Torres del Paine River Kayak
on Grey & Serrano Rivers
Torres del Paine River Kayak is a chance to paddle down two of the great Torres del Paine rivers, namely Grey and Serrano. With a start on Grey Lake, the scenery on a clear day will be spectacular, including Grey Glacier in the distance and the Cuernos of Paine also. If you want to kayak in Patagonia and cannot make it to Grey Glacier Kayak then this is the next best thing, or even the “best thing” if you prefer paddling on rivers.
Getting Ready on Grey Beach
Kayakers on Grey Lake at the Start of River Grey
Kayaking on Grey River with Cuernos in the Background
Torres del Paine River Kayak
Grey & Serrano Rivers
Guided Half Day and Full Day
Operated between October to April
Subject to local weather conditions
FULL REFUND IF ACTIVITY CANNOT BE OPERATED
Introduction to Torres del Paine River Kayak
Note: We offer this activity to be built into your main itinerary and not as a standalone.
Apart from the kayaking option based near to Glacier Grey, for those who cannot get to Refugio or Camping Grey, we have other kayaking possibilities based at the Serrano village, in the western end of Torres del Paine. From the Big Foot base at the entrance to the Serrano village, check-in is between 08:00hrs and 09:00hrs for the full day kayak and at the same times, or at 15:30hrs for the half day kayak. To be in position you will either need a previous night here in Serrano village, or we will need to transport you here from somewhere else in Torres del Paine.
The company offering this activity will transport you to the start area where the Grey Beach is. At this location you will get suited up with the gear, supplied to you, on Grey beach. After this, you will get into your kayak and paddle what is called Pingo River, and on to the Grey Lake Peninsula. At this point you will, effectively be kayaking on Grey lake and on clear day the glacier at the far end can be seen. Moving on from this point the route will lead into Grey River, which comes from Grey Lake. Further down river you will be able to see the magnificent Cuernos of Torres del Paine in the distance. After about 3hrs you will stop for lunch, then continue after lunch in the confluence sector where Grey River meets Serrano River, until entering only Serrano River, eventually arriving back at Serrano village.
The half-day River Kayak follows the same itinerary, but only up to Grey Bridge and lasts only 3hrs.
Torres del Paine River Kayak on Grey & Serrano Rivers
Check-in at the Big Foot base near the Serrano Village Entrance between 08:00hrs – 09:00hrs for the full day Kayak, and at these same times or at 15:30hrs for the half day kayak.
The Kayak expedition lasts around 6hrs for the full day and 4hrs for the half day.
Included:
At the base camp you will be supplied with a neoprene suit, waterproof jacket and boots, “poogies” (kayak gloves), kayak skirt and a lifejacket. In the safety briefing you will get to “know your kayak”, paddle, route and conditions.
Clothes you need to bring are the same as the clothes you should have brought with you for trekking – see our link below.
Kayak Request here: request@experiencechile.org
Q. What Clothes Should I Pack for the River Kayak?
Hiking the Torres del Paine W Trek Trail & River Kayak
Suggestion on What to Pack in Your Luggage
Most important is what we aim to do here is advise you on what to pack in your suitcase (or backpack) and bring with you when coming to any part of Patagonia, be it land or sea. Moreover, the weather here has one constant, which is change! It is often windy, and it can rain or offer beautiful sunshine within the space of an hour. Therefore, please bring the right clothing to keep yourself dry and warm. Further below there is a graphic detailing what you should, ideally, bring with you.
Layered Clothing is the Answer
At least try to bring LAYERS of breathable clothes that can be taken off or put on easily to adapt to any change in weather and as you heat up and cool down on a trek. For example, cotton undershirts are NOT recommended – see below.
Above all, travel light. For example, take a day backpack for the trek days.
Suggested Clothes to Wear
As an illustration, please see our dedicated “Clothes to Bring” illustration below (scroll down).
