodges. This trip is suitable for anyone with a spirit for adventure.
Watch the brochure video below to get answers to all your questions and gain valuable insights to the one of a kind adventure that awaits you on the Futaleufu River with Earth River Expeditions.
Trip Dates: December 18-28 2024, December 26-January 5 24/25, January 9-19 2025, January 30-February 9 2025, February 6-16 2025, February 20- March 2 2025, March 13-23 2025
View the Futaleufu Video Brochure Below
Trip Details
Why Earth River
- Earth River pioneered commercial rafting on the Futaleufu
- The only lodge based rafting trip on the Futaleufu
- A week of as much world class activities and relaxation as one desires
- All logistics covered
- Outstanding safety record
- Expert guides with many decades of combined experience
- Family owned and operated business
Brief Overview
Cost: $6,000 Note: The round trip flight from Puerto Montt to Chaiten will be reserved by Earth River and charged to clients individually ($250)
Total Travel Days: 11, days with Earth River 9
Group size: 16
Guide/client ratio: 1 - 3
Season: December - March
Meeting place: Puerto Varas, Chile (Cumbres Puerto Varas Hotel)
Accomodations:
Cumbres Puerto Varas Hotel (night 1)
Lonconao Lodge (nights 2, 3 & 4)
Peuma Lodge (nights 5, 6 & 7)
Yelcho Lodge (night 8)
Percent rafting compared to multi-sport activities: 50/50 (percentage varies depending upon individual client preference)
Multi-sport activities: Rafting class 4 (class 5 optional), class 3 whitewater inflatable kayaking (Espolon and Azul Rivers), mountain biking, hiking, canyoneering, standup Paddle boarding and fishing
Private departures: If your group is interested in a custom trip then please call or email the office
Note: Depending upon the individual, trip emphasis can be on rafting, hiking, mountain biking, fly fishing, kayaking or any combination
Trip Highlights
- 7 nights at 3 small, boutique lodges in the Futaleufu Valley
- A night at lake front Hotel in Puerto Varas
- Rafting the entire Futaleufu River
- Multi-sport activities including biking, hiking and canyoneering
- Groups limited to just 16 guests
- Wood fired hot tub
- Sauna, masseuse
- Chef prepared meals
- Rafting class 4 rapids (Class 5 option)
- Hike to Obsession lake (stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking)
- Canyoneering Rio Blanco slot Canyon
- Inflatable kayaking class 2 Rio Espolon & class 3 Rio Azul
- Mountain biking
What's Included
What's included with "Multi-lodge" trip
- 7 nights at boutique lodges (Peuma, Lonconao, Yelcho)
- 1 night Cumbres Hotel
- 3 meals a day plus snacks and some drinks
- Top of the line equipment and gear
- Wifi
- Professional instruction and guiding
- Mountain biking, fishing, canyoneering, lake kayaking, hiking and stand up paddle boarding
- Private bathrooms in rooms.
- Wood fired Hot tubs
- Chef cooked meals (Chilean wine and beer)
- 3 - 1 client to guide ratio
- Group size limited to 16
- Inflatable kayaking gear and instruction (Espolon and Azul rivers)
- Mountain bikes
Not Included in "multi-lodge" trip
- Airfare from U.S. to Puerto Montt
- Arrival transfer from Puerto Montt Airport to hotel in Puerto Varas (approximately $25)
- Professional masseuse (Peuma and Cumbres)
- Gratuity (average 10% of trip cost)
- Fly fishing gear
- Catch up fees for late arrivals including; additional hotel, taxi, charter flights, meals.
Lodging Accommodations
For media of the lodges check out the Brochure Video
Cumbres Hotel
The hotel is ideally situated just ten minutes walking from down town Puerto Varas. Designed so that the rooms have dramatic views of Lago Llanquihue and, snow crowned Ororno Volcano and glacier, which towers 8.600 vertical feet above the Lake’s eastern shore. The hotel was hand crafted from local wood and stone, and has a surprisingly intimate feeling for a medium size hotel.
Night: 1
Amenities: Spa, pool, gym, bar, close access to the city
Lonconao Lodge
Hand crafted cottages on remote lake.
Location: 1,000 acre property on Lago Loncanao (lake that drains into Futaleufu River)
Number of nights: (3) Nights 2, 3 & 4
Brief Description: The Lonconoa cottages and are nestled on the shore of Lago Lonconoa. Each cottage has two bedrooms and a "great room" which includes combined living/dining room space. Views of the lake and the snow-capped peaks that rise out of it can be seen through massive picture windows in very room. Trails for hiking and horseback riding abound.
Access: Private dirt road. 15 minute mountain bike ride to Upper Azul kayak put in. 15 minute mountain bike ride to Futaleufu raft put in.
Lodge property: 1,000 acres. One mile of Lago Loncanoa shoreline. Sweeping lawn interspersed with trees down to water.
Amenities: Internet, bathrooms in rooms, large covered outdoor porches, wood stoves. Meals are cooked by Earth River guides.
Multi-sport activities: Swimming, stand-up paddle boarding, sea kayaking, mountain biking, fishing, hiking (to numerous lakes).
