Welcome to Patagonia!

If you want a non fishing day, we would love to help you explore and learn about our unique country. Here are some opportunities that might pique your interest. Many excursions require advance bookings, especially during January and February. Of course, others can be booked while you are here. These outings are offered from El Encuentro Lodge while guiding hiking can be arranged from Brook Trout Base Camp. 

BIRD WATCHING 

El Encuentro sits on the banks of the Rio Futaleufu, between the Andes and the Valdivian temperate rainforest in the West and the dry, open Steppe country to the East. Without going very far, one gets to see a wonderful variety of birds that dwell in these distinct environments. Our trained ornithologist provides a spotting scope, binoculars and local bird book for our guests. 

Your day will be customized around certain birds you want to see and other activities you might want to include. One of our favorite nearby birding sites is Terraplen Lagoon, on the way to Los Alerces National Park. This large shallow lake and surrounding wetlands host many different species of water and land birds, including the Chilean Flamingo and Blackneck Swans. While there, Condors might be sighted overhead. Near the Lodge, one might get to hear and see the Huet Huet and the Chucao, a small wren-like bird with a lovely song. 

For this activity you can either have a half day or a full day excursion. If you are interested in this activity, we would need to know one or two days in advance. 

HORSEBACK RIDING 

We can arrange for you to go with a local gaucho for a short ride along the river or for a full day ride up into the surrounding mountains to Lago Baguilt, a nearby alpine lake. On this ride, you will enjoy the amazing views overlooking the valley of Trevelin. We’ll pack our El Encuentro style lunch and why not carry a four piece rod to fish for an hour or two in the small stream that is the outlet for the lake for small but healthy rainbow trout! 

If you are interested in this activity, we would need to know one or two days in advance.

LOCAL GUIDED HIKES 

El Encuentro: 

The trails across the Rio Futaleufu from the lodge are moderate in difficulty, ranging from 3-4 km. You will travel through grassy terrain and climb a short rocky hill, offering good views of the river and valley. You will pass a small lake or two, with good opportunities for bird watching. There are no roads in this area but don’t be surprised to see some cattle. 

If you are interested in this activity, we would need to know one or two days in advance. 

Located 19 km from the lodge, there is a lovely short walk through the forest offering great views of the waterfall on the Nant Y Fall stream. 

This is a short walk through a lovely transitional forest offering great views of the Nant y Fall waterfall. Across from the falls is the Nant Y Fall Winery where one could enjoy wine tasting and a tour to learn more about vineyards in our area. 

If you are interested in this activity, we would need to know one week in advance. 

Old Raft Trail: 

This hike gives you a very different perspective of the Rio Futaleufu, as it follows the river to the huge hydroelectric dam. The 10 km trail starts where a commercial raft used to cross the river and ends up near Futaleufú dam. Your hike travels through foothills forests, with panoramic viewpoints on the valley. 

If you are interested in this activity, we would need to know one or two days in advance. 

Guanacos trail 

If you would like to do a day hike, we recommend two excellent half day hikes from Esquel. The first is an easy about one hour round trip hike to a waterfall coming off the La Hoya Ski Center. The other is a more strenuous hike up the 21 Mountain offering great views of the surrounding area and the chance to see Guanacos – the wilder cousin of the llama, native to Argentine and Chilean Patagonia. The trail starts near the tree-line and follows a small creek. It is not necessary to go all the way to the top; in fact, if you wanted to do the full hike, we would encourage you to have a guide, whom we could arrange for you. The elevation gain is about 2700 feet to the top, while the total distance is about 4.3 km. So it’s short but steep – and rewarding, if this is what you want to do! 

Both hikes start from the same road, on the way to La Hoya ski area, about 12 km from the town of Esquel. 

If you are interested in this activity, we would need to know one or two days in advance. 

GUIDED HIKES WITHIN LOS ALERCES NATIONAL PARK 

EXCURSION TO THE ALERZAL MILENARIO 

The excursion starts with a short walk across the Rio Arrayanes walking bridge and ends at Puerto Chucao, on the shores of Lago Menéndez. A boat ride across Lago Menendez 

gives you extraordinary views of the south wall of the Torrecillas Glacier, islands and waterfalls. 

After landing on the far shore, you hike into the heart of the National Park and the area which protects the groves of stately Alerce trees (Fitzroya cupresoides). The Alerzal Milenario is over 2,600 years old, 2.20 m. in diameter and 57 m. in height. It’s a beautiful hike through the forest and along the rapids of the Rio Cisne. Alerce trees are one of the oldest living species on the planet, thriving only in wild places. 

