Packrafting on the Olivia River

On this half-day excursion, which combines hiking with kayaking, you’ll experience all the excitement of a meandering river surrounded by peat bogs, where at every turn the landscape surprises you with its majestic snow-capped peaks and glaciers—a magical setting in the Andes Mountains. Designed for those who want to have fun, share the experience, and let the water carry them along. No prior experience is necessary, but a basic level of physical fitness and an adventurous spirit are required.

The boats are single-person and very stable, which makes for a pleasant experience.
At the start of the activity, we’ll give each of you a backpack containing the inflatable boat, which is lightweight, compact, and easy to carry, weighing a total of 6 kg. The hike is low-intensity and lasts 40 minutes. During the hike, we’ll pass through forests and peat bogs, home to native species of Tierra del Fuego. We’ll arrive at Laguna Mariposa, where—before entering the water—we’ll inflate the boats and get ready. Once all the equipment is ready, we’ll have an informational session on safety and paddling techniques. The lagoon is a place that allows us to get comfortable with the boat, practice our technique, and feel stable and safe before heading out onto the river. The preparations and practice take about an hour. Then the second part of the adventure begins: an hour of paddling downstream, steering our boat and letting the current carry us along.

We connect with the moment and the pristine, unspoiled, majestic surroundings among mountains and valleys, blending in with the environment around us. Ducks, birds, and sometimes beavers often appear on the river. Our first stop will be at a small riverside beach where the Laguna Esmeralda stream meets the Olivia River. Here, we’ll take some time to enjoy a delicious meal and rest a bit. It will be a moment to relax and share the experience while taking in the majesty of this unique place where we find ourselves—alone, with no one else around.

In the second part of the hike, we pass through stretches of native forest and shrubbery along the riverbanks; the surrounding landscape is beautiful, and our mission is to protect it by always picking up our own trash and any we see along the riverbank.