Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights & Activities
Esquel's best attractions are of the outdoor variety, notably Parque Nacional Los Alerces
and La Hoya. Esquel's nearby lakes and rivers offer excellent
fly fishing
, with the season
running from November to April. You can purchase a license at the YPF gas station
explore the surrounding hills and trails.
Museo de Culturas Originarias Patagónicas
MUSEUM
(
451929; Nahuel Pan; donations accepted;
2-5pm)
Displays a modest collection
of Mapuche artifacts;
La Trochita
stops here.
Museo del Tren
MUSEUM
( 451403; cnr Roggero & Urquiza; 8am-2pm Mon-Sat)
Just outside town, this train
museum is in the Roca train station where
La Trochita
, Argentina's famous narrow-
gauge steam train, stops. In summer several tour agencies sell tickets for round-trip rides
on the antique train.
Cerro La Hoya
SNOW SPORTS
( 453018;
www.cerrolahoya.com
;
admission AR$185, lift ticket adult/child AR$160/125; ski-
ing Jun-Oct)
Despite wide open bowls and some of Argentina's best powder skiing, this
1350m resort is just starting to become well-known. While cheaper and less crowded
than Bariloche, it is smaller and comparatively tame, ideal for families. Summer activit-
ies include hiking, chairlift rides and horseback riding. Equipment can be rented on-site
or at sport shops in Esquel. Minibus transfers cost AR$60; taxis may be a better deal for
groups. It's 13km north of Esquel.
Coyote Bikes
BICYCLE RENTAL
( 455505;
www.coyotebikes.com.ar
; Rivadavia 887; 2hr/day rental AR$60/130; 9am-1pm &
3:30-8pm Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm Sat)
For mountain-bike rentals and trail details in summer.
DON'T MISS
THRU TREKKING PATAGONIA
The US has the Appalachian Trail, New Zealand has the Te Araroa Trail, and now Ar-
gentina has
Huella Andina
(huellaandina.desarrolloturistico.gov.ar)
, the country's first long-
distance trail. Huella, literally 'footprint,' is the local term for footpaths.
