Experience gaucho style hospitality at the ElSilencio Ranch

ZONA PALENA - QUEULAT

When you cross the bridge over the Risopatrón River and visit the El Silencio Ranch, you will be surrounded by

the life work of a true gaucho, Don Santos Altamirano: his hand built rustic Fogón, his music and stories, his

delicious Asados and smoked meats and his latest creation, the El Silencio trail, a beautiful hike that winds

between ancient forests and the Risopatrón River.

D ATA S H E E T

Activity Type: Trekking and rural life.

Start: The Silencio Ranch.

End: The Silencio Ranch.

Distance: You will nd the entrance to this farm 25 km north Puyuhuapi, on the left side of the Carretera Austral, and

must enter the narrow gravel entrance and cross over the bridge, so as to approach this great Quincho, called a

Fogón.

It is an ambitious challenge to fully understand the culture and ecosystems of the Region of Aysén. The landscapes change

drastically from the seas to the pampas, the climate is a mixture of everything (often at the same time), and there are so

many quirky traditions and customs! Thankfully, there are some special places that allow you to experience the essence

of the nature, culture and history of the Region; the fogón, which is similar to a quincho, or an indoor barbecue house, at

the El Silencio Ranch is one of these amazing places. It has been built by hand, using native woods and materials and is

lled with relics and decor that re ect the gaucho style. The person responsible for this amazing atmosphere is the

charismatic host Don Santos “Tito” Altamirano. Amongst many other talents, Don Tito is an incredible musician and

storyteller who loves to share Patagonian anecdotes and rounds of yerba mate, while sitting around his giant open

fireplace, keeping a watchful eye on an Asado al Palo, cooking in the embers.

Don Tito has plenty of stories to liven up an entire evening. He’ll tell you of gauchos and troperos, working in the Palena –

Queulat area before there were roads to move livestock to the Puyuhuapi ports. During this time, he was around

fourteen, and worked as a boat operator, moving men and livestock across Risopatrón Lake. During those years he

developed a taste for exploring; one which served him well later on when he accompanied Senator Antonio Horvath and

his crew in the development of the route of the Carretera Austral. Don Tito continues to open up routes, but now for

travelers to explore hiking.

How to work off the extra weight you’ll gain eating the delicious food at the Silencio Ranch?

First thing, after you eat, ask Don Tito to get the music going! He’s likely to appear in full gaucho array, with goatskin

chaps, a poncho and large brimmed hat, ready to begin the fun. Don Tito is an accomplished composer and guitarist, with

a repertoire of songs that tell of his life and adventures in Patagonia. Perhaps his most famous song is that which tells

the story of how he designed and engineered the bridge crossing the Risopatrón River to his house; a feat which earned

him recognition from many, including the President of Chile! Don Tito’s music will quickly have you dancing and working

away all the calories you’ve eaten during your asado.

Duration: 1 – 2 days.

Seasonality: Year round.

Special Considerations: The telephone signal is not very good in the ranch and many times don Tito and his wife,

Señora Maglene are working at their many chores, somewhere on their farm. You can try your luck and show up

without prior notice or you can contact their daughter Marioli who works in the Casa Mayorga Grocery Store in

Puyuhuapi and she will help you to communicate.

Reservations: Recommended.

Servicios: There is only cell signal in a few places in the El Silencio Ranch, so to coordinate your visit, send a text

message to Señora Maglene’ cell phone (09) 98321365 or visit her daughter Marioli in the Casa Mayorga Grocery

Store in Puyuhuapi.

Don Tito’s latest engineering work is the new 5 kilometer hiking trail, Sendero El Silencio, through a corner of his

enormous farm. This trail winds through forests of arrayanes, coigües, tepas, ciprés de las guaitecas y mañíos. It borders

the west side of the Risopatrón River (excellent y- shing waters) and is equipped with bridges, walkways and signage of

excellent quality. Everything has been hand-crafted using rustic tools, and the talents of Don Tito, his team of ranch

hands, and students of the John Paul II high school, in Coyhaique.

P H O T O G R A P H S

Photographs that complement this story

V I D E O S

If a picture 's worth a thousand words, a video is worth a million , is not it? Here you will find some of the best

for this sector.

Nombre Url

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6ayMpNHGHA

R O U T E S

To go this route , you'll need a good map. Find the details and steps here in georeferenced and downloadable

version Smartphone, Tablet and GPS .

Nombre Url

Experience gaucho style hospitality at the El

Silencio Ranch

http://es.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/spatialArtifacts.do?

event=view&id=7132291