Rafting Argentina to the Coast of Chile

Synopsis:
Each night is spent at a different campsite on this rafting tour from Argentina through Chile, Patagonia. Each day has travel options including white water rafting, horseback riding and/or hiking en route to the next camp (10 - 15 kms in distance). Fly-fishing is an option in the evenings and mornings at every camp unless you are too exhausted to try...

Day 1:
Arrival:
Arrive at the high mountain ski town of Bariloche, Argentina via Buenos Aires, Argentina or Santiago, Chile. ATAC Patagonia representative will meet you at the airport and take you to the Hotel Edelweiss. In the evening, dine at Alberto's in Bariloche with the entire group and rafting guides.

Day 2:
White Water Rafting and Inflatable Kayak Class II-III:
In the morning, meet ATAC Patagonia's trip leader and the expedition group for breakfast at the hotel and drive from Bariloche along the coast of the scenic Lago Nahuel Huapi and into the Nahuel Huapi National Park.

After a rafting water safety orientation, practice paddling techniques on a tranquil Manso tributary before entering the turquoise waters of the main Rio Manso. Descend class II-III rapids in rafts and/or inflatable kayaks with views of waterfalls and snow-capped rugged peaks to a remote Argentine customs outpost.

Enjoy a classic local morel mushroom pasta dish for lunch. Continue through class III rapids in a narrow basalt gorge and camp on the shore of the Rio El Leon. Pass through the Chile customs outpost in the evening. Feast on pollo al disco.

Day 3:
Option 1: Horseback Riding or Hiking:
Travel alongside the huasos and pilcheros, horseback riding or hiking along the river to the pueblo of El Leon. Continuing West, the dirt road becomes a well-traveled horseback riding and hiking trail that follows the river through thick diverse rainforest with views of the river's gorge and mountain peaks.

Option 2: White water rafting Class III-IV:
Travel downriver through a basalt gorge, white water rafting through class III-IV rapids with 1-2 mandatory portages.

Both white water rafting and hiking / horseback riding groups camp on an open field with sweeping 360° views overlooking the valleys and confluence of the Rio Torrentoso and Rio Manso. Feast on bife de chorizo - tender filets of internationally acclaimed Argentina pampa-raised beef.

Day 4:
Horseback Riding or Hiking:
Journey by hiking and / or horseback riding up the Rio Torrentoso Valley on an ancient trail once ridden by Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Travel up the winding narrow valley passing pictographs on the canyon walls.

Lunch at the confluence of the Rio de Los Morros and the Torrentoso and continue up the valley into virgin temperate rainforest. Camp on the shore of the high mountain lake, Lago Vidal. Feast on Cazuela.

Day 5:
Layover Day / Personal Day:
Though some may choose to spend a personal day relaxing and swimming. Explore ancient pictographs on walls surrounding Lago Vidal.

Fly-Fishing:
Experience fly fishing and/or Patagonian style fishing along the shore of Lago Vidal. Regroup in the evening and spend a second night in the camp alongside Lago Vidal. Enjoy a lakeside sauna.

Day 6:
Horseback Riding or Hiking:
Travel by horseback and / or hiking through Torrentoso Valley back to the Manso drainage and downstream to a farm overlooking the river. Camp on a small plateau, surrounded by breathtaking bluffs, 300 feet above the river in view of some of the Manso's class V rapids to be descended by the white water rafting group the following day. Feast on pastel de papas.

Day 7:
The Big Day:
Option 1: Horseback Riding or Hiking:
Experience horseback riding and hiking with the huasos through the most technical portion of the trail. Dismount and lead your horse over the most difficult sections as the trail rises hundreds of feet over the canyon before dropping down to the river.

Option 2: White Water Rafting Class V:
(water level permitting) Raft a class V section of white water including the rapids, Super Pollo and Mellisa's Meltdown to the confluence of the Rio Manso with the Rio Steffen. Those who do not wish to paddle class V or who do not qualify, travel with the horseback riding and /or hiking groups. After lunch at Rio Steffen, paddle a class IV stretch including the rapids Cachai and Curva Peligrosa. The rapids become class I as the valley widens and views expad into the valley of the Rio Puelo.

Horseback riding, hiking and white water rafting groups camp on a large sandy riverside beach near the confluence of the Rio Puelo. Celebrate our last night on the river in traditional Chilean style with pisco sour and an asado.

Day 8-9:
Return to Puerto Varas and home:
In the morning, a launch ferries us across Lake Tagua-Tagua. Travel North on the Carretera Austral through the coastal fjords along the Pacific Ocean, Chile. The tall coigues and lengas alongside the road grant intermittent views of Volcano Osorno which towers over Todos Los Santos Lake and the small town of Puerto Varas. Fly out of Puerto Montt, Chile via Santiago of Chile. Return to the U.S.


Note:
We do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, however this itinerary is subject to change.

1. Trip Cost Inclusions and Exclusions. The cost of the Patagonia rafting trip includes: accommodations, food (up to 24 meals), equipment, transportation, and guides. The Patagonia rafting tour price does not include: airfare and travel expenses to Bariloche, Argentina, and from Puerto Montt / Puerto Varas, Chile; government tourist taxes; additional meals; alcoholic beverages with some dinner(s); optional activities; and individual costs not provided to the rest of the clients.

2. Trip Cost, Deposit & Cancellation. The full balance of the trip cost is due 60 days before the trip departure date. If this balance is not paid 60 days prior to departure, ATAC reserves the right to cancel the client’s reservation. If a reservation is made less than 60 days prior to departure, the full balance of the trip is due at that time. A client’s cancellation is effective on the date ATAC receives written notice of the cancellation. $200.00 of each deposit is nonrefundable, regardless of when cancellation notice is given. If cancellation notice is received over 120 days before departure, a trip cost payment and $300 of the deposit will be refunded; if received 90 days before departure, a trip cost payment and $200 of the deposit will be refunded; if received 60 days before departure, a trip cost payment and $100 of the deposit will be refunded; if received 30 days before departure, one-half of the trip cost will be refunded; and if received less than 30 days, there will be no refund. Note: ATAC recommends that all clients purchase traveler’s insurance and can help clients locate an agent. If a client is prevented from traveling due to serious illness, death in the immediate family or a similar catastrophe, at ATAC’s sole discretion, the client may transfer to another trip or locate another qualified individual to take client’s space subject to the replacement client executing the required documents.

3. ATAC reserves the right to cancel a trip up to 30 days prior to departure on the condition that 100% of the trip cost payment and deposit be returned to the client. ATAC may cancel a trip within 30 days of departure for reasons of force majeure, unusual or unforeseen circumstances outside the company's control. When a trip is canceled by ATAC, the client may choose between a full refund of all monies paid and any alternative trip with open reservation space offered by ATAC, subject to an adjustment for any difference in costs.
Please download and review the complete reservation packet from the DOWNLOAD INFO section in the left column to understand all terms and conditions before making a deposit.

Patagonia Flora & Fauna

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