Futaleufu River MultiSport

Travel to Patagonia and discover the Futaleufu River! For sheer beauty and whitewater excitement, there are few rivers that rival Chile's pristine Futaleufu. This Patagonia tour is located in the heart of Patagonia, the Futaleufu River is renowned as one of the best whitewater opportunities in the world. This thrilling Patagonia trip combines Class III, IV and V rafting with classic Patagonia hiking, bicycling, yoga, kayaking, horseback riding and many other outdoor pursuits enhanced by plus... READ MORE >>
Itinerary
Day 1 ARRIVE SANTIAGO – PUERTO MONTT – PUERTO VARAS
Day 2 PUERTO MONTT – CHAITEN – FUTALEUFU BASE CAMP
Day 3 FUTALEUFU RIVER RAFTING – MUNDACA – PUENTE
Day 4 FUTALEUFU RIVER RAFTING – MAS O MENOS – CASA DE PIEDRA
Day 5 RIO AZUL KAYAKING
Day 6 RIO AZUL VALLEY HORSEBACK RIDING
Day 7 FUTALEUFU TOWN – RAFTING RIO ESPOLON – INFERNO CANYON!
Day 8 FUTALEUFU RIVER RAFTING – TERMINATOR – CASA DE PIEDRA
Day 9 FUTALEUFU – CHAITEN – PUERTO MONTT – SANTIAGO – HOME
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Itinerary
Day 1 ARRIVE SANTIAGO – PUERTO MONTT – PUERTO VARAS

Your Patagonia tour starts with your arrival in Santiago for your connecting flight to Puerto Montt. Our representative will meet you at the Puerto Montt airport middy to escort you to the charming village of Puerto Varas on the shore of Lake Llanquihue. Your hotel is conveniently located near the town plaza within view of the magnificent Volcan Osorno. Spend a relaxing afternoon swimming in the lake, sightseeing in town or visiting the quaint fishing village of Angelmo known for its traditional woolen products and Chilean crafts. There will be a group welcome-dinner at one of our favorite restaurants featuring delicious regional cuisine. (D)

Day 2 PUERTO MONTT – CHAITEN – FUTALEUFU BASE CAMP

Your Patagonia tour continues with a transfer from Puerto Varas to the Puerto Montt airport for your forty-minute charter flight across the straits of Chiloe to the seaside village of Chaiten. Here van will meet the group to enjoy lunch in town. Next, we will travel south on the Carretera Austral towards Coyhaique before switching to a scenic one-lane dirt road along the Yelcho River toward Lago Yelcho with views between mountain peaks of waterfalls, creeks and hanging glaciers that feed the lush temperate rainforest valley below. The Futaleufú River flows into Lago Yelcho, a world-class trout fishing lake. It is also home to Coho salmon that swim unimpeded up the Futaleufú to the Argentine headwaters or downstream to the Pacific at Chaiten. On the way to camp, you'll pass a few farms that are carved into the ancient rainforest offering a glimpse of Chileno style frontier living. Arrive at the Futaleufu base camp where your private tent platform, complete with river view and comfortable bed, will be waiting for you. After a short hike or a swim, you may wish to soak in the riverside hot tub or enjoy a hot shower before gathering in the sunset bar for the first welcome Happy Hour on your Chile tour. You'll be introduced to the entire Fu crew and go over the week's itinerary before enjoying a hearty dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 3 FUTALEUFU RIVER RAFTING – MUNDACA – PUENTE
Awaken to the warmth of the sun on the banks of the Fu and enjoy your first morning in camp where breakfast is served around 9 AM. A pre-breakfast yoga class is available on our customized yoga platform with river views. After a thorough safety briefing, the rafts will be launched from base camp, stopping at a safe 'eddy' a short distance downstream, to practice rescue drills and prepare to raft as a team. Your raft is head by a highly-trained and instinctive river guide with ace kayaking safety skills, who guides the boat from a stern-mounted oar frame. Guiding with oars does not detract from the paddling experience and provides greater control in pointing the bow straight through bus-size holes and fifteen-foot high 'haystack' wave trains. In addition, the rafts are supported by safety kayakers and a cataraft to ensure a safe experience. This style is consistent with any high-volume river that has strong currents where rapids graded IV to V+ rage on. Welcome to the Futaleufú!
 
