Huarpe Packrafting Argentina's Andes
February 20 - March 2, 2026 | Mendoza, Argentina
Huarpe Packrafting Argentina's Andes
February 20 - March 2, 2026 | Mendoza, Argentina
Take a look at where we're going
OUR UNIQUE PROGRAM
This upcoming February, we’re piloting a truly spectacular packrafting expedition along one of Argentina’s longest and most scenic rivers. Starting off in the high Andes near the border with Chile, you’ll spend the next seven days navigating through dramatic gorges and valleys, all the way down to Mendoza’s flatlands—the country’s premiere wine producing region situated at the foothills of the Andes Mountains. Along the way, you’ll paddle pristine snowmelt water, camp beneath the stars in remote wilderness, and packraft class II & III rapids. Our group will have the privilege of experiencing the true spirit of life in the high Andes by spending two unforgettable days with a local family on their farm beside the river: You’ll learn about goat herding the way it has been done for generations, learn to cook and bake traditional bread, and explore the family’s rugged land on horseback. To top it all off, your visit with this local family directly supports their livelihood and helps economically stimulate a region with sustainable tourism, helping preserve both the river and the families who call it home.
QUICK DETAILS
ITINERARY
Group Orientation – Mendoza
Our trip begins in the city of Mendoza. We’ll be staying at the comfortable Hotel Internacional—situated conveniently in the downtown area of the city. At 12:00 PM our group will meet on the rooftop terrace of the hotel for our orientation meeting. We’ll go over things such as equipment, logistics, and an overview of the exciting week ahead. Following our orientation, we’ll make our way to a local grocery store to pick up snacks and additional food items you’d like to bring on the expedition. This is also our last chance to pick up last minute items you might need for your trip. Upon returning to our hotel, you’ll have a couple hours to finalize packing everything you plan to take to the river inside the 65L Drybags that we will be providing. We’ll have all bags and gear ready to go for an early morning departure the next day. We’ll finish off the day with a 6:00 PM group dinner at a delicious, local favourite Argentine grill!
Meal Included: Dinner
Transport to the Andes – River Starting Point
We depart Mendoza bright and early at 6:00 AM for a six-hour drive toward the high Andes. Our mode of transport will be by private shuttle van. Extra bags and luggage will be left in secure storage near our hotel. Our route traces the mountain range southward, before climbing its rugged hillsides. By 12:00 PM, we’ll arrive at a stunning alpine valley—our expedition’s starting point. From the drop-off, we have a 3.5km—mostly flat—hike across the valley to reach our first camp, right next to our own hot springs overlooking the valley. The rest of the day can be spent settling in, relaxing, and soaking in copper-coloured natural hot springs, surrounded by sweeping Andean views. A truly spectacular place to start the expedition!
First Full Paddling Day
We begin the day with a 9:00 AM launch after a paddle-safety briefing. Today’s route covers approximately 16km (10mi) on the water, offering a great introduction to the river’s pace and rhythm. We can expect easy paddling as we navigate our way through our first valley. By the afternoon, we’ll arrive at the mouth of the trip’s most dramatic canyon—the Shadow Gorge—and set up camp at its entrance, preparing for tomorrow’s adventure.
Los Oscuros (The Shadow Gorges)
Today, we paddle through the legendary Oscuros—a dramatic and exhilarating stretch of river with towering canyon walls and exciting rapids. It’s the perfect setting to develop and refine your packrafting skills in a fun, engaging environment. You’ll also have plenty of photography opportunities and optional side-hikes to explore connecting side canyons. We’ll stop for lunch beneath striking rock spires, with potential for puma sightings along the way! On prior descents, we’ve found puma footprints in this area! We’ll exit the Oscuros gorge with more exciting rapids along the way, and continue on towards our campsite in a stunning valley. Today’s total paddling distance is ~ 23km.
White Sands – Paddle to Ana & Jacinto’s Puesto (Homestead)
A big day on the river — 36km of paddling through wild, ever-changing landscapes. You can expect fun rapids, serene valleys, and a surreal stop at white sand dunes — which are shocking to see situated in high Andean passes. We should see flocks of Condors flying high—the worlds largest bird of prey! In the afternoon, we’ll arrive at Ana and Jacinto’s remote homestead and farm, where we’ll set up camp on their land and enjoy the warmth of Argentinian hospitality!
Andean Life on the Homestead
A full off-river day to immerse ourselves in life at the farm we find ourselves waking up on. Ana and Jacinto’s land truly feels like a fairy tale — waterfalls, running creeks, meadows, horses grazing. You might just want to stay here and never leave! We’ll learn about traditional goat farming, explore their rugged terrain on horseback, or simply relax and enjoy time on their wildly scenic land. You can learn to bake traditional Andean bread with Ana, hear stories of life in the highlands, and learn how responsible tourism protects this unique region from infrastructure and development projects. This day is rich with connection, culture, and meaning.
Final Gorges
We’re back on the river for a 38km paddle as the landscape begins to shift. The canyon gradually opens, and the river widens—supported by more inflowing streams and rivers, we have more fun and wavy rapids to ride. Midday, we’ll explore the site of a proposed hydroelectric dam, gaining insight into the environmental impact a project here could have. Having just spent time with locals who depend on this river, it’s a powerful moment of reflection on what stands to be lost if a dam were to be built here. We’ll camp tonight in the final gorge of our journey.
Into the Meandering Flats
Today, we leave the mountains behind. As we paddle the final 22km, the river transitions into steady, meandering flows and expansive flatlands. We’ll camp in a tranquil riverside spot—our last night under the stars.
Into the Meandering Flats
After a short paddle, we’ll meet our vehicle on the side of the river for the five-hour drive back to Mendoza. Upon arrival, we’ll check back into our hotel, reunite with our luggage, get cleaned up, and head out to celebrate completing our expedition with a tasty dinner in Mendoza’s downtown area!
Meal Included: Dinner
Full Day in Mendoza
Enjoy a full day to explore Mendoza at your own pace. Whether it’s visiting local wineries, trying endless bakeries, relaxing in cafés, or picking up souvenirs, it’s a great day to unwind and enjoy the city.
