Region Information

The Lake District contains a series of great lakes strung along the foot of the Andes. These lakes, with their water lapping the forested skirts of some of the most spectacular snow-capped peaks in the world, cut deeply into the mountains in the north and west ends. Their eastern ends are contained by the frontal moraines deposited there by the ancient glaciers, which gouged out these huge lakes. The water is a deep blue, sometimes lashed into white froth by the high winds of the region. The area is good for fishing, walking, climbing, skiing and water-sports.

Bariloche: In the north west of the Rio Negro province lies Bariloche, which is the biggest town in the Patagonic Andes. At 770m over sea level, just on the extend of Nahuel Huapi Lake, it is also the starting point for exploring the Nahuel Huapi National Park. The town and its surroundings are also called “Switzerland of Argentina” and many sights of the region, from the border of the lakes to the snow white mountains, can be found in the Alps. Moreover, the whole town smells of chocolate which can be found in many varieties and tastes. Tourism and chocolate production are the most important businesses in Bariloche. In winter it is one of the most appreciated skiing centres of the Andes and in summer it is a paradise for hikers and mountain climbers. Bariloche has an excellent tourist infrastructure, but also the individual traveller can enjoy untouched nature, loneliness and peace. Bariloche is also the starting point of a combined bus–boat tour across the Andes to Puerto Montt in Chile.

Nahuel Huapi National Park: The park is one of the most appreciated holiday places in the Andes for Argentine people. It consists of 760,000ha of lakes, mountains and forests. Its heart piece is the Nahuel Huapi Lake, which is 100km long and not wider than 12km. Its fiord like arms are surrounded by mountains and hills. The highest mountain is the Cerro Tronador (3,554m. high). This picturesque landscape may be explored by car, on foot, by boat or on bike.

Esquel & Los Alerces National Park: About 260km south of Bariloche and at the upper end of the Chubut valley, an offshoot from the Welsh colony was originally located. Today it is a modern town and gateway for exploring the beautiful Los Alerces National Park. The alerce or Patagonian cypress tree flourishes in the humid temperate forest of southern Argentina and Chile. Individual specimens of this strikingly beautiful and long-living tree can measure more than 4m in diameter and exceed 70m in height. A series of nearly pristine lakes and streams offer spectacular views.