Whether you're looking for five-star luxury, your own private cabin, or a riverside camp, accommodation options in Futaleufu are varied and unique. Places to stay are dotted along the valley, rather than being centred around the village - many are in remote rural settings with breathtaking views, farmland to roam and dirt track approaches – a 4x4 is a must!
Within the valley you can find:
Río Palena Lodge
Stay at this intimate and secluded riverside lodge in the Chilean Lake District and experience the ultimate Patagonian adventure retreat. Fantastic excursions including heli-skiing, fly fishing, rafting, biking and hiking, all with expert guides, await you. Return to the lodge each afternoon to relax in the sauna and hot tubs before enjoying a sumptuous dinner created by a private chef.
Whether you're interested in hiking on a remote glacier or dormant volcano, whitewater rafting or paddle boarding, or hiking and biking through the jungle, it's all available for you to explore and experience. Río Palena Lodge is also fantastically located in a remote region with some incredible, undiscovered heli-ski zones surrounding the lodge.
Río Palena Lodge
Uman Lodge
Sitting high on a ridge edge overlooking the fast flowing, brilliant blue Futaleufu river and mountains beyond, the Uman Lodge is more than a hotel, it is an experience. With floor to ceiling windows, outdoor terraces, cosy sofas, an outdoor pool with a breathtaking view, delicious food, farm land to roam, spa facilities and charming staff, this hotel offers a high end experience totally unique in the area.
The hotel work with a hand picked selection of local operators to offer rafting, fly fishing, horse riding, hiking and mountain biking. Use the hotel as your very comfy base to experience all the adventure that the valley has to offer, returning each evening to a spa treatment, delicious meal and exceptional night sky viewed from their cleverly positioned terrace.
Pata Lodge
Sat on an open valley floor surrounded by steep forested cliffs on a wide bend of the Futaleufu River, the Pata Lodge is a tranquil, cosy lodge - more akin to a home stay rather than a hotel, not because of the level of comfort but more because of the laid back nature of the set up. There are six cabins all with a simple but high-end finish, wood burner and secluded setting.
There is a ‘quincho’ (club house) where there is an open kitchen so the chef can connect with the guests, dining area and cosy lounge. Pata Lodge, also known as Fundo Las Escalas, is a working farm, mostly producing fruit and vegetables but also with a few sheep. It is essentially a conservation project to conserve the untouched land, return as much as possible back to native forest and to sustainably farm and restore the land of the areas already farmed. As a guest, you are invited to come and share in this wonderful project.
El Raudal
This hotel sits at the entrance of the Futaleufu Valley, right on the river as it widens for its final 20km meander before reaching the Yelcho Lake. With a wonderful view, lovely bar and camp fire area, hot tubs and just seven rooms all with floor to ceiling windows, the Raudal offers a homely base to explore the valley.
Although set a little far from the action, it is the ideal base if you are looking for a day or two of activities but also some time to just sit back and enjoy the setting and have a rest day in a low-key but comfy setting.
El Barranco
El Barranco is a family run hotel with ten rooms set right in the village centre of Futaleufu. It is at a sleepy end of town so very peaceful with a private pool and forest views. They have their own little restaurant serving wholesome home cooked food and a well stocked bar - the lounge and dining area makes it feel more like a skiing lodge than an 'in-town' hotel, with wooden decor, boar heads on the walls and open fires.
With easy access to local adventure outfitters, it is a great low cost option for people wanting to be a little more independent in the area but still with helpful, welcoming hosts and a lovely base to return to.
Bio Bio Basecamp
Set right on the shores of the river, the Bio Bio Basecamp is a simple and rustic camping experience but with added bonuses such as a wood burning hot tub, in-house masseuse, yoga deck, hammocks and delicious food, this basecamp really takes camping to the next level. Offering a multi-day rafting experience, kayaking tuition, horse riding and hiking, you'll have your week filled without even trying.
You are looked after at the camp by the lovely hosts (and Carmela the dog) and on the river by your professional and extremely experienced guides. After a few nights in this relaxing setting, you won't want to leave.
The hotels on offer in the Futaleufu Valley all offer subtly different experiences which could make or break your stay - we know the area well and would love to chat through the options with you.
Any lodge will offer a pick-up service but we would highly recommend having your own hire car (a 4X4 is definitely recommended). Hire cars can be collected either from Esquel in Argentina or from Puerto Montt in Chile.
Not at all, most of the rafting, hiking and horse riding activities leave from out of town, so if anything, it's more convenient. The village itself is so sleepy that there isn't really anything you'll miss.
This area is a great stop off when on a road trip of the northern Carretera Austral either as your entrance point coming in from Argentina (just one hour from Esquel) or coming south from Pumalin (just two hours from Pumalin Sur).
Waking up to a low mist in the valley floor, watching it rise over a steaming cup of coffee as the sun comes up is an experience that comes second to sunset dips in the crystal clear waters of the Futaleufu River as the pink sky is reflected perfectly in the water.
Iain Rylance Patagonia Sales Manager
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We'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.
Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.
We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.
