Tipiliuke Lodge Patagonia – Fish, Hike and Ride

Located just minutes from San Martín De Los Andes (Chapelco – Patagonia), Tipiliuke lodge is located in the heart of a 50,000 acre working cattle ranch. Voted as one of the Top 72 boutique hotels in the world by Taschens, World’s top fishing Lodge for 2011 by Sporting Classics, Lodge of the Year by Anglers Choice Awards in 2014 and most recently Tipiluke was featured in Conde Naste Traveler as part of an epic pilgrimage across Argentina.

Tipiliuke is framed by the Chimehuin and Quilquihue rivers, known worldwide for their magnificent gin clear waters. It’s exceptional trout fishing is considered by many to be one of the world’s top fly fishing destinations with more than 17 miles of trout waters in Northern Patagonia. Add in horseback riding, great massage service and wonderful hiking, and you have a world class destination for the whole family.

Trip Highlights

• Arrive in Buenos Aires and transfer onto a domestic flight to San Martín de los Andes.  A shuttle will meet you at Chapelco Airport and transfer you to Tipiliuke Lodge, a mere 10 minutes away
• Each day at Tipiliuke offers an abundance of experiences or the quiet luxury of total relaxation
• Anglers will enjoy guided floats or wading on the world famous Chimehuín or Quilquihue rivers, returning for lunch or enjoying a picnic riverside.
• Explore  the 50,000-acre working cattle ranch that surrounds the lodge by horseback or mountain bike
• Hike to a breathtaking overlook with expansive views of the Patagonian steppe
• Golf at the Chapelco Golf Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus
• Take a cooking class in authentic Argentine fare, practice daily yoga or learn to tango
• Explore the boutiques in the nearby town of San Martín de los Andes
• At the end of each day, an exquisite dining experience awaits, paired with Argentine Malbecs and later, reflections on the day’s activities around a dancing fire
• Perhaps too soon, your adventure will come to an end with a return to the Chapelco Airport and flights home

Accommodations

Tipiliuke was discovered as one of the world’s premier fly fishing operations in Patagonia over 20 years ago. Since that time it has become famous for its incredible service, attention to the smallest detail, and luxury in a breathtaking setting.

Tipiliuke offers just 9 rooms allowing for the staff to provide very personalized service with exceptional attention to detail.

Wi-Fi is available throughout the lodge as well as at the outdoor seating areas where one can take in the incredible views that make Patagonia famous. In the evenings, while enjoying one of our famous Malbecs, our guests can gather around the fire under the Southern Cross.

Guests can enjoy our large wood burning sauna and massage room to enhance their relaxing holidays . Luxuriously appointed rooms and refined authentic cuisine round out the Tipiliuke experience.

The River House is located 20 minutes drive from San Martín de los Andes airport by the side of Chimehuín river and 15 minutes from Tipiliuke lodge. It can accommodate 8 guests maximum in four double rooms (all with double beds). Two of the guest rooms have private facilities and the other two share a bathroom.

Activities

Fishing

Our fishing season runs from early November through May. A typical day of fishing begins with a made to order breakfast before heading to the river around 9:30 AM. Clients dress in our wading room at the lodge before driving from 3 to 15 minutes to their selected beat for the morning. We have two very different, but equally impressive rivers, the Chimehuín and Quilquihue, running through the heart of our 50, 000 acres, known worldwide for their crystal clear waters and legendary fishing. In addition we have 3 miles of private spring creek constructed by one of the U.S. leading firms for the exclusive use of our guests. While the vast majority of our fish are caught on dry flies, we will occasionally use a “dropper” in conjunction with the dries. Clients return to the lodge around 2:30 PM for a delicious lunch, usually served “al fresco” under the shade of 100 year old trees. All meals are paired with the finest Argentine wines.

Horseback riding

From the snow capped Andes mountain range to the valleys and gin clear waters Patagonia is known for its vast beautiful landscapes. It is hard to imagine riding in a more spectacular setting. In addition to the beautiful scenery the wildlife of Patagonia abounds on every ride. From large herds of red deer, to Andean condors, to Guanacos, the wild version of the now domesticated llama, to the elusive puma, you are sure to experience the best of Patagonia’s wildlife. In addition to English speaking guides you will be accompanied by real Argentine gauchos, some of whose families have been on the property for over 3 generations. All our guides carry radios and riders can be picked at anytime in one of our 4×4 vehicles if they desire. After a great day of riding, clients return to the lodge for cocktails, a dinner consisting of refined authentic regional cuisine, all within the confines of one of Argentina’s finest lodges.

