The rapids
White water.
Natalia Reyes Escobar — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Natalia Reyes Escobar — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Natalia Reyes Escobar — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Natalia Reyes Escobar — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ignacio Mendía — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Futaleufú River is a river in northern Patagonia and one of only two rivers that cross the border between Argentina and Chile. Its waters come from glacial melt in Argentina's Los Alerces National Park, and it is world-famous for its turquoise water and powerful rapids. Its name is a Mapuche word meaning big river, and locals call its valley a landscape painted by God. The river gorge drops as much as 1,700 metres below the surrounding glaciated peaks. A chain of lakes on the Argentine side feeds it before it runs through Chile towards Lake Yelcho. You see bright turquoise water rushing between dark granite rocks, then calming through green plains ringed by high snow-capped mountains. Thick green forest and yellow flowers line the banks, wooden suspension bridges cross the river, and rafters cut through the white rapids. It is about 7 km from the town of Futaleufú in a straight line. Running the rapids is for experts or with guides, and the best season is December to March.
White water.
Suspension.
Snowy peaks.
Near the town of Futaleufú, northern Patagonia, Chile
Big river, in Mapuche.
The big rapids are for experts; easier stretches are possible with guides.