THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Spend a half-day trekking to a secluded lagoon then packraft a calm section of the Olivia River beneath the snow-capped Andes. Low intensity and guide-led, this outing pairs simple hiking with an hour of paddling and a riverside lunch.
Spend a half-day trekking to a secluded lagoon then packraft a calm section of the Olivia River beneath the snow-capped Andes. Low intensity and guide-led, this outing pairs simple hiking with an hour of paddling and a riverside lunch.
A low, misty morning loosens from the Andes as participants shoulder light inflatable boats and step off across sphagnum-streaked peat bogs. The trek to Mariposa (Butterfly) Lagoon is quietly deliberate—short, muddy, threaded with lenga and coihue—then opens to water that reflects snow-rimmed peaks. Inflating boats and a quick skills briefing puncture the hush; soon paddles dip and the Olivia River begins to carry the group downstream.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by TAUN USHUAIA · Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego Province
A low, misty morning loosens from the Andes as participants shoulder light inflatable boats and step off across sphagnum-streaked peat bogs. The trek to Mariposa (Butterfly) Lagoon is quietly deliberate—short, muddy, threaded with lenga and coihue—then opens to water that reflects snow-rimmed peaks. Inflating boats and a quick skills briefing puncture the hush; soon paddles dip and the Olivia River begins to carry the group downstream.
The route follows waterways carved by glaciers and fed by Andean melt, a landscape shaped by recent ice and older tectonic uplift. Tierra del Fuego’s human history threads through the area too: coastal Yamana communities and later European settlers left sparse traces, while today eco-tourism replaces extractive industries. Along the banks, introduced North American beavers alter channels and native lenga forest holds the slow drama of regrowth.
Practically, this is a half-day outing—about 40 minutes of easy trekking and roughly an hour of guided paddling with time for a riverside lunch where a small tributary meets the Olivia. Guides provide helmets, trekking poles, and boat inflation; basic flotation and technique are taught on-site, so no expert skills are required. Expect wet footing, variable winds, and sudden sun on clear days.
Bring layered waterproof clothing, footwear that can get muddy, and a mind for Leave No Trace: the route is intimate and fragile. For travelers based in Ushuaia, this trip is an efficient way to feel the Andes’ edge, moving between forest, bog, and river while watching glaciers hold the skyline.
easy.
5 hours.
Light aerobic fitness—able to walk 40 minutes on uneven ground and paddle at a relaxed pace for about an hour.
No—guides provide a safety briefing and basic paddling instruction; the river sections used are suited to beginners.
The land approach is a low-intensity, roughly 40-minute walk across peat bogs and native forest to the launch point.
Guides supply inflatable packrafts, helmets, flotation devices, trekking poles, some clothing rental options, and a riverside lunch; transfers from Ushuaia are typically included.
The outing is low intensity and suitable for many ages, but not recommended for people with severe back, heart conditions, or pregnancy; check provider age and health policies before booking.
The Fuegian archipelago carries traces of indigenous Yamana and Selk'nam presence; later 19th-century settlement and industry reshaped the landscape but pockets of native forest remain.
This region faces pressure from invasive beavers and fragile peat ecosystems—staying on paths, packing out waste, and following guide instructions helps protect riverbanks and native vegetation.
TAUN USHUAIA operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
A low, misty morning loosens from the Andes as participants shoulder light inflatable boats and step off across sphagnum-streaked peat bogs. The trek to Mariposa (Butterfly) Lagoon is quietly deliberate—short, muddy, threaded with lenga and coihue—then opens to water that reflects snow-rimmed peaks. Inflating boats and a quick skills briefing puncture the hush; soon paddles dip and the Olivia River begins to carry the group downstream.
A low, misty morning loosens from the Andes as participants shoulder light inflatable boats and step off across sphagnum-streaked peat bogs. The trek to Mariposa (Butterfly) Lagoon is quietly deliberate—short, muddy, threaded with lenga and coihue—then opens to water that reflects snow-rimmed peaks. Inflating boats and a quick skills briefing puncture the hush; soon paddles dip and the Olivia River begins to carry the group downstream.
The route follows waterways carved by glaciers and fed by Andean melt, a landscape shaped by recent ice and older tectonic uplift. Tierra del Fuego’s human history threads through the area too: coastal Yamana communities and later European settlers left sparse traces, while today eco-tourism replaces extractive industries. Along the banks, introduced North American beavers alter channels and native lenga forest holds the slow drama of regrowth.
Practically, this is a half-day outing—about 40 minutes of easy trekking and roughly an hour of guided paddling with time for a riverside lunch where a small tributary meets the Olivia. Guides provide helmets, trekking poles, and boat inflation; basic flotation and technique are taught on-site, so no expert skills are required. Expect wet footing, variable winds, and sudden sun on clear days.
Bring layered waterproof clothing, footwear that can get muddy, and a mind for Leave No Trace: the route is intimate and fragile. For travelers based in Ushuaia, this trip is an efficient way to feel the Andes’ edge, moving between forest, bog, and river while watching glaciers hold the skyline.