Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Caviahue
105
3
Junín de los Andes
132
3
Laguna Blanca
28
½
Neuquén
98
3
San Martín de los Andes
154
3½
Temuco (Chile)
290
6
Villa Pehuenia
159
4½
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Parque Nacional Laguna Blanca
At 1275m above sea level and surrounded by striking volcanic deserts, Laguna Blanca is
only 10m deep, an interior drainage lake that formed when lava flows dammed two small
streams. Only 30km southwest of Zapala, the lake is too alkaline for fish but hosts many
bird species, including coots, ducks, grebes, upland geese, gulls and even a few flamin-
gos. The 112.5-sq-km park primarily protects the habitat of the black-necked swan, a
permanent resident.
Starting 10km south of Zapala, paved and well-marked RP46 leads through the park
toward the town of Aluminé. If you're catching a bus, ask the driver to drop you off at
the information center. If you don't have your own transport, ask at the National Parks
office in Zapala if you can get a ride out with the rangers in the morning. A taxi to the
park should charge around AR$320, including two hours' waiting time.
There is a small improved campground with windbreaks, but bring all your own food.
There's a
visitor center
( 9am-6pm Fri-Sun)
with information displays and maps of
walking trails, but there's no place to eat.
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Neuquén
0299 / POP 231,200 / ELEV 265M
There are only two reasons to stop in Neuquén - the wealth of paleontological sites in the
surrounding area, and the three excellent wineries just out of town. That said, the town
has a strangely hypnotic effect, with its wide, tree-lined boulevards and liberal smattering
of plazas.
