Futaleufu general information

 

 

CANCELLATION INSURANCE:

Trip Insurance for your flights and expedition is mandatory on all Futaleufu multi-lodge trips. It is difficult to fill a spot that is left vacant by a cancellation and these small, boutique lodges are reserved and paid for by Earth River many months in advance. If by any chance you have to cancel your trip, only trip insurance will protect your investment. Insurance will cover every aspect of your trip including: your deposit, lost baggage and unforeseeable medical emergencies and evacuation. It will also cover additional transportation costs in case you have to be caught up to the expedition due to delays with your international flight.

ALL GUESTS must e-mail their flight information in and out of Puerto Montt to Earth River’s office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. so we know your schedule. The e- mail should include; Futaleufu trip date, date leaving US, flight # and arrival time into Puerto Montt as well as the flight # and departure time leaving Puerto Montt at the end of the trip.

 

GETTING THERE:

YOUR RESPONSIBILITY: International flight from your country to Santiago, Chile. Transfer (in same airport) to flight south to Puerto Montt. Fly to Puerto Montt (1.7 hrs.). Taxi to hotel in Puerto Varas (1/2 hr.)


MEETING PLACE: We will be meeting at the Cumbres Puerto Varas Hotel in Puerto Varas which is located at: Imperial 0561, Puerto Varas, Chile. (http:hotelcumbrespatagonicas.com/en Phone: 065-222000.) You should plan to arrive at the hotel anytime on Friday afternoon (except for private charters and the Dec. 26th departure). When you arrive in Puerto Montt, walk outside the airport and hire a taxi (12,500 pesos or $30) to take you to the hotel where a room will be waiting in your name. The group will meet the Earth River guide that evening in the hotel lobby at 6:30 for our welcome dinner. The Earth River land guide in Puerto Montt, Maria, speaks English and will be there to greet you. In case you have any problems (travel related, etc.) she can be reached as follows: Cell phone (calling her from the U.S.) 011-569-93212995, Calling from Santiago, Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas; 09-93212995. Her email is: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. IMPORTANT NOTE: Make sure Maria's contact information is with you in case you have any problems. She accessible by phone at all times.

Important note: It is possible to do this trip in 10 days rather then 11. If you are only able to take a week off from work it is possible to do the trip leaving the U.S. on Friday evening rather than Thursday evening. In order to do this, you will need to schedule an international flight that arrives into Santiago early enough Saturday morning to catch a flight down to Puerto Montt that arrives no later than 10:30 AM. There are a number carriers that offer such flights. If you need help coordinating this please contact our travel agent, Gilda (see below).

 

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

All Futaleufu multi-lodge expeditions include: Hotel in Puerto Varas and dinner (night one), the B&B in Futaleufu (night two) and 7 additional nights in spectacular private lodges in the Futaleufu Valley. Also included is ground transportation from Puerto Varas to the Puerto Montt Airport and from Chaiten to the river and back.  All meals, from dinner (Puerto Varas) day 2 until breakfast day 9  (wine or beer with dinner) are also included.  All guided services and activities included in the detailed itinerary are included.

Note:  A masseuse (separate charge) is available at the Cumbres Hotel on night one and the Uman Lodge on night three. 

 

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:

International air to Santiago and inner country r/t air from Santaigo to Puerto Montt and from Puerto Montt to Chaiten ($250)*. Also not included is the taxi from Puerto Montt Airport to hotel in Puerto Varas and the taxi from the Puerto Montt airport back to Puerto Varas for lunch the final day and back to the airport. Lunch in Puerto Varas that final day is also not included. Single rooms (see single rooms section below) are not included. Other travel related expenses such as, but not limited to: trip insurance, passports, medical costs, or other transportation costs resulting from a deviation from our itinerary asre not included. End of trip gratuities to the guides are not included as is the lodge masseuse. If you are delayed for any reason (missed flight) and unable to reach Puerto Montt in time to make the commuter flight to Chaiten, we can catch you up but you will be responsible for the cost of a new seat on the next available Chaiten flight and any extra hotels and meals as well as the ground transportation in Chaiten necessary to catch you up to the trip (an Earth River agent will help you arrange these things). Trip insurance will cover these additional expenses. 
* Important Note: The $250 charge for the R/T flight fom Puerto Montt to Chaiten will be added to the balance of your payment. Earth River will secure these seats because they can not be purchased on line.

 

GETTING THERE:

Airfare from the US to Puerto Montt, Chile is not included in the trip price and must be arranged  independently.  When booking your flight you will need to arrive in Puerto Montt on Friday except on private charters and the December 18th, 26th and 31st trips. If you're planning on leaving the U.S. a day late (on Friday evening) and skip the Puerto Varas portion of the trip, then you will need to arrive in Puerto Montt by 10:30 AM on Saturday morning in order to catch the commuter flight to Chaiten. On the return (at the end of the trip) you will be back in Puerto Montt by 4:00 PM from Chaiten so book your flight back to Santiago at the latest possible time that ensures you can catch your flight back to the U.S. You do not need more than two hours between your arrival time in Santiago and your departure flight back to the U.S. departure back to Santiago. International flights to the U.S. from Santiago seldom leave before 9:00 P.M. and national flights are rarely delayed so there will be no problem making any connections in Santiago.

