WELCOME TO AGUAS ARRIBA
Whether trekking, fishing or riding, Aguas Arriba Lodge is the best way to experience the stunning Patagonian wilderness.
The rustic five-suite lodge is comfortable and cosy, and wide windows offer breathtaking views over the lake to hanging glaciers and woodland. Choose the corner rooms for stunning views of Mt. Fitz Roy.
What we love about Aguas Arriba
- The seclusion – only accessible via a short boat ride across the lake or a long hike, you’re unlikely to see another soul.
- The cosy chalet-style interiors make for a quiet, comfortable retreat after a long day of hiking or fishing.
- The magnificent views over Lago Del Desierto from all areas of the lodge.
- Exceptional access to the outdoors – the lodge’s guides will sit down with you each evening to plan your excursions for the following day, whether fishing, trekking, riding, biking or kayaking.
- Hearty home cooking – ingredients are taken from the kitchen-garden and cooked using traditional family recipes, accompanied by local wines.
- The wildlife – pumas, foxes and huemules (South Andean deer) roam the forest, while condors rule the sky.
What to do at Aguas Arriba
There’s never a dull moment: trek to El Chalten, ride through the forest, bike around the lake, or kayak on Las Vueltas River.
The best views of Fitz Roy and the hanging glaciers can be seen after a trek through the forest. Plan your route the evening before; a camping expedition to Glaciar Huemul, on the Chilean border, is a worthy adventure.
Lago del Desierto is the best bet for rainbow or brown trout, and high cliffs on the lake shore provide deepwater perfect for a sinking line. For salmon, make for the Toro River, where they stream up river from late February to early March. We suggest hiring a guide so as to make the most of your day (fly fishing season runs from November to May).
Back at the lodge, leave your muddy shoes at the door and huddle by the fire with a glass of wine and a good book.
Aguas Arriba Lodge forms part of Estancia Rio de las Vueltas, a 700 hectare property in the heart of the Patagonian Andes. Perched on the eastern shore of Lago del Desierto, the Lodge lies in a natural reserve 15 km from Los Glaciers National Park.
The closest airport is El Calafate; Aerolineas Argentinas and Lan provide regular flights from Buenos Aires.
A four hour drive from El Calafate (or just an hour from El Chalten), takes you to the southern edge of the Lake. A 15 minute boat ride is the quickest way to the Lodge (accessible only by boat)-but we recommend taking the three hour hike around the lake to make the most of glacier views and forest trails.
When to Travel
The lodge is open from October to April, but the sweet spot is the southern cone’s summer months, from December to March.
Temperatures vary between 5-25°C during summer (December-March), while 0-15°C is typical in spring and autumn (October, November and April). The weather can change abruptly and the air is dry, so layer up with thermal underwear and waterproofs. Sunglasses and lip balm are also crucial.
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