Trip Description

Day 1
Arrive Puerto Montt and transfer to our lakeside hotel in Puerto Varas with it's stunning views.
Not included: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Day 2
Fly from Puerto Montt to Chaiten by 17 seater aircraft and enjoy the gorgeous drive to our base camp on the banks of the Futaleufu.
Included: All meals

Day 3
After kitting ourselves out at camp we take the short but scenic drive to Lago Espalon. Here we practise basic strokes on the lake for the day enjoying our sumptuous lunch in stunning surroundings.
Included: All meals

Day 4
We head to the lake again, for more instruction and roll practise. In the afternoon, we put it all in to practise for a fun game of kayak polo.
Included: All meals

Day 5
Our first day on the river. We put in just below the impressive "Cascades of Espalon". This is a tame Class 2 river with stunning beauty giving us ample chances to practise catching eddies. Take out is in Futaleufu town.
Included: All meals

Day 6
Today we head west from our basecamp to the Rio Azul beneath the Tres Monjas Peaks. A slightly more challenging river, this will give you the opportunity to stretch yourself a little more and start putting all your new found skills into practice. You will come across some great waves to paddle through.
Included: All meals

Day 7
Today is layover day! Whether you choose to try your hand at fly fishing, go for a horse ride, or simply chill out in your hammock at camp and read a book, the emphasis will be on relaxation.
Included: All meals

Day 8
It's back out to the Rio Azul this morning to practise more of your whitewater paddling skills, pulling into a gorgeous beach for lunch. And in the afternoon teach you some basic rescue techniques.
Included: All meals

Day 9
Today we run the Rio Palena, a gorgeous Class 3 run on the Argentine border. We return to camp in the evening for more river tales around the campfire.
Included: All meals

Day 10
Your chance to paddle the classic "Bridge to Bridge " section on the Futaleufu. Clients will have the opportunity to kayak or raft depending on your progress. This can be a day for huge personal achievements and plenty of smiles. Celebrating the day back at camp with traditional Asado and Pisco Sours.
Included: All meals

Day 11
An early start to Chaiten to catch our return flight back to Puerto Montt, and from there onward to Santiago and home.
Included: Breakfast

Getting There:
There are a range of possibilities to get you down to Chile, plus plenty of bargains if you shop around early.
FROM THE UK & EUROPE
We recommend taking a flight with LAN Chile/Iberia from the UK to Santiago via Madrid (This may seem a long route but think of all the in flight movies). We find this to be the best option from the point of view of availability and cost however other options would be with American Airlines or Delta through the USA or with Air Canada via Toronto. We suggest you book your connection to Peurto Montt from Santiago at the same time as you will get the best deals. It is important to note that on booking your return flights from Peurto Montt back to Santiago your flight inbound from Chaiten does not arrive into Peurto Montt until 1300HRS at the earliest.
Our sales team in the UK will happily book flights for you or offer the best advice on purchasing your own tickets.
FROM THE USA
From the USA the principal gateways to South America are via Miami, New York City and Los Angeles. Daily flights are offered with LAN Chile, United, American, Aerolineas Argentinas or with Air Canada from Toronto. Once again we suggest you also purchase your Santiago to Puerto Montt ticket at this time as purchasing this later can prove to be more costly. It is important to note that your return flight from Chaiten into Peurto Montt does not arrive until 1300HRS so please bear this in mind when booking your return leg from Puerto Montt to Santiago.
Please ask Mike or Max in our US office, for any help and advice regarding your flights.

Exploring Chile:
Chile is rich with outdoor options for those inclined. The Torres Del Paine circuit is perhaps one of the most famous and spectacular trekking areas in South America with it’s dramatic granite peaks and glacial lakes it is internationally renowned as one of the most beautiful and remote areas in the world.
The resort town of Pucon with it’s backdrop of the Volcan Villarica looming behind is set amidst National Parks and is not to be missed. And if you like heights then consider reaching the summit of Mount Aconcagua, the highest point in the western hemisphere…not for the faint hearted however.
The Atacama Desert is further north and is the driest desert in the world. The town of Pedro de Atacama offers many attractive facilities for tourists. On the other hand if you want to do more on the water the southern fjords of Chile offer great sea kayaking opportunities around Las Termas de Chillan. If you would like any further information please contact us or we also suggest checking out the Lonely Planet guide on Chile.

