Is This Trip For You?
<body bgcolor='White' style='font-family:sans-serif;font-size:10pt;'><b>Expediciones Chile</b> has been running trips in Patagonia, Chile since 1985. We take great pride in making sure our guests stay within their comfort zone and experience the vacation that best suits their tastes and ability level. Please read over the trip description, day by day itinerary, and trip rankings to see if this trip is for you.</body>
Food
<body bgcolor='White' style='font-family:sans-serif;font-size:10pt;'><b>Expediciones Chile</b> 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 meals and our gourmet chef can accommodate reduced fat or reduced carbohydrate diets if you so desire.<p><b>Organic Vegetables</b>: Planted during the winter in our greenhouses, at the foot of the Tres Monjas Peaks, with direct irrigation from the Andean snow melt; we have the freshest vegetables free of contamination and pesticides that gives them an indescribable flavor and texture.<p><b>Fresh Fish</b>: Futaleufu is located very near the coastal zone of Puerto Montt which has one of the largest and most advanced fisheries in the world. Our suppliers guarantee the freshest seafood products free of contamination and with a flavor that is second to none.<p><b>Meats</b>: Our free range meats of lamb, beef and poultry are selected with meticulous care by our gourmet chef and are carefully prepared to bring out the best flavors and tastes. All are raised on organic grains and grasses free from unnatural hormones and pesticides.<p><b>Wines</b>: Chile is recognized the world over for the quality of its grapes. At Expediciones Chile, you will enjoy the best Chilean wines as ideal accompaniment for meats, cheeses, dry fruits, fish and shellfish, besides a great variety of distilled liquors and beers.<p>To read more about our menus please <a href="http://exchile.com/amenities.html">click here.</a></body>
Money
You will not need to take a great deal of money with you on this trip, just enough for gifts, souvenirs, drinks and any incidental items. We recommend taking about <b>$400-$500</b> depending on how much shopping you want to do, plus an amount that you may want to tip the staff and trip leaders. <b>The currency in Chile and Argentina is the Peso.</b> To get the best prices, you will need to pay in this currency. Please convert prior to departure or at the airport.<p>
Travelers checks are great for the big cities but are less useful in regional cities and other remote areas. We recommend that you carry cash in small denominations. You can change money at the international airports if you have time between flights. <b>Expediciones Chile</b> can cash travelers checks for you in Futaleufu and exchange currency as well. Major credit cards are accepted in the bigger cities and are accepted by Expediciones Chile in Futaleufu.
<p>There are ATMs in the Santiago, Buenos Aires, Puerto Montt, Bariloche & Punta Arenas, airports. They accept most major credit cards and some bank cards (Cirrus). We recommend that you obtain money in capital cities and not rely on the ATMs in the regional airports (in case they are out of service). There are no ATMs in Chaiten or Futaleufu. There are ATMs in Puerto Natales and Califate.
Destination Location
<body bgcolor='White' style='font-family:sans-serif;font-size:10pt;'><b>Expediciones Chile</b> invites you to come explore the best kept secret of Patagonia, a magical place where hundreds of glacial lakes are connected by thousands of kilometers of pristine rivers, all flowing through the dramatic Andean Mountain range. Come visit us in the heart of this paradise, the Futaleufu River Valley. Be enchanted by its natural rhythms, where condors soar in southern thermals high above turquoise rapids thundering through rarely explored granite canyons.</body>
Travel Companions
<body bgcolor='White' style='font-family:sans-serif;font-size:10pt;'>Lead a group trip and earn a <b>FREE</b> trip to Patagonia! <a href=http://exchile.com/specialsgroupdiscounts.htm>Click Here</a> to learn more about our group pricing and discounts.</body>
Guide(s)
<b>Expedicions Chile</b> guides have language skills, people skills, rescue skills, teaching skills, an incredible work ethic, passion, and experience on very big whitewater. <b>Chris Spelius</b> has been teaching and guiding for over thirty years. He knows what makes a great guide and has hand picked the Expediciones Chile team. <p>Not all recruits make it past the intensive staff training that includes an <b>international river rescue certification.</b> Being included on the dream team is the highest all-star recommendation Chris can give to a guide. He is proud to be associated with 22 select partners in giving you your dream trip. <p>The break down this year is 14 Chileans, 3 Candians, 3 Americans, and one Brit. Not only is this crew clean cut, they are good people. They have strong educational backgrounds and are graduates of (WILD) the <b>Whitewater Intensive Leadership Developement</b> school. Most are bilingual. Some own their own companies in the States yet still want to work with us during their winter season. <p>The best of the Chilean, North American, and European culture is blended into the heart of the Expediciones Chile team. These select few are exceptional and difficult to find. They are loyal, smart, talented, honest, and self motivated. <b>This is our International Dream Team.</b><p>
Please <a href="http://exchile.com/dreamteam.html">visit this link</a> for guide biographies.
Transportation
Please <a href="http://www.exchile.com/patagoniatravel.html">visit this link</a> for detailed travel information. <a href="http://www.exchile.com/patagoniatravel.html">http://www.exchile.com/patagoniatravel.html</a>
Accommodations
We provide a network of activities and unique places to stay - our Adventure Center Lodge, ClubFuta eco-camp, wilderness camps and the CondorNest ranch are only a few or the destinations you can visit.<p>Our diverse activities draw you to the most fascinating ecosystems in this valley. At <b>Expediciones Chile</b>, we believe in comfort and luxury. On all of our multisport trips you will play hard all day and come back to the comforts of our native wood lodge or our luxurious eco-camp. We are committed to providing our guests with first class amenities, real adventure and a genuine Patagonian cultural experience.<p><b>Expediciones Chile</b> is the only outfitter in the valley offering a fully connected and integrated weather proof lodge; the ultimate accommodation for a luxurious and comfortable adventure getaway. Located in the village of Futaleufu our native wood lodge adds a unique cultural flavor to your vacation. The setting of our lodge will certainly remind you of Telluride Colorado - how it must have been 100 years ago!<p>For those wanting a more rustic and rugged adventure we offer the spectacular setting of luxury at our ClubFuta Eco-camp; a incredible blend of the dramatic scenery of Yosemite and Glacier National Parks.<p>Please visit the following links to learn more the accommodations we offer!<p> <a href=http://exchile.com/flyfishinglodge.html>CondorNest</a><p><a href=http://exchile.com/campo.html>ClubFuta</a><p><a href="http://exchile.com/faclodge.html">Adventure Center</a>
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