DAY 7: CAVE CAMP / RIO FUTALEUFU / CAMPO MAPU LEUFU

A short float this morning takes us to unrunnable Throne Room Rapid where the boats are pushed through empty (ghost boated). The next couple of hours are spent running a series of long, exciting class 4+ rapids down to the confluence with the Rio Azul, a turquoise tributary. At the Azul we are met by riding horses where there is the option of taking a gentle three hour horse trip into the *Azul Valley, past beautiful tributary waterfalls or an even more dramatic ride up to the base of the Tres Monjas Mountain, the three granite towers that dominate the surrounding landscape. The two hour, 3,000 vertical foot ride takes us to one of the most gorgeous views imaginable. Beneath us the Futaleufu snakes its way through the snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountains as far as the eye can see. The foaming white staircase of class 5+ Terminator rapid, which we will be running the following day, can be seen in the distance. Looking behind we may see condors soaring between the sheer, 3,000 foot Tres Monjas Towers. Those People choosing not to ride horses to either the Azul Valley or the towers, can raft 2 hours directly down to Campo Mapu Leufu arriving at lunchtime. In the afternoon these people have a choice between kayak lessons on the pond, single track mountain biking, hiking up to two lakes and an old growth forest, relaxing in the hot tub or canyoneering down through the spectacular, 400 foot deep Rio Blanco slot canyon. For many people this canyoneering experience can be one of the highlights of the trip. Wearing wetsuits and river shoes, participants rappel down and swim through this incredible natural labyrinth of white boulders, clear azure pools and waterfalls up to 80 feet. That evening all the groups from the different activities get together for dinner at Mapu Leufu.

(MAPU LEUFU VIRTUAL TOUR)

*Note: Instead of riding horses back down to the rafts from the Rio Azul, experienced hard shell or inflatable kayakers, who are comfortable running class 3+ to 4- rapids, may kayak down. These participants will be accompanied by a guide and must have a strong whitewater roll (whitewater brace for inflatables) and be able to maneuver confidently in class 4 water. In normal years the Azul is often too low for boating and this option is only possible when water levels permit.

DAY 8: RIO FUTALEUFU / CAMPO MAPU LEUFU

Today is one the most impressive commercial rafting days in the world.* Within minutes of pushing off we enter the half mile long Class 5+ Terminador Rapid (view), the wildest rapid we run. Immediately below we run the impressive 15 foot waves of the Himalayas. (view) 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 (view) (some nearly a mile long) and two Class 5 rapids: Cojin (the cushion) (view) and Mundaca (view). After another long stretch of Class 4+ rapids, we have lunch. In
the afternoon we run two of the most difficult Class 5 rapids on the river; Mas o Menos and Casa De Piedra. (view) After the last rapid the canyon boasts some of its most spectacular scenery with grand vistas of towering mountains and glaciers. (view) In the early afternoon we take out and drive half an hour back to Campo Mapu Leufu where we have a farewell dinner celebration in the form of a traditional Chilean Asado (roasted sheep over a fire).

*Option: Class 4 participants have the option of hiking on a trail around short sections of the bigger rapids. Often people who chose to walk around Inferno Canyon earlier in the trip feel more comfortable and run many of the large rapids today. This decision, however, is always left up to the guides.

DAY 9: CHAITEN / PUERTO MONTT / SANTIAGO

This morning we board the bus and drive three hours to Chaiten for the short charter flight back to Puerto Montt. Upon arriving in Puerto Montt, we board the plane for Santiago and then on to the United States.

DAY 10: UNITED STATES

This morning we arrive in the United States and transfer to our connecting flights.

Please call our office to request one of our stunning interactive CDs which is generations beyond the virtual tour on this site, and includes video of all the main rapids, and full screen virtual photographs.

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