NAHUEL HUAPI NATIONAL PARK...
Its Luxuriant Beauty
Will Leave You Breathless
In the foothills of the Andes mountains, Patagonia, Argentina, embracing part of Neuquen and Rio Negro provinces, lies Nahuel Huapy National Park, the oldest in Argentina (1934) and provably the most beautiful as well.
Nahuel Huapi is a Mapuche word that means "Island of the Tiger'. It's also the name of the park's most important lake, with an extension of 650 square kilometres.
Nahuel Huapi National Park - © Secretariat of Tourism Buenos Aires
For nature lovers and outdoors enthusiasts this definitely is a must-do destination, not to mention if you love sports as well, because you won't get bored there...
- trekking
- horseback riding
- hiking
- hang gliding
- mountaineering
- skiing
- fly fishing
- excursions
- camping
- water sports: scuba diving, kayaking, sailing, rafting, windsurfing
Nahuel Huapi National Park: Otto Mountain - © Secretariat of Tourism Buenos Aires
Famous for its rich wildlife, Nahuel Huapi National Park has three different natural environments: High Andean rain forest, Patagonian forest and Patagonian steppe, with altitudes ranging from 700 to 3000 meters above sea level.
It has a superbly rich flora that is best appreciated in Spring and Autumn...
- alerce (Patagonian cypress)
- coihue
- lengas
- ņires
- caņa colihue
- arrayanes
- amancayes
- ferns
The variety of flowers is just incredible. Their colors will take your breath away.
Please give yourself one week to visit the Park - you could combine it with a visit to/from Chile, through the international crossings of Puyehue or Peres Rosales.
We've lived and worked in the area for over three years so if you need more info just drop us a line through the Contact Us form.
We might even send you to some of our favourite restaurants to try some venison or locally smoked salmon.
Here's a short list of places you shouldn't miss...
- Victoria Island
- Arrayanes National Park in the Quetrihue Peninsula. A Park within a Park.
- Port Blest
- Tronador Mountain (3.554 meters above sea level) and the black glacier
- Otto Mountain
- Lopez Mountain
- Camino de los Siete Lagos (Seven Lakes Path)
- Encantado Valley (Enchanted Valley), with curious rock formations eroded by wind such as El Dedo de Dios (God's Finger), El Castillo (The Castle) and El Penitente (The Penitent).
Arrayanes National Park - © Secretariat of Tourism Buenos Aires
On the southern shore of Nahuel Huapi lake lies the city of San Carlos de Bariloche, the most important in Nahuel Huapi National Park, followed by Villa La Angostura and Villa Traful.
Its name, Bariloche, is a deformation of the term Vuriloche which means "different people from behind or from the other side", used to name the natives from the valleys to the west of the Andes range, before the arrival of the Mapuche people.
It was founded at the beginning of 1900s by Carlos Wietherholdt, who established the first grocerie in the area and became soon populated by Swiss and German immigrants.
They have left a unique architectural legacy that makes Bariloche to look like a village in the Alps.
Truly enchanting...
Please don't forget to try the home made chocolats and pastries that the city is famous for!...
How to Get There:
-
By Air:
- Super Resort: 685 Bartolome Mitre St.
- Sunset: 132 Rolando St.
- Concord: 131 Libertad St.
- Nevada: 250 Rolando St.
- La Cascada: 6000 Bustillo Ave.
Two hours flight from Aeroparque, Buenos Aires, Argentina
By Road:Coming from the North, take Route 237. From the South, Route 258.
And of course, through the internationl crossings of Peres Rosales and Puyehue Pass, to Chile
Where to Stay:
With over 20.000 beds, you won't be short of options in Bariloche as far as lodging is concerned, from the normal/average accomodation to four and five stars hotels and resorts.
However, in high season, you are better off booking in advance.
Some options include...
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