We suggest you arrive via Argentina - fly into Buenos Aires and then transfer onto a domestic flight to Bariloche. The trip officially starts in Bariloche. We will meet you at the Bariloche airport. If you have your heart set on coming in through Chile, it is not a problem.
The Futaleufu River valley is very remote! The trip to the Futaleufu is part of the adventure itself. Although the Futaleufu lies in Chile, it is actually logistically and geographically easier to get there via Argentina. In fact, the region was populated in the 1800’s as the Chilean government began giving away tracts of land to Chilean homesteaders to discourage Argentina from stepping in and taking over. There are no direct roads to the Futaleufu from Chile – the only way to arrive is via boat or small charter plane followed by a long drive. In the past we have conducted our Futaleufu trips entirely through Chile. Yet, after much research and soul searching, we have decided that entering the Futaleufu Valley via Argentina provides a better journey for our guests. For one, the city of Buenos Aires is one that many people long to visit and flying via B.A. gives one the chance to explore the “Paris of South America” before or after their Futaleufu adventure.
The trip officially starts in the resort town of San Carlos de Bariloche, an easy connection from Buenos Aires. This beautiful ski town, at the base of the Andes and along the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi, first became famous in the 1930’s. It is called the “Switzerland of South America” and the majestic region was featured in the February 2006 edition of Conde Nast Traveler magazine. The travel time to our camp in Chile is approximately the same whether through Argentina or Chile, yet, arriving via Bariloche you will be on a commercial jet rather than the small charter plane that we used in Chile. We will drive through two of Argentina’s most beautiful national parks with time to hop out and stretch our legs along the way. You will experience frontier living gaucho style on the rugged, windswept Patagonian plains and then step into another culture when you enter the lush temperate rainforest of southern Chile (plus 2 stamps in your passport!!).
We can also help you finding flights. We use a travel agent that routinely beats the best online prices and who knows the details of our itineraries.
Don’t hesitate to give us a call if you have more questions about the itinerary. And, just as before, we can also easily arrange extensions to Chile’s famous national park, Torres del Paine, either before or after your trip.
We are proud to operate under Special Use Permits granted to us by the Oregon Marine Board, the Bureau of Land Management - Klamath Falls Resource Area, Medford Oregon Resource Area, and the Vale District - and The U.S. Forest Service - Ashland Oregon Ranger District, Happy Camp Ranger District, and Idaho's Salmon-Challis National Forest. We are an equal opportunity recreation service provider. All trips operate on a non-discriminatory basis.