Rio Turbio Expedition – Trekking & Rafting in Wild Patagonia

Your adventure begins with a scenic 2-hour drive from Bariloche to the small mountain town of El Hoyo. After settling into your cozy 4-star hotel, you’ll meet your guides, do a gear check, and get to know your fellow travelers. We’ll end the evening with a warm welcome dinner and toast to the journey ahead.

After breakfast, we board a boat and glide across the glacial-blue waters of Lago Puelo, arriving at the remote river mouth of Río Turbio. From there, we begin our hike, a really beautiful start – an easy warm-up that winds through soft forest trails and open meadows. Horses carry most of the gear, while we walk toward the rustic riverside ranch where we’ll camp under the stars and enjoy a home-cooked Patagonian meal by the fire.
Distance: 13 km | ~6 hours | Easy

We move deeper into the valley, crossing streams and weaving through thick southern beech forest. The landscape grows wilder with each step. Tonight’s accommodation is a remote wooden shelter tucked along the Jara River – a peaceful base for fishing, storytelling, and settling into the rhythm of the wild.
Distance: 15 km | ~7 hours | Moderate

This is a big and rewarding day. We trek up the narrowing valley, traversing stony beaches, crossing rivers, and climbing toward the confluence at La Horqueta where all the valley rivers meet. After a final stretch through granite-framed wilderness, we reach Don Ropo Hut: an authentic mountain refuge in the legendary Turbio IV Valley. A hearty dinner and warm drinks welcome us after the long haul.
Distance: 15 km | ~8 hours | Hard

Take a break or head out for an optional hike to La Mariposa Lagoon, a shimmering alpine lake tucked inside a granite amphitheater. Whether you explore or simply rest at Don Ropo, today is about soaking in your surroundings and letting the quiet of the rainforest restore you. You’ll truly want to soak it in.
Distance: Optional | Moderate

Today, we hike deeper into the untouched folds of Patagonia. Today is a mix of wonder and fun and joy and adventure! Some parts are forested and technical, others wide and sandy. Along the way, we’ll cross rivers and even zipline over rushing waters. By day’s end, we arrive at Don Chule, a hidden mountain hut in the heart of the lost valley of La Oreja. Dinner is warm, the air is crisp, and the setting feels like a secret.
Distance: 12 km | ~10 hours | Hard

Day Seven is yours to rest, read, or wander. An optional hike to Rubulis Lagoon offers breathtaking views of the granite towers and tranquil waters that make this region so unique. Back at Don Chule, we gather for another shared meal in the wild.
Distance: Optional | Moderate

We make our way back through familiar terrain, seeing the valley from a new perspective. After crossing back over rivers and ridges, we return to Don Ropo for one last mountain meal and night in the heart of the Turbio.
Distance: 12 km | ~8 hours | Moderate

We trade our hiking boots for paddles. From La Horqueta, we launch into the current and float downstream – five hours of gliding through rainforest gorges, splashing through gentle rapids, and savoring the beauty we spent days reaching on foot. After crossing Lago Puelo by motorboat, we return to El Hoyo for a celebratory final dinner and a soft bed at the hotel.
Distance: ~5 hours rafting

Enjoy breakfast together before saying goodbye. Transfers are arranged for your next destination (or onward to more adventures in Patagonia).

**As always, all treks and adventures are fully customizable.