HOW TO GET TO FUTALEUFU

3 days ago
5 min read

A Complete Guide to Reaching Chile's Whitewater Paradise.

Futaleufú is not a place you simply pass through on your way somewhere else.

Located in Patagonia Verde, tucked between the Chilean fjords and the Argentine border, Futaleufú sits between mountains, deep fjords, turquoise lakes, and vast stretches of temperate rainforest.. Its remoteness is part of its charm—and one of the reasons the river remained so pristine.

The reality is that getting here takes some planning. Most roads in the region are dusty and unpaved, travel speeds are slow, and even basic logistics can take longer than you might expect. Patagonia operates on its own schedule.

But that's exactly what makes this place special.

from Argentina (The Fastest Route)

For most international travelers, this is the quickest and easiest way to reach Futaleufú. If you only have a week to enjoy Futaleufú, this is definitely the route we recommend.

Fly from Buenos Aires to Esquel Airport in Argentina. From Esquel, Futaleufú is only a few hours' drive away.

There is a bus service connecting Esquel to Futaleufú on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Alternatively, you can arrange a taxi to the border, once crossed the Chilean border, Futa is just a few km away.

If you're joining one of our multi-day trips, Kriminal Kayak can arrange airport pickup directly from Esquel Airport, making the journey simple and stress-free.

Best for: International visitors, paddlers traveling with limited time, and anyone looking for the most direct route.

2. from Chile

a. La barcaza (the ferry): Puerto Montt - Chaitén

If you're already in Chile and you rented a car one of the most efective ways to travel is by ferry from Puerto Montt to Chaitén.

The ferry operated by Naviera Austral crosses the fjords of northern Patagonia during an overnight voyage of approximately 12 hours. Most departures leave Puerto Montt around 11:00 PM and arrive in Chaitén early the following morning. Sunday schedules may vary, with daytime departures.

One important tip: ferry reservations should be made well in advance, especially during the summer season.

Best for: Travelers with a rental vehicle, paddlers with no vehicle hauling plenty of equipment, and anyone who prefers to slow down, enjoy the views, and wake up already deep in Patagonia.

b. La Ruta Bimodal: Puerto Montt - Hornopiren - Caleta Gonzalo - Chaitén

For travelers with rented vehicle, the famous Ruta Bimodal is an excellent alternative.

This route follows the fjords south from Puerto Montt, combining road sections with ferry crossings.

The route includes two ferry crossings between Hornopirén and Caleta Gonzalo. The first ferry takes approximately 4 hours, followed by a scenic stretch of gravel road through Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park, and then a second ferry of about 1 hour.

While the road is accessible to most vehicles in good conditions, a 4x4 or vehicle with good ground clearance is recommended, especially outside the peak summer season or after heavy rain.

It is usually less expensive than the direct ferry and provides some of the most spectacular views in Patagonia.

One important tip: ferry reservations should be made well in advance, especially during the summer season. The crossing between Hornopirén and Caleta Gonzalo, operated by SOMARCO, often fills up quickly.

Traveling Without a Vehicle

If you don't have your own transportation, Kemel Bus operates a service from Puerto Montt to Chaitén via the Ruta Bimodal. The bus typically departs from the Puerto Montt harbor at around 6:00 AM and travels on the same ferries used by private vehicles.

Unfortunately, tickets cannot currently be reserved online and must be purchased in person in Puerto Montt, so arriving a day early is recommended during busy periods.

Best for: Road-trippers, photographers, budget-conscious travelers, and anyone wanting to experience Patagonia's fjords, rainforests, and remote landscapes at a slower pace.

c. L'Avioneta: Fly to Chaitén

For travelers short on time, flying from Puerto Montt to Chaitén is the fastest way to stay within Chile while avoiding the long ferry journey.

