Savory Journey to Patagonia: Chile & Argentina
December 30, 2022 – January 6, 2023
Journey Highlights
Explore Patagonia and connect with local land managers improving their resilience through regenerative and Holistic Management. Enjoy discussing and sharing ideas on land, innovative tourist businesses, livestock, wool, genetics and the local Gaucho culture.
See the results of Holistic Management in Chile and Argentina on both the wet and dry sides of the Andes and the difference in outcomes from land left to rest for more than 60 years, land overgrazed for generations and land that has been managed holistically for many years.
Enjoy the world-famous Patagonia region of southern Chile and Argentina and immerse yourself in the beauty of the land, culture, food, activities and hospitality.
Itinerary
(subject to change)
Friday, December 30, 2022 – Welcome to Patagonia!
Arrive at Balmaceda airport (BBA) in Chile where the group will be met by our hosts who will drive us though the mountains to the Cerro Castillo area and the cabin lodging for our first night in Patagonia! Enjoy the lack of internet and phone reception for a day in this remote location and relax after your travels. (Dinner)
Saturday, December 31, 2022 – Coyhaique
Enjoy a slow morning in the mountains. After a home-cooked breakfast, we will drive north through the Patagonian mountains to our base in Coyhaique, Chile. Along the way we will see waterfalls on the Rio Ibañez, visit a local couple who make medicinal herbs and handmade knives and hopefully see Huemules – the native Chilean deer. Upon arrival in Coyhaique, settle into your room, take some time to walk around the small Patagonian town, see the Plaza de Armas – the historical centre of Coyhaique –and relax. Enjoy New Year’s Eve Patagonia Style! (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Sunday, January 1, 2023 – Fundo Panguilemu and Holistic Management in Southern Patagonia
Spend the first day of 2023 exploring Fundo Panguilemu with Jose Gortazar and his family. Jose has been practicing and spreading Holistic Management in Chile for more than a decade. See the different projects at Fundo Panguilemu and discuss their practices for achieving healthy food, wool, and product production. Enjoy lunch along the Rio Simpson, see the livestock, greenhouses and beehives, exchange ideas and learn about training and education within this local context. After a great day on the farm, enjoy dinner on your own at one of the excellent restaurants in Coyhaique. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Monday, January 2, 2023 – 45° South
Following breakfast, we will travel through the mountains to the 45° South Farm (2 hrs). After visiting Patagonia in 2000 and falling in love with the land and the local people, Mimi Hillenbrand – who also runs the regenerative EOV verified 777 Bison Ranch in South Dakota – purchased the beautiful 600 hectares now called 45° South in 2014. The farm, which was historically underutilized and overgrazed, is now home to a holistically managed multi-species herd of cattle and sheep and has been steadily improving its biological diversity and productivity. Meet the managers, learn about Mimi’s journey, go for a land walk and see the livestock and improvements on the land. We will stay tonight in simple Patagonian cabins near the farm. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Tuesday, January 3, 2023 – Numancia, Argentina
Today we will drive across the Argentina/Chile border to the dry side of the Andes (3 hours including the border crossing). We will start our day in Argentina with a visit to a government enclosure where livestock have been fenced out since the 1960’s. We will then visit a nearby farm at the beginning of their regenerative journey. Lastly, we will visit Numancia where Holistic Management has been practiced with success for more than ten years. We will meet local land managers, talk about their challenges and successes and exchange ideas. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Wednesday, January 4, 2023 – Relax and Explore Coyhaique and the Aysén Region of Chile
The Aysén Region is a sparsely populated area of southern Chile with vast glaciers, fjords and snow-capped mountains. Coyhaique is the capital of the region. It is the only major hub in the area and houses a mix of boutiques, coffee and craft beer shops, and more practical farm and fishing supply stores. The city also has some of the best local Patagonian cuisine. Spend the day on your own exploring the town or getting out on one of many locally guided tours of the local Aysén Region. (Breakfast)
Thursday, January 5, 2023 – Explore the Land of Fundo Panguilemu
After breakfast in Coyhaique, we will spend the day exploring Fundo Panguilemu with an optional, and incredible morning horse trek among the Lenga trees and the Chilean firebush. We will visit the shearing and wool sheds, talk about sheep, genetics, and working with multi-purpose merino wool. After lunch you will have time to wander along the streams and catch glimpses of the native birds, fly-fish the afternoon or evening rises along the Simpson River (bring your kit) or just lie down in the grass, close your eyes, and listen to the music of the Patagonian wilderness. We will finish the day and our trip with a lamb asado farewell BBQ dinner and enjoy music around the fire at Fundo Panguilemu. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Friday, January 6, 2023 – Depart
Enjoy breakfast, say goodbye to our hosts and catch the one-hour shuttle to Balmaceda Airport (BBA) for your flight home. (Breakfast)
Journey Cost
USD $4500.00
Price is per person, double occupancy. If you would like single occupancy accommodations, please immediately make this request via email to journeys@savory.global and expect to spend an additional USD $450 if/when there is space available. International airfare to/from Balmaceda Airport (BBA) is not included.
GROUP SIZE: 6 – 12 Guests
Inclusions: All meals as stated in the itinerary (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner), lodging on the nights of December 30, 2022 – January 5, 2023, ground transportation, farm and community immersion experiences, horse trek on January 5.
Exclusions: International airfare to/from Balmaceda Airport (BBA), optional activities in Coyhaique, meals not included in itinerary, alcohol for most meals, tips, personal travel insurance (highly recommended), additional personal travel expenses.
What to Expect
Accommodation Style
Unique hotel in the town of Coyhaique, Chile and simple, remote cabin-style lodging for the nights of December 30th and January 2nd.
Travel Logistics
This itinerary is a journey in the truest sense; travelers should be flexible, keep an open mind, be in good health and expect to walk short distances over varying terrain. Roads will often be mountainous and can be unpaved with long drives in a 4x4 vehicle. Every day in southern Patagonia is unique, with its own blend of weather, be it rain or shine – or the famous Patagonian breezes.
Global Health & Covid-19
We continue to assess travel operations on an ongoing and destination-by-destination basis. Itineraries and Journeys are subject to change due to global health developments, country specific entry and exit requirements, and other unforeseen developments. Please make sure to check for your personal country’s travel recommendations and requirements. Savory Journeys and Denizen have considered guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and local and international health authorities to develop Health and Safety Protocols. We are intentional, careful, and clean and highly recommend travelers are fully vaccinated and boosted both for personal health and the health of those visited on the Journey. For specific questions, guests may reach out to us at journeys@savory.global.
Questions?
Please don’t hesitate to email questions to journeys@savory.global.
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