Final Day of the Trip – Mendoza
All good things must come to an end. We’re confident that at this point, you will have made memories of a lifetime, met new friends and community, and will be leaving with a deep sense of appreciation for the Andes, it’s people, it’s culture, and its rivers. Depending on your travel arrangements, we’ll arrange transportation for you to Aeropuerto Internacional El Plumerillo – Mendoza, in time for your flight. Hotel check-out is at 10:00 AM. Our team will be staying in the city of Mendoza beyond these days, so if you have spare hours in between hotel check-out time and your departure flight, you are very welcome to store your luggage at our Airbnb.
Safe travels and we’ll see you on the next one!
SKILL PREREQUISITES
Gallery
INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS
Included
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Guide Services
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Packraft, Paddle, PFD, Helmet, and 65L Drybag
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Fees and Permits
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Accommodation
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Transportation in Mendoza
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Meals as indicated in the Itinerary
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Personalized 1-1 Planning Calls with Expedition Leaders
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2 Nights Homestay with local family
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Camping stoves, fuel and cookware for preparing meals
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Shared photos and videos from group leaders
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Luggage storage during the expedition
Not Included
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Airfare to and from destination
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Trip Cancellation Insurance or any other Travel Insurance
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Personal Gear (see Personal Packing List below)
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Backpacking Meals and food items on river
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Alcohol
PERSONAL PACKING LIST
Tents branded as Lightweight or Ultralight are best for this trip. Brands such as Big Agnes and MSR have ultralight tents that weigh as little as 1kg / 2lb.
For this trip, we recommend bringing a sleeping bag that is warm enough for temperatures slightly below freezing 0°C (32°F) while being relatively compact to avoid taking up too much room in your drybag. While overnight temperatures might not drop below freezing, we recommend erring on the side of warmer vs cooler. Individual preferences vary, so choose based on your comfort with nighttime temperatures at or below 4°C (39°F).
Our drinking water on this expedition will be coming from clean, flowing glacial runoff streams — when streams aren’t available we will filter river water. Although most of the stream water is clean enough to drink without a filter, we always recommend filtering before drinking. There are an array of filtration systems on the market, and because the water is already very clean, most any filtration system will be suitable for this trip.
A few of our recommendations include the Grayl “Press” bottles (best all in one solution), Epic Water Filters “The Answer 2.0” (compatible with Nalgene wide-mouth bottles), and MSR pump filters.
Side hikes will almost always be close to a water source, so it’s not as necessary to have a large water storage unit / bottle on this trip, like it would be on a hiking trip.
Small, inflatable, compact and lightweight pads are best. We have found that the Nemo Tensor Pad is lightweight, comfortable, and durable. Because of the cold temperatures at night, we recommend bring a sleeping pad that has a high “R-Value”, which signifies the amount of insulation the pad provides against the cold ground.
You might also consider bringing a lightweight inflatable camp pillow. An optional item. Our guides use Sea to Summit inflatable pillows as they pack down small.
Camp clothes for dry, chilly evenings at camp — we usually pack 2x long tops (wool), 1x thermal leggings, 2x pairs merino wool socks, a beanie/toque/warm hat.
Clothing for hot, sunny hours spent at camp, side hikes and active homestay days: 1x lightweight hiking pants / comfortable shorts, 1x short sleeve t-shirt / tank top, 1x hiking socks, and a hat.
Insulated Jacket: Nighttime temps can drop to around 4°C (39°F) — for camp we usually pack a lightweight, compressible and warm puffy or fleece jacket.
Town Clothes: While in the city of Mendoza, it’s nice to have some clean city clothes for before and after the river. The temps in the city—highs ~29°C (84°F) and lows ~ 18°C (64°F)—are much warmer than up in the mountains. Whilst in the city of Mendoza we’ll typically do a fair bit of walking and exploring of the town on foot.
Any personal belongings left outside of the 65L Dry Bag that we provide will get wet at some point on the river. Whether you want to have quick access to your camera gear, or snacks and sunscreen consider bringing a small < 12L drybag which you can keep in between your legs while paddling.
If you are a photographer and plan to bring camera equipment, we recommend the Watershed Ocoee 11L Dry bag. We fully trust these bags with our camera gear.
Choose footwear that is comfortable while wet. Shoes should be closed-toed to ensure best protection while walking over rocks or sand. Low-ankle trail runners with good treaded soles are ideal for this expedition. Solomon and Adidas Terrex have great trail runners that we can recommend, but whatever works for you will be fine on this expedition — portages on this trip are flat and easy terrain to walk on.
While we’re at camp, we recommend having breathable sandals to give your feet a break from wearing wet shoes all day. Ideally, the sandals you bring could also be used for short walks or side hikes.
This expedition is a warm weather, cold water trip, which entails planning accordingly with versatile “Splash Wear” and/or “Dry Wear” apparel. In short, Splash and Dry Wear garments are designed to keep you dry—against splash water or full submersion depending on the type of garments you use. A full-body Dry Suit qualifies as “Dry Wear”, and if you already have one feel free to bring it on this expedition.
For this trip, we recommend a Splash Jacket (or waterproof rain shell), Splash Pants, and thick Neoprene Socks as essential apparel.
Our extensive pre-trip Planning Guide PDF that you will receive upon booking/registration/joining the group provides a very detailed guide on Splash and Dry Wear recommended for this trip. If you have questions however, please feel free to reach out to us.
The best meal solution for these trips are Backpacking Meal pouches. These are pre-made, freeze-dried and dehydrated meals that are prepared simply by adding water. Popular brands include Mountain House, Peak Refuel, and Backpackers Pantry. We will be boiling water for meals two times per day, for breakfast and dinner. For this expedition, you will need a total of 14 backpacking meal pouches — this gives you 2 per each full day in the wilderness (12), plus 1 meal for both half days at the start and end of the expedition (2).
As a group, we’ll be going to a grocery store in Mendoza on Day 1 after Orientation, to pick up any complimentary food or snack items you may want to bring. If there are particular snack products you enjoy from home, you may want to bring those with you, as the supermarkets in Mendoza have limited selection. This visit to the supermarket on Day 1 is also our last chance to pick up any other last minute items you might need on the expedition.
Primarily for use at camp in the evenings. If your headlamp is battery operated, consider packing a few extra batteries just in case.
A non-essential item, but certainly worth bringing if you have a lightweight one. We’ll almost always be camping on sand, but it is nice to be able to sit in a comfortable chair whilst at camp.