The first section from camp down to Puente Futaleufú (the Futaleufú Bridge) is only six miles but offers more rapids per kilometer than anywhere else on the river. This non-stop fun is the perfect warm-up run. The rapids of note are El Cojín, the Cushion, and Mundaca, a local family name. A vehicle will be waiting at take-out for the twenty-minute ride back to camp. Those who would prefer a lower body workout to complement their paddling are welcome to run or mountain bike back to camp. At our base, go fly-fishing, try out a kayak, do yoga, nap in a hammock, enjoy the sauna, have a massage, go for a hike, play a game of chess or cards, or soak in the hot tub. A hot shower, either indoors or out, is a luxurious treat while camping in the remote wilderness of northern Patagonia. Of course, for the hardy, the river provides a refreshing dip for another memorable experience on your Chile tour. Try the (short) cliff jumping, too! Every late afternoon is Happy Hour with an open, hot tub side bar stocked with beer, wine, cocktails, soda and juice. Candlelight dinners featuring fresh locally-grown produce and delicious breads baked fresh daily by our neighbors are served in the open-air kitchen and dining area. After dinner, enjoy the campfire and the stars before retiring to your cozy tent on your private platform where the sound of the river will lull you to sleep. (B,L,D)
**Please note that this is a suggested itinerary that can be adjusted based on river flows and traveler interests. There are ample activities from base camp to choose from!**

 

Day 4 FUTALEUFU RIVER RAFTING – MAS O MENOS – CASA DE PIEDRA

After breakfast and optional early morning yoga, you will launch your raft from camp following the same exciting route as yesterday to master your rhythm. We’ll break to have lunch on the river. This second day of your Chile rafting tour we’ll pass the Puente Futaleufú (yesterday’s take-out) and meet a big stomping continuous cascade of waves known as Mas o Menos, "More or Less". This is a good stepping stone towards the first true technical Class V rapid, Casa de Piedra (House of Rock) waiting around the next corner, which you'll have an opportunity to scout beforehand. It forms a series of water wheels that channel all of their fury into a final churning pit with a dragon's back highway through it; that is, if you hit it on line. The remaining rapids on today's trip are Class III and IV. If you have the energy and desire, you may again mountain bike back to camp. For everyone else, a vehicle will be waiting. Enjoy the rest of the day and get ready for yet another fabulous dinner and peaceful night riverside. (B,L,D)
**Please note that this is a suggested itinerary that can be adjusted based on river flows and traveler interests. There are ample activities from base camp to choose from!**

Day 5 RIO AZUL KAYAKING

After two days of mastering our raft together, today we learn how to navigate our own inflatable kayaks (or “rubber duckies” as they are endearingly known). Even for the river veteran, these inflatables are surprisingly fun and often a trip highlight. We head up canyon to the Rio Azul, one of the main tributaries of the Futaleufu, with class II/III rapids that offer the perfect learning opportunity to master your kayak with the help of your river guide and several safety kayakers. If you’re feeling bold try to take on the class IV rapid, ‘Cheese Grater’. Return to base camp for another relaxing late afternoon filled with your choice of activities or a delicious massage. (B,L,D)
**Please note that this is a suggested itinerary that can be adjusted based on river flows and traveler interests. There are ample activities from base camp to choose from!**

Day 6 RIO AZUL VALLEY HORSEBACK RIDING

Today's horseback adventure travels deeper into the heart of Patagonia to the Rio Azul valley, where you’ll be surrounded by snowcapped peaks along an eight-mile trail paralleling the turquoise waters of the Rio Azul, with a stop for lunch along the way. Patagonia horses are quite the different variety--well-mannered but incredibly powerful work horses that are as mellow or as exciting as you would like to push. The local expert equestrians and our horse-ready river guide will lead us on an adventurous, three-hour ride. We will stop for a lunch of authentic Patagonia asado then have the option of hiking to the nearby 300’ Cascada waterfall. Return to camp for Happy Hour at the sunset bar and the much deserved hot tub. (B,L,D)
**Please note that this is a suggested itinerary that can be adjusted based on river flows and traveler interests. There are ample activities from base camp to choose from!**

Day 7 FUTALEUFU TOWN – RAFTING RIO ESPOLON – INFERNO CANYON!

