Accommodations
Season
Species
Ideal for
Conservation
The Sister Operation of Cinco Rios Lodge
This 15,000-acre Estancia – the sister operation of Cinco Rios Lodge in Coyhaique – offers guests the chance to fish and explore private, productive waters in both Chile and Argentina. Explore the canyons, mountains, and waters of the area as you’re guided on two totally private rivers and a 15-mile-long spring creek – all within the Estancia’s private boundaries. Guests typically alternate fishing locations during the course of the week, fishing one day in Chile and crossing the border to fish in Argentina the next. Peaceful and secluded, the Estancia area is also a bird watcher’s paradise, offering what may be the finest Condor-watching opportunities in the world. Del Zorro has areas where you can literally come face-to-face with these amazing birds as they circle around you.
Accommodation Details
Lodging Details
Estancia del Zorro, located 23 miles from the historic Chilean city of Coyhaique, is a full-service lodge and ranch operation. The Lodge building has recently undergone a facelift, restoring the original ranch house and all of the guest rooms. Each room has two king-sized beds, air-conditioning, a private bath, and a large, private balcony overlooking the ranch, the spring creek, and the vast pampas. The main Quincho (Great Room) is the social center of the ranch operation and a great place for guests to relax, swap fish stories, and make plans for the next day of fishing. This is an authentic, working Chilean estancia that offers the complete cultural experience along with some of the best fishing in the region.
Food and Beverages
There is a large Quincho area where many of the meals are taken, along with a small dining area in the main ranch house. You can expect great food while staying at Estancia del Zorro, including huge steaks and very high-quality Chilean wines.
Typical Length of Stay
A standard package at Del Zorro is seven (7) nights / six (6) fishing days (Saturday through Saturday), although trips of any length can be accommodated.
Non-Angling Activities and Options
Chilean Patagonia has much to offer the non-angler, and in this particular area, there is a great deal more to explore than just the rivers and streams. Peaceful and secluded, this private estancia is a birdwatcher’s paradise for Andean condors, Chilean Southern-ringed kingfishers, eagles, ibis, torrent ducks, and parakeets. High on the cliffs of Estancia del Zorro’s property, you can literally come eye-to-eye with the magnificent condors as they circle rock spires riding the wind and currents. This is an amazing experience for anyone visiting the Estancia and something that we absolutely recommend! Guests can also explore the nearby city of Coyhaique, with its woolen goods, shopping, central craft market, restaurants, and historic places of interest.
Internet / Communications
The Estancia does offer satellite internet service.
Travel Details
How To Get There
Overnight flights from the United States to and from Santiago’s Arturuo Merino Benitez International Airport (SCL) are available on American Airlines, Delta, or Lan Chile. From there you fly by Lan Chile 737 jet to the Balmaceda Airport (BBA), three hours south of Santiago. When you arrive, a representative will be waiting for you at the airport and will transfer you the 45 minutes to Estancia Del Zorro.
Arrival and Departure Details / Times
Most guests take an overnight flight to Santiago, Chile (SCL), arriving early in the morning. After processing through customs and immigration, you can easily catch a late morning or early afternoon flight that same day to Balmaceda (BBA). This domestic flight usually makes a quick stop in Puerto Montt. This three-hour flight is incredibly scenic, traveling along the incredible Chilean Andes. Once you arrive in Balmaceda, you will be met by a representative and transferred to Estancia del Zorro.
Documents Required
You will need a valid passport to enter the country of Chile. Citizens of the United States, Canada, and the UK do not need a visa unless they plan on staying for more than three months.
Travel Arrangements
Yellow Dog provides airline reservations ad ticketing assistance through etcTravel Group, and a full-service airline logistics agent that can help book airline tickets, hotels, rental cars, and more. You can click here to request a quote or contact Yellow Dog for more information at 406-585-8667. etcTravel Group offers dedicated support services for all Yellow Dog clients. Service fees may apply when booking or researching tickets, and etcTravel will discuss this with you before sending quotes.
