The area around Spring Creek Lodge offers a rich diversity of adventure, cultural and lifestyle excursions. The combination of the area’s numerous activities with the lodge’s unique gastronomy and accommodations are what makes Spring Creek Lodge an excellent option for adding other experiences to complement your Patagonia vacation or bringing along travel companions to enjoy their time while you are on the water.
Here is a sample itinerary for a week of excursions at Spring Creek Lodge:
- Day One: Hiking Lanin National Park to scenic panoramic views
- Day Two: Horseback riding through sub-Antarctic forest and deluxe camping
- Day Three: In-suite spa treatment with afternoon cooking class
- Day Four: Birdwatching and visit to local organic farm
- Day Five: Kayak session at Lake Machonico with special gourmet dinner
- Day Six: Seven Lakes Road Tour and Sailing Nahuel Huapi Lake
Spring Creek Lodge’s location allows them to design a wide range of excursions and tours based on guests travel styles and interests. Most of the activities are set for a medium level of difficulty but can be tailored to be more or less demanding. All excursions listed in this catalog are individualized, with one expert guide and 4WD truck per every two guests. Their team of guides are passionate and work hard to ensure that you have the highest quality experience. All guides, vehicles and boats that are used are part of the Spring Creek Lodge and SET Fly Fishing’s team. Many of the activities must be scheduled in advance, and some have additional expenses, so please let us know if there are specific excursions you would like to experience.
Adventure
- Hiking Lanin National Park
- Horseback Riding
- Fly Fishing
- Deluxe Camping
- Bike Riding
- Kayaking
- Scenic Boat Ride
- Whitewater Rafting
- Rock Climbing
- Winter Activities
Culture
- Local Artists and Artisan Market
- Local Cultural Tour
- Archeology Tour
- Tango Dancing Class
- Sightseeing
- Photography Workshop
Lifestyle
- In-suite Spa
- Wine-tasting
- Special Dining Events
- Cooking Class
- Birdwatching
- Sailing Nahuel Huapi Lake
- Golf
- Shopping Tour
See below for a more detailed list of the adventure, culture, and lifestyle excursions they offer.
Adventure
Patagonia’s unique geography provides the opportunity for a wide range of outdoor activities for all levels of skills and ages. See below for descriptions of each activity.
Hiking in Lanin National Park
Spring Creek lodge´s central location on the Lanin National Park, allows easy access to a wide range of secluded hiking trails. This variety of choices allows them to tailor the experience to your demand, from a very comfortable 1 mile walk for beginners, all the way to a stepped volcano excursion on the valdivian rain forest for the most fit guests.
All the options offer a unique north Patagonian surrounding with Nothofagus trees, breathtaking views, and sounds of nature, be that birds, or small streams that cross your paths.
Horseback Ride at El Alamo Ranch
Enjoy a scenic horseback ride in the Andes Mountains at El Alamo Ranch. You’ll ride through the native sub-Antarctic forest before eventually reaching tree line where you’ll experience the areas stunning views. The duration of this gentle ride is typically 2 to 3 hours and concludes with a delicious meal back at the ranch.
Optionally, for those seeking a bit more adventure enjoy a 5 to 6 hour ride to Laguna Rosales or over the north face of Cerro Colorado. A picnic lunch will be packed and served halfway through the ride. The ride will conclude back at the ranch with a delicious dinner and fine Argentine wine served as the sunsets over Lake Lolog.
Deluxe Camps
Their dedicated camp staff will have your camp completely prepared prior to your arrival. Your only responsibility is to sit back and enjoy yourself! All camps include: Large sleeping tents equipped with cots, inflatable sleeping pads, pillows, freshly laundered sleeping bags, nightstand and flashlight, Toilet tent with chemical toilets, Shower tent with hot water, Dining tent with tables and chairs, electric power generator which will illuminate the camp area and provide power to recharge your devices, personal waterproof gear bag that includes a shower towel, camp staff that will prepare and serve meals and be responsible for all camp chores.
Deluxe Camps allows you to fully immerse yourself into the Patagonian experience without giving up your creature comforts. Imagine a day where you hike, horseback ride or fish the river, creek, or lake of your dreams, and conclude the evening gazing into the southern night sky.
Multiple years of offering this unique lodging option has literally equipped SET Fly Fishing to provide for all of your needs. The camp cooks have mastered the art of cooking over an open fire so be prepared to delight your taste buds. Dinners include Argentine asados, roasted lamb prepared gaucho style and much more. Prior to dinner enjoy freshly prepared hors d’ oeuvres, drinks from the mini-bar and fine Argentine wines. A dedicated camp staff will pamper you so that you never have to lift a finger!
Bike Riding
Numerous trails and circuits are available in the national parks and neighboring ranches. This is a perfect half-day activity that can be combined with other leisure options. Prior to your ride you will discuss with your guide the type of outing that you are looking to experience.
For those looking for more adventure we offer full day rides on circuits with a higher level of difficulty. These rides take place on the scenic trails in the national park forests and are geared more towards experience raiders.
