First Descents Alumni and Friends (BEG-INT-ADV Groups)

For friends of First Descents seeking to whitewater beginner, intermediate or advanced Chile whitewater rivers, to improve skills with the security of professional instructors, safe and challenging development features, quality equipment, and explore Chile’s beautiful rivers. Whatever you’re kayaking skill it is our goal to progress you to the next level.

“Too Tall” jumps into the basalt lagunas on the Rio Turbio hike. More than a kayaking trip.

Group Sizes Min 2. Any skill group with 2 or more will merit private instructor and proper river features for development.

Beginner Kayakers (I to II+). Beginner groups daily goto lakes for roll and strokes development to be progressed by beginner-intermediate rivers with safe features, exploration, and kaayking lessons.

Intermediate Kayak Group (II+ to III). The trip core will develop kayak skills on Chile’s best intermediate whitewater features and rivers. Instructional development includes combat rolling, reducing going upside down, eddy catching and piercing, application of boat edging, use of paddle for balance, scouting and river running. Optional intro to safe waterfall running.

Advanced Kayak Group (III to IV). The advanced group will daily explore and develop on class III – IV rivers. Instructional development includes application of kayak edging and hip transitions to eddy piercing and boofing, advanced strokes fundamentals, safety and rescue leadership, and introduction to safe waterfall running.

Trip Leadership

Pucon Kayak Retreat recruits and retains the industry leading instructors from NOC (NC) and RMOC (CO) ensuring safe and student-centric instruction on Chile best rivers.

About Kayaking Pucon Rivers

With more than 15 class II to III+ river sections and just as many advanced sections Pucon area rivers guarantee proper features to challenge and progress your kayaking. World class instructors are trained to benefit your Chile rivers kayak learning with skills such as boat control on ferries, improve combat rolls, pierce and catch eddies. By the time you leave your kayaking and confidence will improve more than even you imagined. It is our goal to give you foundational kayak tools so you continue to improve all year. Your Trancura riverside base is as good as kayaking gets with development rapids both upstream and downstream and rivers in every direction. Just 20 minutes away are clean waterfalls for the thrill seekers. It’s whitewater heaven, and you get to kayak multiple times daily.

Did we mention volcano hikes and hot springs?

Tentative Intermediate Itinerary

*Due to water levels, skills, and group needs the following itinerary is subject to change and is a best prediction of the itinerary.
**Advanced and Beginner kayakers check out Chile Rivers Guide for aligned sections. 

Day 1 (SAT)

Arrival to Temuco Airport (ZCO) between 11 AM to 5 PM.
Boat outfitting, orientation and welcome.
Potential afternoon river run or activity pending time.

Day 2  (SUN) Skills Assessment on Lago Villarrica and Rio Tolten Chile Kayaking 

AM – Rio Tolten & Lago Villarrica (I to III). Rolls and Strokes at Lago Villarrica
PM – Rio Tolten (II to III) Plus Artisan Ice Cream

Day 3 (MON) Liucura Wave to Rio Trancura Confluence Chile Kayaking

AM – Kayak Theory PLUS Middle Trancura Strokes, Ferries and Roll Practice
PM – Liucura Wave to Trancura Confluence (II to III+)

Day 4 (TUE) Lower Maichin Canyon Plus Multi-Sport Activity 

AM – Lower Maichin (II to III) Canyon.
PM – Multi-Sport Activity

Day 5 (WED) Turbio Lava Falls, Swimming Holes, and Liucura Play Wave to Trancura Confluence

AM – Optional Turbio Lava Falls and Swimming Holes Hike
PM – Liucura Play Wave to Trancura Confluence. Surfing is our favorite way to gain confidence with boat control and combat rolling.
Lago Caburuga Vista and Appetizers. For the afternoon we’ll drive the group to overlook Lago Caburgua with vistas of two volcanos.

Day 6 (THU) Travel Day – Rio San Pedro Chile Kayaking

AM – Full Day Road trips are big days and often the group favorites. An early breakfast followed by won of the most scenic drives circling volcanos, lakes and rivers.
Travel Dinner. *Guests are responsible to cover this cultural dinner estimate at $US12 to $US20.

Day 7 (FRI) – Farewell Celebration Chilean Asado & Video
Optional Palguin Ten Foot Waterfall with Pool Safety Set

AM – Optional Palguin clean ten foot waterfall.
PM – Lower Trancura
Afternoon – Farewell Chilean Asado Celebration

Day 8 (SAT) – Pucon Shopping and Airport Transfers 

AM – Pucon souvenirs and crafts shopping.

PM –Temuco Airport (ZCO) Departure Flights Between 11 AM to 5 PM.

What’s Included.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Appetizers & Dinner
• Kayak Rental
• Airport Transfer *per scheduled times
• Riverside Base & Lodging
• World’s Best Kayak Instruction
• Daily River Transports

Not Included.

• 2 meals out at group chosen cultural, favorite cafe, or travel meal
• Alcohol
• Some optional multi-adventure activities such as massage therapy and hot springs.

Tentative Trip Itinerary

*Due to water levels, skills, and group needs the following itinerary is subject to change and is a best prediction of the itinerary.

Day 1

Arrival to Temuco Airport (ZCO) between 11 AM to 5 PM.
Boat outfitting and welcome.
Potential afternoon Lower Trancura (II to III+) run pending time.

Day 2

AM – Load for Rio Tolten & Lago Villarrica (I to III). Rolls and Strokes at Lago Villarrica

PM – Rio Tolten (II to III)

Day 3

AM – Kayak Theory +PLUS Liucura Wave to Trancura Confluence (II to III+)

PM – Lower Trancura (III to IV) or Trancura Delta (II)

Day 4 Travel Day -San Pedro, Fuy, Blanco, or Truful Truful 

AM – Full Day Road trips are big days and often the group favorites. An early breakfast followed by won of the most scenic drives circling volcanos, lakes and rivers.

Day 5 

AM – River Section or Mapuche Indian Presentation on the state of Rio Trancura Headwaters vs. hydropower.

PM – Lower Maichin (II to III) Canyon.

Day 6 – Travel Day – San Pedro, Fuy, Blanco, or Truful Truful 

AM – Full Day Road trips are big days and often the group favorites. An early breakfast followed by won of the most scenic drives circling volcanos, lakes and rivers.

PM – Thursday nights are scheduled for a guest dinner at won of our favorite Chilean cafes. We’ll take time to explore Pucon’s shops, eateries, and have a cerveza or artisan ice cream.
*Guests are responsible to cover this cultural dinner estimate at $US9 to $US12.

Day 7 – Group Option, Farewell Celebration Asado & Video

We’ll gauge the group energy and discuss kayaking or multi-adventure options for the final day. Some may want to try a clean waterfall for a grand finale. Others may want to get redemption on a section. We’ll celebrate the week’s accomplishments Chilean style with a grand fire and asado.

Day 8 – There’s still time to get in one last run. 

AM – Optional Morning Lap or Pucon souvenirs and crafts shopping.

PM –Temuco Airport (ZCO) Departure Flights Between 11 AM to 5 PM.

KEEP KAYAKING.