Best of Argentina Combination Trip
Jan. 25 - Feb. 1, 2025 | Starting at $7,175 — An exquisite combined fly-fishing trip to two destination lodges in Patagonia during a single 'Best of Argentina' week!
Best of Argentina Combination Trip
Jan. 25 - Feb. 1, 2025 | Starting at $7,175 — An exquisite combined fly-fishing trip to two destination lodges in Patagonia during a single 'Best of Argentina' week!
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Jeremy Kehrein
Best of Argentina Combination Trip
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At Estancia Tecka, guests will stay at the Headquarters Lodge, the original house dating back to the 1920s on the Rio Tecka. With newly renovated rooms and friendly staff treating you to real Argentine hospitality, you will be comfortable and well-positioned to take advantage of the vast fishing resources. There’s room for up to 10 anglers at Headquarters, and each facility and each room has its own private bathroom. Wireless is available at the lodge but is sometimes limited. Staff can cater to limited-mobility anglers. Headquarters lodge has cellphone coverage.
Carrileufu River Lodge is situated in the middle of a complex network of lakes and rivers located between the snowcapped Andes and the arid steppes of Chubut Province. This area provides anglers with ideal access to some of the best fly fishing in Patagonia. Located on the border of Los Alerces National Park, near Cholila, there is access to the Carrileufu and Rivadavia Rivers. Los Alerces, founded in 1937, was one of the first national parks in South America and boasts numerous mountain lakes and rivers with wild trout. You will float and wade in gin-clear water with strong trout populations. The new lodge was finished in 2014 and is currently managed by Pancho Panzer, a friendly, professional fly-fishing guide with an infectious enthusiasm for fly fishing in this scenic mountain valley. The Lodge was built to make anglers feel comfortable. There are six spacious double rooms with queen-sized beds for 12 guests. While intimate when you want it to be, there is also a large gathering room offering beautiful views of the Tres Picos Mountains and space for sharing stories from the day. The lodge has Wi-Fi internet access so you’re not entirely isolated.
Meals:
Guests will get to enjoy authentic Argentinian dishes served by local chefs and staff who will take care of you. Both lodges have a great selection of local wines. Beer and wine are included with dinner. If you prefer not to drink alcohol just let the staff know and they will have plenty of delicious alternatives for you.
Day 1 - Arrival:
Your trip begins at Esquel Airport (EQS), where a representative from each lodge, Estancia Tecka and Carrileufu, will gather you and your group to drive you to your lodges. Half of the group will head to Carrileufu River Lodge, and the other half will go to Estancia Tecka Lodge. The drive from the airport to the lodges is around 2.5 – 3 hours. After you arrive at the lodge, you will settle into your room and have time to explore the property before enjoying a great dinner, while guides talk to the group about what to expect for the next few days.
Days 2-4 – Fishing:
Each group will enjoy three nights and three full days of fishing at Estancia Tecka or Carrileufu.
Day 4 – Groups Switch Lodges:
After a full fishing day, you will head to the town of El Bolson (about an hour's drive) where you will meet the staff for your next lodge. For the group that started at Estancia Tecka, they will head to Carrileufu. For the group that started at Carrileufu, they will go to Estancia Tecka. The total transfer takes about 2.5 hours and you will be at the lodge in time for dinner. The transfer is included in the package.
Days 5-7 – Fishing at new lodge:
Each group will enjoy 4 nights and 3 full days of fishing at Estancia Tecka or Carrileufu.
Day 8 – Depart for Home:
After breakfast or lunch, you will gather your gear for the drive back to Esquel (EQS) and your afternoon flight back to Buenos Aires and connections to the US.
*Please note that this itinerary is subject to change.
The Fishing: Estancia Tecka Lodge:
The fishing is reserved for fly-fishing only; the Rio Corcovado runs wild and clear across the pampas and through 45 miles of the vast Tecka Ranch. Tecka’s guides lead you to isolated deep pools full of beautiful rainbows, with opportunities to catch large browns and brook trout. You will access some of Patagonia’s most carefully protected and managed waters by drift boat, and fish with nothing but the horizon to obstruct your cast. The Corcovado cuts across a territory famous for its beauty before entering Chile as the Rio Palena.
Guests will also fish the Tecka, which is a classic spring creek with a low gradient and slow-moving, smooth, clear water. This intimate fishery will have you sight-casting to a large population of rainbow, brown, and brook trout. The fishing in Tecka Spring Creek requires finer tippets and techniques than those required in the Rio Corcovado, but you will find that the Tecka’s trout are more than willing to take a well-presented fly. The Tecka has enough unique water that an angler could fish this one river for their entire stay and not fish the same pool twice.
