Activities in The Lake District
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Pura Vida Patagonia
Pura Vida Patagonia offers kayaking trips on the Lago Nahuel Huapi, ranging from half-day stints to overnight camp-n-kayak trips, custom designed to match your skill level.
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Cerro Catedral
Nahuel Huapi's ski resort, Cerro Catedral, was once South America's trendiest, and has been superseded only by Las Leñas (near Mendoza) and resorts in Chile. Las Leñas has far superior snow (dry powder), but it lacks Catedral's strong point: views. There's nothing like looking over the shimmering lakes of Nahuel Huapi from its snowy slopes.
There's a good mix of easy, intermediate and advanced ski runs, with steep advanced runs at the top and some tree runs near the base. Lift lines can be long at this very popular resort, but the capacity is substantial enough and waiting time is generally not excessive.
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Cabalgatas Carol Jones
Most travel agencies along Av Bartolomé Mitre offer horseback riding trips. For something special, contact the amiable Carol Jones at Cabalgatas Carol Jones, who offers half-day horseback riding from her family estancia outside of town. The price includes transport to/from town and an excellent asado outside. She also offers multi-day pack trips by horse. Carol speaks English. All trips require a minimum of two people.
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Maputur
For adventures in the surrounding countryside,Maputur rents mountain bikes for AR$30/40 per half-/full day. It also offers rafting on the Río Manso. Trips on the Manso Inferior (class II to III) cost AR$200 per person (including lunch); on the Manso a la Frontera (class II to IV) trips cost AR$290 (including lunch and dinner).
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La Trochita
Argentina's famous narrow-gauge steam train, averages less than 30km/h on its meandering weekly journey between Esquel and El Maitén - if it runs at speed. In its current incarnation, subsidized by the city of Esquel and the governments of Río Negro and Chubut, La Trochita - which Paul Theroux facetiously called The Old Patagonian Express - provides both a tourist attraction and a service for local citizens.
Like many other state projects, completion of the line seemed an interminable process. In 1906 the federal government authorized the southern branch of the Roca line, between Puerto San Antonio on the Atlantic coast and Lago Nahuel Huapi. In 1922 Ferrocarriles del E…
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Centro Paleontológico Lago Barreales
For true dino freaks, the best place to satiate the hunger for bones is the Centro Paleontológico Lago Barreales, 90km northwest of Neuquén. Here you can actually work – as in get your hands dirty digging – on-site with paleontologists in one of the world’s only fully functioning dinosaur excavation sites open to the public. You can visit the museum and take a guided tour of the site in about 1½ hours, but the real pleasure comes from the unique opportunity offered by sticking around. Prices (which help fund research) are AR$400 for one day and AR$1050 for two days and one night. It also offers scientific/educational tours, making a circuit of Neuquén province pal…
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eXtremo Sur
In business since 1991, eXtremo Sur offers several trips on the Río Manso: the Manso Inferior (class II to III, AR$195 per person) is suitable for all ages; the Manso a la Frontera (class III to IV, AR$250 per person, ages 14 and up) is a fun and beautiful stretch of the river before the Chilean border. There’s also a three-day Expedición Río Manso (class III to IV, AR$1350 to AR$1500), where you camp riverside at excellent facilities. For the last, asados and all food and drink are included in the price.
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Esquel Tours
Numerous travel agencies, including Esquel Tours, sell tickets for the Circuito Lacustre boat excursion in Parque Nacional Los Alerces; buying a ticket in Esquel assures a place on the often-crowded trip.
Excursions to El Bolsón/Lago Puelo and Corcovado/Carrenleufú are also offered. Half-day trips include La Hoya's winter-sports complex; the nearby Welsh settlement of Trevelin and the Futaleufú hydroelectric complex and the narrow-gauge railway excursion to Nahuel Pan.
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Expediciones Patagonia Aventura
Expediciones Patagonia Aventura offers myriad options, for rafting and outdoor adventures, on the Río Corcovado. For class II and III rafting trips, choose either two hours on the river (with/without transport AR$150/100) or a full-day excursion that includes lunch (with/without transport AR$185/140). Once you’re there, you might want to take advantage of the peaceful surroundings: one interesting option is to stay at EPA’s riverside hostel.
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Baruzzi Deportes
Day passes run between AR$90 and AR$150, depending on the season. If you need lessons, stop into the ski schools at Cerro Catedral or Club Andino Bariloche. Two-hour private lessons run at about AR$330. For rental equipment, try Baruzzi Deportes. Sets of skis, boots and poles rent for between AR$54 and AR$70, and snowboarding gear between AR$75 and AR$98 per day, depending on the season.
