Traful River	Arroyo Verde Lodge	Estancia Arroyo Verde

Wild and Exotic information on Bella Vista, Rio Gallegos

 Bella Vista is a well-refurbished house on a working estancia which has been established since 1995. Besides the Rio Gallegos, this exclusive lodge offers superb fishing for giant sea-trout in a stunning location.

Accommodation: There are five rooms: one single and four doubles. All rooms are en-suite with baths and showers. Spacious and furnished in a clean, white minimalist style

Activities: Specialist fishing lodge

Children: No

Drinks: All drinks included

Equipment: 3 loaner rods and tackle subject to $250 breakage fee, waders subject to availability. Tackle shop sells Sage rods, reels, Polaroid’s, etc.

How to get there: Flights every day from Buenos Aires to Rio Gallegos, or a five hour road transfer from Calafate (transfer from Calafate extra charge). Most guests arrive and depart on a Saturday from Buenos Aires. The food is of an excellent standard and guests all eat together in a lovely dining room. As ATOL licence holders 6445, Wild and Exotic can book the return international and domestic flights necessary for this holiday.

Internet: Yes, available for a small cost ($5 for 15 mins, $2 per minute for international telephone).

Laundry: Extra cost US$2.50 per item.

Outline of daily routine: Breakfast 8am, departure for fishing 9am, return for lunch approx 1.30 (unless furthest beat, in which case lunch at hut besides river). Afternoon fishing starts 5pm; return 9.30pm, dinner between 10.30 and 11pm. Bed around 1am

Maximum number of guests: 8 guests to fish, 10 in total.

Recommended length of stay: One week. Short stays are not bookable a long way in advance.

Wildlife: Patagonian foxes, Magellan geese, black necked swans, flamingos, rheas, guanacos.

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Bella Vista Lodge	Dining room at Bella Vista	Rio Gallegos trout

Wild and Exotic information on Challhuaquen Lodge Valle de Trevelin,

Provincia de Chubut in Patagonia

This is a luxurious fly fishing lodge in the heart of Patagonia. Constructed from stone and wood and located on the banks of the Futaleufu River, no expense has been spared in either the construction or the service in this lodge. The sun deck and lookout tower enhance the already breathtaking panoramic views of Patagonia and the river.

Accommodation: Six rooms all en-suite, each with two double beds, showers and bath. Rooms are spacious, light and airy with a desk, ample cupboards and wardrobes. The standard of accommodation is luxurious and is combined with an exceptionally high level of food and service.

Activities: Very good fishing for brown and rainbow trout. Also available are day riding trips and excursions to Esquel for non-riders. We can coordinate a number of recreational activities for the enjoyment of accompanying non fishermen and occasional guests, such as: sightseeing in Los Alerces Park; boat trip (view to the Glaciers and Millenarian Alerces forest); trekking; rafting; the Welsh route: visit welsh tea house - visit the waterfall Nant y Fall - Visit Museum; ride to the Museum on the Patagonia Express (La Trochita); visit to Rosario Lake (Mapuche´s reservation).

Arrival / departure schedules: Flexible.

Clothing: In the Andes, the weather is unpredictable especially during November, December, March and April. Wind conditions and temperatures can vary suddenly. Therefore, it is important to bring plenty of layers of warm, lightweight clothes for fishing, a jacket and sweaters, cotton socks, rain gear and tennis shoes. Neutral colours like tan and green provide the best camouflage. Polaroid glasses are indispensable; you may want to bring an extra pair. Fishing vest, rain jacket, wide-brimmed fishing hat are also recommended.

Drinks: All drinks are included. The lodge serves its own blend of wine (mix of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon). Imported alcohol is extra.

Electric power points: Yes

Equipment: The lodge can provide waders and fishing rods but please request this if required prior to arrival. Insect repellent is sometimes needed as there are few mosquitoes or biting insects in Patagonia Argentina. Suntan lotion and lip balm are usually useful.

How to get there: Best to fly to Esquel, otherwise a road transfer (approximately 4 hrs) from Bariloche, with lunch en route. As ATOL licence holders 6445, Wild and Exotic can book the return international and domestic flights necessary for this holiday.

Included: Transfer between lodge and Esquel airport. Lodging in room with private bath and excellent Futaleufú River and mountain view. All meals (breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner), with fine Argentinean wines, beer, soft drinks. Open Bar 24 hs a day: whisky, hard liquors and cuban cigars. Daily SPA: sauna, hydro massage, scotch shower. Two personal massages per week (in programs the 5 nights or more). Tango Show (last night, in programs the 5 nights or more). Fishing day with bilingual fishing guides. Transportation to/from fishing areas (4x4 – boats). Fishing license (included private waters). For Anglers beginners: Fishing equipment: rods, waders and Fly Cast course.

