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. 1 ~ The International and National airports in Buenos Aires, Argentina are two hours apart. The Santiago, Chile facility houses both airports.
2. Santiago is a safer city but Buenos Aires is more interesting in terms of history, art, architecture, shopping and nightlife.
3. The internal flight within Argentina costs roughly twice as much as the flight in Chile.
4. 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.
5. Coming in through Chile requires a 1/2 hour charter flight.
6. Coming in through Argntina requires two additional border crossings.
7. 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.

 MULTI-LODGE DAY BY DAY

The Earth River Multi-lodge trip on the Futaleufu is the "The World's Wildest, Most Comfortable" river trip.  The unique journey takes you from one spectacular lodge to the next while passing through one of the most gorgeous river landscapes in the world.  With a group size limited to 12, 3-1 client to guide ratio. chef prepared meals and 4 star lodges, this one of a kind adventure is suited for anyone with a spirit for adventure regardless of experience level. 

Participants take an evening flight (On their own) from the U.S. to Santiago, Chile.

Arriving in Santiago this morning, we pass through customs and transfer upstairs (in the same airport) to our hour and a half flight south to Puerto Montt. We arrive in Puerto Montt in the late morning, walk outside and take a taxi to the Cumbres Puerto Varas Hotel in the gorgeous Chilean town of Puerto Varas on the shores of Lago Llanquihue, where a room will be waiting in your name. With Mount Fuji-like, snow-capped, Vulcano Osorno, rising directly out of the deep blue water, Puerto Varas is one of the most beautiful towns in all of South America. The afternoon is free to explore the town. In the early evening we meet the Earth River guide, Maria, in the hotel lobby and go out for a welcome dinner.

After breakfast Maria escorts us to the commuter flight to Chaiten. The 45 minute flight is spectacular as we follow a rugged coastline of lush deep fiords that connect to wild rivers framed within a verdant rain forest to the snow line of the jagged Patagonia Andes. Just before landing we get a bird's eye of the still smoldering Chaiten Volcanoe which erupted in 2008 burying much of the town of Chaiten in cement-like ash. We board the van and drive 3 hours past roaring turquoise rivers, hanging glaciers and deep blue lakes to our starting point on the Futaleufu. After a safety talk and flip drill we run a series of marvelous class 4 rapids including Mundoca, Wina and Tiburon. Two safety catarafts escort us down the river. In the afternoon, we take out and drive 15 minutes to gorgeous, Lago Lonconao and the 4/5 star cottages we will spend the evening at. Designed by a renowned Argentine architect, these stunning cottages are ideally located between the upper and lower Futaleufu Canyons. Each cottage has two large bedrooms, a spacious “great room” (living room & dining room) and a large deck with chairs overlooking the wild, clear lake and snow-capped peaks rising out of it. In the immediate vicinity of the cottages are half a dozen, adventure activities including; sea kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, mountain biking, swimming, fishing and hiking trails to other lakes.
NOTE: Meals at the Lonconao Cottages are prepared by the guides.

Leaving the cottages this morning we board mountain bikes for a beautiful 5 mile, relatively flat mountain ride along the clear, teal colored Rio Espolon takes us to our inflatable kayak put in just below a class 6 cataract called “Dragon’s Throat”. We spend the next three hours running wonderful class 2-3 rapids. (Note: Clients who prefer not to go in individual kayaks have the option of paddling in a small, guided raft). A ten minute drive takes us back to the Lonconao cottages for the evening. In the afternoon, there is an optional 3 hour r/t hike to a beautiful wilderness lake surrounded by old an growth forest. Those guests not wishing to do the hike can relax, swim and kayak right on the Lonconao Lake property.

