Barraco Lodge sits on the shores of Lake Tagua Tagua in a quiet corner of Chilean Patagonia, surrounded by native forest, rivers and mountains.
Three colonial-style guest houses dating from the 1940s hold just eight rooms, with rustic, south Chilean architecture and decor. The lodge has an intimate, cosy family atmosphere, with squashy sofas to curl up by the log fire, and a wood-fired hot tub to soak in after long days of exploring.
Set within 150 acres of pristine rainforest in the Puelo Valley, Tagua Tagua National Park is close by, along with rivers for fishing, trails for hiking, stretches of water for kayaking and routes that lead further out by boat or skis depending on the season.
Why we love Barraco Lodge
- The sense of remoteness – surrounded by forest-clad mountains, fast-flowing rivers and waterfalls, with little else around.
- Rustic Patagonian interiors, with hand-carved wooden furniture, cosy sheepskins, traditional Mapuche textiles, and chandeliers designed from antlers.
- The small, hands-on team of guides, helicopter pilots and lodge staff, who tailor each stay to you.
- Delicious home cooking, served communally – think Patagonian lamb, wild boar, king crab, and produce from the lodge’s orchard and greenhouse.
- The wood-fired hot tub and sauna overlooking the valley.
- A clear conservation focus – the lodge generates its own green hydroelectricity, grows its own organic produce, and works with local communities to provide jobs and education.
What to do at Barraco Lodge
While there’s plenty of time for reading, swimming and relaxing, days here are generally adrenaline-charged.
Hike through Tagua Tagua National Park, explore native forests, rivers and secluded beaches on horseback, or trek volcanoes between glaciers and fumaroles. On the water, guests can kayak on Lake Gull, raft local rivers, fish, or travel by jet boat from the lodge to the Pacific. All activities are fully personalised, with private guides.
Jaime and Boris, who run the show at Barraco Lodge, are both experienced helicopter pilots and can take guests into the wildest corners of the region for off-piste skiing, heli-biking and fishing.
Back at the lodge, the local chef cooks up hearty meals to keep energy levels high. Long, indulgent barbecues are often served outdoors, with stunning views over Lake Tagua Tagua.
When to Travel
Barraco Lodge can be visited year round, although the weather will be warmest from December through to April.
Access requires a 2-hour flight from Santiago de Chile and a 3-hour drive, followed by a zip across Martin Lake by speedboat. Omar and his oxen, Muchacho and Bonito, wait on the other side to transport guests and their luggage up the steep hill to the lodge.
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