Natural features: Lago Lonconao: swimming, sea kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding. Upper Azul River: inflatable kayaking (Level 3),Lower Espolon River: Inflatable kayaking (level 2 - 3).Trails system: Hiking trails to Espolon Lake (2 miles) and smaller alpine lake (2 miles)
Peuma Lodge
Type: Remote, wooden, hand crafted wilderness "eco" lodge.
Location: Remote valley on tributary of Futaleufuwith trail access to Lago Obsession and a 5 minute drive to Futaleufu River.
Number of nights: 3 (nights 5, 6 & 7)
Brief Description:Located in a wild, spectacular valley, ringed by old growth hardwood trees, the 9 room Peuma Lodge has nine hexigon cabinswith private baths and wood stoves, a main living/dining "great room" with central fire place and an expansive deck with a hot tub which affords dramatic views of towering snow-capped mountains in every direction. The property's phenomenal location make it a rare, true wilderness, multi-sport lodge.
Acres: One mile private dirt road. 10 minute mountain bike ride to river.
Lodge property: 800 private acres of open fields and native Patagonia forest laced with hiking trails.
Amenities: Bathrooms in rooms, wood stoves, wood fired hot tub, "Great room" with central fireplace, large deck with 360 degree mountain views. No Wi-fi.No internet.
Multi-sport activities: Hiking, horseback riding (experienced riders), mountain biking, stand-up paddle boarding.
NATURAL FEATURES: Lago Obsession: crystal clear, deep lake surrounded by towering, ice-capped glacier with "cold" swimming, pack rafting and some of the most beautiful stand-up paddle boarding found anywhere.
MULTI-SPORT ACTIVITIES: Hiking: Lago Obsession trail.
Standup paddle boarding and pack rafting Lago Obsession
Yelcho Lodge
Type: Remote, 10 room, hand crafted wooden lodge on large wilderness lake that the Futaleufu flows into, lago Yelcho
Location: 2,000 acre property on 30 mile long Lago Yelcho which the Futaleufu River empties into.
Brief Description: The Yelcho Lodge is located on the shore of spectacular Lago Yelcho with views of soaring glacier-capped mountains rising from it's shore.
Number of nights: 1 (night 9)
Lodge property: 2 miles of lake shoreline. Stunning Forest and beaches, large mountains and glaciers surround the lake.
Amenities: lakeside wood fired hot tub, bar, private room and or/ private cabin.
Multi-sport Activities: Sea kayaking & hiking to where glacier meets rain forest
NATURAL FEATURES : Hiking trail along lake. Yelcho Glacier: Yelcho Glacier trailhead. Trails system: Hiking trails along lake and to glacier and waterfalls.
Day By Day Itenerary
The unique journey takes you from one spectacular lodge to the next while passing through one of the most gorgeous river landscapes in the world. This one of a kind adventure is suited for anyone regardless of their experience level.
DAY 1: U.S.
Evening flight from the U.S. to Santiago, Chile. (Airfare not included)
DAY 2: SANTIAGO / PUERTO MONTT / PUERTO VARAS
You arrive in Puerto Montt and transfer to the Cumbres Hotel, in the town of Puerto Varas. Located on the shores of Lago Llanquihue, with Mount Fuji-like, snow-capped, Volcano Osorno, rising directly out of the deep blue water, Puerto
Varas is one of the most beautiful towns in South America. The afternoon is free to explore the town. In the early evening we meet the Earth River guide, Maria, in the hotel lobby and go out for welcome dinner.
Note:When you arrive at the Puerto Montt Airport, you transfer (on your own) by taxi to the Cumbres Hotel in Puerto Varas where a room is waiting in your name.
DAY 3: PUERTO VARAS / RIO FUTALEUFU / LONCONAO COTTAGES
After breakfast Maria escorts us to the to the Chaiten flight. The short flight is spectacular as we follow a rugged, mountainous coastline. We board the bus and drive past roaring turquoise rivers, hanging glaciers and deep blue lakes to
our starting point on the Futaleufu. After a safety talk, we run a series of marvelous class 4 rapids. Two safety catarafts escort us down the river. We spend the evening in wonderful cottages on the shore Lago Lonconao. Each cottage has two large bedrooms, a spacious “great room” and a deck with chairs overlooking the clear lake and snow-capped peaks. Lake activities including kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, swimming, and fishing.
NOTE: Meals at the Lonconao Cottages are prepared by the guides.
DAY 4: LONCONAO COTTAGES / INFLATABLE KAYAKING CLASS II/III ESPOLON RIVER /
LONCONAO COTTAGES
Today we board mountain bikes for a beautiful ride along Rio Espolon to our inflatable kayak put in. After an introductory lesson we kayak wonderful class 2-3 rapids. (Note: guests who prefer not to go in individual kayaks have the option of paddling in a small, guided raft). Night at Lonconao cottages.