After an early breakfast in camp, travel twenty-two miles up the road to visit the town of Futaleufú. You will have about an hour to stroll around this sleepy mountain town and its central plaza filled with fragrant rose bushes and cedar trees. We will continue on to our drop in on the Rio Espolon, a crystal-clear river that meanders for two miles before it flows into the Rio Futaleufú, one mile above the Inferno canyon. The upper canyon, where aggressive Class V paddling is required, is the most difficult section of whitewater on the river so we offer tamer river options for those who prefer a little less excitement. Five impressive rapids form a tight winding river passage creating an intense flow and the rushing adrenaline you dreamed of when you chose this Patagonia tour. Coming out of "Exit," the last of these rapids, you enter into a long calm of many miles, though the current remains swift.
 
After a relaxing float, things pick back up at the ferocious Zeta rapid, where portage (walk around) is mandatory. There the crew will "ghost" boat the rafts through this treacherous rapid while you enjoy lunch on the rocks and the view of the crushing intensity of the rapid. The afternoon begins with "Throne Room," a Class V+ rapid for kayakers, a ghost boat rapid for rafts. Walking around this rapid notice an almost 'river wide' hole that could destroy a raft. Back on board, a continuous Class IV corridor of rapids doesn't let up until take-out at the Rio Azul footbridge. Here the rafts are left for the night, tethered onshore. Early evening is spent in camp getting ready for the evening festivities, a journey to the neighboring farm of Miguel Toro who at seventy years young is one of the most colorful and charming residents of the valley. At his Casa de Ti, his daughter, Blanca, and her partner, Umberto, will prepare a very special treat, a delicious Curanto dinner, the cuisine typical of the south of Chile and the island of Chiloe. (B,L,D)
**Please note that this is a suggested itinerary that can be adjusted based on river flows and traveler interests. There are ample activities from base camp to choose from!**

Day 8 FUTALEUFU RIVER RAFTING – TERMINATOR – CASA DE PIEDRA

Today is the trip's peak of what we consider the best day of whitewater in the world, an unforgettable highlight of your Chile tour. After a wholesome breakfast, you head up river back to re-launch the crafts. Shortly downstream, the Rio Azul merges into the Fu and the river opens up offering breathtaking views of snowcapped peaks and the jagged ridges of the mountain called Las Tres Monjas ("The Three Nuns"). A four-mile stretch of warm-up rapids leads to "The Terminator," the longest and toughest of the rapids of the trip. After scouting and studying your line, you'll take the plunge and drop in to three miles of non-stop, exhilarating rapids. After this aerobic workout, the “Himalayas,” a mammoth haystack wave train, await. River calm returns, offering a gentle float into lunch served at base camp. The afternoon is yours to decide. For the river addicts, return to the rafts to complete the last challenge of the day: tackling as much whitewater as possible from camp to below Casa de Piedra. At take-out, cold beers and tea are waiting our triumphant day of exploration on the Fu. For the evening's festivities, our neighbors, Rolando and Nelli, will prepare a typical Chilean asado of lamb roasted over a bed of coals, salad, potatoes and fresh-baked bread. Under a starry sky, the group, guides, and crew spends one last night together on the banks of the majestic Futaleufu. (B,L,D)
**Please note that this is a suggested itinerary that can be adjusted based on river flows and traveler interests. There are ample activities from base camp to choose from!**

Day 9 FUTALEUFU – CHAITEN – PUERTO MONTT – SANTIAGO – HOME

In the morning, our van will take you to Chaiten for your mid-day flight back to the real world of Puerto Montt (La Paloma airport). You will need to take a taxi to El Tepual Airport, PMC, for your connecting flight to Santiago. Your evening arrival in Santiago provides ample time to transfer to the international departure lounge, pass through customs and shop for duty-free wines to commemorate your thrilling Patagonia tour. (B)
*Please note that the charter from Chaiten will arrive in La Paloma AirportFrom this airport, you need to take a taxi to El Tepual Airport located about 20 minutes away, $20 for the ride.

