How to get to Trevelin and Esquel?

Esquel has an airport, but being small the regularity of flights is scarce and the prices are high. We chose to fly to Bariloche from Buenos Aires, rent a car and drive the 5 hours that separate both cities. We found it convenient since we recommend having your own vehicle to travel around this area.

Where to sleep?

It is indistinct if you sleep in Trevelin or Esquel, as we told you it is a short drive away and from both places you can hire excursions. We decided to stay in Trevelin since we planned the trip with little anticipation and we only got a place there.

Activities to do

Los Alerces National Park

One of the main attractions in the area is Los Alerces National Park, declared a World Heritage Site. The thousand-year-old alerzal trees, more than 2,600 years old, are one of its main attractions. The park also offers waterfalls, lagoons and forests, and has hostels and several camping areas.

It is a very large protected area with three main entrances: north, south and center.

Here we tell you everything you can do in Los Alerces National Park.

2. Tulip field

Since 1997, tulip bulbs have been grown in this area and have been very successful thanks to the favorable climate and soil conditions. Today, the city exports tulips all over the world.

The beautiful colorful Tulip plantations can only be seen in October and last only one month (we recommend to consult the date depending on the year). The private field where you can see the plantations you see in the photos is called "Tulipanes Patagonia" and is located 14 km from the center of Trevelin. At the location there is a small stall with food for lunch and a tea house. There is an entrance fee of ARS $800 (October 2021) per person.  

3. Nant and Fall Waterfall

A few kilometers from the Tulipanes field is a natural treasure: the Cascada Nant y Fall Natural Protected Area. In this place, you can appreciate 7 waterfalls surrounded by a Patagonian Andean forest full of cypresses, coihues, lauras and maitines. The walkway that crosses the falls does not take more than 45 minutes, which makes it an ideal place to enjoy with family or friends.

The Area is open every day from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. and the entrance fee is ARS $400 (2021).

4. Ice Tunnels

The ice tunnels are spectacular formations that occur in the La Torta mountain, on the border of Los Alerces National Park. The snow accumulated during the winter and spring is transformed into ice, and as the summer progresses, it begins to melt from the lower layer to the surface, creating these impressive ice tunnels.

The visit to these tunnels is a unique experience that can only be enjoyed in the summer months, January and February. It requires a certain physical condition since you have to walk uphill for approximately 1 hour. 

5. Trekking to Torrecillas Glacier

Within Los Alerces National Park, one of the most outstanding attractions is the Torrecillas Glacier. To visit it, it is necessary to take an excursion that departs from the Port of Chucao and sail for about 40 minutes on the beautiful Lake Menéndez to Puerto Nuevo, where the journey begins. The ascent, which is of medium difficulty, takes approximately 1:30 to 2 hours. During the first part of the journey, you will pass through a Valdivian forest and then follow a mountain stream until you reach the Laguna del Antiguo, located at the foot of the spectacular Torrecillas Glacier.

This exciting excursion is available all year round and is highly recommended. We did it with the people of Glaxiar and were very satisfied with their professionalism and service.

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6. Standing Stone

The majestic Piedra Parada, 210 meters high and 100 meters wide, stands imposingly in the Patagonian steppe 150 km from Esquel, on the banks of the Chubut River. On the other side of the river, the Cañadón de la Buitrera offers impressive 100-meter high walls that are a true paradise for sport climbing lovers.

7. Wine Route

In the Trevelin Valley you can find vineyards that can be visited all year round. Among them are Casa Yagüe, Viñas del Nant and Fall and Contra Corriente.

8. La Hoya

If you visit the area during the winter season, you can practice winter sports in La Hoya.

9. La Trochita

This is the name given to the Old Patagonian Express that used to connect the provinces of Rio Negro and Chubut, due to the fact that its gauge measures only 75cm. 

Nowadays it is possible to take a 3-hour excursion on the famous Trochita. It departs from Esquel station and crosses the Patagonian steppe, passing through the towns of El Maitén, Ingeniero Jacobacci and the Mapuche community of Nahuel Pan.