Argentina
Tipiliuke Lodge
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Trip Summary
Set on a historic 50,000-acre working estancia near San Martín de los Andes, Tipiliuke Lodge combines exceptional walk-and-wade fly fishing with refined Argentine hospitality. Anglers enjoy approximately 17 miles of private-access fishing across the Chimehuín and Quilquihue rivers and a spring creek, targeting wild brown and rainbow trout with dry flies, nymphs, and streamers. Nine ensuite rooms, regional cuisine, and activities including horseback riding, hiking, golf, and spa treatments make Tipiliuke equally appealing to dedicated anglers, couples, and mixed-interest groups.
Who's It For?
Private-Access Trout Water
Tipiliuke provides approximately 17 miles of private-access fishing across the Chimehuín and Quilquihue rivers and a spring creek. Individual beats are reserved for one group at a time, creating an uncrowded experience only 3 to 15 minutes from the lodge.
Versatile Walk-and-Wade Fishing
Most fishing is done on foot across riffles, pools, undercut banks, and intimate pocket water holding wild Brown and Rainbow Trout. Dry flies account for much of the action, while nymphs and streamers add versatility, and optional drift-boat fishing can be arranged on the Chimehuín.
Authentic Estancia Hospitality
Set on a historic 50,000-acre working cattle ranch, Tipiliuke pairs nine comfortable ensuite rooms with personal service and refined regional cuisine. Made-to-order breakfasts, leisurely asado lunches, Argentine wines, a wood-fired sauna, and a hot tub create a polished but relaxed lodge experience.
Exceptional Non-Angling Options
Horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, birdwatching, golf, yoga, massages, and visits to San Martín de los Andes give non-anglers plenty to enjoy. This flexibility makes Tipiliuke especially well suited to couples, families, and groups with varied interests.
CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE
WHY BOOK WITH TRIDENT
- No Credit Card Fees
- Same Price as Booking Direct
- Earn Trident Rewards
Trident Travel's expert planning service is free of charge.
Our rates are the same as you would pay by booking directly with the outfitter or lodge.
Packages are fully customizable. Contact us for package options and the most current pricing.
What's Included:
- Guided fishing with professional English-speaking guides
- Fishing access and daily transportation to and from the water
- Accommodations and all meals at Tipiliuke Lodge
- House wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, and other standard beverages at Tipiliuke Lodge
- Regional ground transfers included in the confirmed itinerary, including round-trip transfers from San Martín de los Andes
- Airport (CPC) and any lodge-to-lodge transfers
- Complimentary WiFi at Tipiliuke Lodge
What's Not Included:
- International and domestic airfare
- Lodging, meals, sightseeing, and ground transfers in Buenos Aires unless specifically included in the itinerary
- Required fishing licenses and permits
- Fishing equipment, waders, boots, and flies unless arranged in advance
- Gratuities for guides and lodge staff
- Laundry service
- Optional services and activities not specified in the itinerary, such as massages, golf, guided birding, wine tastings, or private classes
- Travel insurance and medical evacuation coverage
- Personal expenses and premium or specially requested beverages
Gallery
Seasonal Fishing
Calendar
The season opens with long days, generally higher flows, and trout that have seen little fishing pressure. Streamers and nymphs can be especially effective during early November, while stonefly, mayfly, and caddis activity builds as the rivers settle. By December, improving wading conditions and expanding hatches often produce excellent dry-fly fishing across the Chimehuín, Quilquihue, and spring creek.
Midsummer brings the warmest weather, longest days, and lower, more stable flows that are ideal for walk-and-wade fishing. Mayfly and caddis hatches remain important, while grasshoppers, beetles, ants, and other terrestrials create additional dry-fly opportunities. Tipiliuke’s split fishing schedule allows anglers to rest during the warmest part of the afternoon before returning for the evening rise.
