Location

Coordinates: 53°51’27.7″S 67°47’00.7″W

The lodge is located on the Rio Grande, in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina; just a few miles upstream of the South Atlantic. In the modern era, starting with the opening of Kau Tapen Lodge in the early ’80s, the Rio Grande has become the most productive sea-run brown trout fishery in the world. While trout numbers annually fluctuate with conditions in the river and at sea, a fish or two a day is the norm, and 6- to 8-fish days are a regular occurrence.

The Rio Grande flows from west to east, from the Andes to the Atlantic Ocean, through approximately 60 miles of Argentine territory. The landscape of Tierra del Fuego is reminiscent of Wyoming or the Scottish low country. It includes sparsely populated wilderness, large sheep farming estancias, and wild herds of llama-like Guanacos, as well as plentiful red fox populations and soaring condors.

Getting There

Guests fly into Buenos Aires, Argentina, and typically overnight there, with a day to spend touring this wonderful city. Arrival day at Villa María is set for Friday. Commercial airlines fly from Buenos Aires to the airport of Rio Grande (3-hour flight), where a lodge representative will meet you. The transfer from Rio Grande airport to the lodge takes 30 minutes. On arrival at the lodge, guests are welcomed with cocktails by the entire Villa Maria staff.