Following the footsteps of great explorers – Río Santa Cruz Expedition

The Santa Cruz river is the last glacier river flowing from the Andes to the sea. It is one of the most important, rushing water courses in Argentina. Along history, it has been traveled by great sailors and explorers. It was in 1520, during Magellan’s expedition, that pilot Serrano explored from San Julián, and discovered a river he called Santa Cruz. The Viedma brothers, Carlos Moyano, Charles Darwin, and Perito Moreno, among others, in different expeditions continued discovering Patagonia from the Santa Cruz river.

Río Santa Cruz Expedition is an invitation to get to know the Patagonian steppe in a unique way: sailing by kayak downstream this river. It is a way to remember the explorers that have traveled it, against its current, against the wind, until they discovered the Lago Argentino lake.

All along its course, the Santa Cruz river is category I. This allows calm navigation, contemplating its landscape and wildlife. It has no rapids, but in some sections, there are waves due to the wind or, in its last stretch, due to the sea’s influence.

DAY 1: LAGO ARGENTINO: In the afternoon, transfer from El Calafate to a truly Patagonian estancia located 20 km from that city, at the source of Río Santa Cruz, which ends at Lago Argentino towards the sea. All gear will be checked, and there will be a talk about the dynamics of the expedition. Participants will prepare their individual luggage, setting what is necessary apart from the rest of the luggage, which will be carried by land to the expedition’s final destination.

Night: camping on the shores of Lago Argentino. Individual or double tents.

Meals: dinner.

Distance: Transfer from downtown hotels or airport. It’s 20 km on a dirt road from Route 11.

DAY 2: LAGO ARGENTINO – ESTANCIA LA PORTEÑA. Technical and safety talk before embarking for the first sailing day, heading for Estancia La Porteña.

Night: wild camping on the banks of Río Santa Cruz. Individual or double tents.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner.

Distance to cover by sailing: 70 km.

DAY 3: LA PORTEÑA- ESTANCIA CONDOR CLIFF.

Night: camping on the banks of Río Santa Cruz. Individual or double tents.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner.

Distance to cover by sailing: 50 km.

DAY 4: ESTANCIA CONDOR CLIFF to ESTANCIA LA BARRANCOSA.

Night: camping on the banks of Río Santa Cruz. Individual or double tents.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner.

Distance to cover by sailing: 60 km.

 DAY 5: ESTANCIA LA BARRANCOSA to ESTANCIA LOS PLATEADOS.

Night: camping on the banks of Río Santa Cruz. Individual or double tents.

Distance to cover by sailing: 65 km.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner.

DAY 6: ESTANCIA LOS PLATEADOS to COMANDANTE LUIS PIEDRABUENA.

Last, short navigation stretch. In the cabin, you’ll find your luggage. Dinner to round off the Expedition.

Accommodation at Comandante Luis Piedrabuena: In rooms within cabins (single or double), 1 shared bathroom per cabin.

Distance to cover by sailing: 70 km.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner.

DAY 7: SANTA CRUZ RIVER ESTUARY AND RETURN TO EL CALAFATE: The expedition is crowned with a last paddling effort (35 km), to arrive at Puerto Santa Cruz and get acquainted with its coastal geography and the place’s history, so iconic. There will be a lunch with a view of the estuary before starting the land transfer to El Calafate. Those who prefer it may stay in Río Gallegos, and take a plane to Buenos Aires from there. End of service.

Distance to cover in a Kayak: 350 km

Distance to cover in the land transfer to El Calafate: 500 km in 6.00 hours.

Meals: Breakfast. Lunch at a restaurant. Snacks along the way.

THE CIRCUIT: see in this link the planned stops in this program.

IT INCLUDES:

• Accommodation: 5 nights in wild camping, 1 night in a cabin.
• Non-alcoholic beverages.
• Meals (6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 tea-time snacks, and 6 dinners)
• Transfer from El Calafate (hotel or airport) to Estancia Bonn Accord.
• Transfer from Puerto Santa Cruz to El Calafate with a stop at Río Gallegos.
• Kayak guides authorized by Argentine Naval Prefecture.
• Civil liability and personal accidents insurance for adventure tourism activities.

Technical gear

• Double and single kayaks (according to experience), paddle, spray deck.
• Semi-dry jacket.
• Neoprene suit, boots, and gloves.
• Life vest.
• 35-liter water-tight bag (to place personal items).

Camping gear

• Tents for 2 or 3 passengers.
• Cooking items (cups, plates, cutlery).

Safety

• Logistic support (motor boat) and support vehicle on the 6^th
• Safety kayak.
• Inreach (satellite communication).
• First-aid kit.

IT DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• Flight to and from El Calafate.
• Sleeping bag and insulation mat.
• Personal hygiene
• Meals other than
• Expenses caused by quitting the expedition.

RECOMMENDED LUGGAGE FOR THE EXPEDITION

Clothing

• 2 thermal shirts (to wear under the technical kayak gear)
• 3 pairs of socks, warm hat, neck warmer, gloves, hat, and sunglasses (with a holding strap)
• 2 jackets (if possible, 1 warm – feather jacket, and one windbreaker) or 1 Gore-Tex jacket
• Comfortable footwear for walking.
• Changes of clothes for the days of the whole journey: 2 polar or cotton sweaters, 2 thermal shirts, 1 trekking pants (fast-dry fabric), 1 over-pants (waterproof or Gore-Tex), 1 thermal or synthetic, fast-dry fabric tights.

Personal items

• Sunscreen
• Mosquito repellent
• Lip balm
• Towel (if possible, microfiber)
• Wet wipes
• Toothbrush and paste
• Water bottle
• Light backpack

Camping gear

• Sleeping bag
• Insulation mat
• Flashlight and spare batteries
• Multiuse razor

Not suitable for pregnant women, people with heart disease, people recently operated. Previous experience is not necessary.