Rio Turbio Expedition – Trekking & Rafting Patagonia
Rio Turbio Expedition – Trekking & Rafting Patagonia
Walk till the forest becomes rainforest, to an unexplored off the grid valley and discover mountains that will blow your mind. Then pump up your raft and flow down the river like fish in the water. Hike, zipline and raft on a Patagonian Dream
Hike In – Raft Out
Turbio IV is a remote valley in northern Patagonia that local mountaineers first began to explore back in the 1980s. While the Yosemite-like granite walls that rise from the banks of the Río Turbio river have undoubtedly made this a climbers’ paradise, the allure of “El Turbio” extends far beyond the vertical. This valley remains largely unexplored to this day, offering the modern adventurer a rare opportunity to experience Patagonia in its natural state.
Over the course of several days, we’ll hike upstream along the Río Turbio river with pack horses and through the Selva Valdiviana rainforest in order to reach Turbio IV. We’ll camp on an off-grid homestead and spend the night in rustic backcountry huts including “Don Ropo” and “Don Chule”, preparing tasty meals along the way. At the end of our journey, we’ll float back down the river on pack rafts, taking in the raw beauty of “El Turbio” one last time before returning back to civilization.
Join us for an epic 11-day hike in, raft out adventure unlike any other.
F.A.Q. Frequently asked questions about Rio Turbio Expedition – Trekking & Rafting Patagonia
Do I need previous experience for this trip?
- YOU NEED PREVIOUS HIKING EXPERIENCE TO PARTICIPATE ON THIS EXPEDITION.
- IT IS NECESARY TO BE IN A GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE ON THIS HIKE.
- INTERMEDIATE LEVEL OF DIFFICULTIY AND INTERMEDIATE PHYSICAL CONDITION.
- GOOD EQUIPMENT AND PREVIOUS PREPARATION ARE FUNDAMENTAL.Comfortable trekking shoes and a suitable rucksack makes the hike more enjoyable, a good sleeping bag guarantees a good rest. We will provide adequate food to keep you strong during the activity.
- The preparation is a big part of any expedition. Therefore, keep your body moving and healthy. If you have the chance to go walking with a rucksack and do hikings during weekends before beginng the expedition, even better.
What level of physical condition do I need?
- INTERMEDIATE PHYSICAL CONDITION. We walk 6-7 hours per day with 8- 10 kg each for several days. It is necessary to be physically active in order to join the hike but you do not need to be a super athlete. We recomend you to do sports during the previous months; ideal are day-hikes, running or any other sports. This will make your hike more tolerable and safe.
How difficult is the rafting? Do I need previous experience for this part of the trip? Is it safe?
Turbio River is between a grade I and II so its easy rafting. It´s a long float out of the valley but the quickest and best way to go down. Professional certified Rafting Guides will lead this section of the trip so we are in excellent hands. You do not need previous rafting experience for this section.
What is included and what is not included?
- Please contact us for the price of the expedition.
- The price is in US-Dollar.
Included:
- All meals when starting the Expedition. First and last meals are also included!
- Accomodation (camping sites, tents, 2 nights Hotel previous and final night)
- Transportation from Accommodation to start of the hike and from the end till the Hotel.
- Boat trip across Lago Puelo Lake and Back (Start of the hike)
- Certified Mountain guide with certificate in first aid in wild environment and wide experience in terrain
- Certified Rafting Guides
- Technical gear for Ziplines (Harnesses, ropes)
- All rafting Equipment
- Food and tent portage
- Park entry fee
- Permits and accident insurance
Not included:
- Transportation to and from starting point of the Expedition
- Personal equipment (see list of equipment)
- Travel insurance
GEAR LIST – What can I rent?
- 60-80 litres backpack
- Waterproof, well worn-in walking boots – Good quality, comfortable footwear is essential. Whatever you wear on your feet the most important thing is comfort. It is vital to ensure your boots are well worn in and lightweight. Ankle support and waterproofing is recommended but if you already have something comfortable with good grip on rocks then don’t go rushing out to buy new boots – you are better off with your well-worn in pair!
- Water Shoes. For this trip some days we might be walking with wet feet since there are lots of river crossings so it is ideal to have a pair of lightweight easy to dry walking shoes. Sandals or Crocs are not enough!! they need to be an actual shoe.
- Walking poles
- Sleeping bag (0-10 degrees)
- Sleeping matt
- Walking clothing in layers
- 1-2 pairs of hiking pants (zip-off pants recommended
- 1 waterproof rain jacket
- 2 T-shirts short sleeve
- 1-2 t-shirts long sleeve
- 1 Polar Fleece
- 1 down jacket
- 3 pairs of thick hiking socks
- Warm beanie or woollen hat
- Light warm gloves
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and sunhat
- Thermal underwear x 1 pair (1 top and 1 bottom to sleep)
- Thermal wear is highly recommended, being light, warm and will keep you warm at night.
- Swim wear
- Head torch
- Water bottle: 1 x 1.5 litre bottle or hydration bladder
- Personal medication
- Camera and spare batteries, memory cards or film.
(Please note: there are no electrical outlets on the trek so make sure you fully charge and or have spare batteries. ) - Snacks: Some snacks are provided during the trek but you may like to bring one or two extras just in case. If you have a dietary requirement then be recommend bringing some suitable snacks from home. We will accommodate you for breakfast, lunch and dinner however for snacks it’s recommended to bring some just to be safe.