A Typical Day Fishing at Estancia Tecka Lodge:
After breakfast each morning you will head out to your fishing for the day. Most of the fishing will be done on the Tecka river and will be wade fishing, which is about a 15–30-minute drive from the lodge. If guests would like to float, it is normally about an hour's drive to the Corcovado River from Headquarters Lodge. Typically, guests will return to the lodge for lunch and a siesta before heading back out to the river in the mid-afternoon, but lunch out on the water is also available. You will usually fish until dark and then return to the lodge for supper around 8 or 9 PM. The siesta is shorter and dinner is served earlier during the shorter days at the beginning and end of the season. At dinner each evening, you will plan out the fishing for the following day. You can fish either the Rio Corcovado or the Rio Tecka spring creek.
The Fishing: Carrileufu River Lodge:
Trout were introduced to this region at the turn of the 20th Century and have bred in the wild without further intervention. The primary species sought by anglers are rainbow trout, brown trout, and landlocked Atlantic salmon. Trout in these waters are plentiful and can be larger in average than most US Western destinations. The main watershed fished by Carrileufu River Lodge begins in the Tres Picos Mountains, where snowmelt feeds the Lago Cholila and ends at the Rio Grande. The clarity of the rivers allows anglers to enjoy sight fishing as well as prospecting from a raft with large attractor flies. The waters predominantly fished by the lodge’s guides are the Rio Rivadavia, Rio Carrileufu, Rio Chubut, Lago Menendez, and several small tributaries that can hold surprisingly large fish. From the lodge, you and expert guides will explore the region, stalk large brown trout on crystal-clear spring creeks, float the world-famous Rio Rivadavia, and fish the nearby Carrileufu.
A Typical Day at Carrileufu River Lodge:
Eat an energizing breakfast and then you’re off! During your stay, you will work with your guides to decide which waters you will fish based on water levels, weather, and individual interests. Only four miles long, the Rio Rivadavia is floated for a full day and will provide you with frequent opportunities to sight fish. You may also have the chance to visit one of the river’s small spring creek tributaries before finishing your day on the shores of Lago Verde. The Rio Carrileufu is home to wild trout and landlocked Atlantic salmon and is best fished by rafts, although there are opportunities to get out and wade productive runs and riffles. The Rio Chubut, along with other rivers and lakes nearby, are also daily options. Each day, you’ll enjoy a hearty lunch on the bank of the river or lake you're fishing to fuel you through the afternoon. Following fishing, you’ll return to the lodge to freshen up and enjoy appetizers and drinks with the rest of the group. Dinner will be served each evening in the dining room.
What is Included?
- All meals and accommodations in double rooms
- All beverages, including wines, soft drinks, and limited spirits
- Guided fishing (two anglers per guide)
- Laundry
- Transfers to/from the lodges for arrival and departure
What is Not Included?
- International and domestic flights
- Fishing equipment
- Gratuities
- Special transfers or extensions
How many people are on this trip?
16 maximum.
What skill level is suggested?
All skill levels are welcome.
How strenuous are the activities?
The trip can be tailored to an individual’s fitness level.
Is this a child-friendly trip?
Children are permitted. Parents should use their discretion regarding their children's level of maturity and patience if they will be joining the trip as an angler.
What other activities are available?
Although this trip is designed for the bucket-list angler, both lodges do have non-angling opportunities that include the following: Carrileufu River lodge offers a wide variety of hiking and horseback riding trips, from very easy to more demanding, and from just a few hours to a full-day experience. They also offer different types of massage and sauna and Argentine wine tastings. Estancia Tecka Lodge offers Birdwatching Trekking Estancia Tour. Please inquire with Orvis Adventures if you would like to experience something outside the list above.
What is the typical weather?
The summer air temperatures average around 70 – 90 degrees Fahrenheit. February is the warmest and driest month with temperatures that may reach the mid to upper 80s – 90s during the day. The climate is very similar to Montana’s Rocky Mountains. It's best to check the local weather forecast just prior to your trip for the most accurate weather conditions.
What gear do you recommend?
Layering is the best strategy when in Patagonia. We recommend technical clothing designed for fly fishing and outdoor pursuits. Synthetic-blend sweaters, short and long-sleeved shirts and bottoms, long underwear, windbreakers, wool socks, etc. will work as well. Big temperature changes can occur in hours in the mountains, so make sure you are prepared. Must-have items: breathable rain jacket, hat, polarized sunglasses, and sunscreen. A detailed packing list will be sent to guests upon booking.
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. Beginning November 1st, 2024 a convenience fee of 3% will be applied to all credit card transactions. 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:
Days Prior to Trip | Fee |
+ 90 days | $300 per person |
89 days or less | 100% of cost |
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.