Kayaking Rio de las Vueltas: Mount Fitz Roy from the water

Paddle a river most hikers never see, with Fitz Roy rising ahead

Kayak the Rio de las Vueltas in El Chaltén, a 12 km paddle down a shallow, winding river through Patagonian forest with Mount Fitz Roy on the horizon. The operator provides all technical gear, a safety briefing, a live guide in English or Spanish, transport to and from the river, and a country brunch halfway through. The activity lasts about five hours total, including the 21 km drive to the starting point at Laguna Condor viewpoint and the return to town.

The experience

The Rio de las Vueltas sits away from El Chaltén's crowded hiking trails, and kayaking it means seeing the valley and Mount Fitz Roy from a perspective most visitors never reach. You start at the Comarka base on Avenida San Martín, where the guides fit you with a wetsuit, microfleece, jacket, life vest, helmet, boots, mittens and paddle. A truck then carries you 21 km along Route 41 toward Lago del Desierto, climbing to the Laguna Condor viewpoint where the river begins.

The paddle itself covers 12 km and takes roughly an hour and a half, depending on water flow and wind. The river is shallow and full of meanders, winding through the Andean forest while Fitz Roy's north face stays visible on the horizon. Halfway down, you pull ashore for a country brunch, then continue to the Fitz Roy viewpoint where the truck meets you again. The whole activity wraps by 2 pm, and you're back in town by then.

A live guide leads the paddle and handles the safety talk before you launch. The operator covers private transport, all equipment, a brunch, and RC and ACP insurance. You need at least a moderate level of fitness for this. The paddle is steady but not technical, and the real work is the drive and the time on the water.

What’s included

• Private truck transport to Laguna Condor and back to town.
• all technical gear (wetsuit, microfleece, jacket, life vest, helmet, boots, mittens, paddle).
• safety briefing.
• country brunch during the paddle.
• RC and ACP insurance.
• live guide in English or Spanish.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 15:00

AgesAdult (17 to 70 years) · Child (12 to 16 years) · Under 12: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 16

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Comarka Rafting

Is this one for you?Choose this for a water-based view of Mount Fitz Roy and the valley. You'll paddle a shallow, winding river at a moderate pace, which works for paddlers with some fitness but no whitewater background.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (12 to 16 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 Rio de las Vueltas like as a paddling river?

The Rio de las Vueltas is shallow and winding, with many meanders that make it suitable for paddlers of moderate fitness. You navigate 12 km through Patagonian Andean forest, with Mount Fitz Roy's north face visible on the horizon throughout the paddle.

How much of the day is actually spent kayaking versus driving?

The paddle itself lasts about an hour and a half. The full activity is five hours, which includes the 21 km truck ride to Laguna Condor, the safety briefing, the paddle, a brunch stop, and the return drive to El Chaltén.

What equipment do I need to bring, and what's provided?

The operator provides everything: wetsuit, microfleece, jacket, life vest, helmet, boots, mittens and paddle. You bring only yourself and wear clothes you don't mind getting wet.

Where does the activity start and end?

You meet at the Comarka base in El Chaltén at Avenida San Martín 625. After the paddle, the truck drops you at the Fitz Roy viewpoint, then returns you to El Chaltén by 2 pm.