Los Alerces National Park

Take a deep breath and feel the fresh air. In the Andes mountains, amidst lakes and blizzards, thick millenary forests are waiting for you. Discover the southernmost species of larch, coihue, arrayan and Chilean bamboo trees. Feel the excitement of walking along the most ancient larch tree forest in the world. Let species which are over 2 meters wide, almost 60 meters tall and 2,600 years old surprise you. Tour the largest portion of valdivian rainforest on Argentina soil. 

Enjoy the beauty of an unparalleled place in the world. Admire a sample of ecological processes in natural development, century after century. The home to native wildlife living together in harmony: pudus and kodkods, South Andean deer and torrent ducks, Chilean pigeons and striped frogs. Watch a recently-discovered species: the Batrachyla fitzroya frog. Come to Los Alerces National Park.

Geographic location: Province of Chubut, Argentine Patagonia.

How to get there: from the city of Esquel, in Chubut, via Ruta Nacional 259 and Ruta Provincial 71 to Villa Futalaufquen. From Esquel visitors can also arrive at the southern part of the protected area via Ruta Nacional 259 to Trevelin and the road that leads to the Futaleufú Hydroelectric Complex [Complejo Hidroeléctrico Futaleufú] (45 km). There are three weekly flights from Buenos Aires to Esquel and buses from almost everywhere in our country. From Esquel, the park can be reached by a rental car or van, taxi cab, remise or by booking a travel agency. 

Area: 259,570 hectares.

Climate: warm to cold, humid. Average temperatures in the low areas range from 14°C in summer (with highs over 30°C) to 2°C in winter (with lows of several degrees below zero). It usually snows in the coldest months. It is advisable to visit the park between November and April. 

Recommended length of stay: 1 to 3 days. 

Recommended clothing: warm clothes. It is advisable to dress in layers and to be prepared for temperature drops. 

What to do: trekking, hiking, wildlife watching.