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From Esquel you can access to one of the most beautiful national parks of Argentina through a transition area where the steppe meets with the cold forest. |
| The first sector runs along national route 259, which is paved, and then debris route 71, in a territory of sheldgeese and black-faced ibis. |
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In km 70 is the house of the mytical cowboy Butch Cassidy.
Then you access to Los Alerces National Park, created in 1937 to preserve the milenary alerce forest in a lake environment of incomparable beauty. |
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Green water lakes, streams and an exhuberant vegetation will be displayed at your sight.
By lake Futalaufquen is Villa Futalaufquen, the main service center in the area. |
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In the stone and wood buildings of the National Park and the Interpretation Center you can get some detailed information about trails to mount Alto Dedal, Los Pumas, Cinco Saltos cascade, Tío Mindo cascade, cave paintings, and also about native flora and the characteristics of the area.
Only 4 km. from the village on the south end of the East Branch of Lake Futalaufquen is Puerto Limonao, the main port from where you can sail, near the spectacular Hostería Futalaufquen. In summer, you should not miss the excursions to lake Kruger and Alerzal. The excursion to Lake Kruger is an all-day outing around lake Futalaufquen, Arrayanes river, lakes Verde and Menéndez, the milenary alerce forest including a walk to lake Cisne and some marvellous views of the glaciers on mount Torrecillas. When the level of the water is low, boats cannot navigate through Arrayanes river, and the excursion is done on land, taking the boat in Puerto Chucao on Lake Menéndez. This excursion can also combine land and lake sectors leaving either from Port Limonao or port Chucao on Lake Menéndez. We recommend you consult timetables and arrive at the port one hour before the boat leaves, and also that you carry a snack and carry out all trash. The alerces in this forest sometimes reach 3 meters diameter, a height between 60 and 70 meters, and even 3000 years of age. This forest is in the limit of the natural region known as valdivian jungle. Their timber was very much appreciated at the beginning of the XX century, mainly in Chile, where it was used for roof tiles and in carpentry. On the coast of Lake Futalaufquen there are inns, bungallows, cabins, camping sites and shops at your disposal. |
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See also: Hotels in Esquel and other accommodation venues |
| Back to Esquel |
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