ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival and Introductions Arrive at either of our entry points in Chile or Argentina, the gateways to Patagonia. Connect with our representative and travel to the remote riverside town of Futaleufu, surrounded by majestic mountains. Here you will find your accommodations at our Tres Monjas Eco-Camp. A hearty meal, hot sauna, and wonderful views welcome you to Kayak Chile's base camp on the Futaleufu.

Day 2: Terminator Section You wake to the brilliance of life along the shores of the Futaleufu, with the jagged Tres Monjas peaks standing sentinel over the river and camp. After a delicious breakfast, you outfit your kayak and put-in at our beach for your first taste of the big water of the Futaleufu, the “Terminator” section. You will have the opportunity to warm up on numerous Class III rapids, and then have the option of walking, sneaking (IV+), or running the huge and impressive Class V “Terminator” rapid. From the "Terminator", we will kayak downstream on the Futaleufu to the Class IV “Khyber Pass”, and on to some giant wave action in the Class IV “Himalayas”. Here you will surf some of the biggest standing waves in the hemisphere! We will return to our Futaleufu kayak camp to relax in the hot sauna or on the naturally formed white sand beach.

Day 3: El Corazón - Heart of the Futaleufu This day is filled with the big exploding waves for which the Futaleufu is world famous. We put-in at the “Zapata’s” swinging bridge and run the “Corazón” – the Heart of the Futaleufu - previously named "The Bridge to Bridge Section". Here you will find plenty of Class IV big water action, including “Entrada”, “Pillow”, and “Mundaca”, one of the largest breaking wave holes in the world. This nonstop Class IV section will keep your adrenaline pumping and the evening air filled with good cheer and plenty of fireside stories.

Day 4: Corazón, Más o Menos & Casa de Piedra Like the previous day, we put-in at the swinging bridge at “Zapata,” but we will pass the Futaleufu Bridge take out and continue on to the Class IV+ “Más o Menos”, and the technical Class V “Casa de Piedra”. Finally the river eases off for the beautiful and playful Class III “El Macal” section. After a great kayak day on the Futaleufu river you will be ready to slip into the wood-heated sauna and ease your tired muscles. Kayak Chile's camp masseuse will be available for any of your sore muscles and joints.

Day 5: A La Carte Kayaking - Repeat & Play More! The group takes its pick for the day’s kayak run. Return to “Pillow Rock” and “Terminator Wave” for some surfing and flat spinning? Or go back to the exploding chaos of “Mundaca”? Maybe after so many days of paddling you are ready for a trek up to Tres Monjas, or a horseback ride to the Upper Futaleufu? How about a day lounging on the beach, or reading a book? This day is yours to enjoy!

Day 6: Departure Wake up for an early breakfast and drive back to Chaitén, Chile and your flight to Puerto Montt, or relax for a couple of hours and take our shuttle to Esquel, Argentina. As you catch a final view of the Río Futaleufu; surrounded by hanging glaciers and snow capped mountains, take a moment to reflect upon all of the amazing sights and experiences of this past week. After all these years we are still stunned that views like these exist.

DATES
Friday to Friday: D1-D6, D8-D13, D15-D20, D22-D27, D29-J3, J5-J10, J12-J17, J19-J24, J26-J31, F2-F7, F9-F14, F16-F21, F23-F28, M2-M7, M9-M14, M16-M21, M23-M28, M30-A4, A6-A11.

Saturday to Saturday: D2-D7, D9-D14, D16-D21, D23-D28, D30-J4, J6-J11, J13-J18, J20-J25, J27-F1, F3-F8, F10-F15, F17-F22, F24-M1, M3-M8, M10-M15, M17-M22, M24-M29, M31-A5, A7-A12.

PRICE
$1095.00 USD Included: All meals, lodging, transportation, guides and kayaks while paddling with us. Round trip transportation between Futaleufu and Puerto Montt or Esquel. See the packing list for specific details. The actual kayak futaleufu lite program for your individual trip will vary according to the desires and skill level of your group, the water levels, weather, or other factors.

