Earth River was founded in 1989. We have been running the Futaleufu for 30 years and have never had an incident of any kind.
Although both trips run the entire river, the trips and itineraries are vastly different (see day by day itineraries). Both trips begin in Puerto Varas and are the same amount of days. The multi-lodge trips utilize three small, comfortable, secluded lodges and multi-camp trips utilized four river camps. Multi-lodge trips are limited to 12 participants where as Multi-camp trips were limited to 24 partcipants. Both trips include the hotel in Puerto Varas. It is easier to do an alternative activity on the multi-lodge trip then it was on the multi-camp itinerary which was more structured. Both trips have the the same amount of driving time and both itineraries were designed to minimize tha amount of time spent in motorized vehicles.
We have tried to keep the multi-lodge trip competitive with the other trips offered in the Futaleufu Valley. Obviously, with a smaller maximum group size, a higher guide/client ratio and 7 nights in exclusive lodges, the Multi-lodge trip is a significantly more expensive trip to run then a camping trip.
Yes. You should contact the office for details and the additional cost for doing this.
When is the best time to go in terms of weather and water levels?
The Futaleufu Valley is in a temperate, micro-climate and during the summer does not receive the intense wind and rain often associated with Patagonia. It does however rain which is why the landscape is so verdant. The weather does not fluctuate that much during the three months we run our trip, (although December is notariously the wettest) with days between 50 and 85 degrees and nights between 30 and 50. It rains on averge 3 inches per month (roughly the same as the north eastern U.S.). The river is fed by glaciers which keep it running throughout the season. Rain, which can happen any time, can raise the water level making it necessary to walk around some of the larger rapids. The water temperature is a constant 58-60 degrees all season long.
Yes. It is possible to arrive into Puerto Montt on Saturday morning. This would shorten the trip to one work week and two weekends. Please call our office for infomation on how to do this.
You will be spending your evenings in wonderful, remote lodges. All the lodges are small, on water and have expansive decks with hot tubs and gorgeous views. The rooms have private bathrooms with showers.
Guests from 6 to 80 years old and of all abilities and experience levels have enjoyed our Futaleufu trip. Whether you are a rafter, hiker or fisherman, you will be able to customize your trip using any combination of these interests without impacting other members of the expedition. All multi-sport activities, including the rafting, are optional. Participants also have the option of paddling in rafts or riding on extremely stable safety-catarafts (mandatory for children under 13). A beautiful hiking trail follows the river making any or all of the rapids optional. One can choose to either raft, hike, fish or any combination of these activities to journey down the river. The trip can be customized by an individual without impacting anyone else's trip.
Futaleufu trips are designed to accommodate people or all levels of fitness. A modest workout, three times a week, will enhance your experience. Because there are so many options, people of all different fitness levels can push themselves as hard as they wish without impacting anyone else’s experience. By far the most strenuous day is the hike up to Lago Obsession. There is an beauiful horseback ride up the Rio Azul Valley for those people who prefer not to make the strenuous hike up to the lake.
Your extra bags will be stored with the Earth River guide and meet you at the airport at the end of the trip.
- 1 ~ The International and National airports in Buenos Aires, Argentina are two hours apart. The Santiago, Chile facility houses both airports.
- Santiago is a safer city but Buenos Aires is more interesting in terms of history, art, architecture, shopping and nightlife.
- The internal flight within Argentina costs roughly twice as much as the flight in Chile.
- Bariloche is a small Argentina city (pop. 110,000) and Puerto Varas is a quaint Chilean town (pop. 16,000). Both sit on beautiful lakes with Bariloche's being more heavily developed.
- Coming in through Chile requires a 1/2 hour charter flight.
- Coming in through Argntina requires two additional border crossings.
- The drive through Chile is much shorter than through Argentina and the scenery through Chile is more dramatic.
There is electricty at all the lodges. Internet access is available at the Loncanoa cottages. It is spotty at the Peuma and Yelcho lodges where it is possible to receive and send e-mails and text but not much else.
Evacuation by four wheel drive vehicle is possible in many places in the canyon. An injured or sick person could then be driven to a modern hospital in Esquel, Argentina two hours away. In the more remote locations like the Tree House Camp and Cave Camp it may be necessary to call in a helicopter (one hour away). The guides are Wilderness First Responders.
Families with children usually join us over the December holiday departures. This is the Harry Potter of adventure trips where both the parents and children equally enjoy it. On the other hand, all the dramatic natural and man made features that make this such an amazing experience; cliffs, rapids and deep lakes and ponds are all potential hazards to children who do not listen. We have taken numerous families on this trip with children as young as 7.
If you request a single room for the duration of the trip (8 hotel/lodge nights) you will be charged an additional $1,75O U.S.D. . If you are willing to share a room with a guest of the same sex, there will be a subsidized (by Earth River) rate of $875. If a single traveler pays this amount before a room mate is available and we later find that person a room mate, Earth River will refund the $875 (note: it is also possible to share a room with someone of the opposite sex if both parties agree. Individuals have done this with no problem in the past to avoid paying the single supplement fee.)
Depending upon the size of the group, private charters may be eligible for a group discount. Please call our office for information on group size to qualify.
Private groups must have at least 12 participants. Groups smaller than 12 can reserve a private departure but will need to pay for 50% per place for the reamining spots up to 12. We have had family reunions, weddings and corporate retreats. Private departures can be customized by itineraries and activities as well as by food and wine.