**Please note that this is a suggested itinerary that can be adjusted based on river flows and traveler interests. There are ample activities from base camp to choose from including horseback riding, inflatable kayaking, fly-fishing, mountain biking, or repeating one of the more relaxing, less intense rafting days. We can also arrange special instruction for those interested in trying their hand at whitewater kayaking.**

Weather

When to Visit
  • jan
  • feb
  • mar
  • apr
  • may
  • jun
  • jul
  • aug
  • sep
  • oct
  • nov
  • dec

Santiago & Surrounding Vineyards - The fertile heartland, this midland area of Chile enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with maximum temperatures averaging 82°F (28°C) in January and 50°F (10°C) in July. The rainy season lasts from May to August. Evenings and nights can be cool, even during the summer.

General Patagonia - The area south of Puerto Montt and Chiloé covers about 30% of the total land area of Chile. It is a rugged, mountainous region of tremendous beauty. Westerly winds and storms often drop enormous amounts of snow and rain on the seaward slopes. In the Magellanes and Tierra del Fuego areas, temperatures in summer average 52°F (11°C). Dampness and wind chill can make it feel cooler so layered clothing and good waterproof gear are musts. The weather year-round is highly unpredictable, and in summer be prepared for incessant winds that lessen in the winter. In the shoulder season months, November and March, winds are not likely to be as strong as during the peak of summer.

Torres Del Paine - The weather is famously unpredictable in this area and it is possible to experience four seasons in the course of a few hours. Average daily temperatures vary but in summer one can expect temperatures ranging between 50° F (10° C) and 70° F (20 ° C) with the occasional hot day of 78° F (25° C). Temperatures can drop to zero at night, and high winds are common in this area. Travelers should be prepared (both mentally and physically) for unpredictable and sometimes challenging weather conditions and pack accordingly. Good head-to-toe, breathable waterproof clothing is essential.

SANTIAGO

Min-Max Air Temp

Avg Rainfall

JAN54-850.0
FEB54-840.1
MAR52-800.2
APR47-720.5
MAY40-642.3
JUN40-583.1
JUL37-573.0
AUG38-612.1
SEP40-651.1
OCT45-710.5
NOV47-770.2
DEC51-820.2

*Year Round Temperatures in °F, Rainfall in Inches

 

PUERTO MONTT

Min-Max Air Temp

Avg Rainfall

JAN48-663.6
FEB47-673.7
MAR47-643.9
APR43-605.6
MAY42-569.2
JUN39-518.8
JUL37-509.0
AUG38-528.2
SEP38-525.7
OCT38-524.8
NOV43-600.5
DEC46-634.1

*Year Round Temperatures in °F, Rainfall in Inches

 

PUNTA ARENAS

Min-Max Air Temp

Avg Rainfall

JAN43-571.4
FEB44-571.1
MAR51-541.6
APR39-491.6
MAY35-441.7
JUN31-391.3
JUL29-381.3
AUG31-411.3
SEP32-461.1
OCT36-500.9
NOV40-531.1
DEC42-561.2

*Year Round Temperatures in °F, Rainfall in Inches

 

SAN PEDRO ATACAMA

Min-Max Air Temp

Avg Rainfall

JAN50-760.9
FEB50-750.2
MAR48-730.1
APR44-700.1
MAY38-660.0
JUN33-610.0
JUL33-610.0
AUG35-640.0
SEP40-690.1
OCT43-720.1
NOV46-740.1
DEC48-750.1

*Year Round Temperatures in °F, Rainfall in Inches

 

EASTER ISLAND

Min-Max Air Temp

Avg Rainfall

JAN68-812.8
FEB68-813.3
MAR68-803.8
APR66-774.8
MAY64-746.0
JUN62-724.2
JUL60-704.1
AUG60-703.7
SEP60-713.4
OCT61-732.7
NOV63-752.9
DEC65-783.4

*Year Round Temperatures in °F, Rainfall in Inches

 

Maps

Discover Argentina

Futaleufu River MultiSport

Pricing
Per Person
$4,500
Domestic Airfare:
$395 Airfare (Santiago/Puerto Montt/Santiago) – subject to change
$250 Airfare (Puerto Montt/Chaiten/Puerto Montt) – subject to change
 
Contact us for single supplement.
Included in tour cost
  • Mountain biking gear
  • Rafting equipment
  • Yoga mat
  • All airport/hotel transfers
  • All hotel accommodations
  • All listed activities
  • English-speaking certified guides
  • Entrance fees for all scheduled tours, national parks & archaeological sites
  • Meals as indicated
  • Southern Explorations pre-departure services
Excluded from tour cost
  • Domestic airfare within South America
  • International airfare to and from Central & South America
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Medical & travel insurance (highly recommended)
  • Hiking boots and other necessary sports gear
  • Reciprocity fee

Futaleufu River MultiSport

Trip Dates
Season runs from December to March each year. Contact us for dates.
Available
Puerto Varas
Hotel upgrades are available, please contact us to discuss your options.