Meals: Guests normally eat together, however dining arrangements are fully flexible. The food is of an exceptionally high standard.

Mobile telephone reception: Only for local cell phones, not UK mobiles.

Not included: Air transportation, airport taxes, personal life insurance, laundry, personal phone bills, tips, and gratuities.

Recommended length of stay: Four days, three nights.

Season: The lodge is closed from May 1^st until October 31^st inclusive.

Swimming pool/plunge pool: Very large Jacuzzi, also sauna and massage room.

Transfers: Cost of transfers from either Esquel or Bariloche is included.

Maximum size of groups: No more than 12 guests at any one time. Two rods per guide.

Outline daily routine: Breakfast 8.30am, fishing departures 9.30, return to lodge for substantial lunch/siesta around 1.30pm, then fish on until around 7pm. Dinner 9.30pm.

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Challhuaquen Lodge	View at Challhuaquen	Trout at Challhuaquen

Wild and Exotic information on Futa Lodge, Las Escalas Futaleufu in Chile

Across the border from Esquel in Argentina, and deep into the Coyhue forests of the tenth region of Chile flow the azure depths of the Futaleufu River. Futa Lodge is a Chilean farmhouse located in an idyllic and enchanted valley farmed by subsistence families. The charming white house and surrounding wooden buildings perch on a promontory above the river, and are sandwiched between dramatic forested mountains. It is a delightful location with a feel of authenticity that grander lodges could never equal.

Accommodation: Is in twin rooms which are compact and simply furnished but comfortable and are equipped with en-suite bathrooms. Bedrooms have efficient wood burning stoves, and bathrooms are newly modernized, with hot water. There is an extended dining room, living room and bar area with ample space for relaxing by the log fire. Guests dine together in the main house. Meals are provided as breakfast, a picnic lunch (unless fishing home water) and a delicious three course dinner prepared by a Buenos Aires chef.

Activities: Mainly fishing. The stretch of water used at Futa Lodge is virtually inaccessible so it is very rare to see another angler. Non-fishing activities available include white-water rafting and kayaking in the Futaleufu River; horse-riding through the coyhue forests; hiking to local waterfalls and bird watching.

Arrival / departure schedules: Flexible.

Children welcome: Yes

Daily schedule: Flexible but fishing will normally start after breakfast which is served from 8:00 – 8:30. Shore lunches are the norm followed by fishing in the afternoon until into the evening. Seasonal changes will take into account the changing light but early season fishing may be as late as 10pm, late season fishing as early as 7pm.

Drinks: All local drinks included.

Electric power points: Yes.

Equipment or clothing provided: There is some fishing tackle for sale. The fly-shop is fully equipped with flies, rods, reels, lines and selected items of clothing.

Laundry extra or included: Laundry not included - $15 a bag.

Fishing: Futaleufu Lodge fishes primarily for Brown and Rainbow trout on a strictly catch and release basis. Average rainbows and browns are in the 14"-16" class but much larger fish are caught regularly. The lodge also fishes neighboring tributaries and lakes which are mostly populated by Browns and Rainbows. Other species occasionally encountered in the Futaleufu and Espolon rivers include Chinook, Silver & Atlantic Salmon, Sea-run Brown Trout and Steelhead. During a full week stay, anglers can visit different waters each day. 
 

How to get there: Best way to get to Futu Lodge is by a flight to Esquel and then an hour long road transfer to the lodge. You will be met by a lodge representative, cross the border to Chile and driven to the lodge (approx 1 1/2 hours). From Argentina, there are weekly flights to Esquel. Alternatively, collection from Bariloche can be arranged for an extra charge. As ATOL licence holders 6445, Wild and Exotic can book the return international and domestic flights necessary for this holiday.

Included: Lodging, meals, drinks at the lodge, transfers from Chaiten or Esquel.

Internet connection available: Yes, wireless internet connection is available for a fee of $20 for their stay, but free if using own laptops.

Location: Futa Lodge is situated in the Valle de las Escalas on the Futaleufu River, half way between Puerto Montt and Coyhaique, 40 minutes drive from Futaleufu village.

Maximum number of guests: Six people with one guide per two people.

Mobile telephone reception: No.

Outline of daily routine: 7.30 coffee and fire in room lit, breakfast 8am, depart lodge 9am, picnic lunch besides river is normal (except when fish home waters), return 8pm, dinner between 9.30 and 10pm, generator works until 12.30am.