Kayaking
This morning guests will take a short drive through the Seven Lakes District before reaching Lake Machonico. There, you will meet your kayaking guide for a morning kayaking session on the lake, and paddle the pristine river that connects Machonico Lake with Pichi Machonico Lakes. Lunch will be served on the beach along a pristine shoreline. You will complete the loop circuit discovering the lakes furthest shore before returning to the vehicles.
Rock Climbing
The area surrounding the town of San Martin de los Andes offers numerous climbing walls with varying degrees of difficulty. All of these climbs are easily accessible and many are suited for beginners that would like to give this activity a try. However, the diversity of alternatives also provides experienced climbers with ample options (crack, wall and overhanging climbing) to enjoy this sport.
Several of these routes are geared with permanent anchors and cover climbing difficulties from 5.10 to 5.40. The guides are more than willing to instruct beginners and all gear and equipment is provided.
In the heart of the Seven Lakes Road district there have several multi-pitch routes and you can spend the day with expert climber, Manu Parada. Prior climbing experience is required to participate in this activity.
The approach to the climbing area requires bouldering for 1 to 2 hours. After arriving at the wall you will have 3 different climbing alternatives that vary for 700 to 900 feet in length and between 5.10 and 5.80 in difficulty. All of the climbs take place in a pristine environment that few climbers have experienced.
Winter Activities
Winter in this part of the southern hemisphere brings snow and they have the perfect natural playground. The location, 40º south latitude, enjoys mild winter weather but still produces quality snow conditions. Patagonia is the perfect place to enjoy snow sports and winter activities when it is summer in the northern hemisphere. Snow boarding, skiing and snowshoeing are available along with year round activities that include: horseback riding, hiking, bicycle riding and even lake kayaking. You also have the option for more advanced backcountry skiing and visiting the Chapelco Mountain Resort.
Culture
Every region has cultural differences that are based on varying customs and beliefs. Native Mapuche’s culture has a strong presence in the surrounding areas and through the years it has blended with the cultures of the areas Austrian and Swiss immigrants. Experience Argentina’s northern Patagonian culture firsthand.
Local Artists and Artisans
The northern Patagonia region has become the home for many talented artists. These groups of talented individuals have been inspired by the area’s natural beauty combined with the calm and peaceful way of living. Multiple artists in the area are inspired to create fantastic works using silver as their medium. You can tour multiple showrooms and ateliers while discovering unique knives, cutlery, and amazing jewelry designs. You will be able to interact with the artists and learn about the techniques they incorporate into their creations. This is a great opportunity to purchase that “special gift” to remind you of Patagonia.
Pottery Workshop
The soils found in Patagonia provide unique materials that have inspired multiple artisans to create unique pieces ranging from Mapuche style vases to modern earthenware. They invite you to visit these artisans and participate in a workshop where you will have the chance to dip your hands in the clay. Your patience, balance and concentration will be put in play as you create your own unique piece.
Patagonia Sheep Wool Tour and Workshop
Patagonia is Argentina’s main wool and yarn producing region. Included is the production of merino wool, fine mohair yarn from the goats of Neuquén Province and the super fine guanaco yarn produced by the native communities.
The legacy of the local Mapuches traditions with wool has brought creative and prolific knitters and weavers to the region. You are invited to meet local artisans and learn about the whole process from the fiber, natural dying, hand spool and weaving technique. Understanding the entire wool creating process will be helpful when you have the chance to create your own piece in the workshop. You will have shopping opportunities to acquire unique creations from different designers and styles.
Art Tour to Georg Collection
Master impressionist Georg Miciu Nicolaevici has spent significant portion of his life in San Martin de los Andes. It is here that he created this singular gallery and family museum. A visit to the collection offers the chance to discover firsthand the amazing talent of the different artists in the Miciu family. Besides family painters and fine art photographers you will discover the works of Emiliano Celiz, master silversmith, and his fascinating silver vases. The museums five-story building is by itself a work of art.
If you are interest in art and curious about Argentine art than a visiting to the Georg Collection is a must. This one of the kind gallery features pieces from: Georg Miciu Nicolaevic (pallet knife impressionist painter) – Emaus Miciu (canvas, impressionist painter) – Eliseo Miciu (fine art photographer) – Isaias Miciu (sporting life photographer) – Emiliano Celiz (master silversmith) Diverse creations from local artists are also featured.
Emiliano Celiz Master Silversmith
Emiliano is a one-of-a-kind artist and they are privileged that he makes San Martin de los Andes his home. Many of his works are on permanent exhibit in several top galleries around the world. If he is available, you will have the opportunity to meet him in person and learn firsthand the though process behind his creations.
Archeology Tours
Alberto Perez is a locally renowned archeologist who has extensively explored the Neuquén Province. Your time will be spent in the field discovering ancient artifacts at archaeological sites in the area surrounding San Martin de los Andes. During your outing you will discuss how the early native inhabitants lived prior to and after the arrival of the Spanish. You’ll get an understanding of the impact that colonization had on the local native culture and their way of life.
Tango Lessons
No visit to Argentina is complete without taking in a tango performance. Why not take it one step further and experience tango firsthand with a private dance lesson. Your instructors will be the talented husband and wife team of Marcos and Analia. This talented couple runs a successful tango school in San Martin de los Andes and they are experts at introducing people to the art of dancing tango. With a little practice you’ll be able to show off your new dance moves to your friends back home!