A lightweight trowel (shovel) is useful for digging cat holes to deposit human waste — when doing so, we’ll adhere to Leave No Trace guidelines. Note: All toilet paper must be packed out, for which we recommend packing some plastic zip lock bags / small trash bags.
DETAILED LOGISTICS
Backpacking Meals: For this expedition, we recommend travelling to Argentina with a total of 14 Backpacking Meal pouches. This gives you 2 meal pouches for each full day in the wilderness (12 meals), plus 1 meal pouch for each of the half-days at the start and end of the expedition (2 meals). If you’re unfamiliar with Backpacking Meals, here are some article resources from our Blog, which you’ll find helpful:
- What Are Backpacking Meals And Why Are They Ideal For Adventures?
- Why Backpacking Meals Are Not Included On Our Expeditions
- How To Pack Food On Our Expeditions
While it is possible to complete this expedition with an individually designed meal plan using foods from the local grocery stores in Mendoza, the supermarkets in Argentina are much more limited than what you might be accustomed to back home. There are a couple outdoor shops in Mendoza which sell Military MREs (Meals, Ready-to-Eat) — but we are unfamiliar with their quality, and they may not always be available in stores. For these reasons, we recommend travelling to Argentina with your Backpacking Meals provisioned beforehand.
Breakfast and Dinners: Trip leaders will be carrying ultralight cookstoves and cookware, and will be boiling water for you to prepare your big meals twice per day—for breakfast and dinner. If you plan on doing more extensive cooking, you are welcome to use our cookware once everyone has been served water, or you may choose to bring your own lightweight pot or pan and use our stoves at your convenience.
Lunch Stops: We’ll stop for a lunch meal during the day—typically short stops to fuel up with snack foods (ie. fruits, cold meats, trail mix, chocolate) that we keep accessible in our smaller dry bags.
Grocery Store Visit in Mendoza: After we conduct our orientation on Day 1 of the trip, we’ll visit a grocery store in Mendoza to pick up any additional snacks / lunch foods / additional food items that you’d like to bring on the expedition. This is also the last chance to pick up any last minute items you might need for your trip.
Expect warm, sunny days and clear skies—ideal conditions for packrafting through the Andes. February is late summer in the southern hemisphere, meaning stable weather patterns, low precipitation (average daily chance around 14%), and plenty of sunshine. Rain is rare, but participants should still bring appropriate rain gear (rain shell and tent rain-fly) as a precaution.
We’ll begin our journey high in the Andes, where daytime highs average around 21°C (70°F) and nights can dip to 4°C (39°F). Mornings tend to be brisk, and as the day progresses, strong winds often pick up—typically blowing downstream, which works in our favor on the river. As we descend to the lower elevation flatlands, temperatures become milder, with highs around 25°C (77°F) and nights closer to 12°C (54°F).
Most of the trip is fully exposed to sun and wind, so sun protection is key—sunscreen for hands and face is essential, and protective paddling apparel (drywear and splashwear) will help shield you during long days on the river (see “Paddling Clothes” in the Personal Packing List above for gear recommendations). Around camp, especially in the highlands, evenings can be chilly, so bring warm layers for comfort (see Personal Packing List above).
The air is dry, and rapid weather shifts are unlikely but always possible at altitude. Pack lip balm, hydration essentials, and be prepared for strong Andean winds throughout the journey.
This expedition is designed for adventurers with a moderate to good level of physical fitness and experience with self-supported travel. On average, we’ll be paddling 4–6 hours per day, covering distances ranging from 16–36.5 km (10–23 miles), depending on the day. At this time of year, the river is wide, dynamic, and fun, with rapids ranging from Class I to small Class III—nothing overly technical, while remaining exciting and engaging. All rapids can be scouted or portaged if needed, making this trip accessible for those with paddling experience, even if new to packrafting.
The journey begins with a 3.5 km (2.2 mile) hike across flat valley terrain, where you’ll carry your full gear kit (drybags with backpack straps provided). While not a technical hike, you should be comfortable hiking for about an hour with a heavy pack. There are also occasional short portages along our expedition route, which are generally on flat terrain.
This is a DIY-style trip, meaning you’ll be responsible for setting up your own tent, managing your gear, and working as part of a team. While not as strenuous as some of our other expeditions, this is still a remote, off-the-grid journey that requires comfort with camping, wilderness travel, and being unplugged or off-the-grid for several days.
Ideally, you should be comfortable with a bit of discomfort, and excited to embrace the ups and downs of adventure travel. If you’ve done multi-day paddling or backcountry trips before—or have a good fitness base and a positive, flexible mindset—you’ll do absolutely great on this expedition.
GETTING THERE
Your final destination airport is Aeropuerto Internacional El Plumerillo - Mendoza (MDZ). Most travellers from abroad will require a connection at either of the following major hubs: Santiago, Chile; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Lima, Peru; Saõ Paulo, Brazil; Panama City, Panama.
Aeropuerto Internacional El Plumerillo - Mendoza (MDZ) is within a 20 minute—10.5km (6.5mi)—driving distance to downtown Mendoza, which is where Hotel Interncacional is conveniently located. This is the hotel where our group will be staying at on Day 1—and meeting for Orientation. We’ll arrange an easy airport pickup for you when you land.
We highly recommend landing at least a full day, or more, prior to the start date of the expedition in case of any delays or unforeseeable circumstances during your travels to Mendoza. Upon arrival, we can recommend staying at the comfortable Hotel Internacional which is well situated in the heart of downtown Mendoza city. It is also the hotel where our group will meet and commence our trip at. Trip leaders will be happy to coordinate with hotel staff and inform them that you part of the Nahua Expeditions group, so you may be able to keep your original room for the night of Day 1.
If you choose to to stay at a different hotel prior to trip commencement, trip leaders will coordinate transportation for you from the airport to your hotel of choice. Restaurant and transportation recommendations will be included in our Huarpe Expedition Guide PDF which you will receive upon joining the group.
Visa requirements for entry to Argentina depend on your nationality. Citizens of many countries are allowed to enter Argentina visa-free for stays typically up to 90 days. Here is a great resource which indicates—in coloured map form—which nationality / passports are eligible for visa-free travel to Argentina. If you are from one of these countries, you simply need a valid passport with 6 months validity, for entry.
