Explore Patagonia: fishing, trekking, where to stay and eat

Mountain huts near Bariloche

These are small inns with no road access. You have to sign the trekking register. Each hut takes bookings on its own site, and Frey asks for 72 hours' notice. Rates change by season: the source dates from 2023, so check prices and the status of each hut before you book.

Country

Argentina

Where

Nahuel Huapi National Park

Huts

Frey, Jakob, López, Laguna Negra, Rocca, Otto Meiling, Laguna Ilón

Getting there on foot

4 to 5 hours' walk on average

Season

Frey, Jakob and Laguna Ilón also open in winter

Sleeping in Torres del Paine

Campfires are not allowed in the campsites, so bring a camp stove. In 2026, CONAF closed the W Circuit in June and July; check with CONAF for the state of trails and services on your dates.

Country

Chile

Where

Torres del Paine National Park

Options

Campsites and huts

Booking

Required, through the concessionaires' platforms

Best time

October to April, according to a commercial source

Stilt houses of Castro, Chiloé

You can see them from Castro's waterfront. The guide gives no prices or lodging names: check availability directly.

Country

Chile

Town

Castro

What they are

Houses on the water, with colorful facades

Today they are used as

Homes, hostels and restaurants

Bariloche a la Carta

More than 90 restaurants, bars, hotels and breweries with one- to three-course menus, plus a 6,000 m² fair by the lake.

Country

Argentina

Dates

Circuit 5–12 Oct · fair 9–12 Oct

Where

Bariloche, Centro Cívico

Vino a la Montaña

About 15 wineries from Neuquén, Río Negro and Chubut, with smoked trout pairings and chocolates.

Country

Argentina

Dates

10 and 11 October, 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Where

San Martín de los Andes

Oktoberfest of the Comarca Andina

Brewers, producers and local entrepreneurs, a food court and regional bands.

Country

Argentina

Dates

10 and 11 October, 2:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Where

El Bolsón, corner of Onelli and Roca

Madryn Comestible: Oktober Fest edition

Gluten-free options, craft breweries with talks and tastings, and local businesses.

Country

Argentina

Dates

10 and 11 October

Where

Puerto Madryn, Piedra Buena pier

Dalcahue cookshops, Chiloé

Dalcahue's craft market runs twice a week.

Country

Chile

Town

Dalcahue, about 25 km from Castro

Dishes

Curanto, chapalele and milcao

National Goat Festival (Fiesta Nacional del Chivito)

Shows, traditional dances and regional food in northern Neuquén.

Country

Argentina

Dates

20 to 22 November (to be confirmed)

Where

Chos Malal, Neuquén

Climbing Villarrica volcano

You go with Sernatur-certified guides, who provide a helmet, ice axe and crampons. At the top there is an open crater about 200 m wide. Check the volcano's status and the weather before you climb.

Country

Chile

Town

Pucón

Height

2.847 m

Duration

4 to 6 hours to climb

Season

Spring and summer

Chiloé National Park

The guide suggests it as the second day of a three-day trip around the island.

Country

Chile

What to see

Muelle de las Almas, Lake Cucao and dunes, Metalqui island with sea lions

Main trail

Suitable for everyone

Sport fishing

Trout is the main catch. Dates change by area and species: check the calendar with Sernapesca.

Country

Chile

Season

Los Lagos 2026: general opening on 13 November; check with Sernapesca

License

Sernapesca, online · between $7,000 and $52,000 CLP

Area

Palena River, between Los Lagos and Aysén

Perito Moreno Glacier

The page does not label the "general" column, but it is the one that applies to foreign visitors. Check the fee annex. Prices are in Argentine pesos, per day.

Country

Argentina

Park

Los Glaciares National Park

Entry

$50,000 general · $25,000 Argentines

Second day

50% off within 72 hours

Crossing with your own or a rented car

The Chilean SOAP insurance is not valid in Argentina, according to commercial sources: check with Customs.

What to bring

Driver's license, insurance with international cover and the car's documents

Someone else's car

Owner's authorization with a certified signature

Rental car

Mercosur travel authorization issued by the rental company

Mountain border crossings

Hours change by season. Check pasosfronterizos.gov.cl before you leave.

