Darwin Experience - kayaks & adventure
4.9
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Darwin Experience - kayaks & adventure

By Patagonia Profunda
Recommended by 97% of travelers
97% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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Darwin Experience is a Kayak crossing on the Santa Cruz River, El Calafate. We do about 15 km of paddling until we reach a typical Patagonian stay where we will wait for you with an outdoor lunch.
Free cancellation • Full refund if cancelled up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time).
Reserve now & pay later • Secure your spot while staying flexible.
Lowest price guarantee • Find a lower price online? Get the difference refunded!

Ages 18-80, max of 8 per group
Duration: 5h 30m
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English, Spanish
More


  • Technical talk by certified guide, Gore Tex Drysuits, Double Kayaks, Life Vest, Boots and Gloves
  • Menu: Focaccia with pickled aubergines, Provoleta, Beef on disk, Salads, Chocolate mousse and Drinks (Wine, water and juice)
  • Private transportation


Start:Traveler pickup offered.
    Pickup details
    • We pick up all passengers staying in hotels within the city of El Calafate.
    Hotel pickup offered
    During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.
      End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

        • Not wheelchair accessible
        If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 169338P3

        • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
        • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
        • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
        • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
        • Minimum age 12 years.
        • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
        • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers

        • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

        If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 169338P3

        From
        $240.00
        $216.00
        per adult
        Select date and travelers

