I had never gone rafting before.
Now, I know what true nature is !
I do it again tomorrow !
.
Nature & Rafting

Wild rivers of Patagonia
.
Along with Richard and Patagone, we descend the Puelo River on a raft.
It is the first recognized expedition on the river , apart from some occasional
disturbing rumors, no record of a descent has ever been made.
It is with noticeable apprehension and evident excitement that Richard
and Patagone will guide the expedition for the next three days.

Quiet currents in the rapids, energizing open-air-camping sessions,
three days of adventure in the heart of a wild garden split into two parts by an emerald river!

Puelo River, 3 days of full nature
.
The first base camp is a white pebble beach below a cottage built by a Swiss hermit,
a son of an explorer or gold seeker, who can no longer return to live in a town.
Over the next three days of the descent, he and some local chilean families will be our only link with civilization.

We must stop at every turn as the serpentine of the river disappears from our sight,
to climb a ridge and identify each coming rapid and maybe even come across an inhabitant and ask...
"Do you know of anyone who has gone down the river before" "No!”

The number one danger in rafting is "Off Piste". An uncontrollable rapid, to be drawn down into
an unknown whirlpool, to capsize the raft and maybe even be dumped into the turbulent water,
to fall into the abyss of a waterfall all quite possible in "the unknown". This small stress,
the pinch of salt needed for any adventure, was the subtle flavouring that magnified three days
in the heart of the incredible landscapes of northern Patagonia.

After the storm comes the bivouac
.
Here we go, the first strokes of the oars, the first rapids, legs braced against
side of raft to avoid falling. Gallons of foam spurting and spraying everywhere,
the raft twists, turns right, left, goes spinning, falls bouncing like a ball,
all the while dancing with the whirlpools. It follows the current, reads the curves
and anticipates it all with strength and serenity.

Then after the "storm" comes the bivouac. Delicious Patagonian pastry
for dinner accompanied by chilean wine to massage all the aches.
A night under the stars to relive the past day, anticipate the next day,
then dream of redesigning the world. Pachamama is the muse of any hiker.


HALF DAY : $ 30,000 pesos, departure at 1 pm., end of the service at 7 pm.
THREE DAYS OF FULL NATURE : $ 180,000 pesos (360 $)