For over 25 years we offered the only multi-camp expedion on the Futaleufu and for the past 5 years, the only multi-lodge expedition on the river. The unique combination of a wild rafting and multi-sport activities during the day combined with the comforts of a lodge at night, make this truly the "world's wildest, most comfortable river trip". The remote lodges are on large, remote properties with spectacular views of snow-capped mountains, the river or tributary lakes. Our "multi-lodge" Futaleufu trips have a 3 - 1, guide to client ratio. Patagoina weather can be fickle and rain is why the Futaleufu Valley is so lush and green. Weather is less of a factor when you end up each evening in a warm cozy lodge, with fire places, beds, hot showers, hot tubs, a masseuse, Chilean wine and chef cooked meals. Our multi-lodge Futaleufu trip has the least amount of driving time of any multi-day Futaleufu trip, including out multi-camp trip.
We have made first complete raft descent of the Futaleufu in 1991 and pioneered commercial rafting on a number of now classic rivers around the world including Quebec's Magpie, Peru's Yavero and Patagonia's Futaleufu. Not only was the Futaleufu considered unraftable when we did the first complete raft descent in 1991, but no one in the whitewater community believed the rapids could ever be safely negotiated with commercial guests. We invented yhr safety cataraft and a saftey system that is still being employed on the Futaleufu.
(See what the New York Times says)
Earth River introduced the rafting safety techniques currently being used on the Futaleufu including the use of oar-paddle hybrid 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 figured out the safest raft routes in the rapids, set up the river’s original water level gauges and the corresponding high water safety cuts offs for the different sections of the river. Our 3-1 client/guide ratio on the Futaleufu is the highest in the industry and we are the only company in the world that uses 2 safety catarafts (rather than one). In 25 years of rafting the Futaleufu and other challenging rivers around the would, our safety record is impeccable. Earth River guides are hand picked. Beyond their honed river skills and sound judgement, they are unique individuals as demonstrated in the "Personal Reflections" link beneath each guide's bio.
(See what the Boston Globe says)
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.
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.