El Chaltén: Río de las Vueltas and Patagonia Rafting｜Argentina

The experience starts at the operating base located in El Chaltén (Av. San Martín 872). The guides will hand you the technical and safety gear, necessary to conduct this activity. Once you are equipped, you will be taken by van some 5 blocks up to the river. On the banks of Río de las Vueltas, you’ll be given a technical and safety talk – how to hold the paddle, instructions to go forward, to turn, to go back, so that the whole team paddles at the same time.

The first stretch in the river is quiet water, with meanders that will allow you to catch nice views of Mount Fitz Roy and its satellite needles. It is 6 kilometers in all, in which you’ll enjoy crossing areas with Andean forest, and going out into the steppe. It is frequent to spot birds (condors, upland geese, black-faced ibis, among many others) and other native wildlife (foxes, armadillos, guanacos).

In this stretch, you’ll be able to enjoy the landscape and practice the paddling and safety techniques. In the second section, 10 kilometers long, the river becomes wedged into a natural canyon, which generates around 20 class III to III + rapids.

The whole circuit takes approximately 2 hours traveling along Río de las Vueltas, with time to spend contemplating, and a fair dose of action and adrenaline. When you get off, you’ll be offered a comforting snack (a hot drink and something delicious to eat). At the bridge of Provincial Route 23, the vehicle awaits to return to the operating base.