Kayaking La Leona River from El Calafate: 8.5 hours

Eight and a half hours paddling and hiking wild Patagonia, not watching it from a van

Kayak and trek the La Leona River on an 8.5-hour activity from El Calafate, paddling through Patagonian steppe and hiking to see petrified trees and dinosaur bones. Hotel pickup and drop-off, a professional guide, and photos are included. You bring lunch, hiking shoes, a long-sleeved shirt and a light coat. Children from age 12 are welcome, and the guide speaks English or Spanish.

The experience

Eight and a half hours means roughly an hour of paddling, a two-hour hike, lunch, and then more kayaking through the wildest part of the steppe. The La Leona River cuts through landscape that most visitors see only from a road: here you're in it, operating the kayak yourself instead of sitting in a vehicle. The guide is there, but the day is built around what you do, not what you watch.

The hike happens after the first paddle, when you pull the kayak ashore and walk to see petrified trees and dinosaur bones scattered across the terrain. Patagonia's geological history is written into the ground itself, and a two-hour stretch on foot gives you time to actually look at it instead of passing it at speed. Then you eat lunch (you bring a box lunch with you) before getting back into the kayak for the second half of the day.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so the morning starts at your accommodation and ends there. You'll need moderate fitness for the paddling and the hike, and the operator notes there are no toilets on the river. It's nature entirely. Bring hiking shoes, a long-sleeved shirt, a light coat, and shorts or leggings. The guide will have snacks, and photos of the day are included.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from El Calafate.
• professional guide in English or Spanish.
• snacks during the activity.
• photos taken throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Infant (12 to 17 years) · Under 12: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by Kayak Santa Cruz

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to paddle and hike yourself rather than watch Patagonia from a vehicle: the 8.5-hour commitment and moderate fitness requirement are what make a full day on the river possible instead of a shorter, faster pass through the landscape.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (12 to 17 years). Under 12: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the physical fitness level needed for kayaking the La Leona River?

The activity requires at least moderate physical fitness. You'll paddle for roughly an hour, hike for two hours over terrain with petrified trees and dinosaur bones, and paddle again after lunch, so stamina for both water and land matters.

What should I bring on the kayaking and trekking day?

Bring a box lunch, hiking shoes, a long-sleeved shirt, a light coat, and shorts or leggings. The guide provides snacks and takes photos during the day. There are no toilets on the river, so plan accordingly.

How does the 8.5-hour day break down between paddling and hiking?

You paddle for approximately one hour, then hike for two hours to see petrified trees and dinosaur bones, eat lunch, and paddle again for the remainder of the day through the Patagonian steppe.