One Day

Multi-Day

torres del paine patagoniaSouthern Explorations enabled me to go on the trip of a lifetime, without having to worry about the trickier aspects of planning. It was well worth the cost to not have to coordinate reservations, tickets, and itineraries with people and companies that exist on the other side of the globe. The locals who work with Southern Explorations were fantastic, and I won't hesitate to recommend Southern Explorations to my friends. I will certainly consider booking with them for future trips! - Mary Vanatta (W Multi Sport)

chilean patagoniaI just wanted to let you know what an incredible time Jerry and I had on your Patagonia ‘W’ Multisport tour. Our group was amazing. The people that you connected us with were great and we bonded quite strongly with them. In fact, we have plans to visit them in Tokyo in April. The guide, Cristian Sanchez, and the chef, Miguel Chacana, made a perfect pair. Cristian was an AMAZING guide. He was entertaining, engaging, funny, serious, informative and a true leader. He was able to bring the group together and hold it together with ease. He was also very willing to spend every moment introducing us to his local friends and encouraging us to engage in the local customs like sharing tea from a “mate.” Cristian kept us on schedule at all times and made the activities flow with effortless ease. He is also one of two guides to have been born and raised in Puerto Natales and this made a huge difference in his spiritual connection with Patagonia - he was truly one with the mountains and everyone in the group could sense it. Great tour overall and I will happily recommend your company to others. Our guide was very impressed with your tour operation and he prefers to work with you since you are one of the best operating in that area. This goes a long way in giving me comfort in my recommendation of your firm. Thanks again and we will be in touch when we are ready for another great experience. - Bill Coleman and Jerry Boening, New York (Patagonia)

torres del paine patagoniaSadly, I am back from my AMAZING trip to S. America. I just wanted to thank you for everything. Your professionalism, responsiveness, & knowledge of S. America were incredible. I truly had the trip of a lifetime thanks to Southern Explorations. You guys left no stone unturned from the Galapagos, to Peru, to Chile, to Patagonia..............my expectations were exceeded 10-fold. I already recommended you guys to the gentleman on the plane next to me. It was really nice to get to meet Justin in Patagonia. It is obvious how hard he has worked to establish such strong contacts, guides, etc. I could tell that our guides were a step above the rest. I just wanted to thank you for making my dream come true. My mom & I will never forget this the rest of our lives. - Ami Jampolis (Galapagos Island Cruise, Peru, Chile & Patagonia)

chilean patagonia travelWe had a tremendous experience. Patagonia is truly heaven on earth and Southern Explorations enabled us to safely and efficiently spend 2 weeks in this paradise. Eri was a superb guide and traveling companion. Knowledgeable, smart, humorous and patient. He has a wonderful laid back style. We developed a genuine bond with Eri and we hope to see him again. He was superb with my 9 yr. old son. The estancia Tercera Baranca was wonderful, we could have stayed there indefinitely. I can't make enough positive statements to describe our experience. - Will, Beth and Max Mondzac (Patagonia)

 
Southern Explorations planned and arranged the perfect 2 week Chile trip for me and my husband. Jonathan Borgida at SE talked to me about our interests and tailored his recommendations around them. He designed the itinerary so we could visit the Colchagua Valley wine country, Easter Island, the Atacama Desert, and the Lake District, in a sequence that wasn’t too hectic. He arranged for local tour guides, all of whom were exceptional and enabled us to have a deeper experience of the people and country, and to see things we wouldn’t have been aware of regardless of the amount of research we did on our own. Because we had an evening flight home, Jonathan also arranged for us to have a guide and driver takes us to Valparaiso for our last day. All flight, hotel, and other travel arrangements were flawless, too. - Gloria Kavanah (Chile Custom Trip)

