Travel and Logistics
Travelling to Chile is relatively easy with convenient, daily flights from Los Angeles, Atlanta, Dallas, Miami, and New York. Most flights are direct, departing the states in the afternoon or early evening and arriving early the next morning in Santiago, the Capitol of Chile. Airlines that service Chile include LAN, Delta, United and American.
Arriving in Chile is also very easy, hassle-free and safe. Airfares from the U.S. to Santiago vary widely with tickets from New York, Miami and Los Angeles ranging from $900 to $1,200 round trip. Usually the best fares can be had by flying LAN, the national airline of Chile. LAN is one of the largest air carriers servicing South America. Their modern, new air fleet has a superb record for reliability, safety and on-time departures and arrivals.
Guests arrive via Santiago, transfer on to Puerto Montt usually to stay overnight, and then fly into Chaiten the following morning. Puerto Montt is a very nice city located right on the water with some fine sites and great restaurants.
From Puerto Montt, we will arrange a small charter flight for you to Chaiten which is included in your package price. This flight usually leaves around midday (we will advise you of flight times) and takes about 40 minutes. Your package includes ground transfers from Puerto Montt to a small aerodrom located in Puero Montt where your flight departs.
Guests fly in on a 14-seat Cessna Grand Caravan or Twin Otter. Weight restrictions on this flight are lighter than on the international flights and during peak season 60 lbs is the limit. We have daily laundry service available and included with your stay at the lodge so you can travel light. Once you arrive in Chaitin you will be met by lodge representatives and taken on a scenic drive to the lodge.
Another option is to come through Argentina via Buenos Aires and into Esquel or Bariloche. In Buenos Aires, it is necessary to allow for a transfer from the international airport to the domestic airport, usually 45 minutes-1 hour. This way you can travel on a full size jetliner and avoid the smaller charter service. The flight from Buenos Aires to Esquel is limited to Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. There are daily flights from Buenos Aires to Bariloche if the Esquel option doesn't work for you, however, Bariloche is a 4 1/2 hour drive from the border, so unless you are fishing up that way Esquel is a better option. Esquel's airport is only one hour from the border and another 2 1/2 to the lodge. An additional pickup fee is charged with these options to accommodate the shuttle services, but if you are inclined to fish a week in Argentina and then come over into Chile, this is a very nice way to go. We are an easy jaunt over the border from the Esquel area.
It is relatively easy to organize a flight which comes in through the Chilean side and one which leaves via Argentina, or vice versa for those wanting to combine the two countries Please contact us if you require assistance setting up your travel plans.