Patagonia, Argentina Trout Fishing Trip with Hawkins Outfitters
Welcome to Patagonia, Argentina, the best trout fly fishing in the world. Argentina is a teriffic country, full of wonderful people, great food, unbelievable fishing venues and rich history. There are a few nuances to traveling to our fishing destinations. Please read the below information carefully and don’t hesitate to call me with any questions or for help.
A passport is required to enter Argentina. It needs to be valid for at least six months after your travel, nine months is better. No immunization is required for travel to Argentina.
Most guests fly either American or Delta airlines overnight to Buenos Aries (airport code EZE). Then you will continue on to either San Martin de los Andes (CPC) or Bariloche (BRC). To catch those flights, you will need to change airports and fly out of Aeropuerto (AEP). It is crucial that you allow yourself a minimum of three hours to make the transfer. Anything less will put you in jeopardy of missing your flight.
San Martin de los Andes is less than an hour from the lodge, Bariloche is almost three hours away. However, San Martin has a limited number of flights daily so it can sometimes be difficult to maintain the three hours necessary in Buenos Aries to change airports. Bariloche has many more flights daily but driving three hours after all that travel is brutal. Fly there if it’s your only option.
To make the transfer you can take a taxi, bus or private car. I always use Silver Star Car Service www.silverstar.com. The owner, Fred (Chicago native), his wife and all of their drivers speak fluent English and do a fantastic job of getting you to AEP on time and safely.
If your trip includes a camping trip on the Limay Medio you will be flying from Neuquen (NQN). You will get off the river and overnight in Neuquen the fly to Buenos Aries the next morning.
It is likely that returning home you will have a long layover in Buenos Aries. This is a good time to have an incredible meal before going to the international airport. Silver Star can arrange to drop you at a restaurant (I highly recommend Don Julio’s) and pick you up later.
Many of our guests spend a day and night in Buenos Aries and fly to their final destination the following day. That solves the above referenced flights/timing problem. If you haven’t been to Buenos Aries it is a fascinating city, one of the largest in the world. All of the major hotel chains are there plus I stay at a boutique hotel( Urban Suites Hotel) across from Recoletta Cemetary, the burial site of Evita. If you stay in Recoletta or Placencia you are in safe neighborhood with great restuarants nearby. Silver Star Car Service can also take you on a quick tour of the city and recommend restuarants etc.
When making your reservations to fly inside of Argentina make sure that the airline you use, either Aerolinas Argentinas or Lan Airlines is a partner with the carrier you use from the US. That way if a flight is delayed you will get credit to continue on. You might not if they aren’t partners.
When you arrive at your destination you will be met by a representative from Andes Drifters. They will transpot you to the lodge.
I’m sure you will have a great time with our hosts, Andes Drifters. They are the best in the business. Please contact me with any questions.
Thanks.
Captain Chuck Hawkins