Kayaking in El Chalten

Chalten Kayak proposes a different way to discover the Fitz Roy massif that will dazzle you from the water while you navigate the waters of the Río de las Vueltas, which belongs to the Santa Cruz River basin. An important portion of the waters of the Río de las Vueltas are of glacial origin, partly coming from the melting of glaciers in the northern area of the PNLG. It rises in Lago del Desierto, at an altitude of 506 meters above sea level, and flows into Lake Viedma at an altitude of 250 meters above sea level.
The starting point is at the operational base located in El Chalten (Av. San Martin 872), where the guides deliver the technical and safety equipment necessary to carry out the activity. Once equipped, they will travel by truck about 21 km along RP 41, towards Lago del Desierto.
Navigation begins at the Laguna Cóndor Viewpoint. Upon arrival, the sailors finish equipping themselves with a jacket, life jacket and helmet, and then a technical and safety talk is given by the guide. The section of the river that is navigated is characterized by being shallow and with many meanders. You cross a very beautiful Andean Patagonian forest and the Fitz Roy outlines its northern face on the horizon. We will navigate 12 km from Laguna Condor to Estancia Bonanza. The navigation lasts approximately 1:30 h, depending on the flow of the river and wind conditions.
The personal effects will remain in the support vehicle that will wait for us at the end of the journey at the Bonanza ranch, where once dried and changed, a succulent lunch awaits us with a spectacular view of Cerro Fitz Roy. After lunch, the return is by van to the town of El Chaltén.
You can choose not to have lunch and return to El Chaltén at approximately 1 p.m.

NOTES: 
• Difficulty: moderate.
• Minimum age: 12 years.
• Navigation Time: 1:30 to 2:00 hours depending on weather conditions and river flow.
• Rapids class I

THE CIRCUIT: see in this link the section of the river traveled in this program.

• Presentation times (08.45 am)
• Location: Rafting & Kayak Base at Av. San Martin 872
• Once equipped, they will travel 21 km to the starting point of the activity.
• Guides will give a technical and safety talk
• It takes approximately 1.30 hours to sail
• Arrival at Estancia Bonanza
• End of service without lunch (snack only) 12:30 p.m.
• End of service with lunch at Bonanza 3:30 p.m.

INCLUDES: 

• Equipment (suit, microfleece, jacket, helmet, life jacket, boots, mittens and paddles)
• Kayak guide enabled
• Round trip transfer (to the starting point) and return (from Bonanza to back to El Chaltén.
• Snack
• RC and AP insurance

DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• Transfer from or to El Calafate

Optional: Lunch at Estancia Bonanza with 1 non-alcoholic drink or a glass of wine per person. The menu can be roast lamb on the stake or Curanto in the hole. Accompaniment to salads, other hot garnishes and dessert.

• Bring towel; change of underwear or swimsuit; thermal shirt; sunglasses (with strap) and sunscreen.
• No previous experience required

Restrictions:

• Children under 12 years
• Not suitable for pregnant women
• Not suitable for people who suffer from diseases that cause respiratory disabilities (COPD, asthma, emphysema, etc.).
• People who suffer from central or peripheral cardiovascular diseases, or when their cardiac or vascular capacities are diminished, use stents, pacemakers or other prostheses cannot participate; (for example: medicated with anticoagulants, grade III varicose veins – those that are thick and multiple, cardiac arrhythmias, etc.)
• Children must have sufficient psychophysical capacity to spend several hours doing physical activity.
• People with obesity will not be able to participate. In the case of adults, the World Health Organization (WHO) defines obesity as such when a person has a Body Mass Index (BMI) equal to or greater than 30. The BMI is calculated by dividing the weight of a person in kilos times the square of their height in meters: (kg/m2).
• Not suitable for people with any degree or type of physical or mental disability that affects their attention, gait and/or coordination.