Why is our trip different?
We offer the only continuous, top to bottom, multi-camp, wilderness river expedition in Patagonia. We limit our multi-camp wilderness trips to 16 clients. Using rafts and trails rather than buses and roads allows our groups to experience the magnificent Futaleufu canyon in a way only Earth River can show you. Each day brings a new, exclusive wilderness camp destination complete with every conceivable multi-sport activity including; canyoneering, mountain biking, horseback riding and climbing as well as amenities like wood fired hot tubs, flush toilets, hot showers and tree houses. Our Futaleufu "multi-camp" trips are limited to 16 guests and Individual travelers get private accomodations with no extra fees. We also offer a "base camp" trip based out of the spectacular Mapu Leufu Cliff Camp.
(See what Outside Magazine says)
Acclaimed Camps
Our four, fully outfitted camps offer everything from tree houses and stone shelters with fireplaces to river carved stone hot tubs. The unique combination of an expedition style trip with fully outfitted private camps, affords our guests the unique experience of being in the wild while still enjoying the comforts of beds, hot showers, flush toilets, hot tubs, a masseuse, Chilean wine, and incredible food. These camps are the exclusive use of each group of 16 guests on our multi-camp expeditions. The remote and secluded Mapu Leufu Cliff Camp, used for our base camp trips, sits on a 100 foot offering an unparelelled river view.
(See what American Airlines Magazine says)
Pioneers
We have made first descents and pioneered commercial rafting on a number of now classic rivers around the world including the first ever raft descent of the Futaleufu in 1991. The following year we ran the first ever commercial rafting and multi-sport trips there. Our guides are among the most qualified and accomplished in the world. They have guided boats on challenging rivers like the Futaleufu for an average of 12 years.
(See what the New York Times says)
Safety
Earth River introduced the rafting safety techniques currently being used on the Futaleufu including the use of stern mounted paddle-rafts, a class 4 training day including swim test and flip drill and the use of safety catarafts (the first time they were employed in this fashion anywhere in the world). We also set up the river’s original water level gauges and the corresponding high water safety cuts offs for the different sections of the river. In 20 years of running the Futaleufu and other challenging rivers around the would, our safety record is impeccable.
(See what the Boston Globe says)
We care
Since 1990, Earth River has been leading or participating in conservation campaigns to protect wild rivers in North and South America. We have planned, funded and run over a dozen environmental awareness trips on the Bio Bio and Futaleufu Rivers in Chile, the Great Whale and Magpie Rivers in Quebec and Yosemite like Headwall Canyon in British Columbia. We have made a concerted effort to hire and train (from scratch) local guides on the Futaleufu. Three of our past Chilean guides have moved on to start their own day trip rafting companies on the Futaleufu.
Your Earth River trip makes a difference
Since our conservation work is self funded, it is actually our guests and their patronage who by joining our trips have helped us fund important river conservation work including the Earth River Land Trust on the Futaleufu which has already preserved over 15 miles of this irreplaceable treasure.