Travellers from non visa-free countries will need to obtain a tourist visa prior to arrival. Visa applications can be submitted through the Argentinian consulate or embassy in your home country. Processing times and specific requirements can vary, so it’s important to plan ahead and allow enough time for visa approval.
To check whether you need a visa, and for current visa policies, we recommend visiting the following resources—along with doing your own independent research:
Safety in the Province of Mendoza, Argentina is known to be good, and based on our travels, time spent there, and conversations with locals it appears to be a friendly, touristy, and easy-going region. Mendoza doesn’t raise any alarms for being a dangerous or troubled region. Like any destination however, it’s always a good idea to exercise caution and use common sense while travelling.
During our time in the City of Mendoza, our group will be staying in the city centre at safe, clean and reputable hotels. In addition, any and all of our transport services will also be through reputable companies.
As for safety along the river, the region where the canyon is situated is considered to be very safe, and inhabited by rural farming families. We may see them along the river, especially during the later stages as we approach our exit point. The canyon itself doesn’t possess any heightened alarm for geographical dangers apart from reasonably expected dangers associated with river travel. As we will be exploring during late summer, the higher temperatures will have already caused the majority of snow from the previous winter to melt and make its way into the mainstream. We can expect low-flows, with fun class II – III rapids! Geographical characteristics of this river also allow for easy scouting, and portages to be done when needed.
Throughout the second half of the expedition, the canyon runs parallel to a service road which has public access, so in the event of an emergency, re-supply, or early exit, we will have the ability to do so. Our team, along with other members of the group will also be carrying various satellite communicators in the event of an emergency. Specifically, our team will be carrying x2 Garmin InReach Mini Devices, and an Iridium Go Exec Communicator.
As always, we would recommend getting Rescue Insurance coverage for travel activities such as these. Nahua Expeditions has partnered with Global Rescue, the industry leaders in Travel and Rescue Insurance providers. We always encourage our guests to travel with rescue insurance coverage, especially when embarking on wilderness expeditions such as these. We firmly stand behind Global Rescue as the best providers in the industry, and recommend checking out our resource page on Travel and Rescue Insurance.
Local Life & Farm Stay Experience
Ana & Jacinto's Homestead
At around our halfway point along the river, we’ll arrive at a small family’s puesto—a traditional homestead nestled deep in the Andean mountains. For two days, we’ll have the privilege of spending time with this local family, learning how they care for their goats, cook traditionally, and navigate life in one of Argentina’s most remote and beautiful regions. This is not a tourist stop—it’s a rare invitation to see, connect, and experience the rhythm and culture of rural life in the Andes.
What This Experience Looks Like
Our time at the homestead offers a grounded contrast to the movement of the river—an invitation to take part in daily life of the people who live here. You’ll learn how livestock is raised and cared for in this environment, and what it means to live closely with the animals that sustain you. You can choose to step into Ana’s kitchen and help bake fresh Andean bread using traditional methods, or ride horses into the hills with Jacinto for a glimpse of the terrain they steward every day. During your time here, you’ll also learn about the very real environmental challenges facing families like Ana and Jacinto—namely, the threat of large-scale damming in this region. Through conversation and presence, you’ll see how thoughtful tourism can directly support the people and places that make this expedition so special.
Your Impact & Why This River Matters
Since the early 2000s, a massive hydroelectric dam project has been proposed along this river. Planned within a lower gorge, it would become one of the largest dams in Argentina, with seven additional dams outlined along the same waterway. While intended to supply renewable energy to Argentina’s power grid, the environmental and human impact would be devastating. If even just the initial dam is completed, entire valleys would be flooded, displacing over 200 families who live alongside the river—north of the proposed dam site. Hundreds of thousands of farmers downstream—some as far as the Atlantic—could lose critical access to irrigation. The river’s ecosystems would be permanently altered, and recreational access would likely vanish entirely.
But there is hope. Thanks to local resistance, legal challenges, and political delays, the project has stalled. As of now, no progress has been made since 2021. While this indefinite pause is a victory, permanent protection can only come through the creation of a thriving, invested community around this river. That’s where sustainable tourism comes in. When people explore a place, they begin to care about it. Through low-impact, adventure-based travel, a network of locals and visitors who value this river for its ecological richness—not its energy output—can be built. Tourism makes dam projects harder to justify—and sometimes, impossible to build.
Nahua Expeditions’ strength is developing trips to challenging destinations where logistics, communication, and operations are inherently challenging. Through extensive conversations with locals and regional tourism contacts, we are confident that creating expeditions here has the potential to attract sustainable tourism and positively impact the region’s economy through outdoor recreation around its rivers.
Whilst we are currently refraining from naming this river online, our pilot expedition alongside local kayakers and river enthusiasts of Mendoza will set the groundwork for proper infrastructure and available resources for future visitors. We will update this page in June 2026 with progress reports and detailed information for planning river travel here.
The river and tributaries that we paddle on this expedition are considered to be dangerous throughout most of the year, and without proper planning, local contacts and local support, we don’t recommend attempting to raft or kayak this river on your own. **Very specific planning is required in order to successfully descend this river.** If you have extensive paddling experience and would like to look into paddling this river on your own, reach out to our team via email and we’ll be happy to steer you in the right direction.
Regions that are this special are few and far between, so let’s take care of them, and ensure that they last for future generations to enjoy!
OUR COMMUNITY
Passionate Exploration
When we founded Nahua Expeditions, our goal was about more than simply sharing the spectacular places we know. We set out to create a vibrant community of passionate adventurers; individuals who are seeking authentic exploration, new friends and community in the adventure travel space, and are driven to push their limits while discovering locations that few people in the world get to see.
Connecting Through Adventure
On our expeditions, you’ll have the opportunity to meet interesting people from all around the world. People who often bring different talents and expertise from a wide range of backgrounds. If this is your first time joining us on a trip, you will feel that one of the lasting takeaways from the expeditions we organize, are the friendships and connections made during the journey. Whether you’re an experienced mountaineer, or new to the outdoors, you’ll find a strong community here.
Passionate Exploration
When we founded Nahua Expeditions, our goal was about more than simply sharing the spectacular places we know. We set out to create a vibrant community of passionate adventurers; individuals who are seeking authentic exploration, new friends and community in the adventure travel space, and are driven to push their limits while discovering locations that few people in the world get to see.
