Orvis Week at Estancia del Zorro

DATES:Check back soon for new dates!

LENGTH OF TRIP: 7 nights, 6 days guided fishing

PRICING: From $6,250 per angler
Call Orvis Adventures for non-angler, and private room and guide pricing.

What Is Included?

Each angler package includes:

• 7 nights of accommodations
• 6 days of guided fly fishing
• 1-week Chilean fishing license
• All flies and use of waders, boots, and rods if needed
• All meals and beverages, including house wine and beer
• Transportation to and from the lodge from Balmaceda Airport (BBA)
• Laundry service

Not included:

• International Airfare or special transfers
• Guide & staff gratuities
• Trip Cancellation insurance

Day 1: Arrive at Estancia del Zorro

Your Patagonia fly fishing trip begins at Balmaceda Airport (BBA), where a representative from Zorro will pick you up for the 1.5-hour drive to the lodge. Flights from Santiago arrive in Balmaceda multiple times per day. Please schedule your flight to arrive in the early afternoon. You will settle in and freshen up before dinner, drinks, and relaxation.

Days 2-7: Six Full Days of Fishing

After breakfast each morning, you will head out for your day of fishing. At Estancia del Zorro, the fishing is focused primarily on the Zorro spring creek and other spring creeks across the Argentina border. The Zorro is home to brown trout averaging about 20", with larger fish caught regularly. You’ll also have opportunities to fish larger rivers like the Ñirehuao River and various ponds and lakes that all hold large brown and rainbow trout.

Day 8: Depart Estancia del Zorro

After breakfast or lunch, you will gather your gear together for the drive back to Balmaceda and your afternoon flight back to Santiago, or on to your next adventure! If a week at Estancia del Zorro is not enough, you may want to extend your trip with “The Game Changer” to explore some of the least fished parts of Patagonia.

The Estancia del Zorro Fly Fishing Lodge is located in the Coyhaique Alto mountain range, on the border with Argentina. The lodge has six large rooms, each with two king-sized beds and a wonderful view of the estancia and the Zorro spring creek. Attached to the main building is the dining room where breakfast and dinner will be served, as well as lunch while fishing on the estancia. Adjacent to the main building is the “quincho,” an enclosed area with a center fireplace for cooking BBQ over a woodfire. The chef will prepare an “asado” in the traditional way for you and your fellow guests as you enjoy some of the best Chilean wines. While the lodge’s location and size provide the feeling of remoteness, the city of Coyhaique is just 40-minutes away.

The fishing at Estancia del Zorro is focused primarily on the Zorro spring creek and other spring creeks across the Argentina border. The Zorro holds brown trout, averaging about 20", with larger fish caught regularly. You’ll also have opportunities to fish larger rivers like the Ñirehuao River and various ponds and lakes that all hold large brown trout. The dry-fly fishing is consistent most of the season due to abundant terrestrial life in the region on both the rivers and lakes. You can almost always entice a fish to rise to your fly, especially on the spring creeks. Streamer fishing can also be productive, especially in the lakes and later in the season. The guides are all bi-lingual Chileans from around Patagonia. They are great with anglers of all abilities, and their passion for the region really shows in their enthusiasm and dedication.

Meals & Dining

All meals are provided, either in the lodge or on the river. You'll enjoy a mix of local favorites as well as other internationally inspired dishes. Continental and made to order breakfast will fill you up before you head out for your day on the water. If you're fishing on the estancia, you can return to the lodge for lunch; otherwise you'll take it with you to maximize your time on the water. Lunches consist of local meats and cheeses, sandwiches, and soups. After fishing, you'll return to the estancia to freshen up before hors d'oeuvres and pre-dinner drinks. Chilean wines and spirits are included with lunch and dinner. If you have any allergies or dietary requests, please let your Orvis representative know to ensure the chef is aware and can make the necessary arrangements.

Species

Brown and Rainbow Trout.

Region/Terrain

Coyhaique Alto mountains on the Chile-Argentina border.

Typical Weather

Daytime highs range from 40°-80°F throughout the season. The climate in Chilean Patagonia is similar to that in the Western United States, so it can change rapidly. Anglers should always be prepared for variable conditions throughout the day and week. It is best to dress in layers to adapt adequately. The open pampas or high mountain planes are often windy, and sudden storms are always a possibility but often pass quickly.

How Many People Can Go On This Trip?

6.

What Fly-Fishing Experience Do I Need For This Trip?

All skill levels welcome.

What Am I Responsible For?

Not included:

• International Airfare or special transfers
• Guide & staff gratuities
• Trip Cancellation insurance

Gear Recommendations

Fly rods:
The most common are 9 foot, 5- or 6-wt. We always recommend bringing extra rods, 5-, 6-, or 7-wt. There are different kinds of rivers, from the small meandering spring creeks to bigger rivers where we float. You could be using a 5-wt. on one day and a 7-wt. the next.

Fly Lines:
Weight forward floating, sinking lines, shooting heads, or full sinking. Range 150-250g. The most common is 200g or similar.

Leaders:
7½ ft., 2X and 9 ft., 3X, 4X diameter. For tippet materials, use 2X, 3X, 4X and 5X.

Flies:
The most common family of flies in Patagonia are big foam dries. Streamers and nymphs are necessary too, depending on fishing conditions."

