Chaltén Kayak
Kayaking on the Río de las Vueltas
Paddle the Río de las Vueltas facing Fitz Roy and enjoy a countryside picnic on the riverbank!
Chaltén Kayak is a guided half-day kayaking excursion, 5 hours in total, with 12 km of paddling on the Río de las Vueltas, from Laguna Cóndor to the Fitz Roy viewpoint, and a countryside picnic halfway along. It is run by Comarka Expediciones from its base at 625 San Martín Ave, El Chaltén. It operates from October 1 to April 30, requires no previous experience and is for people aged 12 to 70.
The excursion follows the bends of the shallow waters of the winding Río de las Vueltas in sit-on-top or touring kayaks (depending on the paddler's experience). This river, with class I rapids, rises at Lago del Desierto, 37 km north of El Chaltén, and flows south into the great Lago Viedma, fed along the way by many glacial rivers. The route crosses the native forest at one of its most spectacular scenic spots, with unique views of the surrounding peaks and glaciers and the imposing Fitz Roy massif.
Itinerary
This is a half-day activity, 5 hours in total, that starts and finishes at the Comarka Expediciones base in El Chaltén. The full paddle covers 12 km on the Río de las Vueltas, with 1.5 to 2 hours on the water depending on the weather and the river flow, from the right bank of Laguna Cóndor to the Fitz Roy viewpoint on Provincial Route 41.
Schedule
- Check-in at the base: 8:45 a.m. or 2:45 p.m., depending on your time slot.
- Gearing up at the base and 21 km transfer along Provincial Route 41 to Laguna Cóndor.
- Technical and safety briefing.
- About 1.5 to 2 hours on the water, with a stop for the countryside picnic.
- Take-out at the Fitz Roy viewpoint, 10 km from El Chaltén, and a closing toast.
- Return to the operating base. End of the service: 2:00 p.m. or 8:00 p.m., depending on your time slot.
Meeting at the base
Check in at the time of your slot at the Comarka Expediciones base, at 625 San Martín Ave. The guides welcome you, hand out the technical and safety gear and explain how to use it.
Transfer to Laguna Cóndor
Once the gear is handed out and everyone has changed, the group drives 21 km along Provincial Route 41, towards Lago del Desierto, to the Laguna Cóndor viewpoint, where the activity starts. On arrival, everyone gets off the vehicle to finish gearing up: jacket, life jacket and helmet.
Safety briefing
On the shore of Laguna Cóndor, with all the gear on, the guide gives the technical and safety briefing and answers any questions. No previous experience is needed.
The paddle
The paddle starts from the right bank of Laguna Cóndor and goes down a shallow, meandering section of the river surrounded by native forest.
Views of Fitz Roy
As you paddle downstream you will discover different views of the northeast and east faces of the Fitz Roy massif and of Cerro Eléctrico to the west, and of the Cordón del Bosque range to the east.
Countryside picnic
Halfway along the route there is a stop for a countryside picnic: on the morning slot, disc-grilled steaks with vegetables; on the afternoon slot, a Patagonian platter of cold cuts and cheeses. Both include dessert and non-alcoholic drinks, and there is a vegetarian option.
Back to El Chaltén
After the picnic you keep paddling to the take-out point, the Fitz Roy viewpoint, 10 km from El Chaltén, where there is a closing toast. From there, the transfer takes you back to the base, arriving at 2:00 p.m. or 8:00 p.m., depending on your time slot.
Notes
- Meeting point: Comarka Expediciones operating base (625 San Martín Ave).
- Difficulty: moderate. No previous experience needed.
- Ages: 12 to 70.
- Time on the water: 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the weather and the river flow.
- Total duration: 5 hours.
- Sit-on-top or touring kayaks, depending on the paddler's experience.
- Class I rapids.
Location
The blue line shows the 12 km paddle on the Río de las Vueltas, from Laguna Cóndor to the Fitz Roy viewpoint; the gray line, the outbound transfer along Provincial Route 41 from El Chaltén.
Route map
Included services
- Gear: drysuit, micro fleece, helmet, life jacket, boots, mittens and paddles.
- Licensed kayak guide.
- Outbound transfer, from the base to the starting point, and return transfer, from the Fitz Roy viewpoint to the Comarka Expediciones base in El Chaltén.
- Countryside picnic: disc-grilled steaks with vegetables or a Patagonian platter (depending on the time slot), dessert and non-alcoholic drinks. Toast at the end of the service.
- Civil liability and personal accident insurance.
