Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
South of Cholila, the outstanding
Museo Leleque
(
&
02944/451141;
Tues-Thurs
11am-5pm) is 6km (3
3
/
4
miles) fr om town on RP 15. S ituated on an enormous ranch
once owned by the S outh-Land Company, and no w part of the extensiv e landholdings
of the Italian clothier family B enetton, this excellent museum focuses on the histor y of
rural Patagonia. Nearby is the
Los Alerces National Park
, one of the world 's finest
fly-fishing areas. Its majestic giant aler ce trees are more than 2,000 y ears old, and mes-
merizing emerald lakes come into vie w at ev ery turn.
Esquel Outfitters
(
&
406/581-
1760
in the U.S.; www .esqueloutfitters.com) will hook y ou up on a dr eamy weeklong
fishing adventure, with accommodations in their luxurious and r emote lodge. The best
lodge around is the
Lago Cholila Lodge
(
&
02944/610310;
www.cholila.com).
Continuing south is the small city of Esquel, 310km (193 miles) south of B ariloche
and 180km (119 miles) fr om El Bolsón. It's another mecca for fly-fishing and home to
a little-kno wn but gorgeous ski r esort called La H oya.
Hosteria C anela
(
&
02945/
453890;
www.canelaesquel.com) is a lovely B&B in the nicest par t of town.
327
3
VILLA LA ANGOSTURA
81km (50 miles) N of Bariloche; 44km (27 miles) E of the Chilean border
Villa La Angostura is the loveliest mountain village in Argentina. Meaning “Narrow Vil-
lage,” it takes its name from the slender isthmus that connects the town's center with the
Quetrihué Peninsula. The town was founded in 1934 by a handful of simple farmers who
were eventually displaced by out-of-towners, selecting this lovely location for their sum-
mer homes. I ncreased boating activity , the paving of the r oad to B ariloche, incr eased
tourism to Chile (the border of which is just 20 min. fr om town), and the inauguration
of sev eral exclusive hotels and a sle w of bungalo w complexes hav e conv erted Villa La
Angostura into a upscale getaway for the rich and famous. Even so, this tiny enclave hosts
only a fraction of visitors to the r egion, unlike Bariloche. This picturesque village, with
a smorgasbord of mountains and lakes nearby, is for visitors seeking solitude. Most lodg-
ing options ar e tucked away in the for est or on the shor e of the Lake N ahuel Huapi,
providing beautiful views and quiet surr oundings. Like Bariloche, Villa La Angostura is
within the borders of Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi. If Bariloche is for action, Villa la
Angostura is for relaxing by the lake and slowing things down.
11
ESSENTIALS
Getting There
BY PLANE
For airport and flight information, see “Getting There,” under “San Carlos
de Bariloche,” earlier in this chapter. To get to Villa La Angostura from the airport, take
a taxi or transfer ser vice (about $55-$75/£37-£51). The drive takes about an hour.
BY BUS
Algarrobal B uses
(
&
02944/494360
) leav e for Villa La Angostura fr om
Bariloche's Terminal de Omnibus about every 3 hours from 8am to 9pm. The trip takes
about 1
1
/
2
hours.
Albus
(
&
02944/423552
) also goes to Villa La Angostura four times
a day.
BY CAR
Villa La Angostura is a 1-hour driv e from Bariloche around the nor th shore
of Lake Nahuel Huapi. Take the coastal r oad northeast of town past the village at D ina
Huapi, and turn left on RP 231.
