EXPERIENCES

A soft trek for forest and hiking lovers. Breathtaking views together with the magic of the Andean-Patagonian forests will encompass this one-of-a-kind approach to local nature. Departing from hotel, we border Nahuel Huapi Lake driving along a scenic paved road heading west to Llao Llao Municipal Park where we’ll be able to enjoy various circuits. For those wishing to experience soft slope trails we offer a 60-minute hike through the forests featuring different species of trees; myrtle, coihue, ñire, maiten, lenga and larch. We’ll be able to discover hidden beaches, learn about local flora and watch some of the 87 species of identified birds in the area. For those wishing to experience a more demanding hike, we offer an ascent through a mild slope to Cerro Llao Llao, a 60-minute hike to a natural viewpoint featuring breathtaking panoramic views of Tristeza and Blest lake branches and North of Nahuel Huapi Lake as well as the local forests. A rewarding snack will be served at this point before our return to the starting point where a vehicle will be waiting to drive you back to your hotel.

The first strategic point when travelling by the Los Alerces National Park is Villa Futalaufquen, located 50 km away from Esquel and bounded on the west by the majestic Andes Mountain Range. It occupies a total area of 263,000 hectares that place it fourth in size among the national parks of Argentina. Its proximity to the mountain range allows the development of a dense Andean Patagonian forest and in the area of higher rainfall a Valdivian forest grows where the Alerce or Lahuan stands out. This millennial tree is slow growing and its specimens can live between 3000 and 4000 years of age and measure more than 70 meters high. We also visit the Museum of Interpretation, Rock Paintings - 2.5 km from Villa Futalaufquen -, Hotel Futalaufquen and Puerto Limonao. We continue to the north to see the Irigoyen waterfall and then we skirt the Futalaufquen lake; we can see the Arrayanes River that starts in the Verde Lake, cross a bridge and walk approximately 1 hour between the Patagonian forest and the Valdivian jungle. Here we will have time to have lunch (not included) before going back to Esquel, passing through Trevelin.

La Trochita or Old Patagonian Express is a historic tourist train -with small trail, from which comes its name and founded in 1945- that allows you to make a journey into the past. Starting from the Esquel railway station, we travel 18 km to the Nahuel Pan station, the place of residence of an important Mapuche Tehuelche community. There, while the train makes the maneuvers for the return, you can visit the Nahuel Pan Museum that preserves the heritage of the original peoples and the House of Crafts, where pieces of silver, wood and textiles are exhibited all made by the population rural area that make a direct sale on this site.