Chalten Rafting

The southernmost rafting experience in Patagonia Argentina.

This Rafting experience takes place in the Río de las Vueltas. This river 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 Los Glaciares National Park. The Río de las Vueltas begins 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 activity begins at the Comarka operational base located at Av. San Martín 872, El Chaltén, where the guides will receive and provide you with the necessary equipment to carry out the activity.

Once equipped, we will travel by vehicle 5 minutes to the river entrance area where the technical and safety talk of the activity will be given. The first section of the river is 6 km. of calm and meandering waters; an opportunity to contemplate Cerro Fitz Roy and its satellite spiers, the Andean forest, the steppe and eventually native fauna and birdlife. It is the ideal time to get in touch with the raft and practice the paddling and safety techniques explained.

The second part advances over the canyon area. After the initial rapid called “Portage”, we will encounter a succession of class III to III + rapids for 10 km. It is the time for adventure and adrenaline. Once the descent is finished, a vehicle awaits us to return to the Comarka base where we will change and enjoy a snack and a drink to regain energy.

NOTES:
• Minimun 2 persons.
• Meeting place: Comarka operational base (Av. San Martín 872).
• Minimum age: 12 years. Adolescents between 12 and 18 years old who wish to carry out the activity must be
accompanied by one of their parents and/or responsible person in charge.
• Difficulty: moderate. Suitable for people without experience in rafting.
• Navigation Time: 1:30 to 2:00 hours depending on weather conditions and river flow.
• Total duration: 3:00 to 3:30 hours.
• Maximum passenger capacity per shift: 16 (sixteen).
• Maximum passenger capacity per raft: 8 (eight).
• Rapid category III to III +.

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

Presentation times (9:45 a.m./ 2:15 p.m. according to assigned shift).
Location: Comarka operational base, Av. San Martin 872
Transfer (5 min) to the river.
Technical and safety talk.
Rafting descent.
End of the experience and return to the operational base.
End of service (1:30 p.m. / 6:00 p.m. according to assigned shift).

Includes:

• Technician and safety equipment: Neoprene suit (3 millimeters). Micro fleece. Jacket. Lifejacket
and helmet. Neoprene boots. Mittens. Rowing.
• Bilingual Guide (Spanish/English).
• Return transfer (from the bridge over R.P. 23 to El Chaltén, operational base)
• Hot post-rafting snack: tea, coffee and sweet or savory snack according to schedule.

Does not include:
• In/Out transfers from the hotel to the Comarka operational base.

Bring a towel, thermal shirt, change of underwear, sunscreen and sunglasses (with strap)

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.