Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
boar. He also built an enormous French-style mansion to accommodate his European
guests. As sport hunting fell out of vogue and the European aristocracy suffered the up-
heavals of WWI and the Great Depression, Luro went broke. The reserve was sold, then
neglected, its animals escaping through the fence or falling victim to poachers.
Since its acquisition by the province in 1965 Parque Luro has served as a refuge for
native species such as puma and wild fox, along with exotic migratory birds including
flamingos. One of the park's biggest draws, however, is during the fall mating season of
the red deer. In March and April the males bellow loudly (called 'la Brama') to attract fe-
male harems, while scuffling among themselves. There are
guided visits
(AR$100;
7-9pm Mar & Apr)
to witness this spectacle.
Hourly tours of the
Castillo
(per person AR$8)
, Luro's mansion, offer insight into the
luxurious eccentricities that Argentine landowners could indulge. As the story goes, Luro
was only able to obtain the gorgeous walnut fireplace by purchasing an entire Parisian
restaurant. Besides the museum, there's a
Sala de Carruajes
- a collection of turn-of-
the-century carriages.
The park's sights are all located around a 6km ring road; reach the
Centro de Inter-
pretación
by following the road 2.2km from the entrance. The basic
restaurant
and
campsites
( 499000; per adult/child AR$50/30)
are 500m beyond that (take food,
though there's a small store). And 300m further up the road are nice
cabañas
(
499000; 2-/3-/4-/5-person cabaña AR$280/330/380/420)
that sleep up to five. A few short
nature walks veer off the ring road.
Parque Luro is 35km south of Santa Rosa. From the bus terminal, catch the
Dumascat
( 437090;
www.dumascat.com.ar
)
bus bound for General Acha and ask to be dropped off
at the park entrance (AR$10, 30 minutes, four daily), then find out when a bus returns to
Santa Rosa. Alternatively, rent a car in Santa Rosa.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Parque Nacional
Lihué Calel
02952
In the local indigenous language of Pehuenche, Lihué Calel means Sierra de la Vida
(Range of Life), and describes a series of small, isolated mountain ranges and valleys
that create unique microclimates in a nearly featureless pampean landscape.
haven for native cats such as puma and yagouaroundi. You can spot armadillo, guanaco,