Transport Services:
The Chilean bus service is quite good, especially if you speak Spanish, however, since Chile is a long slender country travelling to different parts can take some time. It can take two days to travel by bus from Chaiten, the port nearest to Futaleufu, to Santiago, so we would definitely recommend flying, especially if your time is limited. While in Santiago you can get around by taxi or by bus, or the subway is a clean, cheap and amazingly easy way to get around.

The Dreaded Jabs:
We recommend that you are immunized against Hepatitis A and Tetanus.

Exploring Santiago:
If you have an extra day and night in Santiago we suggest you visit the Plaza de Armas in the centre of the city, where Augusto Pinochet ousted Salvador Allende in the now famous coup. Or check out Bellavista, where you can find long-haired poets reciting their latest creations, fishbowl size bowls of beer (‘Shop’, as it is locally known), and some crazy late-night discos. The subway system is an excellent and easy way to get about the city and costs very little.

Exchange Rates:
At time of printing USD$1 was worth 516 Chilean Pesos and GBP£1 equal to 1065 Chilean Pesos.

Retail Therapy and Chilean Specialties:
Chile is not renowned for it’s crafts (unless you want to take home a lump of coal or copper), however, being close to Bolivia and Peru, one can shop for beautiful alpaca sweaters and hats. For the red wine lovers, Chile offers some of the finest red wine there is around. If you are a fish lover, we recommend the local Ceviche. Boasting the longest cold-water coast of any country in the world, Chilean Sea Bass is AMAZING!

Fitness and Safety:
Safety is our foremost consideration at all times whether on or off the river. All our guides are chosen for their extensive international experience. They each have at least 10 years running rivers around the globe. All have first aid qualifications of the highest standard including at least one medic on each trip. And we carry an extensive First Aid kit and Satellite Telephone with us at all times. They are considered professionals in their field and dedicate their lives to sharing these wonderful river trips with others.
The Futaleufu is a fairly high volume river with extremely large and demanding rapids and is an extremely adventurous and rigorous trip. And a huge amount of fun! We recommend that you exercise regularly: running, walking or swimming, at least a month or two before the trip, in order to maximize your fun on this amazing river. Please let us know (quietly if you wish) if you have any medical conditions or are taking any medications that you think we should be aware of.

Personal Equipment:
After years on the river the guides have found exactly what is necessary to feel comfortable on the raft by day, cosy around the camp at night and totally in style in town before and after trips! Therefore our equipment list will mean that you will be perfectly attired and outfitted for your whole trip and well under the baggage allowance - river guides are famous for travelling light (one has to be when a kayak is often in tow!). A full list of what we recommend will be sent to you upon booking confirmation. We find that most people already have in their possession what is necessary for a river trip and very little else in the way of specialised equipment is required. Perhaps the only thing that we specifically recommend for Chile is PLENTY of sunscreen!

Price Includes
• Transfers between Puerto Montt and Chaiten and to the river. If you provide us with your arrival details in Puerto Montt we will be happy to meet you at the airport. • Accommodation the night before the river trip in a tourist hotel (Day One). This will be on a share twin basis with someone also on your river trip. Single supplements are available • All transfers to and from the river. • All meals from breakfast on Day Two to breakfast on Day Eleven. We can cater for any dietary requirements, just let us know! • All necessary rafting equipment, including the best in buoyancy aids, helmets, full length wetsuits (men’s and women’s fit) and spray jackets. • Lodge accommodation whilst on the river. • All camping equipment excluding sleeping bags. • Fully qualified, experienced river guides and safety kayakers. We have a mixture of local and overseas guides who are extremely professional and make up one of the most experienced river teams in the world. They make every effort to make your trip one of the most memorable, optimising your fun without compromising on your safety. They all hold advanced first aid qualifications and in the unlikely event of an injury they have the expertise and professionalism to deal with it. • All necessary permits and licenses. • A cool Water By Nature T shirt! Please Note: Not included are flights, visas, departure taxes, travel insurance, inoculations, sleeping bags, video or dvd of your trip, alcohol, personal items or gratuities. You will also need to budget for meals in town which are not included in the price and any extra accommodation outside of what is provided.

Member discount:
Please register yourself with eezytrips.com and contact us to get your discount coupon.

Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.

Also see tour packages in:
Chile  Kayaking, Canoeing And Rafting Sport Vacations 

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