Darwin Experience - kayaks & adventure

This experience is fantastic!! Both kayaking, guides' instructions, views, and not to mention lunch at the end. It's not hard but you have to pay attention to the guide. It also takes pictures that can be sent to you later for an additional cost. I recommend it 100 percent! Paul and Reuben are kingpins. Thank you so much for a lovely experience!!

The Darwin Experience is exactly like the video on their website. As others have said, Patagonia Profunda runs a very well organized excursion and the food is excellent too. Our guide was Ruben and there just the 4 of us (a family of 4) plus a single. We had 3 of us in a triple kayak and one of us in a double kayak with a single. When we arrived at the launch site, Ruben gave clear instructions on how to get into the dry suit. You will be wearing boots and will leave your sneakers in the van so you won't need to worry about getting wet feet (unless you fall in, of course). The ratio of guide to participant is 1:6 in good weather and 1:4 in windy conditions. Ruben explained the safety procedures if you end up flipped over but said it doesn't happen terribly often. We felt safe especially with the dry suit given how cold the water is. There are no exposed rocks but there is a decent current so you will need to paddle hard in a few places to avoid being up against the shoreline. But even with a few misguided paddlers, the consequences of ending up crashing into the shore are not serious. You can just back up and get on track again. The time in the water is between 90 and 120 minutes and only about half of that time requires active paddling. The rest is just enjoying the isolation and pure nature that surrounds you. There were guanaco everywhere -- all the way down to the shore. Ruben gave some history of the area when we had a quiet section of the river. And he explained how Darwin and FitzRoy came to discover the area. At the end of the kayaking, the estancia (ranch) has wine, water, flatbread and a charcuterie board waiting. Then a few minutes later, the steaks and sides will be ready for you to have a feast for lunch. From pick up at the hotel around 9am to return around 2:30, it was 5.5 hours. The ride to/from is about 30 minutes each way. It's expensive, yes, but it's a very well run operation and we would do it again in heartbeat. Thanks to Ruben and all of the team -- excellent!

What a wonderful experience. with Reuben and Pablo. Like I told them, a luxury! I did the Darwin kayaking experience. Very professional with the technique, and at the same time so friendly and warm. Lunch another highlight, super abundant, tasty and excellent quality. They're in every detail. Thank you very much.

We did this excursion with our family of 5. Our 3 children (16,17, 19) enjoyed, just as much as we did. Adventure, beautiful nature, delicious food, great hospitality! Lovely day.

First experience in Kayak. Ruben’s instructions were clear when explaining, already in the water you have to implement it, you only have to follow the instructions to not lose the rhythm. Also very predisposed to tell a bit of the story. The climate favored us the activity and the scenery was exceptional. At the end of the tour we had a lunch that was very enjoyed. Very cool and a great team.

The Darwin Experience kayaking along the Santa Cruz River was simply spectacular. Everything was phenomenal from the first moment: super punctual and very close to El Calafate, so the transfer is very short and very comfortable. Guide Hector is charming and conveys a lot of confidence, and driver Franco a crack, both make the experience even better. Kayaking is fun: being downstream it is not at all tired, on the contrary, it is very much enjoyed even if you do not have much experience. The setting is amazing and the feeling of paddling in such a special place is unique. To top it off, the food afterwards is great: a spectacular roast in a beautiful field. All care to detail. Super recommended, we loved it and would definitely repeat it

The tour seemed complete, with adventure, wildlife sighting and exquisite food. The landscape is unique, a new way to see Patagonia. And the guide, Ruben, pending that we all live an unforgettable experience. Thank you to the driver, Franco, for giving us the safety on the trip. I'd go on the field trip again.

We loved the kayaking. The guide was very experienced. The lunch at the end was superb. Best steak I've eaten. Exceeded expectations.

The Darwin Experience was an absolutely fantastic day. Out group was only two couples, making the day feel even more personal. Ruben and Pablo were fantastic and hosts, and once in the water Ruben was a very informative guide. The feast at the end of the journey just made it even better. I definitely recommend this!

It was a very special day. The guides, Herman and Pablo were amazing, very friendly and receptive. The Kayak tour was quiet, did not require much effort because the River helps in the flow. Herman taught us how to walk and was helping us all along, giving us safety with great mood. Different walk, which is worth it.