Esquel is framed between the Nahuelpan, Zeta, Cruz, 21 and La Hoya hills. Their stunning landscapes and his natural environment They are its most powerful cards when it comes to attracting travelers, especially those who enjoy adventure tourism, delving into nature and visiting isolated corners.
Below, 7 unmissable activities in this city of Chubut, including classic and other more innovative ones.
1) Kayak in Los Alerces National Park
Los Alerces National Park was declared World Heritage by UNESCO in 2017 and is a must-see stop for everyone who comes to Esquel. It has numerous trails, lakes and incredible landscapes.
A popular summer activity is making a kayak trip. It allows access to remote corners that can only be reached through water.
Some options son:
- Arrayanes Express: ideal for beginners, lasts two hours and is of low difficulty. Comes out $ 40.000 per person and includes refreshments.
- Green Lake: the excursion lasts 4 hours, it is of low difficulty. Costs $ 60.000 and includes a snack.
- Arrayanes Full Day: the journey connects Lago Verde with Lake Futalaufquen through the Los Arrayanes River. It lasts 6 hours and has moderate difficulty. Costs $ 95.000 and includes lunch and snack.
2) Millennial Larch Field
Also within the National Park, there is what is known as the “Grandfather Alerce”, a tree of 2,620 years and 60 meters high. This species is considered the living being oldest from Argentina and the second oldest in the world.
To see it, you have to navigate Lake Menéndez along the North Arm and disembark at Puerto Sagrario. There begins the short trekking of just under 2 kilometers, considered medium difficulty since it has several stairs.
The route enters the Valdivian jungle. Ñire, coihue and the Valdivian laurel that gives off a characteristic aroma, are the main plants that are seen.
The first larches They appear after passing through several viewpoints.
The entrance to Los Alerces National Park costs $ 1.500 for national residents.
3) Canopy
On the outskirts of Esquel, there is High Towna lodge with a canopy area that has a length of 2 kilometers.
The circuit of 8 seasons It allows you to recognize valuable specimens of native vegetation such as Ñires, Coihues and Maitenes, and appreciate the magnificent views of the Cordón Situación, Lake Futalaufquen, the basin and canyon of Arroyo Fontana and the majestic Andes Mountains.
In addition, the complex has a parador that offers gastronomic service.
The activity costs $ 25.000; paying in cash, $20,000; canopy and field tea, $33,000; canopy and field tea paying in cash, $28,000.
4) Wine route
In Chubut what no one believed was achieved: making wine in extreme conditions. These wine productions were among the southernmost in the world.
In the 16 de Octubre Valley, near Trevelin, 26 km from Esquel, there are three vineyards that make up the wine route.
Nant y Fall It is the first winery in the area. It is a family business that got its first bottle in 2016.
In Against the Current The first harvest was in 2017. Most of the visitors are from the United States since their owners are from that country.
Yagüe House It is the third winery on this circuit. It is also a family business and is characterized by having organic vineyard management.
All offer visits, tastings and accommodation.
5) At Trochita
This train that, in 1945, used to connect Ingeniero Jacobacci, a small town in Río Negro, with Esquel, today is converted into a tourist attraction.
Currently it is a walking museum since its structure, and roads on which it circulates, are a true relic. The wooden wagons roll on a very narrow track, hence “La Trochita”.
Most tourists who arrive in Esquel board the Old Patagonian Express which, for a few weeks, has been pet friendly.
The circuit starts from Esquel to Nahuelpan, where the train stops in just under an hour. There are stalls to eat something, crafts and the Museum of Native Cultures. Then you return to the station of origin. The circuit lasts three hours and is with a guide.
Rates for this season: national residents over 12 years old, $ 17.300. Retired national residents or university students, $12,800. National residents under 6 to 12 years old, $12,300. National residents under 0 to 5 years old, free of charge, without the right to a seat.
6) Paragliding
Free flight takes place more than 15 years in Esquel with the particularity that it is one of the few places in the country where you can practice all modalities: SpeedFlying, Paragliding, hike & fly, Mini Wins, Tandem and even combined with skydiving and BASE jumping.
The most representative mountain is Cerro 21. One of the takeoffs is at 1,680 meters and the landing is at 700 meters with a drop of 1,000 meters and a steep wall with numerous lines (ideal for SpeedFlying).
To take off there is different points: some are accessed with a walk of approximately 1 hour with an orientation and others of lower altitude are accessed by vehicle.
7) Laguna la Z Urban Natural Reserve
It is a 1,100 hectare property located 4 km from Esquel, in a transitional environment (ecotone) between the Patagonian Andean forest and the Patagonian steppe. The reserve has a laguna of 67 hectares that is usually the main protagonist of the photos.
In this protected area they live 110 species of birds, and among mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fish there are approximately 36 species. As for the vegetation, you can see native species such as relict cypress, maitén and ñire, but pine trees, an exotic species, predominate.
To discover the most beautiful landscapes and hidden corners of this place, it is recommended to take one of the walking trails which are carried out in a self-guided manner following the indicative signs. There are low and medium difficulty.
One of the roads is Plaza de los Cerros, which is 7.37 kilometers and has a gradient of 140 meters. It has different points to make stops. One is the Plaza de Mates and the other is La Terraza, from where you can get a panoramic view of the lagoon and the nearby mountains.
The entrance to the reserve is free..
More information: www.esquel.tur.ar