This exciting multi-sport Wilderness Medicine CME Course takes place in the spectacular northern region of
Patagonia. This area has some of the most fantastic mountain
scenery in the world, including giant peaks with
awe-inspiring glaciers, beautiful pristine forests, and
resplendent whitewater rivers.
The Futaleufu is considered to be
one of the most beautiful and exciting whitewater raft
experiences in the world! Well stay several nights at the
fabulous Bio Bio camp right on the banks of the almost
surreal turquoise Futaleufu.
Each day of this CME course
will be a new adventure! Several days will be filled
spectacular, professionally guided whitewater rafting on the
Rio Azul, the Rio Espalon, and the Futaleufu.
We will also do some amazingly beautiful horseback riding and
hiking in the Andes. There is optional
mountain biking and flyfishing for feisty brown and rainbow
trout.
The Wilderness Medicine CME lectures and workshops
typically take place each afternoon before dinner. Each
night well enjoy gourmet meals and great comraderie and
stories from the day!
Itinerary - Northern Patagonia
Wilderness Medicine CME Course
Day 1Arrive in Santiago,Chile.
After completing customs, transfer onto a domestic
flight to Puerto Montt. Transfer to the scenic town of
Puerto Varas on Lago Llanquihue. Overnight in Cabanas
Del Lago Hotel. (D)
Day 2
Drive to Aerodromo Marcel Merchant in Puerto Montt to
take your short scenic flight to Chaiten. We drive
through the temperate rainforest, passing countless
waterfalls and hanging glaciers surrounded by jagged
mountain peaks! We will pause for a short hike and a
picnic lunch in Pumalin National Park. Arrive early
afternoon at camp; camp orientation, swim, hot tub, and
welcome happy hour. (B+L+D)
Day 3
Start the day with a Yoga class, or catch up on some
sleep after long international travel. Breakfast of
champions and get ready to raft the Futaleufu river!
Todays introduction and "warm up" is complete with
safety briefing and paddle training on the famous Bridge
to Bridge section. In the afternoon you may choose from
mountain biking, hiking, fly-fishing class and our
popular intro to hard shell, river kayaking clinic.
(B+L+D)
Day 4Step-up the
rafting today! Raft from camp through Bridge to Bridge
again and add on class IV Mas o Menos and Casa de Piedra
rapids. After the exciting rapids, we switch gear and
Kayak Clinic part II starts, you can fish or just "booze
cruise" as we drift into lunch which is served off the
grill on a remote island where we will relax.
After lunch resume the kayaking and a most scenic mellow
float for 5 kms to Puerto Ramirez take out. Short drive
back to camp for hot tubbing, massage, relaxing and
dinner! (B+L+D)
Day 5Short
drive up the Rio Azul side valley for an exciting class
3 descent in inflatable kayaks! (doubles and singles!)
(B+L+D)
Day 6Horseback ride
deep into the pristine wilderness of the Rio Azul
Valley. Stop for lunch and you will enjoy a quick hike
to La Cascada - a beautiful multi stepped 200 ft +
waterfall! (B+L+D)
Day 7Back
on board our rafts, we are dealt a Royal Flush; a
continuous class IV corridor of rapids does not let up
until we get to our take-out spot at the Rio Azul
footbridge. The rafts are left for the night, tethered
on shore.
Early evening is spent in camp getting
ready for the evening festivities. Blanca and her
partner Umberto, locals from a nearby farm, merrily
prepare a delicious dinner called "Curanto" that is
typical of the south of Chile and the island of Chiloe.
Day 8Summit day! Raft from the
Rio Azul through the Terminator, Kyburz, and Himalayas
rapids. Lunch at camp. Raft from camp again to below
Casa De Piedra. Optional hiking, mountain biking or
fly-fishing activities available as well. Last night in
camp: lamb roast/Chilean "asado feast" and wine tasting!
(B+L+D)
Day 9Early morning drive back
to Chaiten and 45 min. flight back to Puerto Montt. Take
connecting flights home or to next destination!
Some of the
activities can be interchanged depending on your
preference for the day.
(Legend: B = Breakfast
included , L = Lunch included, D = Dinner included)