Connecting Through Adventure
On our expeditions, you’ll have the opportunity to meet interesting people from all around the world. People who often bring different talents and expertise from a wide range of backgrounds. If this is your first time joining us on a trip, you will feel that one of the lasting takeaways from the expeditions we organize, are the friendships and connections made during the journey. Whether you’re an experienced mountaineer, or new to the outdoors, you’ll find a strong community here.
Take a look at where we'll be going
OUR UNIQUE PROGRAM
This upcoming February, we’re piloting a truly spectacular packrafting expedition along one of Argentina’s longest and most scenic rivers. Starting off in the high Andes near the border with Chile, you’ll spend the next seven days navigating through dramatic gorges and valleys, all the way down to Mendoza’s flatlands—the country’s premiere wine producing region situated at the foothills of the Andes Mountains. Along the way, you’ll paddle pristine snowmelt water, camp beneath the stars in remote wilderness, and packraft class II & III rapids. Our group will have the privilege of experiencing the true spirit of life in the high Andes by spending two unforgettable days with a local family on their farm beside the river: You’ll learn about goat herding the way it has been done for generations, learn to cook and bake traditional bread, and explore the family’s rugged land on horseback. To top it all off, your visit with this local family directly supports their livelihood and helps economically stimulate a region with sustainable tourism, helping preserve both the river and the families who call it home.
QUICK DETAILS
ITINERARY
Group Orientation – Mendoza
Our trip begins in the city of Mendoza. We’ll be staying at the comfortable Hotel Internacional—situated conveniently in the downtown area of the city. At 12:00 PM our group will meet on the rooftop terrace of the hotel for our orientation meeting. We’ll go over things such as equipment, logistics, and an overview of the exciting week ahead. Following our orientation, we’ll make our way to a local grocery store to pick up snacks and additional food items you’d like to bring on the expedition. This is also our last chance to pick up last minute items you might need for your trip. Upon returning to our hotel, you’ll have a couple hours to finalize packing everything you plan to take to the river, inside the 65L Drybags that we will be providing. We’ll have all bags and gear ready to go for an early morning departure the next day. We’ll finish off the day with a 6:00 PM group dinner at a delicious, local favourite Argentine grill!
Meal Included: Dinner
Transport to the Andes – River Starting Point
We depart Mendoza bright and early at 6:00 AM for a six-hour drive toward the high Andes. Our mode of transport will be by private shuttle van. Extra bags and luggage will be left in secure storage near our hotel. Our route traces the rim of the mountain range southward, before climbing its rugged hillsides. By 12:00 PM, we’ll arrive at a stunning alpine valley—our expedition’s starting point. From the drop-off, we have a 3.5km—mostly flat—hike across the valley to reach our first camp, right next to our own hot springs overlooking the valley. The rest of the day can be spent settling in, relaxing, and soaking in copper-coloured natural hot springs, surrounded by sweeping Andean views. A truly spectacular place to start the expedition!
First Full Paddling Day
We begin the day with a 9:00 AM launch after a paddle-safety briefing. Today’s route covers approximately 16km (10mi) on the water, offering a great introduction to the river’s pace and rhythm. We can expect easy paddling as we navigate our way through our first valley. By the afternoon, we’ll arrive at the mouth of the trip’s most dramatic canyon—the Shadow Gorge—and set up camp at its entrance, preparing for tomorrow’s adventure.
Los Oscuros (The Shadow Gorges)
Today, we paddle through the legendary Oscuros—a dramatic and exhilarating stretch of river with towering canyon walls and exciting rapids. It’s the perfect setting to develop and refine your packrafting skills in a fun, engaging environment. You’ll also have plenty of photography opportunities and optional side-hikes to explore connecting side canyons. We’ll stop for lunch beneath striking rock spires, with potential for puma sightings along the way! Our team hasn’t yet seen one, but have found puma footprints in this area! We’ll exit the Obscuros gorge with more exciting rapids along the way, and continue on towards our campsite in a stunning valley. Today’s total paddling distance is ~ 23km.
White Sands – Paddle to Ana & Jacinto’s Puesto (Homestead)
A big day on the river — 36km of paddling through wild, ever-changing landscapes. You can expect fun rapids, serene valleys, and a surreal stop at white sand dunes — which are shocking to see situated in high Andean passes. We should see flocks of Condors flying high—the worlds largest bird of prey! In the afternoon, we’ll arrive at Ana and Jacinto’s remote homestead and farm, where we’ll set up camp on their land and enjoy the warmth of Argentinian hospitality!
Andean Life on the Homestead
A full off-river day to immerse ourselves in life at the farm we find ourselves waking up on. We’ll learn about traditional goat farming, explore their rugged terrain on horseback, or simply relax and enjoy time on their wildly scenic land! You can learn to bake traditional Andean bread with Ana, hear stories of life in the highlands, and learn how responsible tourism protects this unique region from infrastructure and development projects. This day is rich with connection, culture, and meaning.
Final Gorges
We’re back on the river for a 38km paddle as the landscape begins to shift. The canyon gradually opens, and the river widens—supported by more inflowing streams and rivers, we have more fun and wavy rapids to ride. Midday, we’ll explore the site of a proposed hydroelectric dam, gaining insight into the environmental impact a project here could have. Having just spent time with locals who depend on this river, it’s a powerful moment of reflection on what stands to be lost if a dam were to be built here. We’ll camp tonight in the final gorge of our journey.
Into the Meandering Flats
Today, we leave the mountains behind. As we paddle the final 22km, the river transitions into steady, meandering flows and expansive flatlands. We’ll camp in a tranquil riverside spot—our last night under the stars.
Final Paddle – Transfer Back to Mendoza
After a short paddle, we’ll meet our vehicle on the side of the river for the five-hour drive back to Mendoza. Upon arrival, we’ll check back into our hotel, reunite with our luggage, get cleaned up, and head out to celebrate completing our expedition with an tasty dinner in town!
Meal Included: Dinner
Full Day in Mendoza
Enjoy a full day to explore Mendoza at your own pace. Whether it’s visiting local wineries, trying endless bakeries, relaxing in cafés, or picking up souvenirs, it’s a great day to unwind and enjoy the city.