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Martín Pescador
Day passes run between AR$90 and AR$150, depending on the season. If you need lessons, stop into the ski schools at Cerro Catedral or Club Andino Bariloche. Two-hour private lessons run at about AR$330. For rental equipment, try Martín Pescador. Sets of skis, boots and poles rent for between AR$54 and AR$70, and snowboarding gear between AR$75 and AR$98 per day, depending on the season.
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Dirty Bikes
Bicycles are ideal for the Circuito Chico (though this 60km loop demands endurance) and other trips near Bariloche; most roads are paved and even the gravel roads are good. Mountain-bike rental, including gloves and helmet, costs AR$40 to AR$60 per day at a number of places. Try Dirty Bikes. Guided tours with bilingual guides run at about AR$180 per day.
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Bikeway
Bicycles are ideal for the Circuito Chico (though this 60km loop demands endurance) and other trips near Bariloche; most roads are paved and even the gravel roads are good. Mountain-bike rental, including gloves and helmet, costs AR$40 to AR$60 per day at a number of places. Try Bikeway. Guided tours with bilingual guides run at about AR$180 per day.
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Tunduca
The only tour operator in town, Tunduca offers everything from fly-fishing, horse-back riding and rafting to day trips to the geysers and hot springs north of town and the rock carvings at Colo Michi-Co archaeological park. It can also arrange five-day treks to the summit of Volcán Domuyo (4710m), the highest volcanic peak in Patagonia.
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Aeroclub El Bolsón
Aeroclub El Bolsón offers aerial tours of the area for AR$90 to AR$600 per person on 10- to 110-minute scenic flights in a Cessna 182. Clouds tend to form in the afternoon, so it’s best to go in the morning for stunning views of the national parks, lakes and unexplored (and therefore unnamed) glaciers of the region.
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Bariloche Bikes
Bicycles are ideal for the Circuito Chico (though this 60km loop demands endurance) and other trips near Bariloche; most roads are paved and even the gravel roads are good. Mountain-bike rental, including gloves and helmet, is available at Bariloche Bikes. Guided tours with bilingual guides are also on offer.
reviewed
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Tren Turístico
During summer, the Tren Turístico travels from Roca station in Esquel to Nahuel Pan, the first station down the line, 20km east. The trip takes 45 minutes. It's popular with groups so book ahead. For a small additional charge, you can organize with one of the Esquel travel agencies to return by minibus.
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Dollar Rent-a-Car
Neuquén is a good province to explore by automobile, but drivers should be aware that RN 22, both east along the Río Negro valley and west toward Zapala, is a rough road with heavy truck traffic. On that note, try Dollar Rent-a-Car, the only rental company downtown.
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Tren a Vapor
Tren a Vapor runs full-day trips (a 40km circuit) in a 5-wagon steam train built in 1912, stopping for photo ops at a bridge on the river Ñirihau, Perito Moreno station, Laguna Los Juncos and Cerro Elefante. Buy tickets at the train station near the bus terminal.
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Ici Viajes
Mountain biking is an excellent way to explore the surrounding area and a good way to travel the Ruta de los Siete Lagos. Rent bikes at Ici Viajes. Also Ask about rafting on the Río Meliquina, south of San Martín, or the Río Hua Hum to the west.
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Andestrack
There are excellent opportunities for trekking and climbing in Parque Nacional Lanín. Andestrack is a young, enthusiastic company that has been highly recommended for mountain biking, canoeing, snowshoeing and dog sledding in the park.
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Centro de Ski Cerro Bayo
From June to September, lifts carry skiers from the 1050m base up to 1700m at the relatively inexpensive winter resort of Centro de Ski Cerro Bayo, 9km northeast of El Cruce via RP 66. All facilities, including rental equipment, are available on site.
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Adventure Center
Adventure Center offers four-day trips down the fabled RN 40 as far as El Calafate for AR$500 per person. Trips run from the end of September to April. Prices include accommodation, but national park entries and food are separate.
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Batea Mahuida Ski Park
The small Mapuche-operated Batea Mahuida Ski Park is little more than a few snowy slopes with a T-bar and a poma. If you're a Nordic skier, you're in better luck - a circuit goes around the park, taking in awesome views of the volcano and lakes.
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El Claro Turismo
For rafting on the Río Meliquina, south of San Martín, or the Río Hua Hum to the west, contact El Claro Turismo. It charges about AR$120 for the day trip, including transfers. The river is spectacular and suitable for kids.
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