Total duration of the excursion: 4 to 5 hours. 

Difficulty level: Low. 

If you are interested in experiencing this excursion please let us know two weeks in advance to make the reservation. 

This 6 km trek gaining 250 meters also begins at Puerto Chucao on Lago Menendez. From here a 40 minute boat trip takes you across the lake to the trailhead. The moderate hike goes through the forest following a stream to a small lake at the foot of the spectacular Torrecillas Glacier. Along the way, you will learn about the keystone species of the Valdivian rainforest, including the ancient Alerces and others. It is possible to Condors and hear powerful ice falls from the glacier. 

Total duration of the excursion: 5 to 6 hours. 

Difficulty level: Moderate. 

If you are interested in experiencing this excursion please let us know two weeks in advance to make the reservation.  

LOS ALERCES NATIONAL PARK DAY TOUR 

This guided day trip offers a good perspective of our national park, declared a World Heritage Site in 2017. Leaving from El Encuentro lodge, we first stop at Terraplén Lake, a marvelous bird watching site. In the park, we stop at the Interpretation Center and take a short walk to see pictographs. Our tour then takes you around the spectacular glacial lakes in the park and can include a lovely 5 km across the Rio Arrayanes through forests and along the Rio Menendez. 

For this activity you can either have a half day or a full day excursion. If you are interested in this activity, we would need to know one or two days in advance. 

CULTURAL and HISTORY TOURS 

Our corner of Patagonia has a most interesting culture and history. To experience this, we want to take you beyond the typical tourist routes and connect you with local people so you can appreciate what sets our region apart from other places in Argentine Patagonia. 

Welsh History and Culture 

The valley of the Rio Futaleufu and the community of Trevelin were settled by Welsh pioneers in the 1860’s. A strong wheat growing and flour milling industry was developed, supplying grains and flour for much of Argentina in the early 1900’s. To understand this history, we will take you to the Museo Regional Molino Andes and to an historic flour mill, the Museo Molino Nant Fach. It was reconditioned in 2019, giving a partial picture of how life was for the first Welsh settlers. The building was the first cereal mill in the region, established to process exceptionally high quality wheat. To complete the day we will take you to a traditional Welsh tea house, where it is possible to enjoy tasty homemade breads, cakes and pies, and a cup of delicious tea. 

For this activity you can either have a half day or a full day excursion. If you are interested in this activity, we would need to know one or two days in advance. 

This winery is located in one of the most extreme regions for viticulture in Argentina. Guided tours are offered of the vineyards and winery with tastings of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc wines. There is a good restaurant for lunch with locally grown products. 

If you are interested in this activity, we would need to know one week in advance. 

Across the Border in Chile 

The town of Futaleufú, Chile is located only 19 km west of El Encuentro Lodge. This small endearing town has a distinct character that feels different from either Esquel or Trevelin. Near town, the Rio Futaleufu has magnificent rapids, among the most difficult for kayaking in the world (class VI). There are several good restaurants for lunch, where you can enjoy Pacific seafood topped off by a traditional Pisco Sour. We can take you on a leisurely drive around the area or on an enjoyable walk along the river. For those who are looking for a vigorous half or full day hike, we can set you up with a guide on one of several excellent options near town. You’ll be surprised at the change of scenery and lifestyle from Argentina, just a short distance away. 

If you are interested in this activity, we would need to know one or two days in advance. 

LA TROCHITA - Half day trip on the Narrow Gauge Railway 

Take a half day ride with your guide on one of the only narrow-gauge trains still operating in the world. Departing from Esquel, the train heads east to the small station at Nahuel Pan, an indigenous community, located 20 kilometers east of Esquel. The round trip takes about 3 hours. One can enjoy a variety of landscapes combining the native forests and the steppe. In Nahuel Pan, one can visit a small museum about the indigenous cultures of the region. Be advised that the seats are not especially comfortable! 

If you are interested in this activity, we would need to know two weeks in advance. 

If you are an experienced photographer, our guide will help you to find the best landscapes with a chance to also see and photograph birds and wildlife. If you are a beginner, our guide can help you take first steps into photography, and provide you with the camera and lens for the images you would like to take. Photography gives one a unique way to experience a place and the surrounding environments. Mountains, lakes, rivers, temperate rainforest, and the high desert lands of the steppe, are all within 20 km of El Encuentro. 

If you are interested in this activity, we would need to know one or two days in advance.