- Toilet paper: Most important! Also, small plastic bags or zip lock bags for rubbish which you will need to hold on to until the end of the trek.
- Wet wipes and or face wipes: These are an essential and will come in handy after a long day of trekking and no showers.
- Plastic bags: To keep your belongings and clothes dry (wrap everything in plastic bags). RECOMMENDED: – Soft and/or hard copies of all important documents e.g. air tickets, passport, vaccination certificate, etc. and keep the hard copies separate from the originals. While not valid, a copy makes it very much easier to obtain replacements if necessary
- Eating Utensills: bowl, cup, cutlery
- Available for rent
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping matt
- Walking poles
How much weight will I carry?
- Your rucksack will be composed of : 8-9 kg of your own equipment (rucksack, sleeping bag, camping mat, clothes, torch, etc.). Food, tents and kitchen equipment for the group will be transported by mules and local guide.
How can I book the trip?
- Fill in the BOOKING FORM (link).
- Pay the booking fee to secure your place (Bank data or credit card details at the end of the booking form).
- Fill in the Medical Form (link).
- Final payment must be made 1 month prior departure.
MEETING POINT? WHAT TIME?
- Meeting point to be defined depending on your departure date. We meet for welcome dinner and gear check at the starting Hotel
How many people are on the trip?
- The trip operates with minimum of 5 travellers to max.12 travellers. We like to keep groups small to enjoy nature at its best.
Next Departures
Jan and Feb 2025
Price per Person :
USD$
Next Departures
Jan and Feb 2025
Price per Person :
USD$
The price is in US-Dollars. We will ask you to pay a 30% deposit to secure your place. The rest (70%) must be payed max. 1 month prior departure.
Methods of payment :
– VISA or MASTERCARD (+3%)
– International bank transfer
We will send you the payment information via internet after you have completed the booking form (link).
Remember that you need previous experience to participate as well as being physically fit.
General Information
- Activity : Hike In Raft Out
- Starting and finishing point : El Hoyo – Chubut (Argentina)
- Duration : 11 days/10
- Itinerary : Hike up Turbio IV valley and zipline and Raft out
- Accommodation : 8 nights Mountain Hut, 2 nights Tents, 2 Nights 4 star Hotel
- Previous experience required : Required Hiking Experience
- Fitness level required : medium – High
- Group size : max. 12 people
- Minimun age : 16 years
- Distance : 80 km
Travel Itinerary
Please find here a short day-by-day which shows the structure of the trip :
Day 1 Arrival
Transfer in and arrival to start Hotel. Welcome meeting and gear check and tasty dinner.
Day 2 Puelo Lake to Marolt (13 km – 5 Hours – Easy Day)
Early start we drive to Puelo Lake and take a boat trip across to Turbio river mouth. We load the gear on our support horses and start an easy first day of hiking. Good intro day to arrive at Marolt family ranch. We camp by the river and try some local cuisine.
Day 3 Marolt to Jara (15 km – 7 Hours – Moderate Day)
Second day of hiking going upstream with a few river crossings will lead us to Jara River Hut. A basic shelter but perfect camping site. Great fishing spot! Maybe a trout for dinner if we are lucky.
Day 4 Jara to Don Ropo (15 km – 8 hours – Hard Day)
Today we keep going up river with lots of river crossings. We walk the beach and cross the river either walking, with a horse or with a boat. We arrive at the main river junction ¨La Horqueta¨ where all the rivers meet and the valleys split. From here an hour walk takes us to Don Ropo Mountain Hut at the start of Turbio IV Valley.
Day 5 Rest Day/Weather Day
After three days of moving, a well-deserved rest in the Patagonian Rainforest. Fire going, dry our gear and prepare for the second part of the expedition. This day could also be used as a weather day. It gives us a bit more room for an itinerary change if need be.
Day 6 Don Ropo Hut to Don Chule Hut (12 km – 10 hours – Hard Day)
From Don Ropo onwards the terrain is very diverse and spectacular. When possible we walk the river beach, when not possible we venture inside the forest. After a long day and two zip lines on the way we arrived at paradise! Don Chule Mountain Hut is a tiny luxurious cabin in the lost valley of ¨La Oreja¨
Day 7 Turbio IV Hiking (Optional Moderate Day – 6 hours)
Optional Hike to La Mariposa Lagoon. A perfect granite circus surrounds this beautiful lagoon where very few people have been.
Day 8 Turbio IV Hiking (Optional Moderate Day – 6 hours)
Optional Hike to Rubulis Lagoon to get close to its hanging glacier and Chilean border. This can also be a rest day in a magic place, swim on the river, spot some torrent ducks and condors, relax on an empty valley totally off the grid.
Day 9 Don Chule to Don Ropo (12 km – 8 hours – Hard Day)
The descent back to Don Ropo will provide great opportunities to see the area and the mountains from a different perspective.
Day 10 Rafting + Boat Trip out (4 km – 1.5 hours – Easy Hiking day )
Early start back to ¨La Horqueta¨ River Junction where our rafting guides will have the boats ready to roll. What we have walked in three days we will float down in 5 hours of cruising. The river flows smoothly as we take in the experience. Once on the lake we take motorboats across back to civilization and a proper final dinner and celebration.
Day 11 Departure
After breakfast the trip is over and transport to the airport or next destination can be arranged. Thanks for coming!