Rafting Río de las Vueltas: Class III rapids with views of Fitz Roy

16 km of glacial river, with the massif in the background and rapids inside the canyon. A half-day excursion that starts calmly and ends with adrenaline, no prior experience necessary.

The descent begins with 6 km of calm, winding waters, Ideal for getting familiar with the raft and practicing paddling techniques while enjoying views of Mount Fitz Roy and its peaks. Then the river enters the canyon and you reach 10 km of Class III and III+ rapids.

The activity includes all technical equipment and ends at the base with a hot snack. There are two sessions per day.

Reserve your place!

Space for this experience is limited and sells out quickly in high season. Reservations are coordinated directly with our operations team through our inquiries channel. We will confirm availability and coordinate all the details for you to live the experience in an organized and safe way.

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  • Itinerary

    Detailed itinerary of the excursion

    The experience begins at the operational base in El Chaltén, where equipment is distributed and a safety briefing is given. Transportation from your accommodation to the base is not included.

    Presentation at the operational base

    09:45 h or 14:15 h, in El Chaltén

    Equipment handover and safety briefing

    Wetsuit, helmet, life vest and paddle

    Transfer to the boarding point

    Brief, from the ground up

    First 6 km in calm waters

    Rowing practice and views of Fitz Roy

    10 km of rapids in the canyon

    Class III and III+

    Return to base and refreshments

    Ends 13:30 or 18:00

    Included in the tour
    Meeting and closing point

    The river that gives the valley its name

    The Río de las Vueltas originates in Lago del Desierto and flows through the entire valley to Lago Viedma. It is the same river that can be seen from the Hill of the Fallen Fold, But exploring it from the water is a different experience: the landscape comes into view and the forest closes in on the banks.

    Two very different halves

    The first part is calm water: it's perfect for learning to paddle as a team and taking photos of the mountain range. The second part is what makes the activity worthwhile, with Class III and III+ rapids inside the canyon. This progression makes it suitable even for those who have never rafted before.

    Complete equipment and bilingual guide

    The operator provides a 3mm wetsuit, microfleece jacket, life jacket, helmet, neoprene boots, mittens, and paddle. The guides speak Spanish and English. It's advisable to bring a towel and a complete change of clothes; you're going to get wet.

    Swimming skills are required for this activity. The operator has set an age range of 16 to 65 years and it is not suitable for pregnant women or people with cardiovascular or respiratory conditions. Transportation from your accommodation to the base of operations is not included.

  • Info to keep in mind
Reserve

Half-day glacial river rafting: 6 km of calm waters with views of Fitz Roy and 10 km of Class III rapids.

Reserve your spot and go down the River of Turns

  • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Do I need prior experience?
    • What does Class III rapids mean?
    • Am I going to get wet?
    • What's the difference with kayaking?
    • Is it cancelled if it rains?

Similar excursions that might interest you

See Terms and Conditions

Which one to choose? Compare adventure tours in El Chaltén

Four ways to add adrenaline to your trip, from two hours to a full day

Rafting on the Río de las Vueltas Ice Trek Cagliero Kayaking on the River of Turns Via ferrata and zip line
Total duration Half day · 4.5 h Full day · 8 hours Half day · 5 h 2 h
Activity Rafting on a glacial river Trekking + via ferrata + ice Kayaking in calm waters Via ferrata + zip line
Difficulty
Medium
Medium-high
Low
Medium
Age 16 to 65 years Consult 12 to 70 years Consult
What are you doing 16 km of river with class III and III+ rapids You walk on a glacier with crampons 12 km rowing with Fitz Roy in the background 600m of via ferrata and a 50m zip line
Ideal profile Adrenaline in half a day The most complete adventure of the destination Adrenaline-free landscape Test altitude in a short time
Transfer Operation included Including Including Including
Price from Check availability Check availability Check availability Check availability

Which one suits you best?

If you are looking for adrenaline in half a day → I chose Rafting. It starts in calm waters overlooking Fitz Roy and continues with 10 km of Class III and III+ rapids inside the canyon.
If you want the most complete adventure of the destination → I chose Ice Trek Cagliero. It's the only glacier trek in El Chaltén and combines a via ferrata and a Tibetan bridge in the same day. It requires good physical condition and no fear of heights.
If you want the river without adrenaline → I chose Kayak. Same scenery as rafting but on calm waters, at your own pace, with a country brunch halfway through the trip.
If you have little time and want to try altitude → I chose Via ferrata and zip line. Two hours at Estancia Bonanza, without the full day required for the Ice Trek.

Enhance your trip

Rafting takes half a day, so it fits well into a day combined with another activity:

Capri LagoonThe other half of the day: a half-day hike with Fitz Roy in the background.View excursion →Ice Trek CaglieroIf you want more adventure: via ferrata and glacier hike.View excursion →Viedma AdventureDay of rest: the front of the country's largest glacier, seen from the water.View excursion →

Want to compare with other options? Find all the excursions in El Chaltén available in our catalog.

Rafting on the Río de las Vueltas

16 km descent down the Río de las Vueltas, with stretches of calm waters in front of Fitz Roy and class III and III+ rapids in the canyon.

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