Chile vs Argentina travel facts


Entering


Via Argentina


Via Chile

 Travel Time
from Bariloche, Argentina or Puerto Montt, Chile to the Futaleufu River


8 hours in bus
(16 hours r/t) 
Note: Does not include 2 hour
(4 hrs. r/t)
taxi between international and National airports
in Buenos Aires.

 1/2 hour commuter flight & 2.5 hours in bus
(5 hrs. r/t).  Note: The International and national airports in Santiago are in the same facility.

Cost
Note: These are
add. costs beyond international flights which are similar in both countries.  


 R/T taxi between national and international airports
= $80, flight from Buenos Aires to Bariloche = 675

Total cost = $855

 

 Flight from Santiago to
Puerto Montt =  $200 
Total cost = $200
Note: Earth River covers
R/T commuter flight
from Puerto Montt to Chaiten


Reciprocity (entrance tax)

Yes ($130) 

Yes ($130)


Transportation

Bus

Commuter plane & bus

Scenery / Terrain


Mountains and lakes first hour,  flat & dry with distant  mountain views next 6 hours, lush river
valley final hour

Fiords, lush glaciated
river valleys, glaciers &
snow-capped Mountains
Note: The 2.5 hour drive is broken in the middle by a 2
hour (R/T) hike to a rare 
 glacier that meets a rain forest.


Towns of interest

Bariloche  & Esquel

Puerto Montt & Chaiten


Possible additional delays

4 border crossings,
airline strikes 

Fog (commuter flight)

Note: The trip "officially" begins in the Puerto Montt, Chile Airport, late Saturday morning. Earth River will cover the r/t commuter flight ticket from Puerto Montt to Chaiten and r/t  pickup from Chaiten to the river. The Earth River office will get you all the necessary information for your charter flight and other information including meeting time in Puerto Montt Saturday morning. As soon as you have your flight information please e-mail it to currie-r@vtr so we can arrange your flight to Chaiten. 

FYI: If you are delayed arriving into Puerto Montt you will be responsible for your hotel Saturday night, meals, taxis in and out of Puerto Montt, a new one way ticket from Puerto Montt to Chaiten and the public bus that will take you from Chaiten to the river. Note:  Travel insurance will cover these additional expenses if you are delayed.

NOTE: It is also possible to Fly into Esquel Argentinia on certain days but these flights are often canceled and rerouted through Bariloche so one should not depend on them.

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ESPN Television

"Earth River is the premier river runner in the world. Their staff includes the finest guides to be found."

Robert Kennedy Jr.

“Eric Hertz and Robert Currie have devoted their lives and their company’s resources to saving some of the world’s last great white-water, wilderness rivers."

National Geographic Magazine

“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."

Mathew Mukash, Grand Chief of the Cree

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Outside Magazine

“The absolute mastery of Robert Currie guiding in the back of the raft made every element of the Futaleufu river seem heightened, perfected, colorized, almost virtual."

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