< Back to Search Results

Whitewater Kayaking: Chile Kayak School

Kayaking in Chile with Water By Nature Ltd

Highlights

  • World-class instructors teach you kayaking skills and confidence
  • 4:1 client to instructor ratio gives you a highly-personalized learning experience
  • Tackle increasingly challenging grades of rapids to perfect your paddling skills
  • Experience the beautiful, pristine wilderness of Patagonia

Full Description

In the heart of Patagonia, our kayak school will teach you all the necessary skills to get involved in this exciting sport.

The range of crystal clear rivers in the Futaleufu Valley offer the perfect opportunity aided by our team of world class kayak instructors for you to maximize your South American adventure trip. We start off teaching on lakes and with a natural progression of rapids, you'll be amazed at the fast progress you will make. Our instructors will fill you with confidence and enthusiasm, as well as a unique insight into the local culture, customs and wildlife. You'll stay at our comfortable camp on the banks of the Futaleufu River and get a chance to explore this wonderful valley. If you are up for a trip that is more than just a holiday, see you in Chile!

Includes:

  • Transfers to and from Bariloche, Argentina to Futaleufu and then to the river
  • Accommodation the night before the river trip in a tourist hotel
  • All transfers to and from the river
  • All meals from breakfast on Day Two to breakfast on Day Eleven
  • All kayaking equipment
  • Rustic Lodge accommodation whilst on the river
  • Qualified and experienced guides
  • All necessary permits and licenses
  • A cool Water By Nature T-shirt

Excludes:

  • Flights
  • Visas
  • Departure taxes
  • Travel insurance
  • Inoculations
  • Sleeping bags
  • Video or dvd of your trip
  • Alcohol
  • Personal items
  • Gratuities
  • Meals in town

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1

You will arrive in Bariloche, Argentina and be met by your Water By Nature Guide. We will spend the rest of the day in this charming little town where you can unwind from your flight. Bariloche San Carlos is on the edge of Lake Nahuel Huapi and has amazing views across the lake to the snow clad peaks and spectacular forests. The afternoon is yours to explore the town, go for a swim or just relax.

No Meals included on day one.

Day 2

After breakfast we'll take the gorgeous drive to Futaleufu from Bariloche San Carlos. We wind our way through the mountains and tree clad hills to Esquel in the heart of the Andes. After lunch, we'll drive into Chile and enjoy an afternoon float on the upper Futaleufu in rafts down to the Water By Nature camp, where the rest of your guide team will have you cabins ready for some sundowners and snacks. Settle into the comfort of your cabana on the banks of the gorgeous Futaleufu River. We kit out our kayaks and go over camp procedures.

Day 3

Yay, it's the first day on the water! We like to opt for the slow start here to keep the holiday feel to the trip. After kitting ourselves out at camp we take the short but scenic drive to Lago Espalon. Here we practise basic strokes on the lake for the day enjoying our sumptuous lunch in stunning surroundings. Before we even get near the lake your instructor will give you comprehensive safety instructions and introduce you to your kayak! We return to our camp to discuss what we've learnt, this is only the beginning...

Day 4

We head to the lake again, for more instruction and roll practise. In the afternoon, we put it all in to practise for a fun game of kayak polo. With one instructor to 4 clients you get the chance to learn and practise as many skills and techniques as you like. It's your holiday take it at your pace.

Day 5

We leave camp after a hearty brekky, our first day on the river. We put in just below the impressive "Cascades of Espalon". This is moving water, Class 2 river with stunning beauty giving us ample chances to practise catching eddies. All kayakers learn by falling in, this a great place to practise your breaststroke! Take out is in Futaleufu town. We return to our camp to talk about tales of the day.

Day 6

Today we head west from our basecamp to the Rio Azul beneath the Tres Monjas Peaks. The Rio Azul is a tributary of the Futaleufu winding its way through the mountains to the Fu. A slightly more challenging river, this will give you the opportunity to stretch yourself a little more and start putting all your new found skills into practise. You will come across some rapids with small waves to paddle through.

Day 7

Today is layover day! Whether you choose to try your hand at fly fishing, go for a horse ride, or simply chill out in your hammock at camp and read a book, the emphasis will be on relaxation. For the energetic go for a spectacular walk to see a high alpine lake.... It's only uphill for half the distance! It's your trip and your day off, have fun!

Day 8

It's back out to the Rio Azul this morning to practise more of your whitewater paddling skills, pulling into a gorgeous beach for lunch. And in the afternoon teach you some basic rescue techniques. This will help you understand more about the river and make you a proficient paddler. This is also a chance to discuss qualifications as we can award one and two star BCU qualifications.

Day 9

It's time to tackle the next grade. Today we run the Rio Palena, a gorgeous Class 3 run on the Argentine border. Class 3 is described as ‘Rapids are larger, regular waves, path generally requiring maneuvring to follow correct path.’ We return to camp in the evening for more river tales around the campfire.

Day 10

Your chance to paddle the classic "Bridge to Bridge " section on the Futaleufu. Clients will have the opportunity to kayak or raft depending on your progress. This can be a day for huge personal achievements and plenty of smiles. Celebrating the day back at camp with traditional Asado made by our neighbours Carlos and Alicia and their family. Pisco Sours and Chilean Red Wine will be on offer for the celebration drinks.

Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner days 2-10

Day 11

An early start to meet the van that will take us back to Esquel* and Bariloche for our flight back to Buenas Aires and our onward journeys back home.

Included: Breakfast & Lunch

* A flight option is available out of Esquel, however there is a risk of delay of this flight so we recommend spending the night in Buenas Aires to avoid missed connections.

About The Operator:

Water By Nature Ltd

Headquarters:

Denver, Colorado

Water By Nature grew out of a passion for running rivers and taking a bunch of like-minded people to remote and exciting parts of the world. It was founded by kiwi, Hamish McMaster, who had spent many years guiding the best rivers around the globe, in such countries as Nepal, Zambia, Israel, New Zealand, Australia, America and Europe. His vision was to start a company dedicated to providing safe, fun, exciting and cultural trips for clients and guides alike. He leads a team of world-renowned river professionals, who have helped him to realize this vision. Water By Nature is now the rafting specialist of the world. Our classic river journeys stand alongside climbing Kilimanjaro and trekking the Inca Trail in their appeal to the most avid adventurers. Our palette of river journeys reflect that we raft the best rivers in the world, and with 80% of our clients returning for a second trip, we must be doing something right! Many clients have expressed their amazement that a river journey entails so much more than just the river. Rafting has long been plagued by the myth that it is dangerous, extreme and only for adrenaline junkies. Rafting is our profession, so we take it seriously. We are serious about safety, about good food, good times and serious about fun! We offer trips to suit all ages and abilities - it is not about fitness, it is about fun. Our youngest client to date was 6 years old, and our most mature was a 73 year old blind chap, who did a 7-day Zambezi trip! (He was not into the scenery, but loved getting wet).

Experience

Our office staff will be able to answer all your questions, whether it be about visas, flights or hippos. Our river crews have a level of experience that is unmatched in the white water industry. They will navigate you safely down the river, and fill you with knowledge of wildlife and local customs. They will also keep you amused with a few river stories from their years exploring the world.