DAY 5: LONCONAO COTTAGES / FUTALEUFU RAFTING / LONCONAO COTTAGES
We spend the day running wonderful rapids through the remote upper Futaleufu Canyon. Lunch is at spectacular Z-shaped flume cut into solid granite. There is an optional 10 to 30 foot high cliff jump into the aerated blue pool below the rapid. After lunch we spend the afternoon paddling a beautiful section of fun whitewater.
DAY 6: LONCONAO COTTAGES / RIO AZUL INFLATABLE KAYAKING / PEUMA LODGE
This morning we board mountain bikes and ride to our inflatable kayak put in on the turquoise, class 3, Rio Azul. The narrow dirt road winds its way past beautiful farms and dense forests. We are now well trained in kayaks and spend the day paddling wonderful class 3 rapids on the Azul down to the confluence with the Futaleufu. The views along the way of the snow-capped peaks rising from the brilliant turquoise water are stunning. This is one of the most beautiful class three beginner inflatable kayak runs in the world.
Note: small, guided raft is available for those not wanting to kayak. We spend the night at the Peuma Eco-Lodge, situated in a hidden valley ringed with mountains on all sides. Each of the Peuma's beautifully appointed cabins are linked
to the main great room and dining facility by boardwalks. The view from the dining room, deck and wooden hot tub of Teton-like spires rising 6,000 feet above the forest floor is the type of view that people imagine when they think of
Patagonia.
DAY 7: PEUMA LODGE / FUTALEUFU RAFTING / RIO BLANCO CANYONING / FUTALEUFU RAFTING /
PEUMA LODGE
This morning a series of fun rapids down to the confluence with the Rio Blanco slot canyon where we embark on a remarkable journey through this hidden cleft in the
Patagonia Andes. Hiking, climbing, and swimming is the only way to traverse this incredible natural labyrinth of white boulders, clear azure pools and stunning waterfalls. When we exit the canyon, we board the rafts and run some fantastic rapids.
DAY 8: PEUMA LODGE / LAGO OBSESSION HIKE / STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING
Leaving from the lodge we hike through an enchanted forest of ancient hardwood trees, past impressive waterfalls to stunning Lago Obsession. With its dramatic landscape of sculptured stone, snow and ice, this miniature, hanging blue lake is a masterwork of nature’s artistry and a rarely visited scenic highlight of Patagonia. The views in every direction from kayaks and stand-up paddle boards are astounding. Cut by the glacier, the intimate 10-acre body of water is like a giant bottomless swimming pool. A dramatic 2,500 vertical foot ice-enshrouded granite tooth rises from the lake.
NOTE: Optional day’s activity: For those people not wishing to make the strenuous
hike to Obsession Lake there less strenuous up into the old growth forest.
DAY 9: PEUMA LODGE / RIO FUTALEUFU RAFTING / YELCHO LODGE
Today we raft a dozen wonderful rapids. After the last rapid the canyon boasts some of its most impressive scenery with grand vistas of towering mountains and glaciers. In the afternoon, we board the bus for the one-hour trip to the Yelcho Lodge. Framed with a bowl of giant mountains, the hand-built wooden lodge rests within thousands of private acres on the edge of Yelcho lake, the body of water the Futaleufu flows into. If time allows there is a hike to where a glacier vent of deep blue ice, meets the rain forest. We spend the night in comfortable cabins. That night we have a farewell
dinner.
DAY 10: YELCHO LODGE / CHAITEN /PUERTO MONTT / SANTIAGO
This morning we drive for an hour to the Chaiten airport. We board the plane for the flight back to Puerto Montt. Upon landing Maria transfer you to Puerto Varas for lunch where people are now on their own for lunch and shopping. Later in the afternoon, individuals transfer (on their own) to the airport to catch our domestic flight to Santiago and then our international flight back home.
NOTE: When you arrive back in Puerto Montt, Maria, will meet you with the extra bags
you left at the start of the trip.
DAY 11:
This morning we arrive back
to your home country.
Getting There
THROUGH CHILE
First evening: U.S. / SANTIAGO
Evening flight from the United States to Santiago, Chile.
Day 2: SANTIAGO- PUERTO MONTT / PUERTO VARAS
Flight from Santiago to Puerto Montt and then take a taxi to the spectacular Hotel Cumbres in the quaint Chilean town of Puerto Varas. With panoramic views of Lago Llanquilhue and snowcapped Volcano Osorno rising from the eastern shore, Puerto Varas is one of the most picturesque towns in all of South America. The Hotel has sweeping views of the lake and volcano from it's expansive lawns and is a welcome reprieve from the long trip down. That evening we meet our guide, Maria, in the Hotel lobby for a trip orientation and welcome dinner out on the town.
Important note: For those people who can not commit to taking off the extra day and are only able to leave Friday evening, there is the option of arriving a day later, skipping the Puerto Varas day/hotel and meeting us directly at the Paloma Airport in Puerto Montt at 11:00 AM. Saturday morning. There are a number of international flight that arrive early enough into Santiago to make this itinerary possible.
Day 3: 50 minute flight from Puerto Varas to Chaiten. Then a two and a half hour bus ride to the Futaleufu.
NOTE: Arriving through Argentina or adding an extension to the trip is possible, please contact the office for more information.