Recommended length of stay: Four nights, four days; can combine with El Encuentro.

Season: The lodge is open from December to March.

 

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Futa Lodge	Futa lagoon	Futa rainbow

Wild and Exotic information on El Encuentro Lodge in Patagonia

Michael and Jane Beale run this delightful property located on the banks of the Futaleufu (pronounced Futa-layo-fu) River near Esquel. The lodge offers comfortable accommodation for up to eight guests, and is run by the owners with their bi-lingual staff in a relaxed family atmosphere. The lodge prides itself on serving delicious food, including freshly baked bread and produce from the garden, as well as acclaimed Argentinean wines.

The fishing here is superb, not just on the lovely Futaleufu River on the doorstep, but also on a variety of surrounding rivers and lakes. The principal quarry are wild brown and rainbow trout that run up to 5lbs in weight, and fight hard in these cold, clear waters. It is also possible to fish for brook trout and landlocked salmon during a season that opens on November 15 and closes on April 15. A skilled and communicative English speaking guide accompanies anglers, who fish in pairs. Lunch is either taken as a picnic besides the river, or if preferred return to the lodge and enjoy a siesta afterwards.

The lodge has many other attractions besides the fishing, including day excursions to Lake Menendez, a two hour drive from the lodge through scenic country to visit the Alerces National Park with picnic lunch and drinks, where guests will see the famous Fitzroya Cupressoides trees that grow on the Western side of the lake. These are two thousand five hundred year old relatives of redwoods. Guests can choose to stay overnight at the Villa Futaleufu Hotel and combine this expedition with an all day float fishing trip down the River Rivadavia.

Another alternative is to fish the crystal clear Spring Creek, which flows through private land in the Patagonian Steppes an hour's drive from El Ecuentro. This is normally a day trip and guests are accompanied by guide and a delicious picnic lunch.

Excursions can be arranged for around four hundred miles in any direction from El Encuentro, ranging from as far a field as Puerto Madryn on the Atlantic Coast, up as far north at San Martine de los Andes and four hundred miles south through productive and varied fishing territories and beyond to the Chilean coast.

During November and December the Beale’s offer a fascinating coastal itinerary, which involves flying from Buenos Aires to Trelew on the Atlantic coast to visit the fascinating penguin colonies that swarm the shoreline before they depart around mid December, as well as the whales that congregate offshore at the same time.. The evening is spent at a hotel in Puerto Madryn with views out across the Atlantic, and the following day can be spent whale watching and visiting a coastal Estancia for lunch, which has extensive marine life off its private beach. The following morning guests transfer by car for a six-hour drive through spectacular dry country scenery following the Chubut River Valley through the Andes, stopping for a picnic lunch, before return to the comfort and tranquillity of El Encuentro Lodge.  

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El Encuentro Lodge	View from the lodge	Playing a wild rainbow

El Encuentro is normally reached by taking a domestic flight from Jorge Newberry domestic airport in Buenos Aires, which flies several times a week to Esquel, however guests can also be collected from Bariloche by car. There are flights from the UK to Buenos Aires three times weekly. We particularly recommend a stay at El Encuentro for anyone keen on fishing after a stay at Estancia Huechahue or after participating in one of our mobile Patagonian rides, as this delightful lodge is easily accessible by air, taxi or bus from all these locations. The price at El Encuentro varies according to the exchange rate and the nature of the itinerary that we design. As a guideline the price per person is £290 per person per night. The price includes accommodation (based on two people sharing); meals; open bar; guide and boat for walking, hiking, bird watching, horse riding; transfers from and to Esquel airport and fishing licenses. The price does not include private water fees (such as Arroyo Pescado Spring Creek US$50 per person per day); transfers from and to Bariloche or some other lodges e.g. Pampa Linda; or gratuities to staff and guides.

Wild and Exotic information on Estancia Rio Quillen

Estancia Rio Quillen is located in the very heart of Northern Patagonia within the Lanín National Park. With its spectacular mountains, green forests, crystal clear rivers and unique flora, this is considered one of the most beautiful parks in the Argentine Patagonia. As well as fishing on the beautiful Rio Quillen, which closely resembles an English chalk stream, guests can also explore the breathtaking 25,000 hectares on exciting horse riding trips. The main house has superb views down the Quillen valley.

Accommodation: The main house has ten rooms with six bathrooms. The rooms may be requested either with private or shared bathrooms. The sitting room is spacious and comfortable with large windows to enjoy the spectacular sunsets on the River Quillen Valley. Rates are based on full board accommodation.

