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==Season 2025/26==
* <span style="background-color:aqua;">'''2026-02-14 to 2026-02-17 / 4 Days / Packrafting / SOBO / RP / Pierre & Clotilde'''</span>
(Our entire descente, alto y bajo)
Thank you for the previous comments, which are indeed very accurate. What can change your trip is the flow rate and the amount of debris in the water depending on the time of year you're paddling the Palena. Currently in 2026 February, the flow was good, but there are still submerged logs that you need to be careful of.
We arrived from Argentina by taking a bus from Esquel to Carrenleufu, which runs three times a week at 8:30 am (monday, wednesday, friday). It drops you off around noon, and then you just have to walk to the border posts, which are quite close. To reach the village of Palena, you can either walk 9 km past the Chilean post or hitchhike.
Campsite below the bridge -43.609681,-71.816991.
First day: Class 2 rapids and sometimes 2+ or 3 (for the two mentionned) depending on the water level. Portaging or scouting is possible. At the 4.2 rapid, there's a tree to watch out for if you take it. At the 23.4 rapid, take the left fork. At km 47, there are several trees in the rapid, try to stay on the left side to avoid being pulled by the current onto the tree in the middle.
There are eddies, but this is common throughout the river. The campsite at -43.75009, -72.281043 is a very peaceful grassy area.
The water is clear and doesn't cause illness without a filtration system or boiling.
Day two: fewer rapids but some have good waves. A nice section with a possible exit at -43.955479, -72.397964 allows for a 2 km portage to the center of La Junta.
Day three: re-enter the water at -43.961937, -72.396105, near the bridge. Reconnect with the Rio Palena by taking a section of the Rio Rosselot. Fewer rapids; the two main ones are less impressive than those of the previous days. Scouting from the bank is possible, and portaging is also an option to avoid them.
The river widens, the scenery changes, watch out for eddies, but the same applies as the previous days. At the end of 24.1 rapid, there is indeed a shear zone with whirlpool, but by going slowly and staying with the current, it's manageable.
The hidden Termas Puerto Bonito are incredible, not to be missed -43.955159,-72.733642. It's possible to take refuge there for a night in bad weather as there's a changing room with a sheet metal roof, but camping is normally prohibited according to the rules, so it's best to avoid it. Camping is available on the opposite bank.
Day four: check the tide times; we started to feel the effect around the ferry. We were on a rising tide at that point, and we weren't really slowed down until we reached the ferry. The 3km ferry crossing to the canal is a bit slower, but in calm conditions it's fine. On the canal, with the tide coming in, you get a boost at the beginning, and then you don't really feel it as you make progress. You can stop at the bridge to wait for the low tide, which will greatly help when entering the fjord.
We were still on the incoming tide, so it worked, but it was even slower; the opposing current is more noticeable, but it's manageable. An low tide is definitely preferable. We were greeted by sea lions and other seabirds. We disembarked on the beach at the first pier. It's a charming village, we really enjoyed our four days in Raul Marin Balmaceda. Hostal El Viajero is the perfect place to stay : inexpensive, clean, with a washing machine available, and the owners are incredibly friendly. They also usually accept credit cards. If you stay there, the Wi-Fi works on the outside stairs near the kitchen door but the network stay poor, but Isla del Palena has Starlink if needed.
Kioscos accept cards, but sometimes it glitches, so consider bringing extra cash just in case.
The fjord teems with life: Humboldt penguins, dolphins, sea lions, and all kinds of birds. The Hermanas Islands opposite offer the chance to see whales, otters, and more.
Free hot springs are accessible by packraft to coordinates -43.837496, -72.710591 (to be confirmed). Check with the locals.
We left on Sunday by ferry to Puerto Cisnes. Tickets can be purchased online or at the kiosk on Isla del Palena.
* <span style="background-color:aqua;">'''2025-12-30 to 2026-01-02 / 2 Days / Packrafting / SOBO / RP / Michel, Lisa & Antoine'''</span>
A lovely section where the river nature and landscapes keep changing. Relaxed, fast flowing and many camping options.
Attractivity: 4.5 (more remote/wilder would be a 5)
Difficulty: 2 (our experience given the exceptional weather and favourable winds)
Day 1
We took the bus running from Palena to Futaleufú at 13:30 for 5mn and got out at Bridge (27P} (2.3/194]. We put in and started paddling down the beautiful river. The rapids were not an issue and we paddled all but rapid 24.3 (??). Antoine in his 1 person boat paddled it though. There are many places along the river that look like great campsites. Many of them are most likely on private land since there are settlers and cows everywhere (it should be easy to hide though). We continued to [-43.64793, -71.91816] in 2 h 30 min where we found a really nice campsite at the confluence of Rio Palena, Tigre and another small stream. The land owner was cutting wood nearby in the forest and we asked him if we could camp there. He said yes of course and didn't seem to mind one bit. Best to ask anyways if you can I guess.
Day 2
We continued down the river without any issues. The canyon scenery was splendid and felt wild. Rapids were all fine to navigate, even though we got sucked into the wrong line on one of them. After paddling 5 h we found a really nice camp spot here [-43.71026, -72.16098] with a big old log for wind shelter, an open area with beautiful views of the mountains and sheltered spots among the trees to pitch our tent. Had a warm relaxed afternoon, swam in the river and celebrated new year with a bottle of wine and Antoine even managed to make a small fire in the still pretty fierce wind (with a lot of wind protection of course).
Day 3
The views from the river were absolutely stunning today and it got pretty warm with sun all day long (just like the last days). Rapid {27P} (47.1/104] was really easy, without any problems. The confluence of Rio Frío is wonderful and the water color changes so much! We did 32 km and camped on a rocky bank (no wind or sun protection though), here: [-43.73649, -72.34523]. On the other side of the river there seem to be nice grassy spots that are more sheltered from wind and sun, so that would be an option for camp, too. It's closer to the road though.
Day 4
We paddled to La Junta quite efficiently thanks to a good flow. Especially closer to La Junta the flow was good so we just floated. In the village we bought some additional food and continued directly with GPT28P.
* <span style="background-color:aqua;">'''2025-12-10 & 2025-12-16 to 2025-12-18 / 4 days / Packrafting / SOBO / RP / Dave & Siyuan'''</span>.
Day 3: Again very easy river with no notable rapids. The river widens and slows quite a bit today. We camped at a great spot at -43.87958, -72.37532.
Day 044: River widens and slows again, no notable rapids. We exited at La Junta.
==Season 2024/25==
* Palena: Hostal Alto Patagonia has very tidy rooms and bathroom. Its 25.000 Peso per person including breakfast. Yolanda is a very kind host!
* There is a shop that sells a very good selection of unpackaged goods ideal for hikers (nuts, seeds, granola, lentils, etc.) called Emporio Canelo in Futaleufú, here: [-43.18619, -71.86853]. It doesn't seem to be on Google Maps currently.
* In Palena the resupply options are rather limited. We managed to find a medium gas canister (with thread) in one of the shops, vegetable Selection was sub par, at least for us coming from the north.
* Palena has a nice bakery that sells really good (sourdough?) bread.
* In Palena, the café close to the bus stop sells dry nuts and has a good selection of cakes
==Resupply and Accommodation along the Route==
*Zach
The ferry still runs Thursdays and Sundays, although it left around 11:30, not 9:40 as the website states. No problem to buy a ticket upon boarding.
* There's a bus twice a week from Futaleufú to Palena and in the other direction. It runs Tuesdays (F->P: 9am, 4pm) and Fridays (9am).
=Permits, Entry Fees and Right-of-Way Issues=