March marks the transition into autumn with cooler mornings, stable water conditions, and fewer visiting anglers. Terrestrials, caddis, and Blue-Winged Olives can continue producing surface activity, while lower, clearer water may require more precise presentations. Streamers also become increasingly useful for targeting larger Brown Trout.
Late autumn brings colorful foliage, colder mornings, shorter days, and increasingly active Brown Trout as they prepare for spawning. Streamers and large attractor dries become important, although Blue-Winged Olive hatches can still produce excellent dry-fly fishing during warmer portions of the day. The Chimehuín and Quilquihue rivers remain open through the end of May under current regulations.
Lodging & Accommodations
Accommodations
Tipiliuke Lodge accommodates up to 16 guests in nine comfortable rooms, each with a private bathroom. Built with local stone and wood, the lodge combines traditional estancia character with polished modern comforts. Shared spaces include a welcoming lounge, dining room, well-stocked bar, dedicated wading room, landscaped gardens, outdoor seating and fire areas, plus a wellness complex with a wood-fired sauna, hot tub, yoga studio, and massage room.
Food
Meals at Tipiliuke highlight authentic Argentine cuisine, seasonal ingredients, and dishes prepared largely from scratch. Guests begin with a made-to-order breakfast, while lunch is typically served at the lodge and may feature a multi-course meal or traditional outdoor asado beneath the estancia’s mature trees. Cocktails precede a relaxed multi-course dinner, with house wines, beer, spirits, and nonalcoholic beverages available throughout the stay. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated with advance notice.
Connectivity
Complimentary WiFi is available in guest rooms, common areas, and several outdoor seating areas around the lodge. Cellular coverage is limited and generally unavailable on the lodge grounds, so guests should rely primarily on the internet for communication. WiFi is typically adequate for routine messaging and email, although occasional interruptions remain possible in rural Patagonia.
Target Species
Rainbow Trout
Brown Trout
11-Day Itinerary
Each day is carefully planned to maximize your fishing success while experiencing the best of what this destination has to offer. Itineraries are flexible based on conditions and guest preferences.
A typical full-week stay at Tipiliuke Lodge includes seven nights and six days of guided fishing, although shorter stays and combination itineraries are available. Most travelers depart home on an overnight flight to Ezeiza International Airport (EZE), arriving in Buenos Aires the following morning. After transferring to a prearranged downtown hotel, spend the remainder of the day relaxing or exploring the city before continuing to Patagonia.
After breakfast, transfer to Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP) for a domestic flight to San Martín de los Andes Airport (CPC). A representative will meet you upon arrival for the approximately 15-minute drive to Tipiliuke Lodge. After settling into your room, meet the lodge staff, prepare your fishing equipment, and enjoy cocktails and dinner.
Each day begins with a made-to-order breakfast before departing with your guide for the nearby Chimehuín River, Quilquihue River, or Tipiliuke’s spring creek. Most fishing is walk-and-wade on private-access beats located within 3 to 15 minutes of the lodge, with optional float trips available on selected sections of the Chimehuín. Tipiliuke commonly follows a split-day schedule, with a morning fishing session followed by a late lunch or traditional asado at the lodge, time to rest, and an evening session continuing until dusk. Guides adjust each day to current conditions, hatches, and guest preferences.
After breakfast, transfer approximately 15 minutes to San Martín de los Andes Airport (CPC) for the return flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival, transfer to a prearranged hotel and enjoy a final evening in the city. Depending on flight schedules, some travelers may be able to connect directly with an international departure.
Enjoy breakfast and any available free time before transferring to Ezeiza International Airport (EZE). Board your international flight home, typically arriving the following morning.
Frequently Asked Questions
GET IN TOUCHInternational travelers typically fly overnight to Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) in Buenos Aires, spend a night in the city, and then take a domestic flight to San Martín de los Andes Airport (CPC), also known as Chapelco Airport. Most domestic flights depart from Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP), requiring an airport or hotel transfer in Buenos Aires. Tipiliuke Lodge is approximately 15 minutes by vehicle from CPC.
