Relax in the remote heart of the Patagonian lakes. The journey takes you through enchanted forests of southern beech, native coihue and cypress, across pure blue rivers and lakes to our beautiful island, Las Bandurrias, in the middle of the unspoiled Lago Las Rocas. This is truly a very special place where you will be able to relax, enjoy warm homely hospitality and exquisite cuisine, to swim or kayak in the crystal clear water or just quietly contemplate the peace and beauty of this place. You will feel as if you have left the hurly burly of the rest of the world far behind.
On Las Bandurrias you will find the main house, built in the local rustic style many years ago and decorated and furnished with a delightful fusion of French and Chilean influences. The house is surrounded by a colourful garden, full of native bird life, including abundant humming birds. You will be warmly hosted here for aperitifs and enjoy a convivial evening of lovingly created cuisine and conversation, while just a short walk away, along a fairy-lit path through the woods, you will find our guest cabin. This tastefully decorated and spacious cabaña can accommodate up to four people in the upstairs bedroom, with a bathroom and fabulous views over the lake, and there is a further private en-suite double or twin bedroom downstairs, overlooking the terrace and the mountains beyond. There is a large but cosy living/dining room in the cabin, and a fully equipped kitchen.
We are sure that you will find your stay on Bandurrias Island a highlight of your trip.
BANDURRIAS ISLAND PROGRAMS.
OTHER ACTIVITIES.
Ventisquero Valley
This morning, we will take a short motorboat ride to Las Hualas, one of Las Rocas Lake section. Once you feel comfortable and safe in your saddle, we will start our ride forward to Rio Puelo. The path crosses along selfsufficient farms surrounded by big mountains. We will have the possibility of enjoy different sceneries, from clean agricultural farms to trails insight the deep Andes forest with ancient trees, fast rivers, waterfalls and wilderness.
After a couple of hours riding, we will arrive to the amazing Rio Puelo are and admire its hanging bridge, which once brought locals the possibility of connecting isolated valleys with the main towns. The river has a unique turquoise color and draws incredible canyons and open beaches in its way down to the Pacific Ocean. We will continue to Ventisqueros Valley where we will make a stop to enjoy our box-lunch. In the afternoon we will go back to Bandurrias Island. Timing: 20 minutes motorboat round trip, approx. 5 to 6 hours of horseback riding.
Río Catarata
We will start our excursion by taking a boat from Las Bandurrias Island to Puerto La Huala to meet our horses and our Baquian guide. Once well insatuated in the saddle and having checked all the adjustments, we will head towards the course of the Rio Cartarata from its source in Lake Las Rocas to before flowing into the Rio Puelo.
The path passes through a neighboring property and enters the forest and mountain slope. Always with the river on our side, we will reach Puente La Vieja, where the only vehicular road in the valley passes. We will take the road for 30 minutes until we reach Campo La Colina, where our horses live. We will have the opportunity to visit a mountain field and the activities that are carried out there. On the way back, we will take a 30-minute walk to stretch our legs towards Lake Las Rocas, where our boat will be waiting for us to head towards the island. Timing 4hs aprox.
Lago Azul
This morning we will enjoy visiting the Azul Lake with its crystal clear waters and abundant fish life. The majestic peaks and stunning landscapes will not escape your attention! Our trek follows deep and straight passes into the forest along the mountains which will take us to join the south part of this lake, passing through the typical Valdivian rainforest with its ancient trees as well as other local giants such as the “Coihue” and the “Arrayan”. Picnic and relax on the shore of the lake. Afterwards, we will return back in direction to Las Rocas Lake and the rest of the day at the private island. Timing: 40 minutes motorboat roundtrip; approx. 4 hours hiking.
Las Cabras
This morning, we will begin the excursion with a small motorboat crossing towards our neighbours’ beach, Playa Mosquito. From there, we will begin our ascent through the hill that borders Las Rocas Lake, in front of the island. During the ascent, we will enjoy the beautiful vegetation of the native forest until we arrive towards the first lookout, where we will be able to enjoy a panoramic view of the Puelo Valley and the mouth of the Ventisqueros Valley in the Puelo River. We will again enter the forest in the direction of our second viewpoint, passing by a lagoon where we will admire the Alerce trees, an ancient tree in which it is in danger of extinction.
We will continue our walk until we reach “the balcony” of Las Rocas Lake, giving us an excellent opportunity to have a different vision of the Island, the Lake and the La Colina field. During the way, it is most likely to meet our neighbours’ goats and interact with them! The descent continues to the lake where we will take the boat back to the island. Timing: 10 minutes motorboat roundtrip, approx. 4 hours hike.