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        About the operator
        Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
        • Patagonia Profunda
          4.7 of 5 bubbles675
          Argentina
          Joined in October 2011
        • A139LEronaldd
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Steep ride in the canyons
          Very different than the plain riding we did the week before. Much slower but also very interesting and exciting. Having our gaucho lunch in the wild was a great touch.
          Written March 11, 2025
        • 888Eric
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Unique Farm House Visit
          It was an eye opening tour with sighting of unique wildlife and birds. The dinner at the old farm house was very unique, homely and excellent home cooking.
          Written March 3, 2025
        • JN732011
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Incredible evening with Cristian!!
          We had a wonderful time on our Safari Experience with Cristian! He was an amazing guide, incredibly knowledgeable, and shared so many interesting insights about the wildlife and the landscape. His passion for nature made the experience even more special. Everything was well-organized, and we felt completely immersed in the beauty of the surroundings. Highly recommend this safari with Cristian for anyone looking for an unforgettable adventure!
          Written February 19, 2025
        • mattheweI2065QX
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          A must do!
          Highly recommend. Great views on entire ride, amazing lunch, and a legitimate horseback experience. Our entire group loved it.
          Written February 8, 2025
        • Brunaiotti
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Very knowledgeable guide in English
          Aysen was our guide and she is an anthropologist, so we were very fortunate to have her explaining about the colonisation of El Calafate and the demise of the traditional custodians of the land, who are not officially extinct as some members remain in the area. It was a shame that we could not meet any of them, as we expected from the name Nativo Experience. On top of that, she explained about the significance of the flora to the ecosystem and economy. For instance, that the Calafate shrub cannot be a mass produced crop and so the fruit harvests only occur from wild shrubs around February. The first part of the tour took place inside the bus, as we watched the landscape from the windows or the TV with a live feed from the outside. Upon arrival at Lago Argentino, we left the bus and were offered an extra layer (poncho) to protect against the wind. There was a choice to purchase a hot drink from the cafeteria overlooking the lake. Two tour groups separated to observe the 4,000 years-old cave paintings. To our amusement we were asked to participate in a guessing game of the meaning for each of the depicted images. After that, we walked to a small cave to have dinner around 8:00 p.m. There was a meat and vegan option for a three-course meal, which I would rate as average in palatability, since the lentils were not properly cooked. Also, I thought the bread loaf being used as a plate was a huge waste as no one could eat that much bread. Overall the staff on the tour were really friendly and caring.
          Written January 24, 2025
        • Headedwestboy
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          An unforgettable adventure
          Nacho, our guide, was wonderful. The 4 wheel drive across the steppe next to the lake was so unique. He stopped along the way so we could taste some Calafate berries and other natural plants. Then he explained the nomadic culture along the cave. Dinner was delicious. A not to be missed experience.
          Written January 16, 2025
        • Lov0li
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          A Unique and Unforgettable Nativo Experience
          The Nativo experience was truly beautiful, with dinner served in a cave overlooking the serene Laguna Argentina. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly, adding depth to the journey. The drive through the plains in the jeep was an interesting way to experience nature’s untouched landscapes, offering a rare glimpse of undisturbed beauty. One of the highlights was seeing the fascinating archaeological cave drawings—it was super cool to witness such ancient history up close. The dinner provided was absolutely delicious. I don’t eat lamb, so they kindly offered me their vegetarian lentils option, which was divine. Thank you for an unforgettable experience that beautifully combined nature, history, and exceptional hospitality.
          Written January 8, 2025
        • rosiemZ6768GW
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          A Dreamy Patagonia Day!
          Where to begin? This experience was truly incredible. From the gorgeous scenery, to the beautiful and gentle horses, to the delicious food — we couldn’t have asked for more. Diego, our guide, was phenomenal. He was a human encyclopedia — he taught us about Argentina history, local flora and fauna, culture and tradition of the region, and, of course, horseback riding! We will be cherishing these memories for years to come.
          Written January 4, 2025
        • giorgi_enrico
          0 contributions
          4.0 of 5 bubbles
          Amazing trip through the Patagonian Desert
          I did the "Safari Experience" trip and it went beyond my expectations. Federico, our guide, was great: he is very passionate about his job and he told us many interesting facts about the flora and fauna of Patagonian Desert. He stopped several times to allow us to take some pictures of this amazing scenery. During the trip we spotted so many guanacos and hares which made the trip even more memorable! The final lunch at the end of the trip was fantastic: we had some appetizers and then a soup with beef and bacon. I really loved it and highly recommend it! Thanks Federico! I had such a great time!
          Written December 22, 2024
        • travelmom92
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Magical day!
          This experience really exceeded my expectations. It was like a dream, with beautiful well behaved horses walking through the gorgeous hills, and even adorable dogs to tag along. Diego was our driver, guide, and chef and he was amazing. Also spoke perfect English. They did caution us about experience but I felt this was fine even for very occasional riders comfortable in a horse. This was an unforgettable day that really rounded out our Patagonian experience. Best of all it leaves from close into town, so no need for another long tour day. Highly recommend!!
          Written November 28, 2024
        • minhngo57
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Amazing guide from Santiago
          Santiago was amazing. Though there was a big group of mostly Spanish speakers leaving only me and one other lovey British bloke; he still make sure to spend time to talk in English for us about Patagonia heritages such as the cave formation, different type of natives, and ancient paintings. The dinner at the small half dome cave has fantastic view. While it was a short trip ( 3 hours), it was well worth it. Gracias.
          Written November 13, 2024
        • T-Rex77
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Excellent adventure, authentic experience
          Excellent adventure into the hills and onto the steppes outside of El Calafate in a small jeep type 4X4. We made several stops to see all the beauty. Amazing landscapes and panoramic views. Saw some condors and other birds, hares, guanacos. Lunch at estancia was fantastic, hosts regaled us there with Spanish songs while playing their acoustic guitar. Guides were excellent. Totally authentic experience and worth every penny!
          Written May 19, 2024
        • robinbJ3364YP
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Worth every penny!
          WOW! What a great experience! Great guide, very knowledgeable and delicious beautiful lunch in the cave! Worth every penny.
          Written April 23, 2024
        • Sam S
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Informative and fun
          Really good fun trip, bouncing across the steppe in a 4x4 with an informative guide, breathtaking views. Very interesting trip to see 4000 year old cave paintings but the highlight was the lunch in a cave. Amazing food, great company and the wine was flowing. Well worth considering this experience. We're really glad we did it.
          Written March 31, 2024
        • Cory F
          0 contributions
          4.0 of 5 bubbles
          Cool way to spend an evening
          This was a really cool way to spend an evening. The 4x4 ride alond the lake really set the mood for the cave paintings/ancient native history and the dinner in the cave under the stars. The food was good, the tour operator was great, the 4x4 ride was a little much considering we'd already been there a couple days and none of the info was new to us, but overall we had a really nice and unique evening.
          Written March 24, 2024
        See all 675 reviews
        These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

        Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

        Popular mentions

        4.9
        4.9 of 5 bubbles142 reviews
        Excellent
        138
        Very good
        1
        Average
        0
        Poor
        0
        Terrible
        3

        These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
        This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.