On Your Feet
To begin with you need “hiking boots”. In other words, boots that are durable, but strong and especially WATERPROOF. In addition, if you have gaiters also bring these. Above all break-in any new boots well before arrival.
Also, a pair of flip flops for indoors. It should be noted that the refugios demand that you take off outdoor footwear when you enter the building.
By the same token, bring socks that are for hiking use, that fit well within your hiking boots, and maybe 3 pairs. These socks should be a little thicker than your normal socks.
Over Your Legs
For the purpose of practicality, hiking pants as well as a waterproof outer shell to go over your hiking pants if it rains are the best option. In addition, optional underwear such as synthetic leggings to go under your trekking pants are also useful if it gets cold.
For Your Upper Body
Most important, here you need to have “layered” clothing. This is because you get hot when trekking, therefore you need to be able to take layers off as well as put them on when you cool down.
Ideally, you will need a long sleeved under vest. This should be in a synthetic material. Why? Because you will sweat when you trek, and the synthetic material will dry more quickly than cotton material. If you are trekking in the summer and it is hot, you may not need to wear this undervest, but take one anyway in case the weather changes to be cold.
In addition, over the under vest, you will need a shirt, long sleeved ideally. Therefore, this can be considered to be a second layer.
Covering your second layer you need a fleece or similar, ideally with a front zipper so you can undo it or close it up with ease.
Finally, to cover everything you will need an outer jacket with a hood, and this needs to be waterproof and if is not, take another outer shell which is waterproof.
Around Your Neck
It should be noted that even if the rest of your body is covered and snug, bring a scarf or neck muff – this is very useful if it is cold, and easily taken off if it is hot.
Covering Your Hands
Most important, don’t forget your gloves! These are required specifically for when you are close to ice, like Glacier Grey or even at the Torres Base, where the air is cold. Again, waterproof is the way to go.
On Top of Your Head
Bring a head band to cover the ears – because they can get very cold. In addition, try to bring a hat like a woollen “beanie”.
Protection from the Sun
Most important: Pack the sunscreen cream.
For When you are Thirsty
Also, bring a water Bottle.
To Protect Your Eyes
Equally important, pack a pair of sunglasses. The light reflection from glaciers, snow and just brightly lit days can be strong.
Other Useful Items to Include in Your Luggage
Must be remembered: Portable USB Charger
Of course, a Travel Towel
Also, to help with sleeping when in a shared accommodation environment: ear Plugs, eye mask and maybe sleeping pills.
By all means bring both Cash and a Credit Card
Most important: Passport for check-in and TOURIST ENTRY VISA – given to you when you pass through Chile immigration.
What ExperienceChile.Org says about
Torres del Paine River Kayak
Not everyone will be able to make it to where the kayak starts for the Glacier Grey kayak, due to logistics or because the spaces are sold out. Therefore, the Torres del Paine River kayak is a great alternative. Starting on Grey Lake, then entering Grey River and leading into Serrano River, will allow you to experience paddling along two great rivers amid some of Patagonia’s wildest scenery. Therefore, if you have a half or full day available and really want to kayak, these two options mentioned on this page should do the trick!
Note that we have been creating Torres del Paine W Trek itineraries and other Patagonian itineraries since 1996. We are based in Chile, English owned, and a leading receptive travel operator, covering in particular – Patagonia.
Send Your Enquiry to here: request@experiencechile.org
Please Send Us Your Enquiry
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VIP
In the event that you are a VIP in any of the fields such as celebrity and/or political and/or business, and you need “special attention”. For example, privacy and/or security for your trip please use an alias in the enquiry but mention that you are VIP and one of the directors will handle your request and keep your real name and details confidential.
OFFER
Ask us to handle ALL of your South America, or Chile trip and we WILL include some items for free or at special lower-than-public rates. How much we can offer you depends on how much we can arrange and book for you. REQUEST@EXPERIENCECHILE.ORG
Remember, our specialty is to create a travel itinerary custom-built to your needs.