Villa Maria Lodge

Lodging Details
Villa Maria Lodge is steeped in history, dating back to 1894 when it was a bustling sheep ranch. The 120,000-acre ranch still hosts 40,000 sheep and has all the accents of a historical riverfront ranch. The lodge has 6 comfortable double and single rooms that will quickly make anglers feel right at home. The fact that 80% of the lodge’s clients are repeat guests speaks volumes about the high caliber of accommodations and fishing programs. In addition to a spacious and comfortable main lodge, Villa Maria boasts a day lodge that has three rooms perfect for midday siestas.

Food and Beverages
Villa Maria Lodge boasts excellent cuisine made with the traditional Argentine fare. A great team of experienced national and international chefs trained in both classic and avant-garde culinary techniques prepare all the dishes. In addition, guests will indulge in a traditional Argentine asado where lamb and beef are grilled over an open fire. With the lodge’s proximity to the ocean, seafood like king crab is regularly served. Each dish pairs great with one of Argentina’s famous wines that hold a special place in Argentine culture and the lodge is more than proud to serve them. After dinner wonderful desserts including homemade ice cream, sweets and pastries are prepared by the chef.

Typical Length of Stay
The typical length of a trip at Villa Maria is seven (7) nights with six (6) days of fishing.

Non-Angling Activities and Options
This is a fishing-focused destination with limited non-angling activities.

How To Get There
Getting to Tierra Del Fuego, Argentina is not as difficult as it is time-consuming. Travelers typically take an overnight flight from one of several major cities in the U.S. and arrive in Buenos Aires (Ezeiza International Airport – EZE) in the morning. Guests typically need to overnight in Buenos Aires before taking a connecting flight to Tierra Del Fuego. From the Buenos Aires domestic airport (Jorge Newbery Domestic Airport – AEP) there are two options to get to the lodge. Based on your travel needs and available flights guests can choose to fly to Rio Grande and transfer 45 minutes to the lodge or fly to Ushuaia and transfer 3 hours to the lodge. Transfers to/from Rio Grande and the lodge are included in the standard package rate. However, there is an additional cost for transfers to/from Ushuaia and the lodge, please contact Yellow Dog for rates.

Arrival and Departure Details/Times

Flight schedules and availability between Buenos Aires and Tierra Del Fuego airport hubs (Rio Grande or Ushuaia) change year to year. Typically, guests book flights to either Rio Grande or Ushuaia arriving in the afternoon and arrange return flights departing mid-day. Please consult with Yellow Dog for the most current travel details. 

Documents Required
Citizens of the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and other Western European nations do not need a visa for tourist trips of up to ninety days. You will need a valid passport and will have to fill in a landing card on arrival and you will be given a stamp of stays of thirty, sixty, or ninety days. Staple your duplicate of the landing page card into your passport, next to your entrance stamp, as you’ll need it to leave the country. If you do lose it, it’s rarely a serious problem, but you’ll have to fill in a new form at the border control. On entering the country, you’ll also be given a customs declaration form. Duty is not charged on used personal effects, books, and other articles for non-commercial purposes, up to the value of $300. Make sure you declare any valuable electronic items such as laptop computers, as customs officers can be suspicious that you may be bringing them into the country to sell.

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 

General Information
Unlike Salmon, sea-run trout can return to a river to spawn more than just once in their lifetimes. Brown trout born in the Rio Grande will swim to the sea where they reach up to 20 pounds. Once they are of spawning age the trout will return to the Rio Grande to continue the cycle of life. The fishing program at Villa Maria starts at 9 in the morning till around 1 in the afternoon. Anglers will then have lunch, maybe a siesta, and then will return to the river late afternoon for the second session. Fishing until dark is not uncommon so don’t forget a headlamp! The Rio Grande has countless pools, runs, riffles, and features that sea-run fish love love.

Boats and Equipment
All fishing at Villa Maria is by wading. Anglers will want to bring either two-handed or single-handed rods. Although anglers can use single-handed rods, two-handers are suggested because of the longer casting ranges. Rods are available for use but a deposit is required along with a daily fee.

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.

2023 Package Rates
Seven (7) nights / Six (6) days = $7,950 – $10,950 per person

What’s Included:

• All accommodations (single occupancy) and meals at the lodge
• Fully guided daily fishing (2 anglers per guide)
• All beverages including beer, wine, and alcohol
• Transfers to/from the Rio Grande airport and the lodge
• Rods and reels (if needed)

What’s Not Included:

• International and domestic airfare
• Transfers, meals, and hotels in Buenos Aires
• Transfer to/from Ushuaia and the lodge
• Waders, boots, and flies
• Laundry services
• Fishing license (additional $495)
• Gratuities for guides and staff

Villa Maria Lodge (Rio Grande, Argentina)
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 Argentina 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.