Final Day of the Trip – Mendoza
All good things must come to an end. We’re confident that at this point, you will have made memories of a lifetime, met new friends and community, and will be leaving with a deep sense of appreciation for the Andes, it’s people, it’s culture, and its rivers. Depending on your travel arrangements, we’ll arrange transportation for you to Aeropuerto Internacional El Plumerillo – Mendoza, in time for your flight. Hotel check-out is at 10:00 AM. Our team will be staying in the city of Mendoza beyond these days, so if you have spare hours in between hotel check-out time and your departure flight, you are very welcome to store your luggage at our Airbnb.
Safe travels and we’ll see you on the next one!
SKILL PREREQUISITES
GALLERY
INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS
Included
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Guide Services
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Packraft, Paddle, PFD, Helmet, and 65L Drybag
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Fees and Permits
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Accommodation
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Transportation in Mendoza
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Meals as indicated in the Itinerary
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Personalized 1-1 Planning Calls with Expedition Leaders
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2 Nights Homestay with local family
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Camping stoves, fuel and cookware for preparing meals
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Shared photos and videos from group leaders
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Luggage storage during the expedition
Not Included
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Airfare to and from destination
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Trip Cancellation Insurance or any other Travel Insurance
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Personal Gear (see Personal Packing List below)
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Backpacking Meals and food items on river
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Alcohol
PERSONAL PACKING LIST
Tap on items to expand.
Lightweight and ultralight backpacking tents are best for this trip. Even though we won’t be doing extensive hiking with our packs, keep in mind that weight distribution inside your drybag and packraft affect how your boat will handle whitewater. During portages it’s also best not having unnecessary weight to carry.
We recommend bringing a “footprint” (tarp / material that goes underneath) to add an extra layer of protection against abrasive rocks and puddle sections which can cause water to seep through. If you have a tent that is a little bit older or well used, it’s a good idea to freshen up the waterproofing with Nikwax Water Proof Spray.
Tent rental options may be available in Mendoza through an outdoor equipment shop. Please consult with us for availability and pricing well in advance.
Choose footwear that is comfortable while wet. Shoes should be closed-toed to ensure best protection while walking over rocks or sand. Low-ankle trail runners with good treaded soles are ideal for this expedition. Solomon and Adidas Terrex have great trail runners that we can recommend, but whatever works for you will be fine on this expedition — portages on this trip are flat and easy terrain to walk on.
While we’re at camp, we recommend having breathable sandals to give your feet a break from wearing wet shoes all day. Ideally, the sandals you bring could also be used for short walks or side hikes.
Camp clothes: For dry, chilly evenings at camp — we usually pack 2x long tops (wool), 1x thermal leggings, 2x pairs merino wool socks, a beanie/toque/warm hat.
Clothing for hot, sunny hours spent at camp, side hikes and active homestay days: 1x lightweight hiking pants / comfortable shorts, 1x short sleeve t-shirt / tank top, 1x hiking socks, and a hat.
Insulated Jacket: Nighttime temps can drop to around 4°C (39°F) — for camp we usually pack a lightweight, compressible and warm puffy or fleece jacket.
Town Clothes: While in the city of Mendoza, it’s nice to have some clean city clothes for before and after the river. The temps in the city—highs ~29°C (84°F) and lows ~ 18°C (64°F)—are much warmer than up in the mountains. Whilst in the city of Mendoza we’ll typically do a fair bit of walking and exploring of the town on foot.
This expedition is a warm weather, cold water trip, which entails planning accordingly with versatile “Splash Wear” and/or “Dry Wear” apparel. In short, Splash and Dry Wear garments are designed to keep you dry—against splash water or full submersion depending on the type of garments you use. A full-body Dry Suit qualifies as “Dry Wear”, and if you already have one feel free to bring it on this expedition.
For this trip, we recommend a Splash Jacket (or waterproof rain shell), Splash Pants, and thick Neoprene Socks as essential apparel.
Our extensive pre-trip Planning Guide PDF that you will receive upon booking/registration/joining the group provides a very detailed guide on Splash and Dry Wear recommended for this trip. If you have questions however, please feel free to reach out to us.
Sleeping Bag: For this trip, we recommend bringing a sleeping bag that is warm enough for temperatures slightly below freezing 0°C (32°F) while being relatively compact to avoid taking up too much room in your drybag. While overnight temperatures might not drop below freezing, we recommend erring on the side of warmer vs cooler. Individual preferences vary, so choose based on your comfort with nighttime temperatures at or below 4°C (39°F).
Sleeping Pad: Small, inflatable, compact and lightweight pads are best. We have found that the Nemo Tensor Pad is lightweight, comfortable, and durable. Because of the cold temperatures at night, we recommend bring a sleeping pad that has a high “R-Value”, which signifies the amount of insulation the pad provides against the cold ground.
You might also consider bringing a lightweight inflatable camp pillow. Our guides use Sea to Summit inflatable pillows as they pack down small and are comfortable.
Our drinking water on this expedition will be coming from clean, flowing glacial runoff streams — when streams aren’t available we will filter river water. Although most of the stream water is clean enough to drink without a filter, we always recommend filtering before drinking. There are an array of filtration systems on the market, and because the water is already very clean, most any filtration system will be suitable for this trip.
A few of our recommendations include the Grayl “Press” bottles (best all in one solution), Epic Water Filters “The Answer 2.0” (compatible with Nalgene wide-mouth bottles), and MSR pump filters.
Side hikes will almost always be close to a water source, so it’s not as necessary to have a large water storage unit / bottle on this trip, like it would be on a hiking trip.
The best meal solution for these trips are Backpacking Meal pouches. These are pre-made, freeze-dried and dehydrated meals that are prepared simply by adding water. Popular brands include Mountain House, Peak Refuel, and Backpackers Pantry. Guides will be boiling water for meals two times per day, for breakfast and dinner. For this expedition, you will need a total of 14 backpacking meal pouches — this gives you 2 per each full day in the wilderness (12), plus 1 meal for both half days at the start and end of the expedition (2).
As a group, we’ll be going to a grocery store in Mendoza on Day 1 after Orientation, to pick up any complimentary food or snack items you may want to bring. If there are particular snack products you enjoy from home, you may want to bring those with you, as the supermarkets in Mendoza have limited selection. This visit to the supermarket on Day 1 is also our last chance to pick up any other last minute items you might need on the expedition.