Travel Tools
– Airline Ticketing
– Moon Phases
– Rent This Rod
– Trip Insurance and Emergency Evacuation
– Global Rescue Membership
Fishing
General Information
Each day of your trip, you can expect your knowledgeable and patient guide to lead you through the hills, canyons, forests, mountains, pampas, and waters of the Estancia and the surrounding region. You will fish for brown trout on the Estancia’s two private rivers and on a 15-mile spring creek that holds brown trout up to an astonishing 10 pounds. All of these waters are totally private and within the Estancia’s boundaries. If you love small-water, spring creek fishing, then you will love the Estancia’s fishing program. The typical itinerary usually combines fishing for resident brown trout on the Estancia along with fishing for rainbows on a nearby Argentine Estancia. A scenic 35-minute drive across the Chilean-Argentine border traverses the Argentine pampas, and on the road to the river, you will pass small lagunas that are home to a variety of different swans, shorebirds, and pink flamingos. From Del Zorro, you also have the option of floating the legendary Simpson River, located approximately one hour from the Estancia.
Boats and Equipment
Estancia del Zorro’s equipment includes rubber rafts with high-backed seats and quality 4×4 vehicles with trailers to reach all of the area waters. While the Estancia does keep a small amount of loaner equipment on hand, it is advised that anglers bring all of their own equipment, including waders, boots, rods, reels, flies, and all terminal tackle.
Rates and Terms
Remember that Yellow Dog’s services are completely free! When you book a trip with Yellow Dog, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge or outfitter. All prices listed below are per person, based on double occupancy, and quoted in US dollars. Trips of any length can be arranged, so please call Yellow Dog for details and custom package pricing.
Please contact Yellow Dog for rates for 2023 trips.
What’s Included:
- All transfers to and from Balmaceda Airport (BBA) or Coyhaique, Chile (GXQ) to the Lodge
- All accommodations Saturday through Saturday
- All meals at the lodge
- Beverages including beer, wine, and alcohol
- Daily guided fishing (2 anglers per guide)
- Fishing license
- All taxes
- Use of rods and reels (if needed)
- Use of waders and boots (if needed)
- Wi-Fi at both lodge locations
What’s Not Included:
- International airfare to Santiago, Chile (SCL)
- Domestic airfare to Balmaceda, Chile (BBA)
- Gratuities for guides and lodge staff
- Trip insurance
- Flies and terminal tackle (Available for $120 per angler)
Cinco Rios and Estancia del Zorro (Coyhaique, Chile)
TERMS AND CONDITIONS – CANCELLATIONS
A non-refundable deposit of 50% per person is due at the time of booking for all lodging and fishing packages, and final payment if due 90 days prior to arrival. For cancellations, all deposits and payments are non-refundable. In no event will the lodge or Yellow Dog be responsible for any cancellation of services or operations due to inclement weather, any event of force majeure, airline delays, flight cancellations, or any other reason beyond the control of the lodge. The lodge will not refund payments in the event of poor weather, or if arrival flights are cancelled or airline connections are missed. Additionally, the lodge and Yellow Dog are not responsible for covering costs associated with alternative travel arrangements including flights, hotels, meals or any other expenses incurred. For all of these reasons, and because of the no refund and no credit policy, Yellow Dog strongly recommends that anglers and guests purchase travel insurance and full coverage for your trip. If a cancelled package is resold by either the lodge or by Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, then a full refund will be issued minus a $100.00 per person fee charged by Yellow Dog. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgment that registrant has read and accepts the deposit, cancellation, refund and responsibility clauses for these packages. Once again, Yellow Dog strongly recommends that anglers and guests purchase travel insurance all Chile packages.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW YELLOW DOG GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND CANCELLATION POLICIES
Payment Terms For All Yellow Dog Trip Bookings
In order to lock in your trip reservation, we ask that you please remit payment at the time of receipt of invoice. For your convenience, Yellow Dog accepts on-line payments via a direct and secure ACH platform – a quick and easy way to complete your trip reservation. Note that all Yellow Dog invoices include a live link that takes you directly to the Yellow Dog ACH platform for fast and easy payment. For open and existing invoices with a remaining balance, payment reminders also include this easy link to the ACH page.
Other customary forms of payment that are accepted are checks or wire transfers. If you would like to pay in a different way or have any questions about alternate payment methods, please contact Yellow Dog at (888) 777-5060 or (406) 585-8667. We are available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Beginning September 1st, 2020, Yellow Dog will apply a 3% convenience fee for all credit card transactions.
Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures Standard Forms For Payment
- ACH online payments (for US banking institutions only).
- Traditional checks (sent via mail)
- Electronic wire payments (client is responsible for any wiring fees)
*Please contact us if you prefer or require a different payment option. Convenience fees may apply for other payment methods.
**Please be aware that the ACH platform is only available for US financial institutions and bank accounts. International payments can be made via wire or with a credit card.
Gallery
Quick Reference Legend