        TS Liang
        Singapore, Singapore355 contributions
        4.0 of 5 bubbles
        Dec 2022
        Did this kayaking trip based on many positive reviews.
        Winds were moderate 30kmph on the day of our trip and we had a good briefing by Ruben our guide for the day.
        Trip to start point took about 90 mins from El Calafate.
        The river was beginning to show small whitecaps from the wind.
        We were outfitted with dry suits that while clean were showing signs of rough use with latex seams that were torn and sealed poorly. A swim in these suits will doubtless prove wet.
        Our guide did a fine job keeping the group together and helped the less experienced kayakers maintain their course. Towing was required for one pair of kayakers. Fortunately the other kayakers could manage as the one guide's hands were full with this towed kayak.
        Wildlife in the form of guanacos, ibises, hares, karra karra birds were plentiful. Most of the River is below land level so views of the steppes were scanty while paddling.
        With a swift downriver current and a strong tailwind the kayaking was done in little over an hour.
        This was followed by a short ride to a picnic ground where a BBQ lunch was expertly prepared and served with accompanying wine.
        At the end of the trip we were asked if we wanted photos, we could pay a fee to Ruben our guide and the pictures will be Dropboxed to us.
        The pictures took 6 weeks to arrive but they finally did!
        The trip from a kayaking, picnic food and scenery viewpoint would rate 5 stars.
        However the debatable fact whether the strong wind conditions were suitable for weaker kayakers being allowed to paddle warrants a star to be deducted.
        Written January 4, 2023
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        miriamb
        Melbourne, Australia26 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        This was an amazing experience in El Calafete. Reuben was a great guide for whom safety was paramount. The equipment was top notch and the dry suits kept us well insulated from the cold. You do need a moderate level of fitness as it is a river with some strong currents and you need to work hard at times to keep the boat straight but Reuben was always there to help us and guide us safely. I’d highly recommend doing this trip. The lunch afterwards was amazing - one of the best meals we have eaten in Argentina
        Written December 5, 2024
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed the experience. Ruben is really dedicated to making sure everyone feels comfortable and safe during the tour, a great guide as is our team. 😊 Thank you for recommending us and we hope to see you soon!
        Written December 6, 2024
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        MTP T
        Ratoath, Ireland29 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Nov 2024 • Solo
        Well organised kayak trip on the Santa Cruz river. Safe operation with good quality equipment. It must be noted that the river guide we had was of high experience and expertise and it was apparent that he was a man of great experience, thank you Ruben.
        Written November 28, 2024
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Thank you so much for your kind words! 😊 Thank you for choosing us. We hope to have you on another adventure soon! ✨
        Written November 30, 2024
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        ALBERTO D
        Montevideo Department, Uruguay35 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Mar 2024 • Family
        Good: a) technical equipment (kayak, suits, transport vehicle, etc.
        b) Safety briefing before starting the journey
        c) the guide (Ruben) very clear in briefing and leading the 3 kayaks in water (6 pax). Also with contributions on flora/fauna seen along the route.
        d) Barbecue at the end of the tour on the banks of the river. Sunny day and it was splendid, even with an option for vegetarians
        e) Ruben took many photos during the water trip without risking our phones or cameras. It has an additional cost to the excursion payment but it is reasonable (15,000 $ Ar)
        Very Good: no kayak wrecks! And it was the first time in a kayak for the 6 pax
        Bad/ needs improvement: nothing occurs to me
        Google
        Written April 2, 2024
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Muchas gracias por su apreciación sobre el servicio brindado. Es un gusto saber que lo disfrutaron. Esperamos recibirlos nuevamente.
        Written April 9, 2024
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Ruth J
        Brasil88 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        We did the Darwin Experience today led by Ruben and his team.
        Nica had kayaked in her life. She was an incredible expert, breathtakingly beautiful. The guides are super professional and at the end of it all, after 16km along RioSanta Cruz, we were welcomed with a delicious lunch.
        Google
        Written December 30, 2023
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Buenas tardes, Muchas gracias por su comentario. Nos pone muy felices que se hayan llevado una hermosa experiencia. Muchas gracias por elegirnos.