Any personal belongings left outside of the 65L Dry Bag that we provide will get wet at some point on the river. Whether you want to have quick access to your camera gear, or snacks and sunscreen consider bringing a small < 12L drybag which you can keep in between your legs while paddling.
If you are a photographer and plan to bring camera equipment, we recommend the Watershed Ocoee 11L Dry bag. We fully trust these bags with our camera gear.
Primarily for use at camp in the evenings. Our guides use the Black Diamond rechargeable “R” headlamps. Petzl also makes reliable headlamps that we recommend.
A non-essential item, but certainly worth bringing if you have a lightweight one. We’ll almost always be camping on sand, but it is nice to be able to sit in a comfortable chair while at camp.
A lightweight trowel (shovel) is useful for digging cat holes to deposit human waste — when doing so, we’ll adhere to Leave No Trace guidelines. Note: All toilet paper must be packed out, which is why we recommend packing some plastic zip lock bags / small trash bags.
DETAILED LOGISTICS
Backpacking Meals: For this expedition, we recommend travelling to Argentina with a total of 14 Backpacking Meal pouches. This gives you 2 meal pouches for each full day in the wilderness (12 meals), plus 1 meal pouch for each of the half-days at the start and end of the expedition (2 meals). If you’re unfamiliar with Backpacking Meals, here are some article resources from our Blog, which you’ll find helpful:
- What Are Backpacking Meals And Why Are They Ideal For Adventures?
- Why Backpacking Meals Are Not Included On Our Expeditions
- How To Pack Food On Our Expeditions
While it is possible to complete this expedition with an individually designed meal plan using foods from the local grocery stores in Mendoza, the supermarkets in Argentina are much more limited than what you might be accustomed to back home. There are a couple outdoor shops in Mendoza which sell Military MREs (Meals, Ready-to-Eat) — but we are unfamiliar with their quality, and they may not always be available in stores. For these reasons, we recommend travelling to Argentina with your Backpacking Meals provisioned beforehand.
Breakfast and Dinners: Trip leaders will be carrying ultralight cookstoves and cookware, and will be boiling water for you to prepare your big meals twice per day—for breakfast and dinner. If you plan on doing more extensive cooking, you are welcome to use our cookware once everyone has been served water, or you may choose to bring your own lightweight pot or pan and use our stoves at your convenience.
Lunch Stops: We’ll stop for a lunch meal during the day—typically short stops to fuel up with snack foods (ie. fruits, cold meats, trail mix, chocolate) that we keep accessible in our smaller dry bags.
Grocery Store Visit in Mendoza: After we conduct our orientation on Day 1 of the trip, we’ll visit a grocery store in Mendoza to pick up any additional snacks / lunch foods / additional food items that you’d like to bring on the expedition. This is also the last chance to pick up any last minute items you might need for your trip.
Expect warm, sunny days and clear skies—ideal conditions for packrafting through the Andes. February is late summer in the southern hemisphere, meaning stable weather patterns, low precipitation (average daily chance around 14%), and plenty of sunshine. Rain is rare, but participants should still bring appropriate rain gear (rain shell and tent rain-fly) as a precaution.
We’ll begin our journey high in the Andes, where daytime highs average around 21°C (70°F) and nights can dip to 4°C (39°F). Mornings tend to be brisk, and as the day progresses, strong winds often pick up—typically blowing downstream, which works in our favor on the river. As we descend to the lower elevation flatlands, temperatures become milder, with highs around 25°C (77°F) and nights closer to 12°C (54°F).
Most of the trip is fully exposed to sun and wind, so sun protection is key—sunscreen for hands and face is essential, and protective paddling apparel (drywear and splashwear) will help shield you during long days on the river (see “Paddling Clothes” in the Personal Packing List above for gear recommendations). Around camp, especially in the highlands, evenings can be chilly, so bring warm layers for comfort (see Personal Packing List above).
The air is dry, and rapid weather shifts are unlikely but always possible at altitude. Pack lip balm, hydration essentials, and be prepared for strong Andean winds throughout the journey.
This expedition is designed for adventurers with a moderate to good level of physical fitness and experience with self-supported travel. On average, we’ll be paddling 4–6 hours per day, covering distances ranging from 16–36.5 km (10–23 miles), depending on the day. At this time of year, the river is wide, dynamic, and fun, with rapids ranging from Class I to small Class III—nothing overly technical, while remaining exciting and engaging. All rapids can be scouted or portaged if needed, making this trip accessible for those with paddling experience, even if new to packrafting.
The journey begins with a 3.5 km (2.2 mile) hike across flat valley terrain, where you’ll carry your full gear kit (drybags with backpack straps provided). While not a technical hike, you should be comfortable hiking for about an hour with a heavy pack. There are also occasional short portages along our expedition route, which are generally on flat terrain.
This is a DIY-style trip, meaning you’ll be responsible for setting up your own tent, managing your gear, and working as part of a team. While not as strenuous as some of our other expeditions, this is still a remote, off-the-grid journey that requires comfort with camping, wilderness travel, and being unplugged or off-the-grid for several days.
Ideally, you should be comfortable with a bit of discomfort, and excited to embrace the ups and downs of adventure travel. If you’ve done multi-day paddling or backcountry trips before—or have a good fitness base and a positive, flexible mindset—you’ll do absolutely great on this expedition.
GETTING THERE
Your final destination airport is Aeropuerto Internacional El Plumerillo - Mendoza (MDZ). Most travellers from abroad will require a connection at either of the following major hubs: Santiago, Chile; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Lima, Peru; Saõ Paulo, Brazil; Panama City, Panama.
Aeropuerto Internacional El Plumerillo - Mendoza (MDZ) is within a 20 minute—10.5km (6.5mi)—driving distance to downtown Mendoza, which is where Hotel Interncacional is conveniently located. This is the hotel where our group will be staying at on Day 1—and meeting for Orientation. We’ll arrange an easy airport pickup for you when you land.
We highly recommend landing at least a full day, or more, prior to the start date of the expedition in case of any delays or unforeseeable circumstances during your travels to Mendoza. Upon arrival, we can recommend staying at the comfortable Hotel Internacional which is well situated in the heart of downtown Mendoza city. It is also the hotel where our group will meet and commence our trip at.
