El Calafate: La Leona River Kayak & Fossil Trek Day Trip

Summary

Kayaking Patagonia’s wild river then hiking among ancient fossils

You’ll paddle down La Leona River from El Calafate with a local guide, feeling Patagonia’s wild air on your face before hiking among petrified trees and ancient fossils. Expect simple moments: shared snacks under open sky, rough textures in your hands, laughter echoing over water — and a kind of quiet that lingers long after you return.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to feel so small out there, honestly. The morning started in El Calafate — I was still half-awake when our guide, Martín, picked us up (he had this quiet way about him). The drive out to La Leona River felt endless but in that good, wide-open way. You know you’re far from anywhere when the road dust settles on your shoes before you even get out of the van. We got our gear sorted and Martín checked everyone’s paddles twice — he said the wind can turn quick here. He wasn’t kidding.

The first hour on the water was a mix of nerves and excitement — my hands went numb at first (Patagonia rivers are cold even if it looks sunny), but after a while I just fell into the rhythm. The only sounds were our paddles and some distant birds — I remember thinking how clean everything smelled, like dry grass and river stones. We stopped for snacks under this weirdly shaped tree (Martín called it “the old sentry”) and then started the trek. That part surprised me most: walking through land littered with petrified trees and what Martín swore were dinosaur bones poking out of the dirt. He let us hold one — heavier than I thought, rough as sandpaper.

Lunch was simple, just sandwiches we’d brought ourselves (they tell you to pack your own), but eating them sitting on ancient wood felt oddly special. There’s no toilet out there — nature 100%, as Martín put it with a grin — so be ready for that. Afterward we slid back into our kayaks for another stretch downriver. The wind had picked up by then and paddling got trickier; I nearly spun around once but managed not to tip over (barely). Someone laughed behind me, which helped. By the time we finished, my arms were jelly but I kept looking back at those empty hills. It’s strange how silence sticks with you long after you leave.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Kayak and hike La Leona River

• Kayak on La Leona River
• Hike to see petrified trees
• View dinosaur bones
• Lunch break
• Kayak through Patagonia steppe

Top questions

How long is the kayak tour from El Calafate?

The full-day activity lasts about 8.5 hours including kayaking and trekking stops.

Is lunch included on the La Leona River day trip?

No, you need to bring your own box lunch for this tour.

Are there toilets available during the kayak & trek?

No toilets are available; it’s nature 100% according to the guide.

What is the minimum age for this activity?

The minimum age is 12 years old and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Do they provide hotel pickup in El Calafate?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in El Calafate.

How difficult is the kayaking part?

You should have at least moderate physical fitness; paddling can get tricky if windy.

Will I see dinosaur bones during the hike?

You may see exposed dinosaur bones and petrified trees during the trekking portion.

Are guides multilingual?

The tour may be operated by a multilingual guide depending on group needs.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in El Calafate, all kayaking equipment with safety checks by a professional guide (sometimes multilingual), photos taken along the way, plus snacks during breaks before returning to town in the evening. Lunch isn’t provided so bring your own box lunch for the stop among fossils.