What Else To Bring?

• Heavy rain jacket (wind and rainproof)
• Fleece or wool sweater
• Fleece hat
• Polarized sunglasses
• Breathable waders
• Wading shoes, full felt on the bottom, studded or cleats are not recommended
• Sunblock 30 USP, waterproof

How Strenuous Are The Activities?

Not strenuous.

Is This a Child Friendly Trip?

Children are permitted.

Additional Activities

Estancia Del Zorro has several great activities in addition to world-class fishing. The area where the lodge is located in an ideal location to watch for Andean condors, which can often be seen soaring overhead. For the more adventurous guests, day trips hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding can be arranged. If you’d like to experience the local culture, the nearby city of Coyhaique is known for its locally made goods that can be purchased at the outdoor markets around the city square.

Reservations, Deposits & Payments

The deposit is 50% of the trip price unless stated differently in the trip proposal and materials (trip planner and confirmation email). In some cases, deposits are non-refundable, this depends on the destination and will be clearly noted in the trip proposal and materials as well. Deposits may be made by check or credit card: Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover Card. The balance of the trip cost is due 90 days before departure, except where specified differently on individual itineraries. The balance will be charged automatically to the credit card used for the deposit, unless otherwise specified. Any changes made to the method of payment after the final balance has been collected are subject to processing fees.

A reservation form and release are required prior to departure.

All prices must be paid in U.S. dollars. Deposits are not transferable from one trip to another.

Prices quoted are based on foreign exchange values and tariffs currently in effect and prices are subject to change. Orvis Adventures reserves the right to adjust prices accordingly until the time of departure.

Planning information

When your reservation is confirmed, you will receive planning information to guide you through trip preparations. Details about arrival and departure, clothing and equipment, trip cancellation insurance, pre- and post- trip extensions, visas and documents and activities are included in the planning information.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Although cancellation fees may be higher for some trips (stated in the trip proposal and materials), the following minimum cancellation fees will apply:

For trips that include an Orvis gift card or Orvis merchandise, the retail value of the gift card or merchandise is non-refundable upon delivery. Cancellation fees cannot be waived for any reason, including health, business or personal emergencies, or weather.

We strongly urge you to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

No refunds will be made for unused portions of a trip, including late arrival or early departure. Guide fees and hotel costs are not refundable if unused as outlined in the itinerary. Orvis reserves the right to modify an itinerary due to circumstances beyond our control. In the unlikely event that Orvis must cancel a tour, all payments received to date will be refunded, which constitutes a full settlement.

Orvis is not responsible for expenses incurred in preparation of any canceled trip, including airline tickets and visas fees.

Cancellation Insurance

Your planning information includes information for travel insurance covering cancel for any reason, cancellation for medical reasons, trip delay, medical expenses, lost baggage and medical evacuation. We urge you to obtain this coverage.

Share policies

Trip prices are based on double occupancy. Single rooms & cabins are limited. If you request a single room, a single supplement will apply as noted in the itinerary. We will confirm the single room as early as possible, but in some cases it may not be earlier than 30 days prior to the trip. If you request a roommate, we can usually pair you with another guest of the same gender, and no single supplement will apply. If you request a roommate, and one is not available, we will only charge you the single supplement if required by the lodge or facility used in the trip.

Children under 18 must share a room with a parent or other family member. In some cases this may be waived.

Passports and documents

International trips require a passport. Check your passport early and make sure it has six months validity at the time of travel. A visa is needed in some countries and we will send you complete details and instructions.

Arrival and Departure

Group transfers from a central location such as an airport are described in the itinerary, and are included in the land cost.. Transfers are not included in the land cost if you arrive early or leave after the scheduled departure day.

Equipment & Clothing

You will receive a detailed list of appropriate gear with your trip planning information.

Airline reservations

The land cost of your trip does not include airfare.

Limitation of liability

This section defines Orvis Travel’s responsibility with regard to all travel arrangements made by Orvis Travel, including individual travel and pre- and post- trip extensions. Please read it carefully.

Upon sending your deposit to Orvis Travel, you acknowledge that you have read and understand all the terms and conditions outlined here, and agree to be bound by them.

All trips that involve outdoor sporting activities such as shooting or fishing, or travel through remote places by vehicle, boat, small plane or on foot, put you at risk for accidents and serious injuries in the normal course of the activity. That is the nature of travel to such destinations and you acknowledge that you accept these hazards as a condition of participation.

Orvis Travel, its Owners, Employees, Associates and Agents give notice that they act only as the agent for the owners, contractors and suppliers providing means of transportation and/or other services and assume no responsibility howsoever caused for injury, loss or damage to person or property in connection with any service resulting directly from: acts of God, detention, annoyance, delays, expenses arising from quarantine, strikes, thefts, pilferage, force majeure, failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, civil disturbances, terrorism, government restrictions or regulations, and discrepancies or changes in transit or hotel services over which it has no control. Reasonable changes in the itinerary may be made where deemed advisable for the comfort and well-being of the passengers.

Baggage and personal effects, including items purchased, guns, fishing equipment or sporting goods are the sole responsibility of the owners at all times and no employee/agent of Orvis Travel, its subsidiaries, affiliated or associated companies is authorized to accept these for storage, safekeeping, or transportation.