Rafting down the Aluminé Rapids

While on vacation with the family, we were wondering if rafting was an activity for all ages or just for the young. Determined to learn the answer, we got information from experts in guiding water activities in Villa Pehuenia and Aluminé.

The Aluminé River deserves a special introduction: impetuous, winding, plentiful, it starts at an Andean Patagonian area and reaches the steppe with rapid Class II to IV stretches. It has the privilege of being one of the most popular mountain rivers for the practice of rafting and kayaking.

The most intrepid choose the upper part of the river and those who experience paddling, laughing and enjoying adventure with the family in the mid summer mountain range for the first time do it downstream.

Ricardo, from Aluminé Rafting, was expecting us next to the rafts in the early afternoon, eight kilometers away from the center of Aluminé. We got there with another group of tourists in order to sail along the Class II well-known area known as Abra Ancha, which may be sailed year round.

The relaxed atmosphere of the groups made integration easier. As a result, our excitement mutated into laughter as we listened to the technical directions and put on the appropriate outfits.

Still on solid ground and holding the paddle, each of us imitated the maneuver suggested by the guide in order to become familiar with what we were supposed to do once we were on the river.


Into the Water

We got on the rafts and at first we sailed down a quiet river. The guides encouraged us to splash one another with the paddles. No wonder we were already soaked as soon as the tour began.

Downstream, we came close to the gorge named Curva del Ciprés (Cypress bend). Huge walls of rock to one side and small white sandy beaches and cypress woods on the other side of the river amazed us and made us lose the synchronicity of paddle movement. The raft was sliding without any inconvenience until the guide cried out: ‘Action! Here come the rapids!’

We had the feeling that the river slowly disappeared beneath our bodies and that if we did not paddle intensely, the boat would choose its own way. Working as a team and following the directions given by the guide, we succeeded in controlling the raft. We surpassed that stretch without any further difficulty and our prize was a dive in a pool of refreshing water at one of the river bends.

Then the interesting part came: “the flume” or “the washing machine”, where the voice of the commander and our attention became sharper. Splashing, screaming, alleluias and paddles hitting one another in the air joined the guide’s voice, which convinced us that we had done really well. We were happy to hear those words but in fact the real hero was himself.

Another dive set the ending of the rafting adventure. We gathered on the beach to share anecdotes and make arrangements for our next trip. Ricardo said: ‘The Aluminé is generous: it has areas for experts and for beginners. From Lonco Luán to Abra Ancha, the Aluminé offers the chance for grown-ups and children to get thrilled by this sport and by nature all around the river course”.

An amusing Championship for Tourists is held during February whether on an individual or family/friends category. National championships of these specialties are celebrated on the upper Aluminé. Men and women rafters enroll to compete according to category.

‘Experts? No, beginners but very eager to wind the Aluminé River on board a RIB and feel adrenaline’. Thus, we included our family in the typical vacation photograph with the rafting looks.