 |
|
(class 4 Futaleufu expedition)
(Photographs of this expedition and camps can be
seen under Futaleufu river trip)
DAY 1: UNITED STATES / SANTIAGO
You will take an evening flight from the United States to Santiago.
DAY 2: SANTIAGO / PUERTO MONTT / CHAITEN
/ FUTALEUFU
Arriving in Santiago this morning, you will transfer to the short flight south to
Puerto Montt, where you board a 20 passenger plane and embark on a beautiful 30 minute
flight down the northern Patagonia coast over fiords and mountains to the small fishing
village of Chaiten. Here you are met by a van and drive 3 hours past glaciers, waterfalls
and rain forest wilds to the hamlet of Futaleufu, where we'll spend the night in
comfortable cabins.
DAY 3: FUTALEUFU / LAGO ROSA
The next morning we meet the horses and spend the next few hours riding through a
spectacular valley ringed by mountains, glaciers, lakes, rivers and waterfalls in the
heart of the wild and rugged Sierra Nevada range. This magnificent area is home to the
elusive puma, wina (small wild cat), pudu (miniature deer) and wemul (large deer). Far
removed from the modern world, it is a rural part of Chile few outsiders have ever seen.
The evening is spent at a private camp on Lago Rosa.
DAY 4: LAGO ROSA / LAGO ESPOLON
A 2 hour horseback ride this morning will take you to the northern shore of 8
mile long Lago Espolon. After lunch, board custom-made Hawaiian outrigger canoes. The omma
(small floating stabilizer) has been removed from the side of a 2-person outrigger and
replaced it with a second canoe, creating an exceptionally fast stable 4-person craft
dubbed the catarigger. The leisurely 2-hour paddle across the crystal clear emerald lake
affords magnificent views of mountains, glaciers and beautiful sandy beaches. (The fishing
on the lake is world class and trout as large as 30 pounds have been caught here.) You'll
spend the evening at a small lodge at the southern end of the lake.
DAYS 5: LAGO ESPOLON / RIO ESPOLON /
CAMPO CASA DE PIEDRA
This morning, take a beautiful 2-mile hike from the lake outlet, past the impressive
Espolon gorge to the lower Espolon River. Boarding whitewater kayaks, you'll spend the
rest of the morning paddling kayaks and catarafts down the beautiful Class 2 Rio Espolon
(suitable for beginners). After lunch you will get on the horses and take a spectacular
2-hour ride into the Futaleufu canyon. Upon reaching the translucent Futaleufu River,
board white-water rafts and float (paddle) an hour, running a few easy Class 4 rapids,
down to Campo Casa de Piedra (the Earth River Cave Camp).
DAYS 6: CAVE CAMP / CHALLENGE CIRQUE /
TREE HOUSE CAMP
This morning we complete the first two stages of the renowned Earth River Challenge Cirque
(There is also the option of hiking, horseback riding, kayaking on a beautiful pond, world
class trout fishing or relaxing in the stone hot tub.) This unique course has been
designed to challenge people of all abilities and is one of the highlights of the trip.
The first element of the cirque involves a dynamic three-part rock climb up the backside
of the 300-foot high Torre de los Vientos (Tower of the Winds). No previous climbing
experience is necessary and people from 5 years old to 78 have made the climb. Once on
top, we venture out on the dramatic knife's edge. The views from this sheer natural
walkway of Zeta Rapid, Laguito Azul and the surrounding canyon are exquisite and among the
most impressive found anywhere on the river. We hike part way down to a sheer 100-foot
wall where we rappel (self lowering by rope) the rest of the way to the bottom. After
lunch we set up a dramatic Tyrolean traverse across the river. Wearing a climbing harness
attached to a pulley, participants pull themselves across a rope stretched between sheer
granite walls over the heart of Zeta Rapid. Although not particularly strenuous, hanging
and then crossing over the class 6 rapid is extremely exhilarating. Upon reaching the
other side we begin climbing out of the inner canyon, the views of the turquoise river,
tower of the winds, Laguito Azule and surrounding mountains are breath taking. (Those
people not wishing to partake in the strenuous 3 hour 1,300 vertical foot hike up to the
tree house camp may spend the night with a guide at the cave camp). Cresting the top of
the inner canyon, we enter a wonderful old growth hardwood forest. Tucked away in the
center of this enchanted, moss-draped land of giants is a 10-acre lake. Surrounded by
native old growth forest on three sides, with dramatic mountain views on the fourth, this
intimate body of water offers wonderful opportunities for swimming and canoeing (there are
two canoes) A natural wood deck and a hand made 16 person hot tub sit on the edge of the
35 foot deep lake. Hidden back in the trees is a hand-hewn log Gazebo structure with a
fireplace in case of inclement weather. Just beyond the gazebo, 35 feet up in a majestic
closely knit stand of old growth giants are 8 wonderful, hexagon shaped, 2 person, tree
houses, connected like the spokes of a wheel from one central tree and circular staircase.
