Patagonia: From Esquel to Puyuhuapi Argentina & Chile

Arrival at Esquel Airport (EQS) and transfer to Huemules Mountain Reserve. This stunning new project is located at Estancia Huemules in the Rivadavia Mountain Range, 22 km from Esquel in Chubut Province. It offers direct, authentic contact with nature without sacrificing the comfort of a spacious room with a private bathroom, Patagonian cuisine, warm and attentive service, and a wide variety of adventure activities framed by magnificent Patagonian landscapes.

The 6,100-hectare nature reserve features snow-capped peaks, streams, and native forests. You will travel along 1,100 meters of trails and 50 km of rugged, untamed roads adjacent to Los Alerces National Park. The transfer takes approximately 1 hour from the airport.

You will spend the night in a fully equipped DOME featuring 28 m² of living space, Private bathroom, Wood-heated hot water, 220V electricity, Private deck and balcony, Panoramic views.

After breakfast, you will enjoy the activity selected the evening before with your guide.

For active pursuits, Huemules offers a wide range of outdoor recreational and sporting activities during both summer and winter. For relaxation, the stunning natural setting of snow-capped mountains, forests, and streams surrounded by serene solitude provides the ideal environment for rest and contemplation.

Summer Activities: Horseback riding, Trekking, Mountain biking, Flora and fauna watching

Winter Activities: Snowshoeing, Horseback riding through snowy forests, Backcountry skiing / Ski touring, Snowmobiling

You will be transferred to Esquel (a 30-minute drive) to board the historic steam train, La Trochita.

A defining feature of this railway is its narrow gauge of just 75 centimeters (29.5 inches). Operating almost unchanged since 1922, the line preserves several unique, historic steam locomotives. The train runs round-trip to Nahuel Pan, climbing roughly 200 meters (650 feet) through a rugged ravine offering magnificent views of Mount Nahuel Pan (Mynydd Llwyd) and the vast steppe, shaped by ancient volcanic activity. Author Paul Theroux famously chronicled his rail journey from Boston, USA, to Esquel aboard this train in his travel classic, The Old Patagonian Express. The excursion lasts approximately 4 hours.

Upon your return, you will be transferred to your hotel. Hostería Canela is an owner-run bed and breakfast—your home away from home in Esquel. It offers the warmth and character of a classic Patagonian hacienda, creating a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. The charming house features 6 bedrooms, all with en-suite private bathrooms, providing the European-style comfort you will appreciate after a long day exploring this vast and striking region.

Today, you will embark on a full-day tour to Los Alerces National Park.

As one of the largest national parks in Argentina, it covers an area of 263,000 hectares (650,000 acres—roughly the size of the county of Gwynedd in North Wales). The park’s signature feature is its ancient Alerce forests. Pristine and largely untouched by human activity, the reserve is filled with breathtaking landscapes, glacial lakes, pristine rivers, and numerous waterfalls, all framed by the Andes Mountains and draped in dense native woodland. The Alerce tree is a Patagonian cypress, with some specimens in the park approaching 3,000 years of age and reaching heights of up to 70 meters (230 feet).

You will embark on a scenic lake cruise offering spectacular views of the Torrecillas Glacier as you navigate the tranquil bays and channels of these stunning waters. On the far shore of Lake Futalaufquen, you will take a guided hike along a trail to see remarkable, towering Alerce specimens up close.

Today, you will visit Trevelin—an opportunity to stroll around the town and take in scenic views of Mount Gorsedd y Cwmwl and the Andes mountain range.

Cwm Hyfryd Historical Tour Welsh pioneers first arrived in Cwm Hyfryd in 1885 during an expedition to explore the newly founded Chubut Territory. In 1888, the first settlers arrived to establish homesteads along the banks of the Percy River, which flows through Trevelin. In 1918, an enterprise led by J. D. Evans built a flour mill, around which the town of Trevelin ("Mill Town") blossomed.

You will visit the local historical museum, housed inside the historic flour mill. You will also tour the Old School 18 museum in Pentre Sydyn (Aber Gyrraints Valley), which chronicles the 1902 plebiscite that resolved border disputes between Argentina and Chile in the region. While in Trevelin, you will have time to enjoy a traditional Welsh afternoon tea.

Transfer to Futaleufú & Pata Lodge After the tour, you will transfer to Futaleufú and check in at Pata Lodge—another unique experience curated for this itinerary. Whether it is whitewater rafting on a river fed by Andean glacial meltwater, hiking through ancient old-growth forests, or simply relaxing by the warmth of a fireplace, Pata Lodge offers all these possibilities and more.

Tucked away amid snow-capped mountains along the Futaleufú River within the Pata Estate, the lodge is surrounded by dramatic landscapes. Blending rustic character with comfort, each of the six cabins features its own distinct architecture and layout, all built using local materials and craftsmanship to support regional development.

The property also features PATA BISTRO, an organic farm-to-table restaurant serving fresh, wholesome, home-style meals prepared with fruits and vegetables harvested directly from the estate's gardens.

Today, you will embark on a 4-hour rafting tour on the Futaleufú River.

The Futaleufú River is widely recognized as one of the premier whitewater destinations in the world for kayaking and rafting. Originating in Argentina and flowing through the town, the river eventually empties into the fjord-like Lake Yelcho. Day trips are available along "the Futa," while several of its tributaries, such as the Espolón and Azul rivers, are ideal for rafting, canoeing, or boating. Nearby Lake Lonconao and Lake Espolón also provide scenic waters for paddling and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP).

Other regional highlights include the Futaleufú National Reserve, renowned for its protected population of South Andean deer (Huemul). The surrounding valleys, characterized by deep gorges and waterfalls, also offer canyoning, rappelling, horseback riding, fly fishing, and mountain biking. Tailored to various skill levels, all excursions are led by certified, experienced guides and are subject to availability, weather conditions, and confirmation by local operators.

Beyond outdoor excursions, Pata Lodge offers numerous on-site farm activities, such as yoga classes, open-air cinema, harvesting, beekeeping, sheep farming, and more.

Today, we suggest departing Pata Lodge in the morning to enjoy the scenic drive to Puyuhuapi along the iconic Carretera Austral.

Located in Chilean Patagonia, Puyuhuapi Lodge is an exclusive, remote spa retreat. Ideal for both adventure and unwinding, it provides the perfect setting to wrap up your journey. Your trip will take you on a scenic drive down the Carretera Austral followed by a boat crossing into a tranquil bay, where you will arrive at Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa, featuring charming architecture nestled amid lush, breathtaking vegetation.

Transfer to Balmaceda Airport for your flight.

Note: Self-drive passengers must return via Esquel Airport for rental car drop-off. In this case, 1 additional night in Futaleufú must be added to the itinerary.