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Rafting Rio Maipo
With
Cascada Expediciones
Departing from
Santiago
,
Chile
|
Prices from around $79
From Santiago, the Maipo Valley runs deep into the Andes for some 120km until it reaches impassable gorges and rushing rivers where the terrain is only negotiable on horse or on foot. It is in the middle of this rugged scenery that one feels at the heart of the Andes, the geographic feature which domains the whole of Chile. The valley is broad where it meets Santiago and here you will find many of the vineyards whose products have made Chile famous worldwide. As one goes up the valley, mountains get higher and the valley narrower. At an elevation of 1.000m, 60km away from Santiago, the typical mountain village of San Alfonso nestles in the Cordillera. Here, overlooking the wild Maipo river, facing the steep striped sedimentary mountains and under the shade of tall waving pine trees lies Cascada de las Animas (Spirit’s Waterfall) Outdoor Center, declared Nature Sanctuary in 1995.
At this point the only way to get into the mountains is on foot, on horseback or down the river in a raft. However, if you do not want any further physical activity, there are good facilities for staying peacefully at Cascada de las Animas and enjoying a relaxing day away from the city. Experienced, skilled and good-natured guides will assist you since you arrive. Their kindness and willingness will make your visit a safe and memorable experience.
09:00 hrs:
Pick up from the Hotel in Santiago;
10:30 hrs:
Arrive in the Maipo Canyon. Meet our experienced and skilled guides and put on the rafting gear we provide: wetsuit, helmet, paddle jacket and life jacket. The leader guide will speech the group with technical and safety instructions. The Maipo River is rated as a class 4 from November to February (snow melting season) and as a class 3 the rest of the year; in both cases “first timers” are welcomed (no experience required), as well as the experienced rafters. The put-in-point is the town of San Alfonso, so we do not need extra transportation to get to the river. From November to February, this fun and exciting trip runs some 16km passing beautiful gorges and agricultural terrain typical of the Chilean countryside. The take-out point is the town of San Jose de Maipo, from where we drive back to Cascada de Las Animas. From March to September the take-out point is at El Melocoton, 9 kms downstream from the put in. In both cases, the time in the water is around 1 hour.
13:30 hrs:
Drive to Cascada de Las Animas, and go to the restaurant for lunch. The evening is free for relaxing at the swimmingpool (summer) or for taking a sauna (winter).
17:30 hrs:
Start driving back to Santiago. Arrive at the Hotel around 18:30hrs.
Physical Demands
Previous experience is not required to participate in any of these trips. Minimum age of 12 (march-october) or 14 (november-february).
Included in the excursion cost:
- Transfer: Htl Santiago/Cajon del Maipo/Htl Santiago;
- Lunch at restaurant;
- All excursions as indicated on the itinerary;
- One bilingual guide on excursions;
- Swimmingpool in summer or sauna on winter;
- All entrances and parks fees.
S.I.B Restrictions
- Available only saturday & sunday.
- Transfer to and from Santiago with spanish speaking driver.
What you need to bring
- sandals or tennis shoes (& wool socks in winter), swimming bath, sunscreen lotion & lip balm, towel. The equipment supplied by Cascada will be: wetsuit, life jacket, paddle jacket & helmet.
Climate
The Central Chile enjoys an ideal Mediterranean climate, mild temperate, being the warmest months November to February when temperatures reach 32°C. June to August are the coolest with temperatures as low as 0°C.
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| Tour Category:
Water Sports
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| Company :
Cascada Expediciones
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| Days: 1 |
| Departs :
Santiago
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