Why Choose Our Intermediate Chile Kayak Trips?

Our Intermediate Chile kayak trips are designed for paddlers ready to build on Class II–III+ skills while exploring the pristine rivers near Pucón with professional guides. Ready to take your kayaking to the next level in a paradise of rivers, volcanoes, and hot springs? 

Whether you’re developing your whitewater roll, refining your ferry technique, or learning to boof, our student-centric instruction ensures real progress and confidence-building. With over 15 local river sections—including Rio Trancura, Liucura, Maichin, and Tolten—each day is packed with skill progression and fun.

Trip Highlights:

• Paddle multiple sections daily

• Stay at our Rio Trancura riverside base: hot tub, architect quincho, lodgings, hang out spaces…

• Relax in volcanic hot springs

• Join a like-minded global kayak community

• Add multi-sport options like hot springs, culinary adventures and more…

🛶 Kayak & Inflatable Kayak Options Available: Choose between whitewater kayaks, packrafts, or duckies for your adventure.

👨‍🏫 Expert Instructors: Learn from top pros including NOC, ACE, and Buena Onda guides—leaders in safe, effective kayak coaching.

“I’m not good enough to go kayaking in Chile,”

Discover the Best Rivers in Chile for Intermediate Kayak Trips with Expert Instruction and Exciting Whitewater

Did you know that Chile’s Lakes District is home to some of the world’s best rivers for beginner and intermediate paddlers? Our Intermediate Chile kayak trips combine world-class instruction with exciting Class II–III+ whitewater in a student-focused environment. Whether you’re refining your skills or exploring new rivers, you’ll be guided by top industry professionals dedicated to your progression and safety.

What to Expect on Your Intermediate Chile Kayak Adventure

With more than 15 class II to III+ river sections, the rivers in the Pucon area guarantee proper features to challenge and progress your kayaking. Team Buena Onda instructors are trained to benefit your river running with skills such as control kayak on ferries, improve combat rolls, pierce and catch eddies. By the time you leave your kayaking and confidence will improve.

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. There is even a clean ten foot waterfall for the thrill seekers. It’s whitewater heaven, and you get to kayak multiple times daily.

Did we mention volcanos and hot springs?

Day 1.

Bienvenidos a Pucon Chile: Orientation

Arrival to Temuco Airport (ZCO) between 11 AM to 5 PM.
Boat outfitting and welcome. If time allows we will get you on the river ASAP to wash off the jet lag.
Welcome to Pucon Kayak Retreat appetizers, provisions, and dinner by fire.

Day 2.

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 4.

Lower Maichin Canyon Plus Multi-Sport Activity 

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

Day 5.

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 7.

Farewell Celebration Chilean Asado & Video
Optional – Palguin Ten Foot Waterfall with Pool Safety Set

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

Day 8.

Pucon Shopping and Airport Transfers

AM – Pucon souvenirs and crafts shopping.
PM – Temuco Airport (ZCO) Departure Flights Between 11 AM to 5 PM.