Today, we run the class 5 *Infierno Canyon, with five major Rapids; Infierno, Purgatorio, Danza De Los Angels, Dynamite and Escala De Jacoba. We then spend the next hour running some class 3+ rapids down to spectacular class 5 -6 Zeta Rapid. Here the river flows through a narrow Z-shaped flume cut into solid granite. On the cliff just below the Zeta is a 10 to 42 foot high cliff jump into the aerated blue pool below the rapid. The aerated water cushions the impact by nearly half. Lunch is served on smooth ledges at Zeta. In the afternoon we raft a series of wonderful class 4 rapids including; Isla, Caos, Wild Mile and Casa Salvage (Wild Thing). For our final dinner at the Lonconao Cottages, we have a traditional Chilean Asado (roasted sheep over a fire).

*The Infierno Canyon is only safe at medium and low flows. If the water’s too high, we will drive around inferno Canyon and put in below. 

Note: The decision, to allow or not allow someone to run Infierno is always left up to the guides

Note: Class 4 participants have the option of hiking on a trail around short sections of the bigger rapids.

DAY 7: LONCONAO COTTAGES / RIO AZUL INFLATABLE KAYAKING /  PEUMA LODGE

This morning we board the rafts and spend the next hour rafting some fun class 3+ - 4 rapids down to the confluence with the Rio Blanco slot canyon. After a safety briefing, we begin a remarkable journey through this hidden cleft in the Patagonia Andes. Hiking, climbing and swimming is the only way to traverse this incredible natural labyrinth of white boulders, clear azure pools and stunning waterfalls. Lunch will be at the base of one of the falls. When we exit the canyon, we board the rafts and run some of the most exhilarating rapids on the trip including; Terminador and Himalayas (with the biggest waves on the river). We spend the evening at the Pauma Lodge.

DAY 8: PEUMA LODGE / LAGO OBSESSION  HIKE / STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING / PEUMA ECO-LODGE

Hiking from the lodge this morning, the strenuous hike takes us past impressive waterfalls as we climb steeply out of the Futaleufu Valley through an enchanted forest of ancient hardwood trees.  After three hours we crest the ridge and arrive at stunning Lago Obsession. With its dramatic landscape of sculptured stone, snow and ice, this miniature, hanging blue lake is a masterwork of nature’s artistry and a rarely visited scenic highlight of Patagonia. Rarely does one find so much dramatic scenery in such a relatively small area. Shrouded in a vast expanse of old growth Lenga trees and clinging to the canyon’s northern wall, the views in every direction from the stand up paddle board are astounding. Cut by the glacier, the intimate 10 acre body of water is like a giant bottomless swimming pool. There’s a surreal feeling from the deck of a stand up paddle board as the water suddenly goes from a few feet to an over one hundred deep blue abyss. The lake is ringed by native old growth Lenga trees. A dramatic 2,500 vertical foot partially ice-enshrouded granite tooth is on the fourth. Cut by the glacier, in a wind free bowl, the glass-smooth water often reflects a perfect mirror image of the other worldly landscape. Condors can often be seen soaring in the updrafts. Later in the afternoon, we hike back down to the Peuma Lodge for the evening.

NOTE: Optional day’s activity: For those people not wishing to make the strenuous hike up to Obsession Lake there will be analternate less strenuus hike up the beautiful Rio Azul Valley to a waterfall. 

DAY 9: PEUMA LODGE / RIO FUTALEUFU RAFTING / YELCHO LODGE 

After breakfast we take a short, 10 minute, downhill mountain bike trip to the rafts. We then run a dozen major rapids including; Puente Colgante, Alfombra Majica, El Cojin, Toro, Mundoca, Wina and Tiburon, among others. We end the day with two big class 5 rapids (optional) Mas O Menus and Casa Piedra. After the last rapid the canyon boasts some of its most impressive scenery with grand vistas of towering mountains and glaciers. In the early afternoon we board the van for a beautiful one hour trip to the Yelcho Lodge.  Framed with a bowl of giant mountains, the hand-built wooden lodge rests within thousands of private acres on the edge of Yelcho lake which is the body of water the Futalefu flows into. The lodge has a mile of wild lake front property and numerous hiking trails. If time allows there is a hike to where a glacier vent of deep blue ice, meets the rain forest. We spend the night at the lodge or in comfortable cabins. That night we have a farewell dinner.