Cardenal Samoré

8:00 to 19:00 (since 6 Sep 2026)

Mamuil Malal

8:00 to 20:00 on the Argentine side (usual hours, 2025)

Pino Hachado

9:00 to 18:00 on the Argentine side (Migraciones, 9 Oct 2026)

Other crossings

Hua Hum, Icalma: no data

Getting to Torres del Paine

Hours may change. Park tickets are sold online only, at pasesparques.cl.

From

Puerto Natales, by bus

Departures

Three a day in the 2026–2027 season, according to a commercial source

Stops

Laguna Amarga, Pudeto, Camping Pehoé, CONAF administration and Lake Grey

Getting to Valdivia

Airport

Pichoy (ZAL), 32 km away

By car from Santiago

About 9 hours on Ruta 5 Sur

By bus from Santiago

About 11 hours

W Circuit, Torres del Paine

72 kilometers among glaciers, valleys and towers. In 2026 CONAF closed the circuit in June and July: check the state of the trails on your dates.

Country

Chile

Park

Torres del Paine National Park

Entry

Online only, at pasesparques.cl

Best time

October to April, according to a commercial source

Laguna de los Tres, El Chaltén

The classic hike to the foot of Fitz Roy. It takes a full day and is an advanced level.

Country

Argentina

Park

Los Glaciares National Park

Distance

20.3 km round trip

Duration

About 9 hours 15 minutes

Elevation gain

991 m climb

Access

You pay an entrance fee for the trails (2024 price: check the current one)

Frey and Jakob huts, Bariloche

Small mountain inns with no road access. You must sign the trekking register and book each hut.

Country

Argentina

Park

Nahuel Huapi National Park

Getting there on foot

4 to 5 hours' walk on average

Booking

Frey asks for 72 hours' notice

Winter

Frey and Jakob also open in winter

Dientes de Navarino, Navarino Island

A mountain circuit at the end of the world, near Puerto Williams. Doing it alone is not recommended.

Country

Chile

Distance

31 km

Duration

5 days

Difficulty

Moderate to high

Best time

December to March; there is snow in winter

Permit

No entrance or camping fee; you must register with Carabineros

Huerquehue National Park, Pucón

Ancient forest, lakes and a view of Villarrica volcano. Tickets are bought online and in advance.

Country

Chile

Access

35 km from Pucón; 1 hour by car

Trail

Los Lagos, to lakes Chico, Verde and Toro

Multi-day trek

Los Huerquenes: 44.2 km in 3 days, moderate difficulty

Best time

December to March

Alicurá Reservoir, Las Trampas area

Las Trampas is an area of the Alicurá Reservoir, on the Limay River. We fished here in October 2025 with spinning gear and artificial lures, with a Neuquén fishing permit.

Country

Argentina

Area

Border between Neuquén and Río Negro

Getting there

112 km from Bariloche, on the road to Neuquén

Permit

Neuquén, at cazaypesca.neuquen.gob.ar

Chimehuín and Collón Curá rivers, Junín de los Andes

The Chimehuín is highly valued by fly anglers. The river mouth is a preferential zone and requires a special permit.

Country

Argentina

Area

Neuquén, Limay basin

Season

1 November to 1 May (Neuquén)

Permit

Online, at cazaypesca.neuquen.gob.ar

Limay and Neuquén rivers

Rivers known for trout. Permits for Neuquén, Río Negro and Chubut are sold online.

Country

Argentina

Area

Neuquén and Río Negro

Rules

Mandatory release of several native species

Palena River

Described as one of the best places in the world for trout. You can fish from the bank or from boats without motors.

Country

Chile

Area

Between Los Lagos and Aysén

License

Sernapesca, online · between $7,000 and $52,000 CLP

Season

Los Lagos 2026: general opening on 13 November; check with Sernapesca

Puelo River

Known for Chinook salmon, especially in February and March, with fish of up to 23 kg. Some operators include a guide and transfers; anglers usually bring their own gear.

Country

Chile

Area

Los Lagos Region

Best time

February and March

License

Sernapesca, online

Pescado River

It flows into Lake Llanquihue and is known for fly fishing. Its mouth is a preferential zone for sport fishing.

Country

Chile

Area

Los Lagos Region, 21 km east of Puerto Varas on Route 225

Species

Rainbow trout, coho salmon and Atlantic salmon

License

Sernapesca, online

Grande and Menéndez rivers, Tierra del Fuego

Known around the world for sea-run brown trout, with fish of up to 15 kg. The source does not publish season dates.

Country

Argentina

Area

Río Grande basin

Permit

Ask the municipality