Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Calafate, with stops at Cueva de las Manos and several lovely estancias. Consult
for current rates and departure dates.
Quicker, more straightforward travel along RN40 can be arranged through
Sarmiento 559, piso 8, Buenos Aires)
, which runs northbound two-day shuttles, leaving at
8am from El Calafate, with accommodation in Perito Moreno. Southbound three-
day shuttles leave Bariloche at 6:45am on odd-numbered days, with accommoda-
tions in Perito Moreno and El Chaltén. Buses stop in Los Antiguos as well. It is usu-
ally available from November to March. For the one-way trip, prices start at
AR$1100 per person (not including accommodations or food). It's possible to hop
on and off along the route, but space on the next shuttle cannot be reserved. Com-
binations to Puerto Madryn are also available for northbound travelers. Chaltén
493092, 493005; Av San
0294-442-3809;
www.chaltentravel.com
; Quaglia 262)
.
Some travelers have had good experiences with bus line Taqsa/Marga (
Click
here
), which offers high-season service north and south between El Calafate and
Bariloche (AR$950, 28 hours, October to April), with stops in El Chaltén, Perito
Moreno and Esquel.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Esquel
02945 / POP 32,400 / ELEVATION 570M
If you tire of the gnome-in-the-chocolate-shop ambience of Bariloche and other cutesy
Lakes District destinations, regular old Esquel will feel like a breath of fresh air. Set in
western Chubut's dramatic, hikeable foothills, Esquel is a hub for Parque Nacional Los
Alerces and an easy-going, friendly base camp for abundant adventure activities - the
perfect place to chill after hard travel on RN40.
Founded at the turn of the 20th century, Esquel is the region's main livestock and com-
mercial center. It's also the historic southern end of the line for
La Trochita,
the narrow-
gauge steam train. The town takes its name from Mapundungun, meaning either 'bog' or
'place of the thistles.'
RN259 zigzags through town to the junction with RN40, which heads north to El
Bolsón and south to Comodoro Rivadavia. South of town, RN259 passes a junction for
Parque Nacional Los Alerces en route to Trevelin.
