Specialized media (including Adrex.com) consider the river to be one of the top three whitewater destinations in the world. Futaleufu is a massive paddling destination. Several international whitewater events have been staged on the river, attracting top ranked kayakers from around the globe. Arrive two weeks before the season starts and you'll be paddling floods class V on most paddleable sections. Lots of outfitters and companies work out of there.
All area invites you to experience one of the best whitewater in the world, backed up by the incredible scenery of glacier capped peaks and native forests, along with a very friendly local culture of subsistence farmers. You can discover Middle Patagonia, where countless rivers open up a world otherwise unseen by the casual traveler. Our Patagonia adventure travel tours take you by raft and kayak on scenic floats through Patagonia's pristine landscapes or for action-packed adventures down roaring mountain rivers.
is 8 kilometers (day-trip) of continuous big water rafting on the Patagonia's Futaleufu River, with spectacular views. You can raft through huge waves and spin out in swirling whirlpools, getting drenched in rapids such as the technical Zapata, unpredictable Pillow, the crunching waves of Mondaca, and playful whitewater in the Canyon del Limbo. If the river water level allows, you have the option to raft downstream through Futaleufu's Macal section, including class V Mas o Menos and Casa de Piedra, where you can enjoy slalom between house-size boulders and boat-eating holes.
you can pass under the hanging bridges, where the rapids begin with a big splash in Zapata rapid, where you can paddle over giant glassy waves while cutting left to miss big holes and rocks. The constant action continues through many more rapids, Pillow, Mondaca, Tiberon, sheer walled granite Canyon del Infierno, where wall to wall turquoise water leads into a series of big rapids - Infierno, Purgatorio, and Escala de Jacabo (Jacobs Ladder) - followed by a scenic float through Las Escalas valley. The impressively beautiful Zeta and Throne rapids are both too big to raft. Everyone will have to walk around on the easy trail, while the guides ghost boat the rafts through, or rather, they push the empty boats off at the top, and retrieve them at the bottom of the rapid. The Wild Mile provides you with a flush of excitement before getting to our wilderness camp near the Rio Azul. On the final day, you can raft the rest of the river. This will include most of the rapids for one of the biggest days of rafting anywhere.A short warm up brings us to Terminator rapid, where we will get out and scout the rapid, finding the safest route through this mile long maelstrom, including the turbulent Kyber Pass and the largest waves of your life in Himalayas.
To get a really fine paddle you can ask Josh Lowry, a great guy who will point you in the right direction. Josh Lowry is Futaleufu Explore´s lead guide, and considers the Rio Futaleufu his favorite. With over 26 years experience guiding kayak and raft trips including the Grand Canyon, Middle Fork of the Salmon, Rio Jatate in Chiapas Mexico, Chile's Rio Futaleufu, plus numerous others. After exploring more than 90 rivers in Chile he is considered the best source for paddling info in Chile. He likes to share his extensive local knowledge, laughing all the while. Since 1986 Josh has paddled the Futaleufu, with many more descents than anyone.
To get more detailed information go to: www.futaleufuexplore.com
Source: Futaleufu Explore website and FB profile Thanks to Josh Lowry. Video: Youtube
All Images are property of Futaleufu Explore.