Tipiliuke’s fishing season generally runs from November through May, with each period offering different advantages. November and December bring higher water and developing aquatic insect hatches, January and February offer warm weather and excellent terrestrial fishing, and March through May provide cooler conditions and increasingly aggressive Brown Trout. December through March is the most popular period, but the best dates depend on the guest’s preferred fishing style.
Tipiliuke primarily targets wild Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout in the Chimehuín River, Quilquihue River, and the estancia’s spring creek. Many fish measure between 14 and 20 inches, with Brown Trout exceeding 20 inches caught regularly and occasional fish approaching 30 inches. Trout size varies by water, season, and fishing conditions.
Guests enjoy approximately 17 miles of private-access fishing across the Chimehuín River, Quilquihue River, and a productive spring creek. The lodge divides this water into different beats, allowing guides to rotate locations according to flows, hatches, and fishing pressure. Most beats are located within a 3 to 15-minute drive of the lodge.
Tipiliuke’s program focuses primarily on walk-and-wade fishing, giving anglers time to methodically cover riffles, runs, pools, and spring-creek water. Optional drift-boat trips are available on selected sections of the Chimehuín River and provide access to additional water. Guests may fish dry flies, dry-dropper rigs, nymphs, or streamers depending on conditions.
Tipiliuke can accommodate novice through experienced fly anglers, and guides are available to assist with casting, presentation, fly selection, and reading the water. Accurate casts between approximately 30 and 50 feet are helpful, but exceptionally long casts are rarely necessary. Most days involve wading over uneven river bottoms, so guests should be comfortable walking and standing in moving water. Fishing plans can be adjusted for anglers who prefer easier wading or more float fishing.
A 9-foot 5-weight rod is a versatile primary choice, while many anglers also bring a 4-weight for delicate dry-fly fishing and a 6-weight for streamers, heavier rigs, or windy conditions. Floating lines cover most situations, although a sink-tip or sinking leader can be useful for streamer fishing. Guests should also bring breathable waders, sturdy wading boots, polarized sunglasses, rain gear, and layered clothing. An Argentine fishing license is required and can be arranged as part of the trip.
Fishing days commonly follow a split schedule designed around Patagonia’s long summer daylight hours. After a made-to-order breakfast, anglers depart around 9:30 AM and fish until approximately 2:30 PM before returning for a late lunch or traditional asado and time to rest. Guests typically return to the water around 6:00 PM and fish until dusk, followed by cocktails and dinner. Timing remains flexible according to the season, weather, and current fishing conditions.
Tipiliuke is particularly well suited to couples and groups that include both anglers and non-anglers. Available activities may include horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, birdwatching, golf, yoga, massage treatments, cooking experiences, wine tasting, photography, and visits to San Martín de los Andes. Activities vary by season and may carry an additional cost, so advance planning is recommended.
Tipiliuke accommodates up to 16 guests in nine comfortable rooms with private bathrooms. Amenities include inviting common areas, a bar, landscaped gardens, a wood-fired sauna, hot tub, yoga studio, and massage room. Meals feature Argentine cuisine, homemade dishes, traditional asados, regional wines, and other house beverages. Complimentary WiFi is available throughout much of the property, while cellular coverage is limited.
Yes. Trident primarily arranges Tipiliuke through Chimehuin Safaris, allowing stays to be customized and combined with other lodges, rivers, and fishing regions in northern Patagonia. This makes it possible to experience several distinct fisheries during one trip while coordinating guides, lodging, and regional transfers through a single itinerary. Shorter Tipiliuke stays and full-week lodge programs are also available.
Medical emergencies and evacuations can happen in remote destinations, which is why we strongly recommend enrolling with Global Rescue before your trip. Global Rescue provides medical evacuation and field rescue services, while separate travel insurance plans offered through IMG can help protect against covered expenses such as trip cancellation, interruption, delays, and lost baggage. Combining evacuation membership with travel insurance helps provide broader protection before and during your trip.
