Kayak Trip Maule River to the Ocean
– River side camp-ground – Small towns – Bird Watching
– Trip starts in Talca. Optional transportation from santiago
– Lodging and food according to itinerary.
– Kayaks, gear and guiding
– All local ground transportation
– Cost of trip usd 300 per person / Minimun 4 pax.
– Kayak Trip starts in Talca/ Ends in Constitución transfer back to Talca. Other can be arranged.

General Description of Trip:
Down the Maule River in a Sea Kayak in 2 days is a fun trip and very interesting. The Maule river is a surprise in beauty. It is rather isolated from main roads. You only see small trails, rural dirt roads and small communities such as our favourite González Bastías and our friends from there.
The river is safe and when water level creates spots with fast moving water, even the inexperienced kayaker does not have problem negotiating the current. Even flipping and swiming has very low risk. Support Boat tough make the whooe trip easier and safer.
We camp one night along the river. We have our favourite places, but anywhere along the river is good for a camp ground. JUST LEAVE no garbage.
The river moves at a nice pace, so paddling without big effort allows a regular paddler to cover the distance bewteen Curtiduría and Cosntitución in two days.
The last stretch of the trip could be a bit tougher considering that the rivers flatters, no current and ocean wind might flow inland.

Maule River – Beautiful
The Maule river has a surprising and unexpected beauty. Far from main roads it is naturally protected from big crowds and big urben centers. Phone coverage is minimum and we only see birds, small farms and maybe a another local rowing boat. The rivers moves at different speeds. Some sections are flat and paddling becomes harder, and other sections have constant current and the kayaks move fast with little effort. Also, rain and volume of water of Maule Lake way upstream in the mountains affect the water volume in different times of the year.
With more water the river is clear and it moves fast. With less water, small current differences appear, but basic navegating kayak skills are enough to get though.
We welcome people without experience, because in an hour somebody could get what is needed to kayak the Maule river. What is important here is positive spirit and the right guiding and appropiate.

ITINERARY
– Day 1. Friday 06 STARTING THE TRIP. For this trip, people need to be in Talca Hostal by Friday evening. The idea is that everybody sleeps at the hostal and move together next morning to the river.
Note: For Private Trip, from Santiago, we could offer private transportation to Talca and back to Santiago at the end of trip.

– Day 2. Saturday 07 Paddling the River – Camp-ground by the River
Early on the following day, we have a good breakfast to get us through the morning.
We drive to the put in where guides and gear are ready for us and for this trip. Historically we start this 2-day trip in Curtiduria, just by the train station because from here down the river is friendly and we can garantee the arrival in the Coast in 2 days.
To start the day, we spend 1 hour with eqipment, personal items, loading kayaks, safety talks and for those with little experience the basic instructions on how to handle a paddle, how to use a ratter and few other tips to make the trip as safe as possible and the paddling the most efficient.
Our first stop is the small and «cute» town and train station Gonzalez Bastias. Here we get out of kayaks and visit a local family with a nice restaurant and the BEST FOOD along the river valley.
The stop takes about two hours. Enoiugh to rest, stretch and prepare the bodies for another 3 hours kayaking to our camp-ground about 20 kmts doew river.
We paddle without stopping anywhere unless it is necessary. We taking time to enjoy the views from opur kayaks.
Once in our camp-ground, guides deal with main equipment, camping gear, dining-room tent and dinner. Expedition member deal with their own gear, their kayaks and safety equipment and the pitching of their tents.
Dinner – Night at Camp-ground.

– Day 3 Sunday 08: Paddling – Trip Ends in Constitucion
Guides get up early and start working on breakfast, while we expect expedition members to start working on their gear, packing tents, and the early loading of their kayaks.
Breakfast is usually at 8am so we have enough time to pack and start paddling not later than 10am.
Kayaks and one guide resume the trip, while support engine boat stays to pack the camp-ground. It takes an extra 30 minutes.
After 3 hours, groupm should be able to spot the famous «Piedra del Lobo» an outstanding rock in the middle of the river that tells everybosy that it is lunch time, and that we are about 8 miles (11 kmts) from our final destination.
After 1 hour in our pinic-style lunch, group paddles on but now knowing that a bit of ocean wind might challenge the moving forward. However, the river turns many time and creates protected areas and the kayaks still move fast.
The arrival in Constitucion is espectacular. We paddle along the coastal walking boulevard of the city and we get the welcome of many people. We also get welcome by other boats that move around the harbor either fishing or with other kind of work.
We look for our place to get people, kayak and gear out of the water and into our vehicles and trailers.
We have a place where people can change clothes and after getting a bite we hit the road either back to Talca or all the way to Santiago.

NOTE: All our kayak trips are supported by a motorized kataraft that transport food, gear, and items to make this trip as comfortable as possible and still keep it as an adventure.

What to Bring.
Please take the time to check this Packing List so as to ensure that you bring the items that you need.Lo
– Warm layers
– In case of cold weather suggested Dry suit or wet suit
– Wind stopper – Rain jacket
– River shoes or similaer. Sandals.
– Camping Gear. Tent matress and sleeping bag.
– Dry bags for clothes and for sleeping bag mainly.
– Baseball hat glasses and sun block
– Water gloves suggested to avoid blisters and to keep hands warm
– Warm clothes for the camp-ground time
– Mosquito Repelent
– Head Lamp
– Toileteries (towel, toilet paper, others)
– Snacks and power bars
– Water bottle ideal for hot and cold drinks.
– Medications that you regularly use. Pain killers, and antihistamine.