Paddling - Rafting Pucón - Chile

Take your pick of how you want to traverse the rivers slicing Pucón’s countryside. Of course, whitewater rafting down the Liucura (to Class III rapids) and Trancura (Class III-IV) are a tradition. Kayaking is another way to paddle around these waterways, whether on Río Liucura or Lago Villarrica. Many tour operators in Pucón rent kayaks and some teach the sport. Other rafting and kayaking rivers are the Puesco (Class V) Maichín (IV-V) and San Pedro. Purists might object to the ducky—an inflatable kayak that shots rapids like a raft. But the ultimate insanity (some may declare) is hydrospeeding, or bodyboarding down the tumultuous ríos.

Location:
Pucón, Chile

Rafting Types:
Rafting, kayaking, ducky, hydrospeeding

Getting There
Most tour operators offer rafting excursions. Besides rafting and kayaking, Kayak Pucón

Travel Tips: For travelers not so wild but would yet like to get out on the waters, they can rent a paddle or rowboat down on Playa La Poza ($6-8 half hour, $10 full hour).Vapor Chucao, a 1905 steamship, tours the lake. In the low season, a minimum of 10 passengers are needed; in the temporada alta are four daytime and one nighttime excursion (Bahía La Poza dock, Tel.: 44-3386, E-mail: info@vaporchucao.cl, URL: www.vaporchucao.cl. Entry: adults $9, children $5).

Price Description: Rafting, kayaking or ducky $40-60, depending on the river. Kayak lessons about $70 (half-day), $110 (full day).

Relative price: Mid-Range

Travel Skills: beginner/easy.

Hiking and trekking in Villarrica and Huequerhue National Parks, scaling Volcán Villarrica, birdwatching, fly fishing, visiting the Museo Mapuche and Mapuche communities. In winter, there are skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports.

Currencies accepted
Chilean Peso

About this Page

By Lorraine Caputo

Upon re-declaring her independence at age 29, Lorraine Caputo packed her trusty Rocinante (so her knapsack's called) and began...

Updated: 26 Jan 2009