Estancia Huechahue

Huechahue is perfect for budget fly-fishing, with access to the Chimenhuin, Alumine, Malleo, Quilquihue and Collon Cura rivers nearby. You can float and fish from drift boats or wade out, with an English-speaking guide (approx. USD $360 per day for two anglers) or on your own, in search of brown and rainbow trout.

The estancia has 8km of fishing on private land and there are plenty of opportunities just a short drive away, too.

The estancia is also a fantastic location for birders, within easy striking distance of the high Patagonian steppe, grasslands, wetlands and various forests. Each of these hosts a different range of bird species. In total, some 200 species have been recorded locally, and many can be seen from Huechahue itself.

Condors are regularly seen at the rocky outcrop close by, circling at dusk and waiting each morning for the thermals to build up.

From the property you can head out onto several hiking trails, either self-guided or with an English speaking guide. With views of the expansive steppe you'll hopefully be accompanied by red deer, wild boar, guanaco, armadillos and hares.

Walking to Stoney Hill you'll be met with a wonderful view of the Cordillera while a hike up the Condor Cliff will allow you to see where the condors roost.

Enjoy the river to yourself walking to the neighbouring settlement or head towards the Chenques and witness the Tehuelche Indian caves.

Set in northern Argentinian Patagonia, at the foothills of the Andes mountains and close to the Chilean border, Huechahue feels remarkably remote. You can fly from Buenos Aires to Bariloche, which is 200 kms away, from where we can arrange a transfer to the estancia.

San Martin de los Andes is 70 kms away and Junin de los Andes is 30 kms.

The estancia is self-sufficient, so it’s no surprise that much of the food is home-produced: ham and bacon from their pigs is cured in the smokehouse, they produce their own beef, lamb, venison and wild boar, and eggs come from the chicken run. Produce is seasonal, vegetables are grown in the organic garden, and fruits and nuts in the extensive orchards. Even the jam is made from surplus fruit!

Meals are varied and delicious and set around the large dining table, and can be tailored - with notice - to suit dietary requirements. There’s also a quincho (a special building) for asados (traditional BBQs). The local wine flows!

Four generations of the Wood family have lived and worked at Estancia Huechahue, which is now run by Jane Wood Williams.

It is still as self-sufficient today as it was 50 years ago when the first generation arrived to start farming cattle.

A great respect for the environment permeates the operations at Estancia Huechahue. Water is gravity-fed from natural springs and electricity comes from a water driven turbine. Tree planting provides enough firewood for all heating and hot water, meaning all energy used is renewable.

The prevention of erosion is also paramount; walking and riding routes are designated based on their soil stability and any tracks showing signs of deterioration are reinforced.

Huechahue has just 10 guest rooms available: four double bedrooms in the main house, and six in two nearby cottages. All rooms are en-suite, and can be arranged as either double or twin rooms.

Three rooms are on the first floor of the lodge, the other five are in two chalets across the lawn. Each chalet includes a communal sitting room area.

All rooms have Wi-Fi.