Patagonia Rowing Expedition
Five days of world-class whitewater, authentic culture, and transformative leadership on the Río Petrohué.
Adventure Awaits
Row through the wild heart of Patagonia, where snowcapped volcanoes rise above emerald rivers. Over five days, you’ll train in whitewater rowing, build resilience through guided mindset coaching, and connect deeply with Chilean culture. With space for only six participants, this expedition offers hands-on instruction, shared adventure, and the chance to challenge yourself in one of the most stunning river valleys on earth.
Trip Overview
Dates: TBD, Sign Up for the Newsletter to be the first to know when registration opens
Location: Ensenada, Chile (Petrohué River, near Puerto Varas)
Group Size: Maximum 6 participants — intimate, personalized, and adventurous.
Length: Arrival day, preceded by three days of on-water training, one day off to explore the surrounding area and rest, followed by two more days of on-water training, then departure
Cost: $3250
Experience the best of Patagonia: challenging and scenic rowing, intentional mindset coaching, and the camaraderie of a small group in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
2027 Course Dates
Arrive February 22 – Depart February 28th
Arrive March 3rd – Depart March 10th
Arrive March 14th – Depart March 21st
Itinerary &
Schedule
Day 1— Arrival in Puerto Montt by 5:00 PM for group shuttle. Welcome dinner & orientation at Barlovento.
Day 2-4— Daily rowing clinics and expeditions on the Río Petrohué. Each day blends skill-building, adventure, and mindset practice.
Day 5 - Rest day, open for exploration
Day 6-7 – Two on-water days for hands-on technical learning and mindset training
Day 8— Group shuttle available to Puerto Montt airport
FAQs
Arrival and Departure
Arrival: Dates TBD — flights must arrive before 5:00 PM at Puerto Montt Airport (PMC). Group shuttle departs at 5:00 PM.
Departure: Dates TBD— group shuttle arrives at the airport by 7:00 AM. Book flights after 9:00 AM.
You are welcome to extend your travels in Patagonia before or after the trip — we highly recommend exploring! We especially recommend arriving a day or two early and staying in Puerto Varas. That way, you arrive rested and ready to go for our course.
Where Will We Stay?
Cabaña Barlovento, Ensenada, Chile
Cozy, welcoming, and perfectly located on the lace front near the river. Shared rooms with local hospitality and easy access to the Petrohué.
What is Included?
✔ 5 full days on the river with professional instruction
✔ All rafting equipment (boats, oars, safety gear)
✔ Welcome dinner + closing Chilean asado farewell dinner
✔ Airport transfers
✔ Leadership and mindset coaching woven into each day
✔ Six night of Lodging
What’s Not Included
✘ Flights to/from Chile
✘ Meals except for welcome + farewell dinners
✘ Personal travel/medical/cancellation insurance (required)
✘ Personal gear
✘ Instructor Tips. 10-20% is the industry standard
Do I need to be in great shape to join?
Not at all! You don’t need to be an athlete to row in Patagonia — just adventurous and willing to learn. We’ll provide you with a simple fitness routine ahead of time so you feel confident and prepared, and we’ll pace each day to match the group’s energy and ability.
What if I’ve never rowed before?
Perfect — this course is for beginners and intermediates. We’ll start with foundational rowing technique, body mechanics, and safety. Instruction builds progressively, so you’ll feel confident and supported each step of the way.
Client Reviews
The experience was over and above anything that I expected, both in the river and off the river. Jess and Claudio are such passionate a gifted instructors. I always felt safe yet challenged. The course content felt tailored to meet my abilities, and yet I was able to learn even more while watching and listening to more experienced rowers, too. Plus the setting is out of this world!
– AmyI really liked how well Jess and Claudio work together. Their teaching styles are similar enough to make transitioning from one instructor to the next very easy, but different enough to meet every learner where they are. I felt like I was getting individualized attention, but I was also able to find many of my own “takeaways” by listening and watching while someone else was on the oars. You two are amazing, and I want to see you carry on to take Wyld Heart to new heights together
– Previous GuestThe setup of the class was the key. Some time in the classroom helped to warm up my brain and understand river dynamics. Class time in the field, like when we went to the creek to break down hydrology and river reading, really helped me “see” it better. And the days on the river, improving my skills from day to day, was the icing on the cake. On the first day, I never would have envisioned myself being able to row El Cable, but by the end of the week, I did it and LOVED it!
