Kayak Perito Moreno Gateways Lunch and Transfer from Calafate

Awesome kayak

Awesome trip Loved every minute Guide was excellent Beautiful views Highly recommended

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A poorly handled Kayak Perito Moreno trip

The experience was terrible. On May 15, my wife and I did the Kayak Perito Moreno together with another couple in two separate kayaks. The starting point was in a certain distance downstream from the Glacier Perito Moreno. The guide in his kayak told us to paddle hard toward the Glacier. When we started to paddle, we found that the waves from the Glacier were very strong and with our paddling toward the glacier, the waves were getting stronger and stronger. It seemed that for every inch we paddled, the wave would push us back for two inches. About a half hour of paddling, the guide was not happy about our speed, and he then called the rescue boat over and got my wife and me onto the rescue boat with our kayak dragged behind. He asked the rescue boat to take us to a position closer to the Glacier waiting for him and the other couple to come. A few minutes later the rescue boat driver received a call saying the other couple's kayak was capsized in the strong waves and both of them in the ice water. We rushed to the site. I helped to pull the man onto the rescue boat, and the guide and the driver tried so hard to drag the lady from the ice water onto the boat. The rescue boat then took us to where we started and our kayak venture ended... It was obvious that the waves from the glacier was too strong for inexperienced people to paddle the kayak toward the glacier. Later the organiser admitted in a responding note that the conditions we encountered (on that day) may have been the result of a sudden and unexpected change in weather. The strong waves could easily capsize a small kayak with two inexperienced paddlers. If the guide were an experienced professional, he should have understood this potential risk and discussed with us for adopting an alternative plan. There was a big-size iceberg floating near the area where we started. We could happily paddle around this iceberg with a lot of fun and take many pictures with the iceberg as well as the glacier in a certain distance as backgrounds. Instead, the guide tried hard to push us to overcome the strong waves and paddle toward the Glacier. The result was disastrous: two out of four guests falling into the ice water with strong waves. We even didn't get a chance to take a single picture to show we were in the kayak! The money we paid was a total waste.

Response from the operator: We are sorry that your perception of the experience was so negative. However, after carefully reviewing the events of that day with the guide in charge, we feel it is important to clarify several aspects of your account. Before the activity began, the guide informed you that, due to the physical limitations observed and the demands of this excursion, you were not in the recommended condition to participate normally. As clearly stated in the tour description, this activity requires a moderately good physical condition. Following your insistence on taking part, an exception was made to allow you to join the tour under constant supervision and with the safety boat accompanying you at all times. These conditions were accepted before the excursion began. From the very beginning of the navigation, it became evident that you were having significant difficulty paddling and moving forward on your own. The guide even used a tow line to assist your kayak. Once it became clear that you were unable to actively contribute to paddling and that conditions were becoming more demanding for you, the guide made the preventive decision to transfer you to the safety boat. According to the report we received, you expressed your appreciation for this decision several times during the remainder of the excursion and were then able to continue enjoying the experience from the support boat, navigating very close to the icebergs and the glacier itself. Regarding the incident involving the other kayak, a standard safety assistance procedure was activated, exactly as established by the operational protocols of the activity. This is precisely why a support boat accompanies every group at all times. The situation was resolved immediately and professionally by the team and never represented a scenario beyond the risks already contemplated and managed within this type of adventure activity. For this reason, we are surprised by the description in your review referring to a “life-or-death situation” and questioning the professionalism of the guide. In reality, it was the guide’s experience, judgment, and immediate actions that allowed the activity to be adapted to your actual capabilities while ensuring the safety of all participants. We have worked with this kayaking team for more than 20 years. Our guides are highly trained, fully certified, and experienced professionals operating under strict safety procedures in one of Patagonia’s most challenging natural environments. In more than two decades of operating this excursion, we have never had an incident that placed a participant’s life in danger. We also believe it is important to remind future travelers that adventure activities require an honest assessment of one’s physical abilities before booking. When a participant joins an activity that exceeds their actual capabilities, it not only creates additional challenges for the professional team responsible for everyone’s safety but can also impact the overall experience of the rest of the group. This tour is undoubtedly one of the highest-rated experiences in El Calafate. Hundreds of reviews from travelers around the world highlight the spectacular scenery, the quality of the operation, and the professionalism of our guides. However, like any adventure activity, it is not suitable for everyone and requires participants to meet the basic physical requirements clearly stated in advance. We sincerely regret that the experience did not meet your expectations. Nevertheless, we remain fully confident that every decision made during the excursion was responsible, appropriate, and focused at all times on ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants.

via Tripadvisor

Great Experience. Great Staff. Truly Beautiful

Very helpful team. Nice focus on enjoying the quiet and beauty of the glacier. Very willing to help take pictures and give you the most enjoyable natural experience you can. Help them out by having a tether for your phone/camera so they don't have to worry about dropping YOUR phone while they're helping take a picture of you.

via Viator

Unique experience with knowledgeable guides

Kayaking to the Glaciar was a unique experience, we were so glad we got to see it that way. The tour guides were very helpful and knowledgeable.

via Viator

Incredible!

It was such a fantastic way to see the glacier! We did all the hikes around the glacier so we saw it from each vantage point but it was so amazing to be in the water, up close to it. Perito Moreno glacier was incredible but the kayak experience took it to the next level.

via Viator