Overview

About Expediciones Chile
Chris Spelius is the founder of Expediciones Chile and your host. He was an early whitewater kayak pioneer on the Futaleufu River and a 1984 US Olympic team kayaker. He was so was awed by its beauty, challenge and playfulness he decided that he would live in this river valley in Patagonia. Thus, Expediciones Chile was born. They were the first to run river and adventure trips here in 1986 and have been running safe whitewater kayaking, sea kayaking and paddling school trips here ever since. Chris is now a resident of Chile, is married and with a young daughter.

How Chris Spelius Founded the Company
“The first time I paddled the upper gorge of the Futaleufu, I was emotionally drained from paddling the Class 5 Infierno, Zeta, and the Throne Room by myself. It was late in the day, when I came to a tight black rock gorge, which appeared even narrower than the others. I was hesitant to run another class 5 drop yet I had not seen a beach to camp on. To my great relief, this short gorge had no drop and the canyon opened up immediately. A light blue river entered from the right, a crystal clear stream on the left mixing with the Futaleufu and creating a radiant transparent turquoise blend. The sun was setting on a golden three-spired peak towering over me, and a soft white sand beach beckoned just below the confluence. I had never seen a more beautiful setting in my life. I thought, Oh My God, this is the place! I camped that night on this soft beach and when exploring my camp I found a rock cove perfect for an outdoor hot shower. I had paddled all over the world but I knew that this was the best river I had ever paddled and this would be the ultimate location to have a river camp. I knew I had to figure out a way to purchase this land and wondered if a couple of my friends in the US would help me with construction. The next morning I caught a rainbow trout on my second cast. In the first several miles paddling downstream from this beach, I encountered four of the best play spots I had ever seen. It was hard to believe. I started planning that night for Campo Tres Monjas and Expediciones Chile with the concept of blending the best of diverse cultures working and playing together in this unspoiled corner of the world .”

Kayaking Options with Expediciones Chile
EC offers a complete range of kayaking options. Whitewater kayakers can choose between guided trips down the world class Futaleufu River or Safari trips that explore some of the most spectacular rivers in Chile and Argentina. Sea kayakers will also find a complete menu of trips as well. Try paddling from the Andes Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, through the fjords of Pumalin Parque, or between the islands of the Chiloe Archipelago. Sea kayaking trips are guided. However exceptions have been made when there is proof of extensive experience. For those wishing to learn to kayak, Expediciones Chile also hosts one of the world's finest kayak schools located in the majestic alpine village of Futaleufu. Aspiring kayakers can learn the fundamentals of the sport and more experienced kayakers can participate in play boating, river running or Eskimo rolling clinics.

Lodging Options with Expediciones Chile
Kayakers can choose from a range of lodging options. Expediciones Chile has a native wood lodge in the village of Futaleufu; a private world-class luxury eco-camp, designed specifically for kayakers, located at the center of the Futaleufu Valley, and a secluded mountain ranch reserved for smaller groups. Expedition sea kayakers will get to experience some of the most spectacular wilderness campsites in the world on their journey from the Andes to the Ocean.

An Unsurpassed Multi-Sport Menu
In addition to their kayaking options, Expediciones Chile offers unsurpassed multi-sport options for non-kayakers in your group: whitewater rafting, horseback riding, mountain biking, trekking-hiking, canyoning, fly fishing, and eco-tours of the Patagonia wilderness. Non-paddlers can custom-tailor their week by selecting from any of these options. Most of the multisport activities are also offered as stand-alone, week long adventure vacations by themselves.

Unsurpassed Kayak Selection
EC has at least 50 of the latest whitewater kayaks in its inventory, from river runners, to play boats, to creek boats. Guests will be able to change kayaks as often as they like to adjust to varying water conditions on the Futaleufu River. EC also has a wide selection of one and two-person sea kayaks to choose from, depending on the trip you select.

Expediciones Chile Dream Team - Guides, Instructors & Safety
All of their guides are internationally certified in Swift-Water Rescue (Rescue 3 International) and Advanced Wilderness First Aid (Wilderness Medical Associates). Expediciones Chile has one of the most experienced guide teams in the Futaleufu Valley. Their kayak school, often headed by Spelius himself, employs world-class instructors from all parts of the globe.

What Clients Say About Expediciones Chile
"Discover the perfect ride on Chile's Futaleufú. Chris Spelius searched the world for the perfect river. Share this dream in a remote Chilean valley, complete with mountain grandeur and friendly campesinos."
Discovery Magazine - Ultimate Destinations Spring 1996

"When you think of you have seen it all you arrive at Campo Tres Monjas and the definition of a beautiful setting has to be re-written."
Canoe Focus -August 1994

"No wonder this river is gaining a reputation as the continent's finest boating destination. All you need to visit a place called Campo Tres Monjas, now one of the finest facilities of its kind anywhere."
American Whitewater - December 1995

   Travel & Industry Awards

• OUTSIDE magazine's Jan 2000 world's top 100 far-flung expeditions.

   Affiliations

• American Whitewater
• American Canoe Association
• America Outdoors
• FutaFriends (www.futafriends.org)
• Olympic Alumni Association

   Payments Accepted

   Other Travel Offerings

• Expediciones Chile - Whitewater Rafting