Vira Vira was awesome - it was the perfect start to the perfect trip. Michael and his family are totally hands on and committed to creating a top notch experience for their guests.  The property, the food, the excursions, the attention to detail - we could not find a single fault with anything. It literally felt like we were their personal guests. Everyone else staying there seemed very satisfied as well. Two thumbs up! Dimple (Honk Kong) (Custom Chile)
It was a wonderful trip and Southern Explorations really did a marvelous job of putting everything together for us. Thank You. We have had nothing but fantastic memories and have spoken to many people about Southern explorations and what a nice job you guys did putting everything together. Peru and other South America ventures will happen. I will be in touch. - Steve Andryk (Wisconsin) (Luxury Patagonia)

The Southern Explorations team did a fantastic job helping us plan our Galapagos adventure in 2011 and our Torres del Paine/Australis Magellan Straits cruise 2015. They were extremely helpful in planning our trips and quickly responded to each of our questions. We will definitely seek their services to assist in any future travels.   - Sharon McRae (Torres del Paine/Galapagos Islands)


Our experience from our first exploratory call to the Seattle office was excellent. Prompt and courteous responses and they accommodated our specific needs for a combined Patagonia and Galapagos trip. I cannot think of anything that was not satisfactory. I recommend Southern Explorations highly.   -Lyn Arscott (Patagonia & Galapagos Island Cruise)


Basically the trip was perfect. Our wishes about big things were totally fulfilled, like exploring Rio Brian, going up Valle del Silencio, etc. Our wishes for small things (low sugar, low gluten, good photo opps) were exceeded. It was a totally excellent trip. Your ability to deal with the unexpected was amazing .. weather, my injuries, our changing our minds. It was an amazing trip! And SE agent gave us all kinds of good advice before we left.   -Brian & Lynne Collins, USA (Chile)

Our words to describe our trip are Spectacular, Exciting, and Remote! We got to see basically everything we had hoped for, and more! - Ann Huston, California (Patagonia)

Thank you for a wonderful introduction to South America and excellent vacation. We will be returning to other SA venues in the coming years and will be sure to contact Southern Explorations for assistance.   -Gordon McPhee, South Carolina (Chile & Argentina)


This was a trip of a lifetime. The highlight was the Explora Lodge with unbelievable hikes and horseback riding. Also, the Perito Moreno Glacier was fantastic. I wouldn't change a thing. - Kyle Craig, Colorado (Patagonia)


All in all a thoroughly enjoyable, informative and relaxing trip. Well done! - Brian Parnega, Canada (Chile)

“The Southern Explorations team did a fantastic job helping us plan our Galapagos adventure in 2011 and our Torres del Paine/Australis Magellan Straits cruise 2015.  They were extremely helpful in planning our trips and quickly responded to each of our questions. We will definitely seek their services to assist in any future travels.” - Sharon McRae (Cruceros Australis + Hotel Las Torres)


Our experience planning a trip to Patagonia in South America with Southern Explorations exceeded my highest expectations!  Everything was incredibly well organized, the hotels they booked for us were very nice, the guides and people who transported us all spoke our language (English).  When my husband got very sick and we had to alter our plans,  they were on top of rebooking flights and canceling excursions, and handled all of the logistics for us.  I would highly recommend the services provided by Southern Explorations, and will certainly use them for all future travel planning that we do!! - Kristi Holland, Alabama (Patagonia))
Our two sons, ages 19 & 22, said it was the best trip they'd ever been on. (And we've been to southern Africa game camps, New Zealand, Galapagos, numerous SCUBA diving vacations all over the globe, not to mention dozens of other less dazzling spots around the world and the US). (Patagonia) is really gorgeous. Jorge (Guide) was exceptional--just perfect for us! The tents are fantastic--lots of room to put huge backpacks inside along with lots of other gear--kudos on the tents. La Tercera (estancia) was marvelous and charming--we're so glad you planned two nights for us there. The food by Carmen was the best we ate on our entire trip to Chile--really extraordinary both nights!
 