The flight is operated by small aircraft carrying between 6 and 12 passengers and takes approximately 30 minutes. Rather than cruising at high altitude, these planes often fly relatively low over the landscape, offering spectacular views of Patagonia's fjords, mountains, volcanoes, and coastline. On a clear day, the views are what you would expect from a drone video—except you're sitting inside the aircraft.

Because of the aircraft size and the region's unpredictable weather, flights can occasionally be turbulent and schedules may be affected by weather conditions.

Two companies operate this route: Aereocord and Pewen: reservations should be made well in advance, especially during the summer season.

While flying saves considerable travel time, it is generally more expensive than the ferry options and comes with strict baggage limitations. Travelers should pack light, as luggage space is limited and transporting bulky sports equipment can be difficult.

Unfortunately, bringing a kayak is generally not practical on these flights, making this option less suitable for paddlers traveling with their own boats. The good news is that you don't need to haul your gear across Patagonia—Kriminal Kayak provides kayak rentals and equipment so you can travel light and spend more time on the river.

Best for: Travelers with limited time, photographers, and anyone wanting a unique aerial perspective of Patagonia's fjords and mountains.

THE LAST STRECH: from Chaiten to Futa

From Chaitén, it's about a 3-hour drive to Futaleufú through beautiful mountain landscapes and native forests, traveling along Lago Yelcho.

A bus departs from Chaiten to Futaleufu daily at 12:00 and 16:30.

If you prefer to travel independently, you can also rent a car in Chaitén with Fletes Austral (+56977157714) and make the journey on your own, enjoying the scenic drive through Patagonia Verde at your own pace.

Travel Light, Paddle More

One of the challenges of traveling to remote Patagonia is transporting kayaking equipment.

Multiple flights, ferry crossings, buses, and border controls can make moving boats and gear complicated and expensive. Because of this, many paddlers choose to travel light and rent equipment with us.

At Kriminal Kayak, we offer quality kayak rentals, guided trips, coaching, and local logistics support, allowing you to focus on the rivers rather than the transportation.

The Journey Is Part of the Experience

Futaleufú is not the easiest destination to reach—and that's a good thing.

Its isolation has protected the rivers, preserved the landscape, and maintained the authentic character that makes this corner of Patagonia so unique.

Whether you arrive through Argentina, cross the fjords by ferry, or drive the winding roads of Patagonia Verde, the adventure begins long before you put your kayak in the water.

In Patagonia, the journey is rarely the fastest part of the adventure. Getting to Futaleufú takes time, but that's exactly what keeps this place wild.

A Complete Guide to Reaching Chile's Whitewater Paradise.

Futaleufú is not a place you simply pass through on your way somewhere else.

Located in Patagonia Verde, tucked between the Chilean fjords and the Argentine border, Futaleufú sits between mountains, deep fjords, turquoise lakes, and vast stretches of temperate rainforest.. Its remoteness is part of its charm—and one of the reasons the river remained so pristine.

The reality is that getting here takes some planning. Most roads in the region are dusty and unpaved, travel speeds are slow, and even basic logistics can take longer than you might expect. Patagonia operates on its own schedule.

But that's exactly what makes this place special.

from Argentina (The Fastest Route)

For most international travelers, this is the quickest and easiest way to reach Futaleufú. If you only have a week to enjoy Futaleufú, this is definitely the route we recommend.

Fly from Buenos Aires to Esquel Airport in Argentina. From Esquel, Futaleufú is only a few hours' drive away.

There is a bus service connecting Esquel to Futaleufú on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Alternatively, you can arrange a taxi to the border, once crossed the Chilean border, Futa is just a few km away.

If you're joining one of our multi-day trips, Kriminal Kayak can arrange airport pickup directly from Esquel Airport, making the journey simple and stress-free.

Best for: International visitors, paddlers traveling with limited time, and anyone looking for the most direct route.

2. from Chile

a. La barcaza (the ferry): Puerto Montt - Chaitén

If you're already in Chile and you rented a car one of the most efective ways to travel is by ferry from Puerto Montt to Chaitén.