Not included
- Transfers from or to El Calafate.
- Hotel pick-up.
- Photos.
- Tips.
Recommendations
We recommend bringing a towel, a thermal top and leggings, sunglasses with a strap and sunscreen.
Restrictions
- People under 12 or over 70.
- Not suitable for pregnant women.
- Not suitable for people with conditions that impair breathing (COPD, asthma, emphysema, etc.).
- People with central or peripheral cardiovascular disease, or with reduced cardiac or vascular capacity, cannot take part, nor can people with stents, pacemakers or other implants (for example: people on anticoagulants, grade III varicose veins, cardiac arrhythmias, etc.).
- People with obesity cannot take part. For adults, the World Health Organization (WHO) defines obesity as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or more.
- Not suitable for people with any degree or type of physical or mental disability affecting their attention, walking and/or coordination.
- Not suitable for people with epilepsy.
- Children must be physically and mentally able to do several hours of physical activity.
Anyone who deliberately conceals any of the conditions or diseases listed above and/or any other rare disease that may affect their health, with the sole purpose of gaining access to the tourism services offered by Comarka Expediciones, will be fully responsible for the consequences; the operating company, its employees and those in charge of the contracted service will be exempt from liability.
If the client does not meet the requirements and physical fitness, the person in charge of the service may, at their sole discretion, refuse their participation as a safety measure.
It is expressly stated that under no circumstances will Comarka Expediciones be responsible for providing health services of any kind, its only obligation being to provide first aid.
It is also stated that the contracted activity involves an inherent risk, and that this risk is fully assumed by the client or contracting party. Therefore, Comarka Expediciones, its employees and any other persons hired will be exempt from liability.
Useful links
- Chaltén Rafting
Another Comarka Expediciones excursion on the Río de las Vueltas - Excursions in El Chaltén
Other guided activities in the area - Where to stay
Accommodation in El Chaltén
What people who have done it say
“Awesome experience, felt well looked after, Great people who made sure we were well equipped and ran thru the procedures and explained things really well. The guides took care to point out landmarks and explain about the area. Brunch was welcome surprise and they were able to cater for sin tacc/gluten free.”
“Beautiful day kayaking with stunning views of Fitz Roy. You start out on a lake and then kayak in the river with a nice flow so not much paddling needed. Great lunch prepared by our guide.”
Frequently asked questions
Updated: October 1, 2026
Chaltén Kayak is operated by Comarka Expediciones.
You can send your message using the "Chat on WhatsApp" button, or the "Send your inquiry" button. To get in touch by phone, call +54 9 2966 60-5125.
To book, use the "Send your inquiry" button. Your inquiry goes straight to Comarka Expediciones, with no intermediaries. They will reply confirming availability for your dates, the price and the payment options. You can also use the "Chat on WhatsApp" button.
No previous experience is needed. Before setting off, the guide gives a technical and safety briefing. This stretch of the river is shallow, with class I rapids, and the kayaks are sit-on-top or touring kayaks, depending on each paddler's experience.
It is for people aged 12 to 70. There are also health restrictions: it is not suitable for pregnant women or for people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, obesity (BMI of 30 or more), epilepsy or any disability affecting attention, walking or coordination. See Restrictions for details.
It starts and finishes at the Comarka Expediciones base, at 625 San Martín Ave, El Chaltén. From there a vehicle takes you 21 km along Provincial Route 41 to Laguna Cóndor, where the paddle starts, and picks you up at the Fitz Roy viewpoint, 10 km from El Chaltén, where it ends.
There are two time slots. Check-in at the base: 8:45 a.m. or 2:45 p.m., depending on your time slot. End of the service: 2:00 p.m. or 8:00 p.m., depending on your time slot. The whole excursion takes 5 hours.
Halfway along the route there is a stop for the picnic: on the morning slot, disc-grilled steaks with vegetables; on the afternoon slot, a Patagonian platter of cold cuts and cheeses. Both include dessert and non-alcoholic drinks, with a vegetarian option, plus a toast at the end of the service.
It is only cancelled if the guide considers that the wind or gusts make navigation impossible, or if the river level is lower or higher than normal. It is not cancelled because of rain, snow or cold.
If the guide decides to cancel because of the weather conditions, the full amount paid is refunded.
The technical and safety gear is provided by Comarka Expediciones. We recommend bringing a towel, a thermal top and leggings, sunglasses with a strap and sunscreen.
Another Comarka Expediciones excursion on the Río de las Vueltas
Other guided activities in the area
Accommodation in El Chaltén