 

Chile - Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I choose an itinerary?
A: We offer a variety of pre-planned tours online and we’d love to design a custom trip just for you. Take a look at what we have online then call an Adventure Travel Coordinator to discuss the trip that best fits your timeframe, budget and interests.
Q: Can I make changes or additions to these tours?
A: Yes! We are happy to modify any tour to meet your needs and also add pre and post-excursion extensions. If you sign up for a group departure we cannot change the group portion but we can add extensions before and after.
Q: When is the best time to go to Chile?
A: Chile can be visited year-round, although the southern regions are generally best visited in the Spring, Summer and Fall, which run from October through April. Northern Chile, due to its high desert, is pleasant to visit year round. Central Chile, in the Andes, becomes a skiers paradise from late-June to mid-September. Contact an Adventure Travel Coordinator to discuss the best timing for your preferred tour.
Q: What is the weather like in Chile?
A: Chile is a long country, spanning many climatic zones, and offers weather systems ranging from warm, high desert to cold tundra. Patagonia is famous for having “all four seasons in one day,” while the Atacama Desert is one of the driest places on earth. Contact an Adventure Travel Coordinator today to discuss the weather on your trip.
Q: What is a typical day like in Chile? 
A: The typical day varies widely from trip to trip, but all tours will have full days with guided exploration. There is time for rest and relaxation, as well as independent exploration of the cities and towns you visit. Due to the remote nature of Chile’s most scenic areas, some long travel days will be required.
Q: How much time do we need to visit Chile?
A: Although we have trips as short as 5 days, we highly recommend spending at least 7 days in Chile, and ideally 12. Chile has many fascinating regions and some of the most beautiful areas are quite remote, requiring extended travel time.
Q: How far in advance should I book?
A: As a rule, the further in advance you can plan, the more options you will have. We recommend planning a trip at three to nine months in advance, but if you want to stay at very specific luxury hotels or travel over a holiday we recommend planning nine months to a year in advance.
Q: What are your booking and cancellation policies?
A: Click here to see our booking and cancellation policies.
Q: Do you use certified guides?
A: The guides on all of our tours are experienced, fluent in English and hold a degree in a related field. The guides are experienced in the outdoors and trained in basic first aid. We tend to use the same guides as they are accustomed to the trips we offer and understand the Southern Explorations commitment to quality.
Q: What kind of accommodations can I expect?
A: We primarily work with 4-star hotels in Chile and the occasional 3-star property that meets our standards. We also work with several amazing 5-star properties and all-inclusive lodges. All of our hotels are clean, comfortable, well-located, offer en suite bathrooms and have been personally vetted by a Southern Explorations’ staff member.
Q: Do tours include airfare?
A: We will confirm all airfare within South America and this price is listed separately from our base tour costs. You are responsible for booking international flights to Chile.
Q: Will I get more information on packing, vaccines, currency, electricity, etc.?
A: After booking you will receive a link to our online trip portal which includes all of the need-to-know information that is specific to your itinerary.  This includes packing lists, restaurant recommendations, tipping guides, FAQs, vaccine recommendations and currency information. Your Adventure Travel Coordinator will also be a great resource for any other information you may need.
Q: How will I do laundry during the trip?
A: Patagonian hotels charge very affordable rates for doing a guest’s laundry. You will also have access to laundry facilities on most days in major cities. Some of the Patagonian experiences will be true ‘wilderness’ style camping with only a river or lake as a water supply. Some locations have washing facilities where guests may do laundry. Bring biodegradable soap if you wish to do your own laundry. Please refer to the full itinerary or contact us for details.
Q: I’ve heard Patagonia is very remote. What if I have a medical emergency on the trip?
A: Some of our trips take passengers into some primitive wilderness areas. Our guides are trained in wilderness first-aid. To ensure the safety of our travelers, our guides are linked with outside services 24 hours a day in all locations to provide assistance when necessary. Though our guides carry extensive first aid equipment for minor ailments, injuries and accidents, they cannot handle serious medical conditions, and passengers are advised to obtain health or travel insurance that covers medical evacuation. There are small hospitals in the Patagonia region, some with 24-hour medical assistance that can deal with minor injuries and illnesses. In the rare event of an accident or broken bone, passengers would be evacuated from the wilderness area (probably by horse) and continue on the long drive out. Helicopters are available for emergencies but cannot fly during high winds. Any passengers with a medical condition or using medication should discuss this with us prior to travel.