FUTALEUFU RIVER RAFTING & MULTISPORT VACATION : 10 Days - 9 Nights

Join us for an unforgettable adventure vacation on the Futaleufu River in Chile!  We guarantee that your 9 days on the Futaleufu in beautiful southern Chile and Argentina will be among the MOST memorable and exciting adventures of your life! We have designed the ultimate active Patagonia vacation incorporating the best of Futaleufu whitewater rafting, horseback riding, mountain biking and inflatable kayaking. Your nights will be spent at our "5-star" luxury riverside Adventure Spa Base Camp overlooking the turquoise blue waters of the Futaleufu. In addition, we offer additional horseback riding, fly fishing, kayaking private trips and trip extensions to Torres Del Paine National Park and Chiloe that are truly unique!

The Futaleufu River is what draws most people to the Futaleufu Valley. This world famous river is one of the most sought after whitewater destinations in the world! Continuous, big hydraulic flows offer all levels of rafters and kayakers rapids rated class III to class V. Our riverside camp offers the best location for maximizing river time!  We can put-in at camp and run the Bridge-to-Bridge section of continuous, fun whitewater - known as the "Heart of the Futaleufu". On our trip you will have the opportunity to inflatable kayak the Rio Espolon and the Rio Azul - the two main tributaries of the Futaleufu, thereby running 3 rivers in Patagonia.

Our family of expert guides has been coming back year after year to work on the Futaleufu with us and they know every rapid, every pour-over and every eddy at every runnable level. The entire Bio Bio Expeditions team has an undying passion for the Futaleufu River valley and all the activities and culture found within it.

And, you can rest assured, river safety is our number one priority. Bio Bio Expeditions has an impeccable safety record on the Futaleufu and we use only the top equipment. Our company exclusively provided the intricate river safety network for the 2000 International Whitewater Championships. We use both safety kayakers and safety catarafts and both 16-foot and 18-foot rafts for ultimate safety and flexibility for all water levels. We have satellite phone connection on all of our trips for immediate contact with the outside world if the need arises, and our camp staff includes a nurse and emergency medical technician available 24/7.

Fly Fishing on the Futaleufu River:  Situated at the end of a long, narrow, tranquil canyon, our Adventure Spa Base Camp hosts some of the best fishing opportunities imaginable. We have all the gear necessary for both fly fishing and spinning and our specially designed catarafts, with tractor seats on the front, are perfect for casting. From our camp you can launch a cataraft, with an expert oarsman, just steps from your tent and fish one of the most beautiful canyons of the river.  We can get to sections of river that the expensive fishing lodges can't reach because you have to run big whitewater to reach them. 

Horseback Riding in Chile:  Our Chilean neighbors “up the river” have a full stable of well-cared for and well-trained horses available for our use.  One day of our itinerary includes a beautiful ride into the Patagonian countryside and up into the incredible Rio Azul valley.  Additional riding can be arranged at any time. You can ride for an hour or spend the entire day on one of the many scenic trails touring the Chilean countryside with your guide. We have plenty of new sheepskin-covered saddles and helmets for your comfort and safety.

Mountain Biking in Chile:  We have a fleet of well-tuned mountain bikes at the camp including 2 full suspension KHS and 10 front suspension Treks. Ride from our camp, in any direction, or from the take-out for some of the best vistas and riding found anywhere!  We can also ride a fun loop of oxen cart roads and singletrack with amazing views of the Azul Valley and the Tres Monjas peaks.

Deluxe Wilderness Camping Riverside!  Our Bio Bio Expeditions Base Camp is located riverside will surpass all of your expectations in both amenities and comfort.  This is true "glamping"!  (Glamorous Camping!)  Our deluxe Base Camp on the Futaleufu has all the amenities, including: our sunset bar with unlimited drinks and Chilean wine, a wood sauna, 5 hot showers, 2 private massage rooms, riverside rock hot tub, yoga deck with mats, private, roofed tent bungalows with beds, cozy bedding and river views, flush toilets, indoor cozy Yoga Pagoda, and the best  river access for water sports.

“Thank you for a wonderful Chilean adventure! You anticipated our every need - we've never camped in a more luxurious setting!” - Sarah Gravatt

Gourmet Dining:  Our professional Chilean chef, Cristian Vargas, will thrill you with delicious, abundant meals. All of our gourmet cuisine is prepared and enjoyed under the "Galpon" our hand built covered structure, which is the main meeting area at our Futaleufu Adventure Spa Base Camp. Meal times are always festive occasions at the Bio Bio Expeditions camp with guests welcome to join in the culinary spirit. Tasty Chilean red wine flows freely as we gather around our hand-made wooden dining table to enjoy delicious meals by candlelight. The gourmet menus were designed to incorporate a range of Latin American flavors inlcuding the Peruvian specialty Aji de Gallina, fajitas, a traditional Argentinian parillada, fresh salads, and homemade desserts every night.  Our final meal of the trip is a traditional Chilean asado, or lamb roast, prepared by a local farmer over an open fire.  We are happy to accommodate any dietary requirements. Vegetarians will love the abundance of fresh vegetables harvested daily from the garden. In front of the dining area is our cozy campfire, surrounded by benches, where you can relax and enjoy hot tea or coffee.

Chilean Wine Tasting:  We include a fun, informative evening of wine tasting on each trip. We will compare and contrast the wonderful wines of Chile and Argentina while learning the history of wine making in South America. This is a fun evening at the sunset bar where you might find your next favorite vintage!

“Thank you for an incredible trip, one which will always bring a smile and laugh to our faces when we remember it and you. The music, food, wine and love made the river even more spectacular than it already is.” - Mary and Hal

Cultural Exchange

Our camp is located a 5 minute walk from a true, working Chilean homestead. We share some of the land where we built our Adventure Base Camp with a wonderful Chilean family, the Diocares. This warm, friendly family has extended an open invitation for all of our guests to visit with them and share a maté in their rustic kitchen. Enjoy a tour of their abundant greenhouse (the source of our delicious fresh produce). Rolando, the senor of the house, is always up to something interesting whether it be making apple cider from their apple orchard or driving his ox cart. He always enjoys sharing his culture with our guests. The Diocares also make us fresh bread everyday and are more than willing to take care of all your laundry needs for a small fee. And, on the last night of the trip, Rolando prepares a traditional Chilean asado, lamb roast, over an open fire to celebrate a wonderful trip.

We always have fun!  We encourage you to be yourself, be silly, open up, and have fun in an environment of support and kindness. Our clients tend to jump right in and help chop garlic at dinner or discuss the next day’s plan with their guides. Be sure and get your act ready for our legendary talent show the last night of every trip! We are proud of the fact that a big percentage of our clients are either returning for another trip or heard about the trip from friends.

“When we arrived, we were strangers. We left part of a family that will be ours forever. Many thanks to a wonderful group of professionals. Until next time….” - David Land

We invite you to choose Bio Bio Expeditions as your guide into the rugged beauty of southern Chile - You’ll be glad you did!