DAY 10: YELCHO LODGE / CHAITEN / PUERTO MONTT / SANTIAGO

After breakfast we board the van for the 1 hour drive to the Chaiten airport. We board the plane for the flight back to Puerto Montt. Upon landing there is usually enough time to transfer to Puerto Varas for lunch or shopping (on one's own). In the afternoon, individuals transfer (on their own) to the airport to catch our domestic flight to Santiago and then our international flight back home to the U.S..
NOTE: When you arrive back in Puerto Montt, the Earth Rver guide, Maria, will meet you with the extra bags you left at the start of the trip and help coordinate your travel into Puerto Varas for lunch or where ever else you would like to go. Maria will also hold your bags for you until you leave so that you are not burdened with your bags while at lunch or walking around Puerto Varas.

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

Evening flight from the United States to Buenos Aires, Argentina

This Morning you arrive in Buenos Aires International Airport and tranfer on you own by taxi to the National Airport. (A minimum of two and a half hours should be left for this transfer). A late morning flight from Buenos Aires gets you into Bariloche in the early afternoon. A taxi ride (on your own) takes you to the comfortable lakeside hotel in Bariloche (to be announced in September). That evening you meet the guide and have a welcome dinner. The next morning you board the bus for the trip to the river. The first hour of the ride takes you past a series of beautiful mountain lakes. Leaving the mountains, you enter the wild and desolate Patagonian Steppe, a dry landscape made famous by Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid who fled to this region in the 1800’s. With the Andes off in the distance to the west, you reach the border in the late afternoon. After passing through the Argentina and Chile borders, you are met by an Earth River representative and vehicle. Crossing into Chile, the landscape dramatically changes from the barren Argentina pampas to the lush mountains of the Futaleufu Valley. We reach the Mapu Leufu Cliff camp trailhead in the late afternoon. (bags are transported by ox cart). (See "day by day" in itinerary menu for the rest of the intinerary and camp descriptions.)

Travel Times Bariloche to Futaleufu River:

• Taxi Buenos Aires international airport to National airport: (2.5 hrs.)
• Buenos Aires to Bariloche (flight): 2 hours
• Bariloche to Esquel (bus): 5 hours
• Esquel to border: 1 hour
• 2 Border crossings: 1 hour
• Border to Cliff Camp on Futaleufu River: 1 hour

Add. Costs:

• Taxi between International & National Airports in Buenos Aires: $80 R/T
• Reciprocity tax: $160 note: this tax must be payed for in the U.S. (on line) before you travel to
• Argentina
• Flight from Buenos Aires to Bariloche: $675
• Taxi to hotel in Bariloche $35

Evening flight from the United States to Santiago, Chile.

Arriving in Santiago this morning, you transfer (in the same airport) to your flight south to Puerto Montt. Reaching Puerto Montt in the late morning you take a taxi (30 min.) to the spectacular Hotel Cumbres Puerto Varas in the quaint Chilean town of Puerto Varas. With panoramic views of Lago Llanquilhue and snowcapped Volcano Osorno rising from it's eastern shore, Puerto Varas is one of the most picturesque towns in all of South America. The Hotel has sweeping views of the lake and volcano from it's expansive lawns and is a welcome reprieve from the long trip down. There is wonderful shopping in the town for hand-made woolen goods like sweaters and hats. That evening we meet our guide, Maria, in the Hotel lobby for a trip orientation and welcome dinner out on the town.

Important note: For those people who can not commit to taking off the extra day and are only able to leave Friday evening, there is the option of arriving a day later, skipping the Puerto Varas day/hotel and meeting us directly at the Paloma Airport in Puerto Montt at 11:00 AM. Saturday morning. There are a number of international flight that arrive early enough into Santiago to make this itinerary possible.