INSTRUCTION
ExChile has been guiding and instructing whitewater kayakers in Patagonia, Chile since the 1985/86 season and we have developed an excellent understanding of what kind of person makes an outstanding river guide. Our guides and instructors are handpicked from the best kayak schools and instructional programs throughout North and South America. They are all experts in their field, relate well to people, and understand how to communicate difficult concepts effectively. Our guides are expected to enjoy spending significant amounts of time outdoors in isolated regions, to engage in resourceful problem solving and function well within a multi-cultural bi-lingual environment. In most cases our guides are over-qualified for the positions they hold with us. Our current guides and alumni include: world champions, national champions, authors, expedition pioneers, heads of instruction and company owners. Their commitment to your safety and the quality of your paddling experience is paramount.

ACCOMODATIONS
1. Futaleufu Kayak Camp - One of the most magical things about a trip to the Futaleufu river valley in Patagonia Chile is the time you get to spend at our Eco Camp at Tres Monjas. Of all the lodging options with Expediciones Chile, this camping experience offers the greatest connection with nature. Lodging here is generally a part of our kayaking packages, but can be arranged for many itineraries. The blending of a dramatically beautiful setting and camping refined to perfection with a dedication to environmental consciousness, creates this elite Eco Camp. It is a strategically located launch pad for the Futaleufu River and all the adventure activities this valley has to offer. "When you think you have seen it all, you arrive at Tres Monjas and the definition of a beautiful setting has to be re-written." -Paul Oz from Canoe Focus Magazine Perfectly located at the ideal put-in and/or take-out for two of the Futaleufu River sections, the Eco Camp is isolated and self-contained. All you can see for dozens of miles around is a sprinkling of farms, the river and the mountains. Standing sentinal over the camp are the three clustered, volcanic spires known as Las Tres Monjas (Three Nuns Peaks). To arrive at this secluded peninsula, surrounded by two rivers, you will cross the smaller Rio Azul at the confluence in a canoe ferry leaving the vehicles and the world as you know it behind. From here you can enjoy our private eco-trails for paddling, trekking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fly fishing or just exploring. Cross the Futaleufu on a swinging footbridge and you are on the Futaleufu Valley trail, which you can trek or ride along the Futaleufu River all the way to the Village of Futaleufu.

2. Safari - The inns, hotels, cabins, and camping are a wonderful combination of quaint country comfort and bright city posh. You will have the chance to see all the best of Argentina, from its rolling farmland to its exciting cities. Food All meals are provided. Expediciones Chile has an internationally trained gourmet chef on staff who personally oversees each detail of meal preparation selecting the best vegetables, meats, fruits and dairy products. At Expeditions Chile we know that a day of outside activity demands a large quantity of energy and we take great pride in offering you a delicious balanced diet that will permit you to face each day in a better way. We offer both vegetarian and non-vegetarian entrés and our gourmet chef can accommodate reduced fat or reduced carbohydrate diets if you so desire.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need to be a Class V kayaker to go on your trips? No! We offer trips for every skill level and there are portage trails around every rapid. The Kayak Chile guides will see that you remain within your comfort zone at all times.

What is the Futa (Fu) like? Really, really big is the best description. However, most rapids are drop-pools, making them extremely safe.

How strong of a kayaker do I need to be? For most of our trips we recommend that that you have a reliable roll on one side to get the most enjoyment out of your week with us - specially for the Futaleufu River Valley and Kayak Futaleufu Weeks. See our skill evaluator for additional help in determining which trip is for you. If your roll is not that reliable, consider one of our paddling school weeks.

Why a guided trip? A guide is like having a group leader who knows the river incredibly well, they will show you the best lines, play spots and even help you with your technique if requested. We also take care of all food, shuttles and lodging, maximizing your time to enjoy this spectacular river.

What kind of kayak will I paddle? We have at least fifty of the latest kayaks available for you to use. If you want us to get a specific boat that we do not have listed, call our office - the earlier the better. However, after the first day on of kayaking on the Futaleufu, most of our guests change to something bigger than the boat they normally paddle at home.

