Aguas Arriba Lodge, El Chalten | Timbuktu Travel
El Chalten

Aguas Arriba Lodge

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About Aguas Arriba Lodge

A gem of a refuge where unparalleled glacier views and forest trails are all yours
The all-inclusive Aguas Arriba Lodge is truly one-of-a-kind. Sitting on the banks of Lago del Desierto, 37 kilometres from El Chalten, it's the only man-made structure on the lake and surrounded by nothing but gorgeous southern beech forest to one side and the vastness of the lake and Vespignani Glacier to the other. It will come as no surprise that the secluded spot is accessible only by boat - unless you want to hike. Accompanied by one of the lodge’s guides, a three-hour walk through the forest will lead you to the front door, whilst your luggage travels comfortably by boat. If you’re up for it, it’s certainly worth it!
From $1.3K per person/per night
Retreat
6 Rooms
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Property details

The property

The lodge is part of a 1,700 acre, forest-covered property with a staggering 900 metres of shoreline. With this privileged setting in mind, it was built with eco-friendly materials (mostly recycled wood), in a very rustic style. Inside, the superbly cosy living room features high ceilings, a huge window wall with magical views, and plenty of squishy couches to kick back on and chat to other guests. The deck overlooking the lake is a prime spot for enjoying the sunsets and sounds of nature - and if it’s with a glass of Patagonian wine in hand, even better. The food is fresh and grandma’s-recipes-homely, and the owners are happy to accommodate any restrictions.

The rooms

Aguas Arriba's rooms are all en-suite and feature a minimalist and simple décor with wooden cladding throughout for a cosy chalet feel. All have central heating and thick, comfortable mattresses with no shortage of warm covers, while in the airy bathrooms you’ll find showers with bathtubs, robes and organic toiletries. The corner suites boast some of the better views, with Mt. Fitz Roy towards the north, while the front-lake rooms offer stunning views of the lake and hanging glacier. If travelling with the family, the forest room is ideal as it has two perfectly-private but adjoining spaces.

Activities

The all-inclusive programme focuses on two main activities: trekking and fly fishing. With seemingly endless trail options of varying difficulty and length, you can spend days exploring the mesmerising natural beauty that surrounds the lodge, discovering hanging glaciers and different viewpoints of majestic Mt. Fitz Roy. Fly fishers will also enjoy this dream spot where catching 2kg trout is not a rare occurrence. Fishing equipment is not for rent though, so you'll need to pack all your own equipment. And although there isn’t an onsite spa, the sheer natural beauty and serenity of the place will make you feel like you're in a wellness retreat.

What you'll love

What you'll love

With only six rooms and literally nothing else around, this is a lodge that's all about nature, views and unexplored trails where you won't come across another soul in the world.
Insiders tip

Insiders Tip

Although the lake-facing deck is a delight, the deck at the back of the house facing the forest is the perfect spot to sip on a mate and sink into a good book.
Something to think about

Something to think about

Due to the lodge’s wooden structure some ground-level rooms get noise from upstairs and the common lounge - earplugs will do the trick though. Also, there's no Wifi or phone signal, so be ready to disconnect.

Argentina

El Chalten

Lace up your boots and set out to explore Argentina’s dreamy hiking capital