These amazing architectural gems are all, unique and were hand crafted by a Chilean master
carpenter. Each tree house was designed to be self supported and not a single nail was
placed in the trees. We spend the evening, suspended above the lower canopy with stunning
views of the lake, surrounding forest and mountains.
DAYS 7: TREE HOUSE CAMP / CAMPO CASA
PIEDRA / CAMPO MAPU LEUFU
This morning we hike an hour and a half back down to the river. The trail ends at a
250-foot zip line (Like a giant kids "fun ride"), which will transport us back
across the river. Holding a T grip handle attached to a pulley over our heads, we leap off
a 25 foot cliff, shooting 250 feet down an angled climbing rope letting go into the
turquoise pool below Zeta Rapid. Once across the final (optional) element of the challenge
cirque is a 10 to 36 foot high cliff jump into the aerated blue pool below Zeta. We then
board the boats and the rest of the Morning is spent running challenging rapids and
viewing spectacular northern Patagonian scenery. In the afternoon we run some more rapids
and arrive back at Campo Mapu Leufu. Situated on a secluded bluff over the turquoise river
with dramatic 360-degree views of glaciers and towering granite spires, this is one of the
most impressive river camps found anywhere. Dramatically perched on a 100 foot cliff over
the water is a hand-planed 16 person wooden hot tub with incredible river and mountain
views. (The water is changed daily so no chemicals are necessary). In case of inclement
weather, there is a 5-sided gazebo-like shelter that sleeps 18 people and has a five-foot
fireplace in the center (tents are also available). A lovely pond offers kayak paddling
(lessons). There is also a beautiful lake and old growth forest an hour's hike above the
camp as well as a spectacular manual cable car crossing over the river to the opposite
side where one can hike up a gorgeous crystal clear side creek into a sheer walled white
granite gorge. A professional Chilean masseuse accompanies the entire trip. The river is
62 degrees and great for swimming and the fishing is world class. Due to its location high
on a bluff, this camp is known for its dramatic sunrises and spectacular sunsets.
NOTE: All the camp amenities at both the Mapu Leufu camp and cave camp have been added in
such a way as to not take away from the wild and exotic nature of the river and
expedition.
DAYS 8: RIO FUTALEUFU
Today is one of the most impressive commercial rafting days in the world. Within minutes
of pushing off you'll enter the half-mile long Class 5 Terminator Rapid, one of the
wildest commercially run Class 5 rapids in the world. Immediately below, run the
impressive 15-foot waves of the Himalayas. Here the rapids flow together making nearly a
mile and a half of nonstop Class 5 action. Then there is a series of giant Class 4+ rapids
(some nearly a mile long) and two Class 5 rapids: Cojin (the cushion) and Mundaca. After
another long stretch of Class 4+ rapids you'll have lunch. In the afternoon you will run
two of the most difficult Class 5 rapids on the river: Mas o Menos and Casa de Piedra.
After the last rapid the canyon boasts some of its most spectacular scenery with grand
vistas of towering mountains and glaciers. Late in the afternoon you will take out and
drive 20 minutes back to the base camp where you'll have a farewell dinner (a traditional
Chilean Asado) and spend the night.
NOTE: On day 8, Patagonia Passage participants hike around a series of Class 5 rapids on a
beautiful trail (it may be possible for some of these participants to run a few of the
less exposed Class 5 rapids if desired and the guides feel it is appropriate).
DAYS 9: CHAITEN / PUERTO MONTT /
SANTIAGO
This morning, make the 3-hour drive back to the airport in Chaiten where you'll board the
charter plane for the short scenic flight back to Puerto Montt. Arriving in Puerto Montt,
you'll board the plane for Santiago and then take the evening flight back to the U.S.
DAYS 10: UNITED STATES
Early this morning you'll arrive in the U.S.
n
Calendar Contents
Search for trips by:
GeographyDescriptionComparison Chart |
|
|