*Important note: If you are planning to arrive a day late (because of time constraints) and are delayed on your international flight and unable to make the national flight that arrives in Puerto Montt by 10:30 AM, you will still be able to do the trip but you may have to overnight in Santiago or possibly even Puerto Montt. The Earth River guide in Puerto Montt, Maria, (cell from within Chile: 09-95444941) will help take care of these logistics as well as catching you up to the trip when you arrive in Puerto Montt Saturday evening or Sunday morning. In order to you will need to purchase a new commuter ticket to Chaiten and hire someone to drive you from Chaiten to the river. You will be responsible for these additional expenses which is why it’s best to purchase trip insurance. Remember, travelers insurance should cover the additional expenses due to a delay in flights.

 

ACCOMODATIONS:

Your first night will be at the Cumbres Puerto Varas Hotel in beautiful Puerto Varas. The seven nights in Patagonia will be spent at 4 small,  spectacular lodges and one  B&B  on the edge the town of Futaleufu.

 

CONDITIONING:

The Futaleufu trip takes place during our winter and passengers should make sure that they remain in good physical condition. This trip is an “active” vacation, as you will be paddling rafts, whitewater inflatable kayaks, lake kayaking and standup paddle boards. You will also be canyoning, hiking and mountain biking. Obsession Lake is perhaps the most spectacular and beautiful natural feature in the Futaleufu Valley. Hiking up there and back in one day is the most arduous activity on the expedition. It is worth getting in shape for. For those guests not wanting to do the Obsession hike we have a wonderful alternative which includes a hike up the turqupoise Azul River Valley to a beautiful.

 

EXPERIENCE LEVEL:

Because half a day is dedicated to raft training, it is not necessary to have previous whitewater experience. We have had many first time rafters paddle the entire Futaleufu (see a number articles on web site which were written by first time rafters), but this is up to the guides and the individual. *Note: Anyone not wishing to do the strenuous hike up to Lago Obsession can do a number of other things including a shorter hike or a longer horseback ride.  *Note: Because Earth River can not screen the paddling ability and physical condition of participants prior to the expedition, the guides will ultimately decide who paddles and where, especially when it comes to Infierno Canon and Terminador rapid.**  We ask you to respect their professional opinion not only for your own safety, but also for the safety of others. The results of your swim test will help the guides with this determination.  Running certain portions of the river are water level dependent and there are high water cut offs for some of the more exposed class 5 rapids. 
**
Note: Even without Infierno Canyon and Terminador Rapid, there are still over 30 impressive rapids on the river to run.  

 

PASSPORTS:

You will need a current passport for traveling in Chile. You do not need a special visa for Chile, Argentina, or Peru. If you plan on visiting Brazil, a visa must be secured before leaving the USA. If you are planning a side excursion and renting a car, you should consider acquiring an International Drivers License. The Automobile Club of America (800-222-4357) issues them for a nominal fee. It takes about one month to receive your license by mail.

 

ADDITIONAL TRAVEL WITHIN CHILE:

If you have any additional time in Chile before or after your Earth River trip, our guide Maria offers some incredible one day or multi-day adventures in the Puerto Varas area including; trips to spectacular, turquoise Petrohue Falls, visiting the northern most Penquin colony in the world which is located on the dramatic Pacific coast of nearby Chiloe Island in a national park, or a trek around the base of snow-capped, Mount Fuji like Orsorno Volcano.  Maria is a professional trekking guide, bi-lingual with 25 years of experience. She has her own Subaru Outback so you won't have to rent a car and she can customize your extension trip in any way you choose. Maria can be reached at;  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.    If you're interested in visiting Torres Del Paine National Park or Easter Island, our travel agent, Gilda, (see Air transportation section above) is from Chile (based in Miami) and is an expert on travel within Chile. She will be able to secure your additional flights, car rentals and hotels. The Earth River office can also help you with other extension ideas. 

 

FINAL PAYMENT:

The final balance is due 90 days prior to the trip's departure. If you paid your deposit by credit card, your balance will automatically be charged to you at the appropriate time. The r/t Puerto Montt to Chaiten flight ($250) will be added to the balance of your payment at that time. 

SINGLE ROOMS:

If you request a single room for the duration of the trip (8 hotel/lodge nights) you will be charged an additional $2,000.  If you are willing to share a room with a guest of the same sex and Earth River can find a roomate to share a double room with you,  there will be no additional charge.  If a roommate is not available then you will be charged an additional $2,000. 
NOTE: It is possible to share a room with someone of the opposite sex if both parties agree (The Earth River office will contact each of them ahead of time). Individuals have done this with no problem in the past to avoid paying the single supplement fee.

