Patagonia's Futaleufu offers some of the best whitewater rafting opportunities in the world. Travel into the heart of Patagonia and spend your days splashing down the river, through class III, IV, and even a class V rapid! Trip includes an active Chile travel itinerary, focused around world-class whitewater rafting. Luxury camping, horseback riding, kayaking and beautiful landscapes also await this Patagonia adventure. This is a great Patagonia tour for the experienced rafter, or the novice looking to improve their skills.
Requires high-intensity physical efforts that push the limits of one's fitness. May include tours with multiple days in a row of strenuous physical activity or single requiring more than 7 hours of activity. Recommended for travelers maintaining a demanding fitness level.
This morning you arrive in Santiago or Buenos Aires and fly to San Carlos de Bariloche. Enjoy this delightful town and spend the evening in your 5-star hotel, the Hotel Villa Huinid.
Day 2: Meet the Futaleufu!
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today you will transfer from Bariloche to the Futaleufu base camp. Enjoy the beautiful scenery as you traverse 380km southwest through the countryside.
Your evening is free to explore the camp and to become acquainted with your guides and surroundings.
Day 3: Futaleufu Introduction
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The Futaleufu called to you all night – today you answer! The morning begins with a brisk morning hike, allowing you to look over the soon to be conquered rapids. A comprehensive training session with world-class guides, followed by a set of practice drills, will wrap up your morning. Your warm-up session is only 10 km long, but possesses more rapids per 1000 meters than anywhere else on the river.
Late this afternoon, Part I of a hard-shell kayaking clinic will take place. The afternoon can be spent back at the camp relaxing in a hammock or hiking in the beautiful Patagonia landscape. The river also offers fly-fishing and kayaking, or a brisk swim. A campfire under the stars finishes your day.
Day 4: Inferno Canyon
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today’s rafting journey takes you further down the river, where you come face to face with the Futaleufu’s more aggressive personality. Your adventure takes you past the Puente Futaleufu, Mas o Menos, and into your first Class V technical rapid, Casa de Piedra – House of Rock!
After lunch, your options include a fly fishing trip on the lower class I portion of the Fu, or Part II of the kayaking clinic.
Slow things down at night with a game of volleyball back at camp, soak in the hot tub, or get a well-deserved massage. Tonight, sleep soundly as the sound of the river lulls you to sleep.
Day 5: CHANGE THIS DAY FOR 5-DAY ITINERARY
1 Breakfast
We saved the best for last! Wake up to a beautiful morning and get ready for the grand river-rafting climax! Your journey takes you from the top of the Futaleufu river at Inferno Canyon, and into the Rio Azul. This is a very adventurous day of rafting, including a five-mile canyon of class V whitewater, and a portage around the fierce Zeta rapid and the infamous Throne Room. You will also meet “The Terminator,” the longest and toughest rapid on your journey. Take the plunge, and hold on for the next three miles of non-stop wild rapids. Calm waters return – just in time – and you float into base camp for lunch. Return to the river to tackle as much whitewater as the day allows. You will tread lightly through these exciting and humbling waters. Celebrate into the night – feast to your heart’s content on roasted lamb, ensalada, potatoes and fresh bread. Toast your wonderful whitewater adventure and the mighty Futaleufu!
Day 5: Bariloche - Home
1 Breakfast
In the morning you drive to Bariloche and fly back to Santiago or Buenos Aires to complete your South American travel adventure. (Must be a flight leaving after 6:00 pm out of Bariloche)
Dates & Prices
Per person starting at
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is $400, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
Lisa Bridge
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.