Obviously, not all rivers are equal. We are fortunate to have a wide variety of rivers to descent here in northern Patagonia. Each has a unique allure and also a different level of difficulty.

In Argentina, we use the international scale to qualify the difficulty of the rapids we navigate, with an increasing scale from Class I to VI.

Running the rivers of Nahuel Huapi National Park takes us deep into areas of incomparable beauty like thick temperate rainforests (known as Valdivian Jungles), deep canyons of basaltic lava, enormous and glacier valleys that run through the heart of the Andes. This allows us to observe much of the flora and fauna living in the extensive and exciting Patagonia..

Rafting: Lower Manso River

The Manso is a river of incomparable natural beauty. This section is ideal for anyone interested in discovering this awesome sport.

The transfer takes us to the southern edges of the national park. We’ll drive 60 km on Highway 258, passing Mascardi, Gutierrez and Guillelmo lakes. In a low-lying depression known as Pampa del Toro or Bull’s Plain, we turn west for the final 10 km until we reach Steffen Lake. We’ll take in the safety chat from our guides, gather our gear and head out on the river in our rafts.

On a beach on the river’s shore we’ll have lunch. Light, nutritious and fresh food is prepared to help refuel our energy. After lunch, we board the rafts again and head into the river’s most active section. The rapids here reach a Class II. During the summer months, the transparency of the river will be too tempting not to jump in for a swim!

In the afternoon, at an old sawmill at the small settlement at Paraje Villegas, our bus waits. After a delightful snack, we head back into the city.

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Rafting: Manso to the Border

We drive for 70 km to the south of the national park along Highway 258, passing Gutierrez, Mascardi and Guillelmo lakes en route. At the Villegas River we head west on a gravel road for 30 km until we reach TIERRAVENTURA, our base camp.

We’ll recharge our energy after the long journey with a delicious breakfast. Then we gather our gear – neoprene wetsuits, dry jackets, lifejackets and helmets are all necessary. We’ll listen to the safety talk from our guides and then get ready to hit the water.

The Manso in this section runs through a deep canyon, with the Bastion Mountain at our side throughout the entire descent, and majestic waterfalls cascading off Bastion’s steep slopes. The “Velvet Canyon” is the last moment of tranquility. We’ll have just passed it when we meet “The First Rapid” where it is made clear that the calm is behind us and the action has started! With short breaks in-between, we’ll begin to run a chain of rapids that range from entertaining Class IIs to violent Class III+ like “Devil’s Intestine” and “Relax”.

“Forward,” the guide insists, as the team paddles without rest. The raft falls into a hole that spits us out and shows us the force of the Manso in its final leaps towards the border. The Safety Kayaker is at our side throughout, providing optimal levels of safety and security.

“International” is the Class II rapid that announces our arrival at the border and the end of our rafting adventure.

Back in dry clothes, we’ll drive back to TIERRAVENTURA where we’ll have lunch. It’s an incredible traditional barbecue known as an asado criollo that will refuel our energy. With non-stop stories of adventure, and reliving the day’s excitement, the group has met its day’s quota of adrenaline and it’s time to head back to Bariloche.

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