— A.C.Meet Your Instructors
This expedition is led by Jess Lewis and Claudio Martinez, combining international expertise with deep local knowledge. Jess is an ACA Instructor Trainer Candidate in Rafting, an ACA Swiftwater Rescue Instructor, and a Wilderness Guide, with decades of experience guiding and teaching in rivers around the world. Claudio is a seasoned Chilean river guide and ACA-certified instructor who knows the Petrohué intimately, bringing not only technical mastery but also cultural connection to the experience. Together, they offer world-class rowing instruction, proven risk management, and the kind of mentorship that helps you grow as both a rower and a leader.
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I’m Jess Lewis — river guide, coach, and founder of Wyld Heart. For over two decades, I’ve led teams and expeditions across Antarctica, Africa, South and Central America, and the American West. My work has always circled back to one thing: helping people find courage and clarity in wild places.
I’m an American Canoe Association Instructor Trainer (Level 4 Raft), an ACA Level 5 Raft Instructor, ACA Level 4 Swiftwater Rescue Instructor and chair of the ACA Rafting Committee. I’m also an AMGA-trained mountain guide, an avalanche instructor, and a Wilderness Medicine Instructor. Along the way, I’ve started nonprofits, taught as a professor, written as an author, and guided international expeditions.
Through Wyld Heart, I bring all of that experience together — mindset coaching, leadership training, and embodied resilience — to help you navigate challenge, lead with heart, and step into the biggest version of yourself.
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A lifelong Chilean river guide and educator, Claudio knows the Petrohué and surrounding region inside and out. His expertise in local waters, cultural connection, and whitewater instruction makes him an invaluable partner, ensuring both safety and authentic immersion in Patagonia. Claudio is also fluent in English and is looking forward to showing people his home.
The Nitty Gritty Details
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Reserve your spot directly through our website. A 50% deposit is required at registration to secure your place, with the remaining balance due 90 days prior to departure.
We accept payments via credit card or Venmo @WyldHeartCo. Please note that credit card payments may include a small processing fee.
Have questions or want to talk it through first? I’d love to connect with you directly:
Email: jess@wyldheartco.com
Phone: 719.395.5546 -
A 50% deposit is due at registration. Of this, $750 is non-refundable and non-transferable.
More than 120 days prior to departure: Full refund of any payments made, less the $750 non-refundable portion of your deposit.
91–120 days prior: 50% refund of trip cost, less $750.
61–90 days prior: 25% refund of trip cost, less $750.
60 days or fewer prior: No refund.
If Wyld Heart cancels a trip for reasons other than force majeure (natural disasters, political instability, pandemics, etc.), you’ll receive a full refund including your deposit. If cancellation is due to force majeure, we’ll make every effort to refund recoverable costs or apply your payment toward a future trip.
All cancellations must be submitted in writing via email to: jess@wyldheartco.com.
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Wyld Heart requires all participants to carry travel insurance that includes emergency medical and evacuation coverage for the full duration of the program.
For all international trips, participants are also required to carry trip cancellation and interruption insurance. Travel insurance is an essential part of participating in Wyld Heart programs and helps protect your financial investment if unforeseen circumstances prevent you from joining the trip or require you to leave early.
Wyld Heart does not provide refunds for circumstances beyond our control, including but not limited to weather, safety considerations, illness, political conditions, partner availability, or participant inability to attend. Trip cancellation and interruption insurance is the participant’s primary financial protection in these situations.
Wyld Heart is not an insurer and does not guarantee reimbursement of trip costs. Participants are responsible for selecting a policy that adequately covers their needs and their full trip investment.
Popular providers our guests use include Allianz, Travel Guard, World Nomads, and AIG Travel. Some participants also use coverage offered through their credit card provider or airline; however, it is the participant’s responsibility to confirm that such coverage meets the requirements above.
