Rio Palena Lodge Sample Summer Itinerary for Families

Sample Summer Itinerary for Families

SIX DAYS / FIVE NIGHTS

Welcome

Rio Palena Lodge in Chilean Patagonia is a riverfront basecamp built for active families. Days move between rivers, valleys, and peaks alongside experienced guides who specialize in personalizing activities to guests of all ages. Back at the lodge, thoughtful details like woodfired hot tubs and a fully outfitted gear room keep things running smoothly, so you can focus on family time.

Afternoon

◆ Arrive at the lodge and settle in with a welcome drink

◆ Meet your guides for a trip briefing and to finalize the week’s adventures

◆ Sip Pisco Sours from the deck overlooking the kids playing games on the lawn

Evening

◆ Sit down together for a chef-prepared Chilean dinner with plate options designed for all ages

◆ Unwind from your travel in the woodfired sauna and hot tubs while the kids play foosball in the game room

River Adventures and Local Culture

Morning

◆ Start the day with a made-to-order breakfast of local eggs, fresh breads, and seasonal fruit

◆ Head out to go inflatable kayaking on the Rio Palena, with stretches of water calm enough for kids five and older

Afternoon

◆ Break for a chef-packed lunch along the banks with time to explore and reset

◆ Check out Don Víctor’s Bees to see the honey-making process up close

◆ Stop by Magdalena’s for handmade goods and a quick look at local craft traditions

Evening

◆ Return to the lodge for massages while the kids have their first casting lesson on the lawn

◆ Gather for aprés by the fire and a locally sourced dinner in the dining room

Hiking and Quincho Lunch

Morning

◆ Ease into the day with coffee and breakfast on the patio

◆ Set out with your guides on a custom-tailored hike to waterfalls or through Valdivian forests

Afternoon

◆ Visit a local estancia for a seasonal sheep shearing demonstration and hands-on ranch experience

◆ Let the kids experience authentic Patagonian culture and food at Don Nico’s in a gaucho quincho

Evening

◆ Return to the lodge for a round of pool in the bar, spa time, or a fireside nap

◆ Sit down to homemade empanadas, fresh seafood, and local meat paired with Chilean wines

Adventure by Water and Air

Morning

◆ Fuel up with the daily special, juice, and an espresso

◆ Lift off from the lodge’s helipad for a heli-accessed glacier hike in the surrounding high country for the adults and older kids, while the younger kids play, picnic, and stand-up paddleboard on the beautiful lake nearby with our team

Afternoon

◆ Fuel up with picnic lunches, and mountaintop heli-aprés for those glacier hiking

◆ Return to the lodge for lessons with our fly fishing guides, who will help the kids perfect their cast and guide experienced anglers on the riverbank

Evening

◆ Stay outside while we bring après to you, complete with kid-friendly snacks and craft cocktails

◆ Enjoy dinner out on the patio, then sip a nightcap while the kids and watch a movie

Fly Fishing and Asado

Morning

◆ Kick off the day with a filling breakfast full of local ingredients

◆ Spend the day fly fishing with our expert guides, with kids progressing from casting practice to fly fishing on the river just outside the lodge, and the option for more experienced anglers to put in right from the lodge for a guided float on the Rio Palena

Afternoon

◆ Meet along the river at the takeout for a packed lunch prepared by our chefs

◆ Head back to the lodge for an easy bike ride together along quiet roads toward Tranquilo Valley

Evening

◆ Walk down to the lodge’s riverside asado outpost tucked into a light-strung grove of trees

◆ Enjoy traditional pisco cocktails while chefs grill over an open fire

◆ Settle in for a Chilean feast with fireside drinks and dancing

Departure

Morning

◆ Enjoy a final breakfast at the lodge with coffee on the patio overlooking the Rio Palena

◆ Fit in a short stroll around the property or a few last casts on the river

◆ Depart from the lodge with our staff who will drive you to the airport

Available Activities

*priced separately

Hiking

Explore the vast terrain of Patagonia with our knowledgeable guides, from leisurely waterfall hikes to heli-hiking across a just-discovered glacier. The volume of nature and the diversity of flora and fauna here is hard to beat.

Available for ages 5 and over. Some options are limited to ages 12 and over.

Whitewater Rafting

Ranked in the top five whitewater destinations in the world, the Futaleufú delivers an epic rafting experience just an hour away. Outfitted in dry suits and personal flotation devices, you’ll paddle the Futa’s adrenaline pumping Class 3–5 rapids with seasoned guides.

*Half-day included in your stay. Full-day charged separately. Available for kids over 14 years old who weigh over 80 pounds for safety reasons.

