Rafting by Manso River

Rafting by Manso River

A different an unique river that starts at the glaciers, at the foot of Mount Tronador. It begins from the glaciers Manso and Castaño Overo with typical cordillera characteristics. Along most of its way you can enjoy the the beauties of a Andean - Patagonian forest and valdivian jungle.

Its waters fill the lakes of Mascardi, Los Moscos, Hess and Steffen. These lakes divide the river in three sections: superior, middle and inferior. It has some important waterfalls like Los Alerces at its middle section called Manso Medio. This river thanks to geological cuts starts in Argentina but flows to Chile joining with Puelo river continuing its way through Tagua - Tagua lake to the Pacific ocean at Reloncavi bay at the Ancud gulf.

The lower section, Manso Inferior, is a class III river ( from Steffen lake - to old Villegas sawmill), it is known by the valdivian wild forest and particularly by its beautiful sightseeing spots with some rapids that will thrill our emotions when rafting through them. It has also parts of still waters and ponds where you may enjoy swimming.

The lower section Manso Inferior to the Frontier (Chilean border) is class III/IV, it gets more exiting as the river gets into a canyon and drops quicker as it flows to the Pacific. It has the same scenic beauty as the first part but with a special adding of rapids that will make you flow much more adrenaline.

LOWER MANSO RAFTING TO THE FRONTIER CLASS lll / IV
Only for daring people
Duration: Full day.

If you want some action you will have to start up earlier!!. We go to your lodging or hotel to pick you up. Then we pick up on the way all the equipment and the guide and we are ready to start our trip. On the way between nice chats and mate tea we reach John`s ranch, almost at the border line with Chile.

There we have a breakfast because we will have late lunch and we need a lot of energy to paddle.

After setting up the whole equipment and that you are dressed up in the dry-fit (neoprene) suit, the guide will introduce you into the paddling techniques and safety instructions. Them we are ready to set off and start our rafting descend. The first half an hour you will enjoy rafting through a breathtaking canyon.

(velvet canyon) . from the emerald green waters we will paddle into real white waters rapids. From stillness into action! The welcoming rapids anticipates then good thing to come. Then we have other called: "agujero de ozono"(ozone hole); "gritá y llorá";(scream and cry!) "éxtasis" (ecstasies); etc.. It is going to be about two hours of fun and adrenaline in beautiful landscapes.

We finish our adventure just at the border line with Chile where the van will be waiting for us to drive us to the camping where we will delight ourselves with a asado patagónico - patagonian barbecue (pour over with a fine red wine!). After coffee we return to Bariloche.

Includes:

Transfer, professional guides, complete rafting equipment, dry-fit neoprene jackets, lunch and snack.

LOWER MANSO RIVER RAFTING CLAS II/III
The trip for the whole family
· Duration: Full day.
From Bariloche on route 258 by car to km 60. Detour 10 km until we get to Steffen lake, beginning of Manso inferior river. Rafting 60 min., stop for lunch and then we raft again for about 60 min. over class II/III rapids. Snack service and return to Bariloche.

We pick you up at your hotel or lodging that you are staying in. After picking up the rest of the group, we stop to load the whole equipment, rafts and food. Then we drive and between chatting and mate tea to break the ice, the guide will tell us about what we see from the van while we drive along.

We start our trip on route 258, we pass along the lakes: Gutiérrez, Mascardi and Guillelmo. When we reach km. 60 we detour to the Manso river. We had still a downhill drive for about 10km (6 miles) on non paved road. Along our way we will enjoy one of the best sightseeing spots of our National Park where we will stop to take pictures (bring along your camera). From that point you see Huala- Hue lagoon, Steffen lake and Martin lake. At 500 meters above sea level in the Steffen lake begins the Manso Inferior river, our starting point for rafting.

When we arrive we get ready with the equipment. Meanwhile you get yourself ready too: you put on your sunscreen protection, sandals or sport shoes (you are not allowed to go barefooted) Then the guide will introduce you to the basics of paddling so you cool down your anxiety before setting off.

The first leg is about a 60 min rafting. Then we slow down for a while. There you will have the opportunity to enjoy fully the beauties of nature that surrounds us, just imagine...the river, the forest, birds, the raft and you, no other way to get there......

Then we stop by the river to have lunch. You will be served a starting snack with the best smoked meat (trout, wild pork and deer) from Patagonia ahumados Granjas Patagónicas, sandwiches, different cheese and jams, home made salt cakes, pates, juices and fruits.

We go back to the river for another 60 min. rafting through class II/III rapids, the first one will help you with your digestion, that is why we called it UVASAL (kind of alcacercer). then the Villegas river flows into the Manso and between rapids we can enjoy beautiful ponds and paradise-like beaches where we stop for a nice swim dive (in summer water has about 18 C° degrees).

Then we reach Quique`s Chiguay place, about 17hs., There Silvia and Puly will be waiting us with tortas fritas (fried cakes in cows fat - local specialty) done at your sight, that we will enjoy it with tea, coffee or other cold beverage. We have rustic changing rooms so you can change your clothes and get confortable for our drive back. We start our way back with the van driving for about an hour. So about 19hs. We say good bye to you but just for a while... we hope to meet you again in the Manso to the Frontier, next time. If you are still eager for some more adventure and adrenaline then just don`t miss this trip....Manso to the frontier.

· Includes: transfer, professional guides, complete rafting equipment, dry-fit neoprene jackets, lunch and snack.