The beauty of this multi-sport adventure evolves around our small group size and our ability to tailor make your experience. Each night at dinner, we discuss the following day’s adventure options taking into consideration the weather, people’s desires and energy levels.

River Camp offers you everything you need and nothing you don’t. Located on 5 wooded acres on the banks of the Futaleufu, across from a towering canyon wall, we offer private riverside platforms to accommodate 12 guests in cosy safari tents. The tents are wonderful as they keep you connected with the wilds of Patagonia but provide the comfort one needs at the end of an active day. King or twin bed options are available.

River Camp offers indoor/outdoor dining with an open kitchen, cosy lounge as well as a fire pit and asado zone for barbecues and nights under the stars. We have a riverside wood-fired hot tub to rest your weary body after a full day of adventure and hammocks to chill and watch the river float by. The camp is equipped with all manner of adventure gear – kayaks, inflatable kayaks, rafts, stand up paddle boards, fishing gear – and offers easy access to a gorgeous beach right on an island right across from camp.

Nestled in a wooded riverfront oasis, River Camp is a private an inviting place to unwind. The Futaleufu purls by innocently here but we know its massive rapids lay just upstream. Each day we’ll enjoy hearty and healthy breakfasts, delicious lunches and sumptuous dinners, along with all the trimmings. Sourced from local growers and cooked with passion, we also have snacks and appetizers available daily and our open bar and “cocktail of the day” are always popular. We have full bar, cold beers and an eclectic mix of Chilean, Argentine and Spanish wines.

River Camp is the perfect size and allows people to immerse themselves in the Patagonia wilderness away from the crowds.

Awaken to coffee/tea delivery to your riverside tent! After a delicious breakfast, we head up river to challenge the Futa’s famous “Bridge to Casa” section that finishes right back at River Camp. This part of the river offers nonstop class III-IV from the Bridge to Bridge section and optional class V through “Mas o Menos” and “Casa de Piedra” rapids.

This classic stretch offers more rapids per 1000 meters than anywhere else on the river. It is the perfect warm-up run and will have everyone grinning from ear to ear. The rafting does not require previous experience as you will be accommodated in stern frame rafts that are “paddle assist”. This means you will be the engine and the guide will steer from the back of the boat. Guiding with oars does not detract from the paddling experience but rather enhances it. The advantage to the oar frame is greater control in pointing the bow straight through bus size holes and huge wave trains.

We also use catarafts combined with safety-kayakers as part of our “safety net”, which is ideal for this high volume, strong river. Given that River Camp is also home to Futaleufu’s most extensive kayak school, advanced kayakers will be thrilled with this incredible yet manageable stretch of whitewater.

When we get back to camp, you can choose to go fly-fishing, try out a kayak, practice yoga, nap in a hammock, go for a hike, or soak in the hot tub. As the sun sinks behind the mountains, enjoy a board game or cards in our cosy lounge or hang outside by the fire pit. Late afternoon means “Happy Hour” with an open bar stocked with beer, wine, soda, and juices. Later, we gather for a candlelight dinner featuring fresh locally grown produce and ingredients. After dinner, enjoy the campfire and the stars before retiring to your cosy tent on your private platform. The gentle sound of the river will lull you to sleep.

After breakfast we take a short drive to the ranch where we will find our trusty steeds saddled up and ready for riding. After a safety briefing, we ride alongside some local wranglers and our guides as we explore a pristine valley overlooking the river.

Horseback riding in the Futaleufu Valley is a way of life. When riding with us you are immersed in the gaucho culture and beauty of Patagonia Chile. Most horseback rides in Patagonia follow the ‘huaso senderos’ – the cowboy trails. This is an extensive network of trails, roads and swinging bridges used by locals on horseback, oxcart and by foot. The trails move through the spectacular isolated river valleys of the tributaries of the Futaleufu.

About these Horses
The horses we ride are native Chilean Corralero horses: a breed that is unique only to Chile. The Corralero is known for its even temperament, sure footedness, speed, and endurance. An all around great horse!

Today we can explore some incredible canyons close to the townsite of Futaleufu, where there are a number of canyons to explore. Canyoning offers waterfalls, slides and pools of pure, transparent turquoise water. Roping, rappelling, scrambling and jumping our way through the canyon will be an experience you won’t soon forget.

We provide neoprene wear, helmet, harness and ropes. You will need to bring rugged high-closed shoes suitable for both hiking in the mountains and in the water.

MaCall to Puerto Ramirez:

Choose to raft, inflatable kayak or hard shell kayak as we drift into a nice long calm section of the lower Futaleufu. Maybe even cast a line for trout and enjoy our stop on one of the Futaleufu’s most beautiful beaches. Here, we enjoy a bbq lunch, play games, siesta, swim, work on your roll and take in the tranquil afternoon along side the river. Later in the afternoon, we continue our float a few more miles to our take out spot just above Lago Yelcho. Upon return to camp, we will continue to celebrate the day, enjoy the hot tub and get ready for another fabulous dinner prepared by our talented chef.

Duckie Down the Azul:

Try to navigate our very own river crafts known inflatable kayaks (a.k.a. IK’s or duckies) as we venture up to the Rio Azul, which is one of the main tributaries to the Futaleufu. One of the most scenic canyons in the region, you get to challenge yourself on the class II and III rapids while absorbing outstanding scenery. There is something deeply satisfying paddling your own boat down a river, knowing that your destiny is in your own hands. Of course, our guides will be there to coach you and provide safety should you need to be rescued. Fishing, more kayaking, hiking or relaxing around camp are always great options in the late afternoon.

Zeta, Throne and Terminator:

For those seeking more river adventure and dramatic scenery, we can put in just below Inferno Canyon where the river widens with spectacular views of Las Escalas Valley. After a section of mild class II water, the river returns to its wild side and we encounter Zeta and Throne Room. Hopefully you will be able to see and film one of the safety guides kayaking these incredible, world-class rapids. However, we will portage both before challenging the action-packed section called “The Wild Mile”.

The river mellows for awhile into a scenic canyon before we reach the longest rapid on the Futa, Terminator (Class V). Just below, we’ll negotiate the hydraulic hole-filled Khyber Pass (Class IV+) and the Himalayas (Class IV), which has perhaps the biggest standing waves in the hemisphere before taking out above the Zapata Bridge and heading back to camp. Today offers you some of the best rafting not only in Patagonia, but in the world!

We start early today as we have to travel back down to the coast to catch the flight from Chaiten back to Puerto Montt for connecting flights either home or to your next destination.

You will want to leave a comfortable “window” to make it back in time, so book connecting flights departing from 14:00 hours onward. You may also choose to spend another night in Puerto Varas on your own.

We are confident that when you board the airplane you will look back upon your time in Patagonia and think of the friends you have made and the beauty of the Futaleufú River and Patagonian wilderness.