Hiking

From the river valleys that made Patagonia famous many years ago, to the iconic Tipiliuke Mountain, to the snow capped Lanín glacier in the distance, to the scenic 100 year old pine forests, we have trail systems suited for every hiking ability. You just can’t imagine a more beautiful place for a hike. All our guides carry radios and hikers can be picked at anytime in one of our 4×4 vehicles if they desire.

In addition to the beautiful scenery, wildlife abounds on Tipiliuke. From large herds of red deer, to Andean condors, to Guanacos (Lama guanicoe), the wild patagonian version of the now domesticated llama, to the elusive puma, you are sure to experience the best of Patagonia’s wildlife. In addition to English speaking guides you may be accompanied by real Argentine gauchos or “cowboys”, some of whose families have been on the property for over 3 generations.

Mountain Biking

At the lodge we have mountain bikes available for our guests, we organize guided outings in many of our trails in the ranch and also offer the possibility of riding with a guide in some of the national park circuits. High performance bikes are also available in the town of San Martín de los Andes (Patagonia).

Golf

Tipiliuke lodge is located just 20 minutes from Chapelco Golf course (Patagonia) designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus *) and his eldest son Jack Nicklaus II. They worked well together to create this unique Patagonian masterpiece. The 18-hole, par 72 course at Chapelco Golf Club delivers an experience that will thrill and enchant players of any skill level. The golf club offers full service practice facilities including driving range, putting green and chipping green. Golf classes, clinics and junior school are also available.

The Region

Tipiliuke was discovered as one of the world’s premier fly fishing operations in Patagonia over 20 years ago. Since that time it has become famous for its incredible service, attention to the smallest detail, and luxury in a breathtaking setting.

Located just minutes from San Martín De Los Andes (Chapelco – Patagonia), Tipiliuke lodge is located in the heart of a 50,000 acre working cattle ranch. Voted as one of the Top 72 boutique hotels in the world by Taschens, World’s top fishing Lodge for 2011 by Sporting Classics, Lodge of the Year by Anglers Choice Awards in 2014 and most recently Tipiluke was featured in Conde Naste Traveler as part of an epic pilgrimage across Argentina.

Tipiliuke is framed by the Chimehuin and Quilquihue rivers, known worldwide for their magnificent gin-clear waters. It’s exceptional trout fishing is considered by many to be one of the world’s top fly fishing destinations with more than 17 miles of trout waters in Northern Patagonia. Add in horseback riding, great massage service and wonderful hiking, and you have a world class destination for the whole family.

The Estancia
Cerro de los Pinos was founded in 1909 by the Larminat family. It was one of the first established ranches in Northern Patagonia. Tipiliuke lodge is the heart of the estancia. The property covers almost 50,000 acres at the foot of the Andes Mountain range where guests enjoy tailor made activities, authentic refined cuisine and knowledgeable personalized service.

The Steppe
In the East: semi-arid habitats with shrubs and bushes covering hills, plains and plateaus. Climate: dry in the summer, cold and snowy during the winter. Vegetation: highly adapted to the semi-desert environment. Some wetlands locally called “mallin” and river valleys interrupt the dry lands.

Typical birds: the Lesser Rhea locally known as “choike” (Pterocnemia pennata) , Crested-Tinamou (Eudromia elegans), several raptors including the Black-chestes Buzzard Eagle (Geranoaetus melanolaucus) , the Burrowing Parrot (Cyanoliseus patagonus) and amongst the passerines are the Diuca Finch (Diuca Diuca), the Canasteros belonging to the genus Asthenes, the Long-tailed Meadowlark (Sturnella loyca) and the Shrike-tyrants of the genus Agriornis.

The Forest
Includes a wide range of trees belonging to the genus Nothofagus, commonly known as beech trees, which dominate the slopes of the Andean mountains and adjoin ecotone forests of Austrocedrus chilensis, Maytenus boaria and Discaria chacaya. The ecotone marks the transition to the steppe.

Climate: dry summers and heavy snows during winter • Several endemisms and typical families exist in the beech tree forest: Magallanic woodpecker (Campephilus magellanicus), Southern Pigeon (Columba araucana), Southern Fire-crown (Sephanoides sephanoides), ground-dwelling birds known as tapaculos belonging to the Rhinocryptidae family, the White-crested Elaenia (Elaenia albiceps) and the endemic Austral Parakeet (Enicognathus ferrugineus).

The Aquatic Environment
Lakes, ponds, rivers or springs and wetlands of all types. Birding hotspots. Many species of ducks, grebes, coots, swans, geese, cormorants and gulls live in these habitats. Some examples include the Black-neckes Swan (Cygnus melanocoryphus), Ashy-headed Goose (Chloephaga poliocephala) Wren-like Rushbird (Phleocryptes melanops) and Yellow-winged Blackbird (Agelaius thilius)