(See "day by day" in itinerary menu for the rest of the intinerary and camp descriptions.)

What's included with "Multi-lodge" trip

• night at Cumbres Puerto Varas Hotel in Puerto Varas
• all food, dinner day 2 until breakfast day 10
• new, custom made Sotar rafts with footcups, wetsuits, type 5 life jackets
• 7 nights in lodges with mountain biking, fishing, canyoneering, sea kayaking, hiking and stand up paddle boarding on site. 
• Bathrooms in the rooms with baths and showers. 
• hot tubs on lodge decks
• Electricity (battery charging). Wi-fi four of the seven nights. 
• Chef cooked meals (Chilean wine and beer)
• 3 - 1 client to guide ratio
• inflatable kayaking gear and instruction (Espolon and Azul rivers)
• mountain bikes
  

Not Included in "multi-lodge" trip

• r/t airfare from U.S. to Puerto Montt, Chile
  r/t airfare from Puerto Montt to Chaiten ($250) Note: Earth River will charge guests this amount but purchase these ticketrs for them.  
• taxi from Puerto Montt Airport to hotel in Puerto Varas (approx. $25) 
• professional masseuse (Uman and Peuma lodges only.)
• guide tips (typically 10% of trip cost)
• fly fishing gear
• catch up fees for late arrivals including; add. hotel, taxi, charter flights and add. meals.
• travel before of after trip

"multi-camp" wilderness expedition

• night at spectacular Cumbres Puerto Varas Hotel
• welcome dinner Puerto Varas
• Transfer from Hotel to airport
• all food, dinner day 2 until breakfast day 9
• custom made Sotar rafts, wetsuits, type 5 life jackets, paddles
• top to bottom, multi-camp wilderness trip (4 exclusive wilderness camps)
• 3 – 1 client/guide ratio
• trip limited to 24 guests
• private accomodations for individual travelers with no add. fees
• cliff dwellings with beds & tree houses (no tents)
• kayaking ponds, lakes, beaches & streams with waterfalls at camps
• cliff-side dining area with tables
• covered dining including natural stone shelter (inclement weather)
• hot tubs (every camp)
• hot showers (6 of 7 camps)
• flush toilets (every camp)
• sleeping bags, pads & pillows
• prepared meals, Chilean wine, beer & soda
• rock climbing & rappelling gear & instruction
• tyrolean traverse & zipline gear & instruction
• inflatable kayaking on two rivers (Espolon & Azul) gear and instruction
• riding horses (special request haead of time)
• mountain bikes
• Glacier hike (depending upon time and weather)

Not Included with "multi-camp" wilderness expedition

• R/T airfare from U.S. to Santiago, Chile
• r/t airfare from U.S. to Puerto Montt, Chile (approx. $300
• professional masseuse ($80 hr. & $50 1/2 hr.)
• guide tips (typically 7% of trip cost)
• r/t airfare from Puerto Montt to Chaiten (Earth River charges guests but purchases tickets)
• fly fishing gear
• catch up fees including for late arrivals: commuter flight, add. hotel, meals & vehicle to river
• travel before of after trip

"Multi-lodge" highlights:

• 7 nights at three small, botique lodges
  
  night at lake front Hotel in Puerto Varas
  
  rafting the entire Futaleufu River
  
  
• 3-1 guide client ratio
  
  hike up to Lago Obsession & dramatic stand-up paddle boarding on lake 
  
  Rio Blanco Canyoneering
  
  Rio Azul (class 3) inflatable kayaking (top to bottom run)
  
  Chef prepared meals

"multi-lodge" trip activities:

• Rafting class 4 rapids (Class 5 option)
• Cayoneering in Rio Blanco slot Canyon (Mapu Leufu Camp)
• Inflatable kayaking on class 3 Rio Azul & class 3 Rio Espolon
• Mountain biking
• Horseback riding

- Click on 
map to see Yavero Video -