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White water rafting on the Petrohue River from Ensenada

Raft the lower Petrohue inside Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, 44 km from Puerto Varas. It is 8 km of class III rapids with views of the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes, and the rafting trip starts from our base in Ensenada.

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Quick facts

Duration
Half day (1 h 15 min on the water)
Minimum age
10 in summer, 14 in winter
Group
Minimum 4 people
Season
All year
Price
CLP 40,000 per person
Meeting point
TerraSur base, Route 225 km 44
Route
8 km of river
Difficulty
Class III
  • Bilingual guides
  • All gear provided
  • Transfer to the river
  • Snack
  • GoPro videos
  • Insurance
A raft runs a rapid on the Petrohue River with snow-capped Osorno Volcano behind
A blue raft climbs a big wave in a rapid on the Petrohue River
A group in red helmets paddles a raft through a class III rapid
A raft drops through white water waves on the Petrohue River
A blue raft punches through a wave that sprays the whole group
A raft with its guide enters a rapid on the Petrohue River, with native forest on the bank
A raft with its guide enters a rapid on the Petrohue River, with native forest on the bank

The route: 8 km of class III rapids

The Petrohue River rises from Todos los Santos Lake in Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, in the Los Lagos Region. The park borders Nahuel Huapi National Park in Argentina, and together they form one of the largest protected wild areas in South America. The rafting trip covers 8 km of white water on the lower river: a half-day tour with 1 h 15 min on the water.

The rapids: La S, Los Pollos and La Garganta del Diablo

The lower Petrohue is a fun and safe raft trip, with class III rapids such as La S, Los Pollos and La Garganta del Diablo. Their big waves are ideal for white water rafting: there are moments of real excitement and calm stretches to rest and take in the landscape. On the international river scale, class III means intermediate rapids, with irregular waves that the raft crosses by paddling as a team and following the guide. The upper Petrohue is not run: commercial trips are prohibited there because of the Petrohue Falls, which cannot be navigated. That is why there is no rafting at the Petrohue Falls, and the trip starts downstream.

Views of the Osorno, Calbuco and Puntiagudo volcanoes

Along the route, the river opens up views of the three local volcanoes: Osorno, Calbuco and Puntiagudo. On the calm stretches you also see the mountains and the almost untouched forests on the banks, inside the national park. The trip mixes the adrenaline of the rapids with time to look around, with family or friends.

What's included and what to bring

Included in the tour

The rafting trip includes the transfer from our base in Ensenada, a bilingual guide, a rescue kayaker, gear and insurance. The gear is a wetsuit, a windbreaker jacket, a life jacket, a helmet and booties. The rescue kayaker travels alongside the rafts on the way down. We use very good quality equipment in all our activities. A snack and GoPro videos of the trip are also included.

What to bring

Bring a towel and a swimsuit, or a change of underwear, to wear under the wetsuit. Our base in Ensenada has changing rooms, bathrooms and parking: you can drive in and change before and after rafting.

A group in red helmets paddles a raft through a class III rapid

Safety and requirements

Certified guides and a rescue kayaker

Every trip goes with bilingual guides and a rescue kayaker. Our team is made up of professionals specialized in each activity, with the necessary certifications, always up to date. Before getting on the water there is always a safety briefing, and everyone gets a life jacket and a helmet. TerraSur is a direct operator: we work personally on every trip, with local guides from Ensenada. We have more than 20 years of rafting and adventure travel in southern Chile.

Minimum age and group size

The minimum age is 10 in summer and 14 in winter, when the river carries more water. Each trip needs a minimum of 4 people. No previous experience is needed. Being able to swim is recommended but not required: if you cannot swim, tell the guide before the trip.

Getting there from Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt

Rafting in Ensenada starts from the TerraSur base, on Route 225 km 44, a short walk from Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park. The base has parking.

From Puerto Varas: 44 km on Route 225

From Puerto Varas, take Route 225 (Ruta 225) toward Ensenada along Lake Llanquihue, about 45 minutes by car. In summer and on weekends, allow 10 to 15 minutes more. The included transfer is between the base and the river. Large groups can be picked up in Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt at an extra cost.

From Puerto Montt

From Puerto Montt, drive to Puerto Varas first and then follow Route 225 to Ensenada: 63 km, about 1 hour by car.

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Rafting price and season

Rafting near Puerto Varas, CLP 40,000 per person. The price includes the transfer from the base, a bilingual guide, a rescue kayaker, gear and insurance. Rafting runs all year. To book or get a quote for a group, message us on WhatsApp with your date and group size.

More adventures on the Petrohue River

Hydrospeed and ducky (inflatable kayak) on the same river

Another way down the Petrohue: hydrospeed on your own board, or run it in a ducky, an inflatable kayak. Both activities run the same river and start from the same base. On the same river we also run fly fishing trips.

Stay at our base: Barlovento cabins and campsite

Barlovento is the same company and the same base: cabins in Ensenada or a lakeside campsite, with no transfer to the river. The base has access to the Lake Llanquihue beach and a quincho (barbecue shelter).

See all on Google
★★★★★
I want to congratulate the whole team for their professionalism, their good vibes and the sense of safety they give you at all times. From start to finish you can tell how passionate they are about what they do.
Review on Google · April 2026 · translated from Spanish

Petrohue River rafting FAQ

How long is the Petrohue River rafting trip?

It is a half-day tour. You spend 1 h 15 min on the water, over 8 km of the lower Petrohue.

What level is rafting on the Petrohue River?

It is class III: intermediate rapids, with big waves and calm stretches. Every trip goes with a guide and a rescue kayaker. No previous experience is needed.

Can you go rafting at the Petrohue Falls?

No. The Petrohue Falls section cannot be navigated and commercial trips on the upper Petrohue are prohibited. Rafting takes place downstream, on the lower Petrohue.

How far is the rafting from Puerto Montt?

You get there through Puerto Varas and Route 225 to Ensenada: 63 km, about 1 hour by car.

What is the minimum age for rafting?

From age 10 in summer and from age 14 in winter, when the river carries more water.

How much does rafting cost in Puerto Varas?

Rafting costs CLP 40,000 per person. It includes the transfer from our base in Ensenada, a bilingual guide, a rescue kayaker, gear and insurance.

Do you offer pickup from Puerto Varas?

The included transfer is between the base and the river. Large groups can be picked up in Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt at an extra cost. The trip starts from our base in Ensenada, 44 km from Puerto Varas.

What should I bring for rafting?

A towel and a swimsuit, or a change of underwear, to wear under the wetsuit. The base has changing rooms and bathrooms.

When is the rafting season?

Rafting on the Petrohue River runs all year. In winter the river carries more water and the minimum age goes up to 14.

Is there a minimum group size?

Each trip needs a minimum of 4 people. It costs CLP 40,000 per person, including the transfer, a bilingual guide, a rescue kayaker, gear and insurance.