Futaleufu River Whitewater Rafting in Chile

Plan a South America Rafting Adventure You Won't Forget

Blend grand luxury with high adventure on a whitewater rafting trip down the Futaleufu River as it twists and turns through the lush rain forest of Chile. The Futaleufu ("Fu" or "Foo") River touts a series of pulse-pounding rapids with names like Inferno, the Terminator, Rodeo Hole, Casa de Indio, Puma and Wild Mile. As each day ends, you will return to a base camp to relax in a rustic jungle setting while being pampered with fine local wines and chef quality gourmet food prepared by your expert guides.

Whitewater Rafting on the Futaleufu River means remote adventure

The Futaleufu (pronounced FOO-ta-lay-oo-FOO) flows majestically out of the snowcapped Andes as it beckons rafters with 100 miles of beautiful turquoise Class IV-V rapids. The river swells in the Chilean summertime after being fed by glacial melts. The daytime temps average 80°, and the water is refreshingly cool. Most of the outfitters offer several packages ranging from 8 to10 days trips for whitewater rafting down the Futaleufu River with the average price ranging from $2,000-$3,000 during the months of March through April. The excursion begins at a remote base camp around 10 miles west of the town of Futaleufu In order to get there, you will have two charter flights (which is almost always included in your overall fee.) from Santiago. You will also be doing a half day of hiking among a tangle of fern and bamboo thickets and also driving to this remote location. It is all well worth the effort because the next week or more promises a roller-coaster ride through sharp granite peaks and old-growth forests. There will be neat layovers at Swiss Family Robinson-style tree-house camps, complete with cypress hot tubs or rustic cabins located along the way.

In native Mapuche language, Futaleufu means grand waters, The Whitewater rafting on the Futaleufu River is particularly exciting because not only is it set against beautiful scenery and the wild life of the Andes, but the river itself is thrilling with grade four to five white water rapids. There is an astonishing wealth of birdlife. Watch green-backed fire crowns, the world's most southerly hummingbirds dart along the banks of one of the world's most spectacular rivers, the Rio Futaleufu in Chile.

Whitewater rafting on the Futaleufu is pure adrenaline

To add to the challenge, three weeks of torrential rain sometimes leave the Fu unpredictable, swollen and menacing. The water flow outcome is largely dictated by the Futaleufu River's mood. The outfitter will furnish all wet suits, splash jackets, life jackets and helmets.

Additional attractions while whitewater rafting on the Futaleufu River

Many whitewater rafters on the Futaleufu River intersperse spills'n'thrills rafting with mountain hiking, biking and fly-fishing, culminating by rafting among dolphins, pelicans and sea lions on the Pacific coastline.