There’s more than one way to experience northern Patagonia. You can spend an entire week at a single lodge, getting to know its surrounding rivers and settling into the rhythm of life in Argentina. Or you can turn that week into a journey, moving between remarkable properties, exploring new fisheries and discovering the character of Patagonia’s historic working estancias.

At Patagonia River Guides North, our Private Estancia Program makes it possible to do both. Combining stays at multiple properties allows guests to experience a tremendous variety of fishing, landscapes, food and hospitality in one thoughtfully planned adventure.

Imagine beginning your trip at Rinconada Lodge, continuing to the sprawling cattle ranch at Estancia Quemquemtreu and finishing beneath Lanín Volcano at Estancia Mamuil Malal. Each destination offers something entirely different, and together they create an extraordinary introduction to northern Patagonia.

Here’s what a week of authentic stays could look like.

Your adventure begins at Rinconada Lodge, a comfortable and welcoming base for exploring the San Martín and Junín de los Andes region.

Rinconada’s central location makes it an excellent starting point for a multi-estancia itinerary. Within reach are several of northern Patagonia’s most celebrated rivers, giving our guides the flexibility to build each day around the conditions and the type of fishing you enjoy.

You might begin with a float on the Chimehuín River, fishing beautiful runs and banks for brown and rainbow trout. The Aluminé and Collón Curá offer additional float opportunities, while anglers who prefer wading can explore the Malleo or venture into the spectacular Caleufú River.

The next stop takes you deeper into the countryside to Estancia Quemquemtreu, one of northern Patagonia’s great working cattle ranches.

Spanning nearly 200,000 acres, this historic property has been part of Patagonia’s ranching heritage for more than a century. Thousands of Hereford cattle graze across the estancia, gauchos work the land and more than 30 historic buildings make up the ranch headquarters.

Staying here offers a genuine introduction to traditional estancia life. The main lodge has spacious guest rooms and a comfortable sitting room centered around a stone fireplace. A separate bar building provides a welcoming place to enjoy appetizers and Argentine wine before dinner.

The fishing is every bit as remarkable as the property itself.

Quemquemtreu provides PRG guests with private access to more than 30 miles of the Collón Curá River. Its broad runs, productive back channels, quiet sloughs and extensive float opportunities make it an exceptional destination for anglers who want to explore a big Patagonian trout river.

The estancia also offers exclusive access to Quemquemtreu Creek, a smaller, intimate stream ideally suited to walk-and-wade fishing. During its prime windows in November, December, early January and May, the creek provides a wonderful contrast to the larger Collón Curá.

After a full day on the river, return to the estancia for another distinctly Argentine experience. Traditional asados cooked over an open fire, homemade bread, regional dishes and excellent wines are all part of the hospitality.

There is something special about spending a few nights on a property like Quemquemtreu. The fishing draws you here, but the scale of the ranch, its history and the people who care for it make the stay memorable long after you’ve returned home.

For the final chapter of your adventure, travel toward the magnificent Lanín Volcano and Estancia Mamuil Malal, a traditional Patagonian homestead on the banks of the Malleo River.

Owned by Bertil and Dolores Grahn, Mamuil Malal is an intimate property that welcomes a maximum of eight anglers in four double rooms. Its classic country house, inviting living room and home-cooked regional meals create an atmosphere that feels more like visiting old friends than staying at a conventional fishing lodge.

Bertil continues to work the ranch, while Dolores oversees the hospitality that has made the estancia a favorite among returning guests. You might see gauchos tending cattle or even catch a polo game on the lawn.

For anglers, however, the property’s location is the real attraction.

Mamuil Malal provides private access to approximately 15 miles of the upper Malleo River, one of northern Patagonia’s most celebrated dry-fly fisheries. Beautiful riffles, inviting runs and remarkable insect hatches create opportunities for anglers who enjoy matching the hatch and making precise presentations to rising trout.

The estancia also has exclusive access to a private creek running through the property. With easy wading and intimate water, it offers a completely different experience from the broad rivers you explored earlier in the week.

One of the greatest advantages of combining these three properties is the variety of water available throughout your journey.

From the Chimehuín and Aluminé to the Collón Curá, Malleo and private estancia creeks, every destination introduces new opportunities. One day might involve floating a broad river and working streamers along its banks. The next could find you wading a small creek, watching for rising trout and making delicate dry-fly presentations.

Our guides can tailor each day’s fishing to the conditions, your interests and the opportunities available across the region. And as you move between properties, the scenery, accommodations and hospitality change along with the fishing.

It’s an approach that allows you to experience far more of northern Patagonia than you might during a traditional single-lodge stay.

This itinerary is just one example of what’s possible with PRG North.

Some guests prefer to spend more time at a particular estancia. Others want to explore additional lodges, extend their trip or focus on specific rivers and styles of fishing.

Our Private Estancia Program is designed around that flexibility. We work with you to combine the right properties, fishing opportunities and experiences into a journey that reflects your interests.

From the welcoming atmosphere of Rinconada to the vast ranching landscape of Quemquemtreu and the intimate hospitality of Mamuil Malal, each stop introduces a new side of Patagonia.

And sometimes, the best way to discover a place is to keep exploring.

Ready to plan your week in Patagonia? Contact our team at info@patagoniariverguides.com to create your custom itinerary.