Similar trips we recommend are:

• Pucon Creek Week, NOV 9 – 16 (III+ to IV+) 
• Pucon Creek Week, NOV 30 – DEC 1 (III+ to IV+)
• Pucon Creek Week, DEC 14 – 21 (III+ to IV+)

Learn more. David@PuconKayakHostel.com or +1-828-788-5135.

CLARO +PLUS MAIPO DESCRIPTION

Claro +PLUS is for kayakers keen to explore Chile’s most famous waterfall anomaly. Known in Chile by its national park namesake Siete Tazas (Seven Teacups) after the photogenic and relatively easy section of seven clean cascades aka Seven Teacups section. The Rio Claro canyon drops kayakers into a 57 million year old basalt chasm that is polished, milled and carved perfectly banking “+PLUS” offers an added Maipo Valley of river sections for the start of this trip. Guests on this trip will explore the Claro by spending several days based inside Seven Teacups National Park paddling sections like the infamous Garganta del Diablo (or “Throat of the Devil”), notorious for the 180-degree two-tiered waterfall of the same name that drops you into one of the lower canyons.

Rio Claro Sections – from top to bottom

Vienty-dos aka Twenty-two Saltos Section, IV. Underrated and overshadowed by the Throat of Devil Canyon the Twenty-two Saltos section is often considered the highest and best action section of the Claro. Kayakers will hike one hour up river from camp into the desert sun. After a canyon rim scout we’ll seal launch lower ourselves into the basalt chasm for the epic waterfall experience of a lifetime. Drops range from 3 feet and swirly curves around banking walls to the biggest 30 foot drop. The second largest drop at 25 feet spouting off a perfect lip into a giant pool of celebrations. Some drops require strokes, tucks, body protection, and moves. While others offer the advancing and progressing kayakers opportunity to explore. For example, Ski Ramp’s unique banking allows kayakers to charge the highest corner and stomp their bows down.

Entres aka the Between Saltos, III to V. Our camp is based next to the Between Falls and we usually keep our beers cold there. there are a dozen or so excellent drops here ranging in skills and heights from 3 feet to 15 feet. There are two mandatory class V hikes.

Cinco aka Five Tazas, III. Like a kayaker fairy tale book lie five perfectly photogenic easy drop-pool cascades offering a playground lap just below our camp.

Garganta del Diablo aka Throat of the Devil, III to IV+. Just prior to entering the Devil canyon kayakers have a last chance to hike out on river left steep wall. We most often paddle the Entres and Cinco Tazas sections from camp into Throat of the Devil Canyon. You’ll spend some time scouting at the lip and of course beforehand from the more dangerous above cliffs. This is the last section we run and often run it multiple times. Kayakers typically self-assess and know by this time if they are ready for the whitewater celebration of a lifetime. At proper flows rescues and manageability at bottom are easy.  What can we say about whitewater’s most iconic waterfall? Keep your bow down. We’ll have a few things to cover. Notable are the 50 and 70 foot crack drops, handful of 6 to 8 foot boofs, and vistas of canyon entering waterfalls.

Seven Teacups aka Siete Tazas, III to IV. The Seven Teacups serves as our warmup and skills assessment section. This section with its trails and overlooks is the easiest to stage group photo shoots and multiple lapping. Run it. Repeat.

Other Canyons. Just last year two new sections opened up. Aniol Serrasolses notched a first descent of Leona just below the Teacups canyon filmed by PKR’s very own Tino Specht. Same time frame Tino got in with a crew to explore canyons above the 22 Saltos section adding another 20 or so drops. There is also talk of exploring easier sections below the canyons. Why don’t we explore those? Truth is that the canyons we paddle are so remarkably good and easy to access that we have not taken the harder trekking effort for the more dangerous or harder to access canyons.

Above Video: PKR coach Tino Specht produces edit of our study abroad trip to Rio Claro. Great shots of glorious drops. 

+PLUS Rio Maipo

This trip takes kayakers to explore the Rio Maipo near Santiago. The Maipo still boasts 20+ KM of free flowing river ranging from fast paced class IV+ to V on the Upper Canyon to a more mellow class III to IV lower canyon. Possible options pending water levels for Rio Yesso creeking and/or waterfall. The arid wine district valley has towering peaks above the continuous whitewater and is a perfect start to our trip.

What’s Included

• Breakfast, Lunch.
• Kayak Rental.
• Airport Transfer.
• Lodging.
• World’s Best Kayak Instruction.
• Daily River Transports.

Not Included

• Alcohol.
• Dinners – Group will eat nightly at a select cafe for cultural experience and riverside cuisine; trip pricing has been reduced to adjust to dinners and two travel lunches.
• Two travel day lunches.
• Meals average about $9 to $12/meal and pricing has been reduced $US100 to account for meals.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 (NOV 16):

Arrival to Santiago International Airport (SCL) before 10 AM.
Boat outfitting and welcome.
Afternoon Maipo warmup lap & skills assessment. Welcome to Chile!

Day 2 (NOV 17):

AM – Kayak Theory. Lower and Upper Maipo run pending skill levels.
PM – Maipo Lap +PLUS Banos Colina Hotsprings or Lagunillas Hike Optional

Day 3 (NOV 18)

AM – Pack camp and drive to the Seven Teacups National Park aka Rio Claro.
PM – Check-in. Set camp. Hike to waterfalls. High FIVE… Can you believe this place?

Day 4 (NOV 19): Waterfall Wonder of the World

AM – Seven Teacups Section
PM – Vientidos Saltos “Twenty-two Falls” Section

Day 5 (NOV 20): Waterfall Wonder of the World

AM – Seven Teacups, Garganta del Diablo (Throat of the Devil) or Twenty-two Falls Section timing pending light conditions
PM – Seven Teacups Section

Day 6 (NOV 21): Waterfall Wonder of the World

AM – Optional hike or rest.
PM – Group option Twenty-two Falls, Garganta or Teacups.

Day 7 (NOV 22):

Option for dawn patrol laps.
Departure Flights: Santiago International Airport scheduled for afternoon flights later than 7 PM.
AM – Morning Teacups lap time permitting and pending flight schedules.
PM – Drive to Santiago International Airport (airport code SCL).

Complimentary Trips and Logistics 
Warmup with Pucon Creek Week, Nov 9 – Nov 16  

MOST POPULAR. MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR AIRFARE. Pucon is arguably the world’s greatest creek destination.  PKH instructor’s live to show off the gems of playground creeking Pucon offers. Our favorite being the Nevados canyon which showcases 20 +PLUS clean boofs ranging from 4′ to 20′, it has three 20′ waterfalls, and the run is highlighted by it’s unique Cali Slide for extra fun. Keep in mind this is creeking season so park and huck 10 meter waterfalls like Coilaco or Blanco are a must. Or how about high water laps on the Trancura or Palguin. Your base is so close to the runs its downright silly. Run the rivers and return to our warm fires for Chilean cuisine and celebrating.

Want to sign up for the Trip Extension? Email David@PuconKayakHostel.com

Are You Ready?

The Claro Canyon is an intense place. Access requires hot hiking typically about an hour before or after your section. It’s a best idea if you come to Chile in shape with your hiking legs ready. Passing and lifting kayaks, strenuous hiking into and out of canyons, and water dehydrating hikes are a mandatory part of the trip. On the water… that is both the fun and easy part.

We recommend before your trip that you kayak often, are part of a normal hiking or workout routine, and who couldn’t lose some weight? Workouts like Crossfit… we love them. Yes, get in shape it will help your confidence as you paddle too.

KEEP KAYAKING.