Chaltén Rafting
Rafting on the Río de las Vueltas
Experience the southernmost rafting in Patagonia on the Río de las Vueltas, in El Chaltén!
Chaltén Rafting is a guided half-day rafting excursion, 3 to 3.5 hours in total, with 16 km of paddling on the Río de las Vueltas: first calm water with views of Fitz Roy, then class III to III+ rapids. 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 16 and over.
This rafting experience takes place on the Río de las Vueltas, which belongs to the Santa Cruz River basin. A large share of its water comes from glaciers, partly from the meltwater of the glaciers in the northern area of Los Glaciares National Park. The river rises at Lago del Desierto, at 506 meters above sea level, and flows into Lago Viedma, at 250 meters above sea level.
Itinerary
This is a half-day activity, 3 to 3.5 hours in total, that starts and finishes at the Comarka Expediciones base in El Chaltén. The full route covers 16 km on the Río de las Vueltas, with 1.5 to 2 hours on the water depending on the weather and the river flow.
Schedule
- Check-in at the base: 10:45 a.m. or 2:45 p.m., depending on your time slot.
- Transfer (5 minutes) to the river.
- Technical and safety briefing.
- Rafting descent.
- End of the experience and return to the operating base.
- End of the service: 2:00 p.m. or 6:00 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 and hand out the gear: neoprene suit, jacket, helmet, life jacket, boots, mittens and paddle.
Safety briefing
Once everyone is geared up, a van takes the group to the river (about 5 minutes), where the guide gives the technical and safety briefing before setting off.
Calm water facing Fitz Roy
The first section of the river is 6 km of calm, winding water: a chance to take in Mount Fitz Roy and its satellite peaks, the Andean forest, the steppe and, with luck, native wildlife and birds. It is the ideal moment to get used to the raft and practice the paddling and safety techniques.
The canyon and the rapids
The second part of the trip runs through the Río de las Vueltas canyon. After the first rapid, called “Portage”, a series of class III to III+ rapids follows for 10 km. Time for adventure and adrenaline!
Back to El Chaltén
The paddle ends at the Provincial Route 41 bridge over the Río de las Vueltas. A van is waiting there with hot drinks and a snack to take you back to the base in El Chaltén, where you can change in the changing rooms.
Notes
- Minimum 2 people.
- Meeting point: Comarka Expediciones operating base (625 San Martín Ave).
- Minimum age: 16. Teenagers aged 16 to 18 must be accompanied by a parent and/or a responsible adult.
- Difficulty: moderate. Suitable for people with no rafting experience.
- Time on the water: 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the weather and the river flow.
- Total duration: 3 to 3.5 hours.
- Maximum passengers per time slot: 15.
- Maximum passengers per raft: 7 to 8.
- Class III to III+ rapids.
Location
The blue line shows the 16 km route on the Río de las Vueltas, from the put-in near the Comarka Expediciones base in El Chaltén to the take-out at the Provincial Route 41 bridge.
Route map
Included services
- Technical and safety gear: neoprene suit (3 mm), micro fleece, jacket, life jacket and helmet, neoprene boots, mittens and paddle.
- Bilingual guide (Spanish/English).
- Return transfer from the R.P. 41 bridge to the operating base in El Chaltén.
- Hot drinks after rafting: tea, coffee and a sweet or savory snack, depending on the time of day.
Not included
- Transfers between your hotel and the Comarka Expediciones operating base.
- Photos.
- Tips.
Recommendations
We recommend bringing thermal clothing (trousers and top), a change of underwear, a towel, sunglasses with a strap and sunscreen.
Restrictions
- People under 16.
- 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.
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 Rafting, 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 Rafting 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 Rafting, its employees and any other persons hired will be exempt from liability.
Useful links
- Chaltén Kayak
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
“This was a very fun couple of hours. A different way to get some beautiful views of the range. The rapids were much more wild than I was expecting. Everyone in the boat got soaked. […] This was a nice way to break up all the hiking, kicking in a little more adrenaline.”
“What an incredible experience! We had an absolute blast! It was an exhilarating excursion & the team made us feel 100% safe & comfortable. The crew was knowledgeable, professional & fun.”
Frequently asked questions
Updated: October 1, 2026
Chaltén Rafting 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, and the first 6 km of calm water are used to practice paddling techniques before reaching the rapids.
It is for people aged 16 and over. 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. The paddle runs from the iron bridge near town to the Provincial Route 41 bridge over the Río de las Vueltas, where a van takes you back to the base.
There are two time slots. Check-in at the base: 10:45 a.m. or 2:45 p.m., depending on your time slot. End of the service: 2:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m., depending on your time slot. The whole excursion takes 3 to 3.5 hours.
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 thermal clothing (trousers and top), a change of underwear, a towel, 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