What month is best to come? The Seasons in Chile are opposite than those in Europe and North America. We run trips from December to April. The months of January and February correspond to July and August in the Northern Hemisphere. We get high water in the Spring and lower water in Autumn.

Can non-kayakers come on this trip? Yes! We have an unsurpassed ala-carte multi-sport Adventure Vacation Program that they can choose from. Take a tour of our web site for more detailed information.

Why go with Kayak Chile? Years of Experience: We started running guided whitewater trips on the Futaleufu River in the winter of 1985/86 and have one of the most experienced guide teams in the valley. Ultimate Kayak Camp: Enjoy our completely private, secluded Tres Monjas Patagonia Eco-Camp that has been designed specifically for the whitewater kayaker. Patagonia Safari Trips: Our guided Kayak Safari Vacations give you access to all the best whitewater in Patagonia, Chile and Argentina. Weatherproof Lodge: For those wanting a more luxurious trip we have a native wood Patagonia Lodge in the town of Futaleufu. Variety of Trip Options: We have guided trips for every skill level: Kayak Chile Class II/III, Futaleufu River Valley Class III/IV, Kayak Futaleufu Class IV/V - a Padding School and a Chile Sea Kayaking program. Multisport Options for Non-Paddlers: Non-paddling companions have complete access to the entire Kayak Chile / Expediciones Chile multisport Adventure Vacation Program - call us for a package price!

ADD ONS
- Massage $40.00
- Equipment Rental $100.00
- Extra Day $100.00
- Safari trip extra $100.00
- Extra Costs $150.00
- Futaleufu Transport $150.00
- Kayak Instruction $150.00
- Fly Fishing $200.00
- Private Charter $300.00

KAYAKS AVAILABLE
- Jackson: Superstar, Superfun, Fun 1 Liquid Logic: Gus, Pop, Hoss, Little Joe
- Dagger: Kingpin, Centrifuge, GTX, GT, PRM, RPM MAX
- Wavesport: Diesel 7.5, Diesel 6.5, Foreplay, Score, Super EZ, Big, EZ, X, Y, Z, Godzilla
- Drago Rossi: Pintail
- Necky: Jive, Jive 8/10
- Perception: Supersonic

HISTORY AND BIO OF COMPANY AND GUIDES
Expediciones Chile (Pron: "Ex-ped-ish-she-oh- nays" ) started in the winter of 1985, when a U.S. kayaker from the 1984 Olympic Team was trying to hit all the greatest whitewater rivers in the world. He came upon Chile’s Futaleufu River, fell in love and his life has never been the same! Chris Spelius not only paddled the Futaleufu from top to bottom, alone, but went up again to walk the entire Futaleufu to find the best location for a camp. He couldn’t resist the granite canyons, warm turquoise water, white sand beaches ringed by glaciers and towering, extinct volcanoes, – and soaring condors. He named his camp, which is at the confluence of the Rio Azul and the Rio Futaleufu, – Campo Tres Monjas. The camp now has a dining lodge, hot sauna, rustic outside showers, drying shed. The camp allows no automobiles. Guests must paddle a canoe to get to it. The company started with kayaking trips only, but soon also added rafting, sea kayaking, fly fishing trekking, horseback riding mountain biking and other multi-sport adventures. Expediciones Chile now has a lodge in the town of Futaleufu, and a camp and ranch in the Futaleufu valley, catering to all comfort levels. Expediciones Chile is celebrating it’s twentieth anniversary this season and now has clients from all over the world: U.S.A, EUROPE, AUSTRALIA, AFRICA and ASIA and sometimes has a waiting list. The company office is now based officially in Sun Valley, Idaho – after eighteen years in Bryson City, North Carolina. Chris Spelius, still a competitive kayaker, often goes on trips or fills in as a river guide. He now has a Chilean wife who has learned to kayak – and a six-year-old daughter. - written by Carol Spelius

REGION
Futaleufu and Palena River Valleys, and Patagonia Chile.

LAKES, RIVERS, SITES VISTED
Pacific Ocean, Chaiten, Rio Espolon, Futaleufu, Escalas Valley, and Futaleufu Village.