 

GEAR:

Earth River provides wetsuits. For a list of all additional gear you will need to bring for the expedition please see the gear list.

 

ADDITIONAL MONEY:

Generally, $700 per person will be adequate for guide tips, the taxi in Puerto Montt and any shopping you may want to do. If you are planning a side excursion you will want to bring considerably more. Remember, Chile is not inexpensive and most things are similarly priced to the U.S..  Car rentals and gasoline are considerably higher while public transportation much lower. You will be able to exchange money at the airport when you arrive in Santiago or at the airport in Puerto Montt. The exchange rate at the airport is similar to what you will find at a bank and much more convenient (banks often have long lines).

 

GRATUITIES:

Gratuities for the guides and help are not included. If you think the guides and help have done an outstanding job, 10 percent of the expedition cost per person is considered a normal tip. Usually a member of the group will collect the tip and hand it to the trip leader who will distribute it evenly among the guides and employees.

 

*IMPORTANT PACKING TIP:

Each season a few people (approx. 2 %) end up in Chile without their belongings. By the time they receive them from the airline, often the trip is nearly over. Because this is a real possibility we highly recommend the following steps to protect yourself. Pack all necessary river gear (fleece, paddle jacket, river shoes, hat, sun glasses, bathing suit, etc.) into the largest legal carry on bag you can find and don’t check it. Pack everything else including your soft, medium size duffle bag in a regular suitcase. This way if you become separated from you checked bag you will have the most important things for the river as well as the clothes on your back for camp.

 

GEAR STORAGE:

Because space and weight are limited on the charter plane from Puerto Montt to Chaiten, you will be allowed one bag, which cannot weigh over 28 pounds.  Any additional things needed for extension trips and the personal bag you flew down with can be left with Maria and safely stored until you return to the airport at the end of the trip. Remember unless you’re spending additional time in Chile before or after the expedition, pack only what’s on the Earth River gear list which will fit into you mrdium size duffle bag. Once you reach the river, we can collect your passports and other valuables and safely store them until the end of the river portion of the trip. NOTE: Upon your return to Puerto Montt, at the trip’s conclusion, the bags you left will be waiting for you at the airport with the Earth River representative.

 

WEATHER:

The Futaleufu is in Northern Patagonia and although December, January, February, March and April are mild months, the weather can vary from sunny in the low eighties, to rainy in the sixties and even fifties. The nights are generally in the low fifties but can go into the forties and on occasion upper thirties. You will definitely get wet from running the rapids or possibly rain and although the river water is 60 degrees, all participants must have on  a wetsuit. (We will supply you with a sleeveless, farmer John wetsuit.). You must also have high quality paddle gear and a good rain jacket with a hood.  Note: It is not possible to get an accurate current or future picture of the weather for the Futaleufu area via the internet. Often what you will be seeing is the weather for the Puerto Montt area, which is far cooler and wetter. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU BRING ALL THE WARM THINGS INCLUDED IN THE PACKING LIST IN CASE WE HAVE SOME COLD WEATHER WHEN YOU ARE DOWN THERE.

 

HEALTH INFORMATION:

There are no required shots or health precautions that you need to take when traveling in Chile with the exception of a current tetanus booster, which is a good idea for any international travel. Although the water in the cities is generally safe to drink, we recommend that you drink either bottled water or soft drinks during the land portions of the trip. We boil the drinking water on the river. If you should need medical attention, there are modern clinics and hospitals throughout the country.

 

EMERGENCIES:

We have a sat. phone on the trip and can have a helicopter to the river in two to three hours. We also carry a defibulator on the rafts.  The guides are all EMTs or Wilderness first responders.

 

EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION:

In case there is an emergency at home while you are away the following phone number should be given to a relative or friend: 845-626-2165 or 845-626-4361. The person should ask for Troy or Eric. In most cases we will be able to get important Information to you within a few hours. Remember, these numbers should only be used in case of an emergency. If you have a problem with a delayed flight while still in the U.S. contact Troy or Eric at the above number. Once you arrive in Chile if you have any problems or flight delays please contact the Earth River land guide, Maria. (Calling from Santiago, Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas; 09-95444941. Her email is: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). Make sure to take her number with you.

“Earth River made an expeditionary first descent of the Futaleufu in 1991 and figured out how to safely navigate it."
"Earth River is the premier river runner in the world. Their staff includes the finest guides to be found."
“Earth River is more than a great whitewater outfitter. Their contributions have made a real difference in our efforts to preserve some of the world's most beautiful rivers in Chile and Canada."
"I want to personally thank Earth River for helping us stop the hydro-electric projects on our land preventing the destruction of one of North America's last great wildernesses.
“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."