Inflatable Kayaking

Explore the rivers and waterways surrounding Rio Palena by inflatable kayak, with routes ranging from calm scenic paddles to more dynamic stretches of moving water. Suitable for a range of skill levels, these outings offer a fun and immersive way to experience Patagonia from the river. Available for ages 5 and older.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding

Paddleboard through scenic stretches of the Palena and Futaleufú Rivers or spend a full day exploring the turquoise waters of Lake Yelcho. Surrounded by rainforest, mountains, and abundant wildlife, these outings offer a relaxed way to experience Patagonia from the water

Available for ages 5 and older.

Biking

Pedal along a quaint old road past cattle and sheep on your way to Tranquillo Valley’s turquoise waters on an easygoing bike ride that starts at our Palena Camp. You can also couple this activity with inflatable kayaking. Available for ages 8 and over.

Walk and Wade Fishing

The lodge’s location along Rio Palena allows you to fish for rainbow and brown trout as soon as you arrive. With a variety of other nearby stretches, your guide team will suggest all the right walk and wade options for your skill level and preferences. We also offer casting instruction on our large lawn or pond to help guests tune their skills. Available for ages 8 and over. Please inquire about casting instruction for younger children.

Float Fishing

With two anglers and one guide per boat, explore the Rio Palena and sections of the Futaleufú River by jet boat, raft, or drift boat depending on conditions and the style of fishing best suited for the day. These floats combine productive water, remote scenery, and flexible access to some of the region’s most rewarding fisheries. Available for ages 8 and older on a case-by-case basis. Some proficiency is required for safety.

Heli-Fishing

Join your guides on a scenic flight into the backcountry to cast to rainbows, browns, and brookies on high-country rivers like Rio Azul, the upper Tigre, and Rio Tranquillo, as well as remote lakes like Lago X and Lago Rosas. We can access both walk and wade options and floatable sections by helicopter.

*Heli-fishing is included at some locations and available for an additional fee at others—ask the Experience Team for details. Available for ages 8 and older on a case-by-case basis. Some proficiency is required for safety.

Heli-Accessed Glacier Hiking

Land on one of the surrounding glaciers in Patagonia’s high country, where your guides will help you gear up with crampons and trekking equipment to explore the ice with confidence. Depending on conditions and location, experiences may also include glacial cold plunges or stand-up paddleboarding in drysuits.

*Up to two heli-assisted activities are included in your stay. Available for ages 12 and over.

Heli-Accessed Stand Up Paddleboarding

Reach a hidden alpine lagoon by helicopter, where a glacier frames the crystal-clear water. Early in the summer, stand-up paddleboard beside floating ice, or hike and swim around the lake as the season warms.

*Up to two heli-assisted activities are included in your stay. Available for ages 5 and older.

Heli-Mountaineering

Fly out to Los Condores Ridge and gear up for a Class-4 scramble in the high cordillera, where a spine of solid granite extends to the top of Mt. Gabriel. Watch for condors as you take in the panoramic views of the Andes, then rappel back down for your heli pickup.

*Up to two heli-assisted activities are included in your stay. Available for ages 10 and older.

Available Activities

*priced separately

Scenic Flights*

Flying is a mind-blowing way to experience the immensity of Patagonia and the Andes. With a few different route options, you’ll see glaciers and high cordillera lakes untouched by humankind. This can be paired with a peak picnic and a fine bottle of wine. Up to two heli-assisted activities are included in your stay.

Available for all ages.

Sheep Shearing

Experience a classic Patagonian tradition during sheep shearing season. Families can watch wool harvesting up close, meet local gauchos and sheepdogs, and learn how wool moves from pasture to finished product.

Available for all ages in November and December.

Local Wool Shops

Visit family-run wool shops like Mirta’s and Magdalena’s for handmade crafts, sweaters, and local sweets. Meet local artisans and browse traditional Patagonian goods in an easygoing setting for all ages.

Available for all ages.

Honey Farm Tour

Visit Don Víctor’s honey farm to see the beekeeping and extraction process firsthand. Guests can explore the property, learn about local honey production, and sample fresh Patagonian honey straight from the source.

Available for all ages.

Rio Palena Lodge

Sample Summer Itinerary for Families

Explore the small mountain town of Palena, where local shops, cafés, and everyday Patagonian life come into view. This relaxed outing offers families a deeper connection to the surrounding community.

Available for all ages.

Gaucho Quincho Meal

Gather at Don Nico’s traditional gaucho quincho for a family-style meal cooked over an open flame. Enjoy regional dishes, local stories, and a welcoming atmosphere rooted in Patagonian tradition.

Available for all ages.

Wellness Offerings*

Unwind with a rejuvenating yoga session or a soothing massage, available indoors or outdoors. Book your wellness treatment upon request.

Available for all ages.