The ferry operated by Naviera Austral crosses the fjords of northern Patagonia during an overnight voyage of approximately 12 hours. Most departures leave Puerto Montt around 11:00 PM and arrive in Chaitén early the following morning. Sunday schedules may vary, with daytime departures.

One important tip: ferry reservations should be made well in advance, especially during the summer season.

Best for: Travelers with a rental vehicle, paddlers with no vehicle hauling plenty of equipment, and anyone who prefers to slow down, enjoy the views, and wake up already deep in Patagonia.

b. La Ruta Bimodal: Puerto Montt - Hornopiren - Caleta Gonzalo - Chaitén

For travelers with rented vehicle, the famous Ruta Bimodal is an excellent alternative.

This route follows the fjords south from Puerto Montt, combining road sections with ferry crossings.

The route includes two ferry crossings between Hornopirén and Caleta Gonzalo. The first ferry takes approximately 4 hours, followed by a scenic stretch of gravel road through Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park, and then a second ferry of about 1 hour.

While the road is accessible to most vehicles in good conditions, a 4x4 or vehicle with good ground clearance is recommended, especially outside the peak summer season or after heavy rain.

It is usually less expensive than the direct ferry and provides some of the most spectacular views in Patagonia.

One important tip: ferry reservations should be made well in advance, especially during the summer season. The crossing between Hornopirén and Caleta Gonzalo, operated by SOMARCO, often fills up quickly.

Traveling Without a Vehicle

If you don't have your own transportation, Kemel Bus operates a service from Puerto Montt to Chaitén via the Ruta Bimodal. The bus typically departs from the Puerto Montt harbor at around 6:00 AM and travels on the same ferries used by private vehicles.

Unfortunately, tickets cannot currently be reserved online and must be purchased in person in Puerto Montt, so arriving a day early is recommended during busy periods.

Best for: Road-trippers, photographers, budget-conscious travelers, and anyone wanting to experience Patagonia's fjords, rainforests, and remote landscapes at a slower pace.

c. L'Avioneta: Fly to Chaitén

For travelers short on time, flying from Puerto Montt to Chaitén is the fastest way to stay within Chile while avoiding the long ferry journey.

Because of the aircraft size and the region's unpredictable weather, flights can occasionally be turbulent and schedules may be affected by weather conditions.

Two companies operate this route: Aereocord and Pewen: reservations should be made well in advance, especially during the summer season.

While flying saves considerable travel time, it is generally more expensive than the ferry options and comes with strict baggage limitations. Travelers should pack light, as luggage space is limited and transporting bulky sports equipment can be difficult.

Best for: Travelers with limited time, photographers, and anyone wanting a unique aerial perspective of Patagonia's fjords and mountains.

THE LAST STRECH: from Chaiten to Futa

From Chaitén, it's about a 3-hour drive to Futaleufú through beautiful mountain landscapes and native forests, traveling along Lago Yelcho.

A bus departs from Chaiten to Futaleufu daily at 12:00 and 16:30.

If you prefer to travel independently, you can also rent a car in Chaitén with Fletes Austral (+56977157714) and make the journey on your own, enjoying the scenic drive through Patagonia Verde at your own pace.

Travel Light, Paddle More

One of the challenges of traveling to remote Patagonia is transporting kayaking equipment.

Multiple flights, ferry crossings, buses, and border controls can make moving boats and gear complicated and expensive. Because of this, many paddlers choose to travel light and rent equipment with us.

At Kriminal Kayak, we offer quality kayak rentals, guided trips, coaching, and local logistics support, allowing you to focus on the rivers rather than the transportation.

The Journey Is Part of the Experience

Futaleufú is not the easiest destination to reach—and that's a good thing.

Its isolation has protected the rivers, preserved the landscape, and maintained the authentic character that makes this corner of Patagonia so unique.

Whether you arrive through Argentina, cross the fjords by ferry, or drive the winding roads of Patagonia Verde, the adventure begins long before you put your kayak in the water.

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