        Written December 31, 2023
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Tiina_fly
        Hollywood, FL30 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Sep 2023 • Friends
        Had a great kayaking experience with Geraldo yesterday. Him and Pablo picked me up on a jeep and we drove around half an hour into the nature and Santa Cruz river , from where the 16km kayaking experience started. It was so peaceful and enjoyable to just to listen to the sounds of silence. We saw Darwin’s Rheas, guanacos, sheep, some Patagonian’s birds and even smelled a skunk.
        After 2 hours we were served a delicious lunch with fresh and sautéed vegetables, warm bread, condiments and of course Argentinian steaks in an old farmhouse by the top of the river bank.
        Thank you for the very unique experience!
        Written September 12, 2023
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Thank you very much for your comment, We are very happy that you enjoyed the experience. Thank you very much for choosing us. We are waiting for you soon.
        Written October 14, 2023
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Charmian H
        2 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Jan 2023 • Couples
        A great way to experience the Santa's Cruz River with the expert guidance of Ruben. Plenty of wildlife to see and starting in a gentle current for the first half before experiencing a little faster flow.
        A very welcome and refreshing summer fruits drink was provided before continuing to a beautiful picnic spot for a barbecue lunch which was more than we could eat.
        Written January 6, 2023
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Hola! It is so good to read that you enjoy so much your tour. All we want in Patagonia Profunda is to help people that visit El Calafate to have the best experience possible. Saludos!!
        Written February 12, 2023
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        ESCDL
        El Salvador19 contributions
        1.0 of 5 bubbles
        Oct 2023 • Family
        I don't give them zero stars because you can't...
        We had booked the kayak tour for our last day in Patagonia. We got up super early (the only day we could have rested) and went with the tour group to the Santa Cruz River; only to be told that due to the weather conditions we would not be able to paddle (my husband and son and I thought the guide was joking!)
        With today's technology, couldn't they notify us sooner and avoid losing time?
        Very bad!!!! They made us waste the entire day!!!!!
        Google
        Written October 27, 2023
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Buenas tardes, Realmente nos sentimos muy apenados por tu experiencia. Lamentablemente, nos vimos totalmente obligados a cancelar la excursión una vez comenzada, debido al cambio climático impredecible de ese día, con el fin de evitar accidentes y poder resguardar la total seguridad de los pasajeros. La satisfacción al cliente es nuestra máxima prioridad y lamentamos mucho no haber cumplido con sus expectativas. Le pedimos disculpas por el inconveniente causado. Saludos Patagonia Profunda
        Written November 4, 2023
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Fgalli
        5 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Sep 2023 • Couples
        It is a different way to get to know El Calafate beyond navigation and visits to the glaciers. Our guide gave us all the kayak safety recommendations before starting and we were even able to enjoy it despite the weather.
        Lunch upon arriving at the ranch was super complete, we were stuffed.
        In short, the experience is excellent!
        Google
        Written September 13, 2023
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Muchas gracias por tu comentario, nos pone felices saber que la pasaron excelente. Les agradecemos por habernos elegido. Saludos
        Written October 14, 2023
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Catherine De Los Santos
        Montevideo, Uruguay3 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Aug 2023
        Intense adventure that is worth every second, for the landscapes and the experience. Many thanks to Hector for the good vibes, good explanation and patience. Without a doubt something that we will never forget. I recommend going without fear since once there before going up it seems intimidating but then it's a great time. Also highlight the food at Paulino and the excellent driving of the driver in the middle of the road (too bad I don't remember his name now).
        Google
        Written August 20, 2023
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Muchas gracias por tu comentario, te agradecemos por habernos elegido y nos pone contentos que hayas disfrutado de nuestra experiencia. Te esperamos pronto.
        Written October 14, 2023
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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        *Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

        Darwin Experience - kayaks & adventure provided by Patagonia Profunda

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