For Advanced & Strong Intermediate Kayakers 

Primary Focus — Advanced Big-Water Paddlers

This trip is designed primarily for experienced paddlers who:

• Have solid Class IV skills

• Maintain a reliable roll in chaotic water

• Are comfortable in sustained high-volume push

• Want peak-season Patagonia big water

The Futaleufú is powerful, dynamic, and visually magnificent. This program maximizes river time while maintaining professional safety standards. The retreat contracts specific guides and transportation to offer proper challenges and development for advanced kayakers to charge on sections matching their skills.

Strong Intermediate Participation Option

February on the Futaleufú offers remarkable sections appropriate for confident intermediate paddlers ready to step into big-water development. The retreat contracts specific guides and transportation just for intermediate sessions and proper skill development.

Strong intermediates should have:

• Consistent Class III+ skills

• A dependable roll

• Comfort in pushy current

• Solid river-reading fundamentals

To ensure proper pacing, section selection, and safety coverage, intermediate participation requires:

• A minimum of three intermediate paddlers

or

• A $1,500 total supplemental logistics fee

The $1,500 is a total group supplement (not per person) and covers the additional guide and transportation resources required for an intermediate-focused progression structure.

If three or more intermediate paddlers enroll, the supplemental fee is not required.

The Futaleufú: Not your normal whitewater kayaking experience.

The Futaleufú River is widely considered one of the world’s premier advanced whitewater destinations — a true big-water proving ground where crystal-clear turquoise glacial flows meet massive volume, technical lines, and continuous class IV–V rapids. Set deep in Northern Patagonia, the Futa offers something rare: high level whitewater combined with road access, warm summer air temps, and visually unreal scenery, with granite walls, hanging glaciers, temperate rainforest, and Andean peaks rising directly from the river corridor.

This program is designed for serious paddlers who want maximum river time during peak Pucon season, allowing you to stack world-class big water after dialing skills on Pucon’s technical runs.

Unlike many Futa trips that focus purely on survival paddling, this expedition blends progression, line choice mastery, safety systems, and high-end logistics. Professional safety coverage, charter flight access, and curated daily section selection allow us to match flows and difficulty to group strength. For strong intermediates or developing advanced paddlers, the retreat offers a custom progression program with dedicated safety support, making the Futa accessible without diluting the advanced nature of the core trip.

This trip is led by expert local and international guides with years of experience navigating Chile’s most demanding whitewater. Expect thoughtful line selection, strong safety systems, and coaching that supports confident decision-making in challenging environments.

What’s Included

• Daily expert-led kayaking on Class IV–V rivers

• Safety and coaching support from professional guides

• Ground transportation to all river put-ins and take-outs

• All meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Appetizers & Dinner… daily meals at a Patagonian restaurant.

• Limited drinks: We provide the first drink or two, such as favorite beverages: sodas, vino, beer, and non-alcohol options upon request.
• Choice of Kayak: select from our fleet list and we transport the kayak to Futa.
• Cabin (shared occupancy): Guests may request a private room for $900 (pending availability)

• Airport transfers to and from Chaiten airport for flights arriving/departing between 11AM – 5PM

What’s Not Included

• Airfare to Puerto Montt: Kayakers need to arrange transport to and from Puerto Montt.

• One dinner out: Guests are required to pay for a dinner out in Puerto Montt.

• Paddle & Other Gear: You may rent a paddle for $12/day and other gear maybe available upon request

Available Add-Ons (If Applicable)

• $390 – Puerto Montt – Chaiten Roundtrip Flights

• $1,500 – Futa Intermediate Kayaker (this fee can be split between all intermediate kayakers)

• $900 – Private Room Request

• $72 ($12 per day) – Paddle

Who This Trip Is For

The Rio Futaleufu Trip is designed for experienced paddlers only.

You should have:

• Solid Class IV+ ability

• A reliable roll in Class IV environments

• Comfort paddling in steep, technical, and consequential whitewater

• Experience making decisions in fast, complex river settings

If you’re looking to push your limits, sharpen your skills, and paddle some of the best whitewater in South America — this trip delivers.

Day 1 — FEB 6 or 13 | Puerto Montt Arrival

Arrive Puerto Montt (PMC) 14:00–18:00
Hotel Don Luis check-in
Group dinner + expedition orientation

Focus:
• Team introductions
• Gear logistics overview
• River safety philosophy
• Patagonia expedition mindset

Day 2 — FEB 7 or 14 | Flight from Puerto Montt → Chaiten & Paddle

Morning
• Breakfast
• Santa Bárbara Airfield for flight Puerto Montt → Chaitén
• Scenic drive Chaitén → Futaleufú Valley

*Guests may arrange their own transport and rendezvous in Chaiten or at our Futa lodging location.

Midday
• Cabin check-in
• Lunch
• Kayak outfitting + safety systems review

Afternoon Paddle (Conditions Dependent) Likely Sections:
• Lower Bridge Zone Warm-Up
• Macal Intro Section
• Whitewater Mile (if group appropriate)

Evening:
Welcome dinner + river briefing

Day 4 — FEB 9 or 16 | Continuous Whitewater Progression

Likely Targets:
• Bridge to Bridge (Class III+–IV continuous)

Focus:
• Linking moves
• Surf wave control
• Continuous decision making

Bridge to Bridge = Classic Futa fun
→ Surf waves
→ Big features
→ Technical challenge moves

Day 5 — FEB 10 or 17 | Classic Futaleufú Expansion

Likely Targets:
• Entrada
• Lower Bridge → Entrada Combos

Focus:
• Big-water boof timing
• Feature avoidance vs engagement
• Consequence awareness

Day 7 — FEB 12 or 19 | Signature Day / Boater’s Choice

Options:
• Casa de Piedra (portage options available)
• Entrada + Bridge combos
• Favorite section laps

Focus:
• Personal milestone runs
• Style + confidence building

Evening:
Farewell Patagonia asado + celebration

Day 8 — FEB 13 or 20 | Exit Day

Early breakfast
Drive Futaleufú → Chaitén
Flight Chaitén → Puerto Montt
Depart PMC after ~13:30 recommended