Visa requirements for entry to Argentina depend on your nationality. Citizens of many countries are allowed to enter Argentina visa-free for stays typically up to 90 days. Here is a great resource which indicates—in coloured map form—which nationality / passports are eligible for visa-free travel to Argentina. If you are from one of these countries, you simply need a valid passport with 6 months validity, for entry.
Travellers from non visa-free countries will need to obtain a tourist visa prior to arrival. Visa applications can be submitted through the Argentinian consulate or embassy in your home country. Processing times and specific requirements can vary, so it’s important to plan ahead and allow enough time for visa approval.
To check whether you need a visa, and for current visa policies, we recommend visiting the following resources—along with doing your own independent research:
Safety in the Province of Mendoza, Argentina is known to be good, and based on our travels, time spent there, and conversations with locals it appears to be a friendly, touristy, and easy-going region. Mendoza doesn’t raise any alarms for being a dangerous or troubled region. Like any destination however, it’s always a good idea to exercise caution and use common sense while travelling.
During our time in the City of Mendoza, our group will be staying in the city centre at safe, clean and reputable hotels. In addition, any and all of our transport services will also be through reputable companies.
As for safety along the river, the region where the canyon is situated is considered to be very safe, and inhabited by rural farming families. We may see them along the river, especially during the later stages as we approach our exit point. The canyon itself doesn’t possess any heightened alarm for geographical dangers apart from reasonably expected dangers associated with river travel. As we will be exploring during late summer, the higher temperatures will have already caused the majority of snow from the previous winter to melt and make its way into the mainstream. We can expect low-flows, with fun class II – III rapids! Geographical characteristics of this river also allow for easy scouting, and portages to be done when needed.
Throughout the second half of the expedition, the canyon runs parallel to a service road which has public access, so in the event of an emergency, re-supply, or early exit, we will have the ability to do so. Our team, along with other members of the group will also be carrying various satellite communicators in the event of an emergency. Specifically, our team will be carrying x2 Garmin InReach Mini Devices, and an Iridium Go Exec Communicator.
As always, we would recommend getting Rescue Insurance coverage for travel activities such as these. Nahua Expeditions has partnered with Global Rescue, the industry leaders in Travel and Rescue Insurance providers. We always encourage our guests to travel with rescue insurance coverage, especially when embarking on wilderness expeditions such as these. We firmly stand behind Global Rescue as the best providers in the industry, and recommend checking out our resource page on Travel and Rescue Insurance.
Local Life & Farm Stay Experience
Ana & Jacinto's Homestead
At around our halfway point along the river, we’ll arrive at a small family’s puesto—a traditional homestead nestled deep in the Andean mountains. For two days, we’ll have the privilege of spending time with this local family, learning how they care for their goats, cook traditionally, and navigate life in one of Argentina’s most remote and beautiful regions. This is not a tourist stop—it’s a rare invitation to see, connect, and experience the rhythm and culture of rural life in the Andes.
What This Experience Looks Like
Our time at the homestead offers a grounded contrast to the movement of the river—an invitation to take part in daily life of the people who live here. You’ll learn how livestock is raised and cared for in this environment, and what it means to live closely with the animals that sustain you. You can choose to step into Ana’s kitchen and help bake fresh Andean bread using traditional methods, or ride horses into the hills with Jacinto for a glimpse of the terrain they steward every day. During your time here, you’ll also learn about the very real environmental challenges facing families like Ana and Jacinto—namely, the threat of large-scale damming in this region. Through conversation and presence, you’ll see how thoughtful tourism can directly support the people and places that make this expedition so special.
Your Impact & Why This River Matters
Since the early 2000s, a massive hydroelectric dam project has been proposed along this river. Planned within a lower gorge, it would become one of the largest dams in Argentina, with seven additional dams outlined along the same waterway. While intended to supply renewable energy to Argentina’s power grid, the environmental and human impact would be devastating. If even just the initial dam is completed, entire valleys would be flooded, displacing over 200 families who live alongside the river—north of the proposed dam site. Hundreds of thousands of farmers downstream—some as far as the Atlantic—could lose critical access to irrigation. The river’s ecosystems would be permanently altered, and recreational access would likely vanish entirely.
But there is hope. Thanks to local resistance, legal challenges, and political delays, the project has stalled. As of now, no progress has been made since 2021. While this indefinite pause is a victory, permanent protection can only come through the creation of a thriving, invested community around this river. That’s where sustainable tourism comes in. When people explore a place, they begin to care about it. Through low-impact, adventure-based travel, a network of locals and visitors who value this river for its ecological richness—not its energy output—can be built. Tourism makes dam projects harder to justify—and sometimes, impossible to build.
Nahua Expeditions’ strength is developing trips to challenging destinations where logistics, communication, and operations are inherently challenging. Through extensive conversations with locals and regional tourism contacts, we are confident that creating expeditions here has the potential to attract sustainable tourism and positively impact the region’s economy through outdoor recreation around its rivers.
Whilst we are currently refraining from naming this river online, our pilot expedition alongside local kayakers and river enthusiasts of Mendoza will set the groundwork for proper infrastructure and available resources for future visitors. We will update this page in June 2026 with progress reports and detailed information for planning river travel here.
The river and tributaries that we paddle on this expedition are considered to be dangerous throughout most of the year, and without proper planning, local contacts and local support, we don’t recommend attempting to raft or kayak this river on your own. **Very specific planning is required in order to successfully descend this river.** If you have extensive paddling experience and would like to look into paddling this river on your own, reach out to our team via email and we’ll be happy to steer you in the right direction.
Regions that are this special are few and far between, so let’s take care of them, and ensure that they last for future generations to enjoy!
OUR COMMUNITY
Passionate Exploration
When we founded Nahua Expeditions, our goal was about more than simply sharing the spectacular places we know. We set out to create a vibrant community of passionate adventurers; individuals who are seeking authentic exploration, new friends and community in the adventure travel space, and are driven to push their limits while discovering locations that few people in the world get to see.
Connecting Through Adventure
On our expeditions, you’ll have the opportunity to meet interesting people from all around the world. People who often bring different talents and expertise from a wide range of backgrounds. If this is your first time joining us on a trip, you will feel that one of the lasting takeaways from the expeditions we organize, are the friendships and connections made during the journey. Whether you’re an experienced mountaineer, or new to the outdoors, you’ll find a strong community here.