Activities: This lodge offers superb lodge based riding for a variety of levels and durations. There are many rides to choose from including the opportunity to visit and explore nearby monkey puzzle forests, lakes and lagoons with picnic lunches en route. Also available are boating trips on the lake; walking; trekking; mountain biking and fishing (extra, maximum 8 rods on river). All activities will be accompanied by a bilingual guide to ensure a professional service.

Children: Children aged below 2 years old do not pay provided the share a room with their parents and / or another adult. Children above 2 years old, pay the full rate.

Clothing: Temperatures in summer can go from 30ºC during the day to 17ºC at night. It is important to bear in mind that in the Andes Ranges the weather can be very unpredictable. The house interior has a pleasant temperature, ideal for light and informal clothing.

Email: Internet connection is not available.

How to get there: Two and a half hours drive from Chapelco airport in San Martin de los Andes. Five from Bariloche but stops for lunch in San Martin en route. Also by private charter company to airstrip.

Laundry extra or included: Extra

Max number of guests at any one time: 12 in the lodge, 8 in cabins.

Meals: Guests eat delicious home cooked cuisine together in the dinning room.

Private airstrip: Yes

Telephone: Yes, charged per minute. There is no reach for mobile phones.

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Rio Quillen	Estancia Rio Quillen landscape	Estancia Quillen

Wild and Exotic general information on Los Morros Lodge in Patagonia

Los Morros Lodge is located 110 miles southwest from Rio Gallegos city, in the southern Patagonia and near the foothills of the Andes mountains. The estancia, owned by the Bernad family, occupies a surface of 57.000 acres and is devoted to cattle-breeding and sheep rearing. The Lodge owns 6,2 miles on both sides of the great Argentine sea trout river - the Gallegos- and 7,5 miles on both sides of the Penitente river which is a tributary of the Gallegos river.

Accommodation: Accommodating only six anglers a week, the house is a typical family estancia with three twin bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. There is a common living room where cocktails are served by the fire and spacious rooms for entertainment.
The personal and friendly attention of the owner's family really makes you feel at home.
The meals, which are homemade and prepared with natural and fresh products from the kitchen garden and the farm, are served in the Patagonian abundant style.

Fishing: The Penitente, immediately adjacent to the Lodge, is a delightful stream where you can hook sea run browns up to 16 pounds and many browns up to 9 pounds. In the Gallegos, 5 miles from the house, you will have the unforgettable experience of catching sea run brown trout up to 18 pounds and enjoy the exciting adventure of struggling with the most beautiful specimens of brown trout which can reach 10 pounds or more.

Tackle: We suggest travelling with two tackles: One #5/6 Wt. and the other, #8/9 Wt.
Reel: With floating line and extra spools with fast sinking lines. 50 to 70-yard backing.
Leader: from 6 to 9 feet.
Dry Flies: size #12/14 and 16. Patterns Caddis, Royal Wulff, Light Cahill, Elk Hair Caddis, Parachute Adams, Black Gnat.
Streamers: sizes # 6 and 8, Patterns: Wully Bugger, Rubber Legs, Bunny Leech, Wolly Worm, Matuka.
Nymphs: size # 8/10 and 12. Patterns: Hare´s Ear, Caddis Puppa, Montana, Prince, Bitch Creek, Zug Bug.

Notes:

The fishing season opens on November 15^th and ends mid-April. However, January, February and March are considered the best months for this marvellous sport.

The rate for the season January to March 2008 is £1950 per person based on 6 fishing days and 7 night accommodation, on a double-occupancy basis. This rate is based on a minimum for 4 anglers and a maximum 6 anglers per week.

The cost includes overland transfers to and from Rio Gallegos airport to the lodge; 7 night accommodation with all meals and beverages (including spirits); 6 fishing days 1 bilingual expert guide for each 2 anglers fishing in private waters and daily transport to the river.

The cost does not include airfare to and from Buenos Aires; fishing license; fishing equipment and flies; telephone calls; laundry; personal insurance; liquors and other alcoholic drinks; other expenses and gratuities.

Non-angling activities available from the lodge vary: horseback riding, bird watching, walks to enjoy the local flora and fauna. If you wish, you can take a look at the activities done in the lodge such as the sheep shearing, bath and roundup. A guide from the Estancia staff will always be with you.

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Los Morros Lodge	Rio Gallagos	Los Morros seatrout

Neither Wild and Exotic nor the operators or suppliers can accept any responsibility for changes to itineraries or dates that may arise due to weather or unforeseen circumstances such as changes, disruptions or delays to airline flights for whatever reason. This holiday is subject to Wild and Exotic’s terms and conditions, a copy of which is enclosed with your booking form.

Please contact us for the latest prices and availability for any of the lodges.