Neuquén can be explored through a range of travel interests: a route linking several towns, extensive protected areas, and seasonal winter offerings. To plan your trip, it helps to first choose a focus. Would you like to center your trip on the Ruta de los Siete Lagos, are you especially interested in national parks, or would you like to include a snow destination? This decision gives your travel planning direction without requiring you to combine every destination into a single tour.
The Ruta de los Siete Lagos: towns and planning your time
The Ruta de los Siete Lagos connects Junín de los Andes, San Martín de los Andes, Villa La Angostura, and Villa Traful. It also passes through Villa Lago Meliquina and Piedra del Águila. The route description therefore brings together several named places and offers a concrete starting point for planning a trip through Neuquén.
The route can be driven in one day. By bicycle or motorcycle, with overnight stays at different campgrounds, the trip can take three or four days. These timeframes distinguish a day trip from a multi-day tour with camping stops.
National parks with varied landscapes
Parque Nacional Lanín is in Neuquén Province and protects 412,000 hectares of Patagonian forest-steppe, including areas of Patagonian steppe and the High Andes. These landscape types give the protected area a diverse natural character. Trekking, mountaineering, cycling, hiking, and wildlife watching are possible there. These activities offer different focuses; registration and certain conditions may apply to trekking and other excursions.
Parque Nacional Los Arrayanes is also in the province. It protects more than 1,700 hectares of Patagonian forest-steppe and arrayán trees that are more than 650 years old and over 15 meters tall. Here, both the size of the protected area and the distinctive characteristics of the trees are highlights. Another natural focus can be found at A.N.P.P. Sistema Domuyo: the protected area preserves ecosystems of volcanic hot springs, where a distinctive algae that lives at high temperatures is found.
Activities between lakes and winter destinations
Boat trips are offered on Lakes Paimún, Epulafquen, Lácar, and Huechulafquen in the Lake District region of Neuquén Province. The excursions depart from small, picturesque piers. They complement activities on foot or by bicycle, offering another way to experience these lakes.
For a winter-focused trip, Batea Mahuida Snow Park is a destination in its own right. It is managed by the Puel Mapuche community, and its winter operations are seasonal. Caviahue also has a ski center, while Copahue is home to a thermal complex that operates seasonally. These offerings differ in their focus and operating schedules. Check the respective seasons when planning your trip before arranging your stay around them.
Getting there and finding your way
Various areas of Parque Nacional Lanín can be reached by land from San Martín de los Andes, Junín de los Andes, and Aluminé. These towns are connected by long-distance buses to almost the entire country. Since transport availability can change, it is a good idea to check suitable connections before your trip. The towns mentioned can serve as reference points for planning, while your chosen activity and the time set aside for it will determine the focus of your stay.
Discover more destinations: Los Lagos Department, Confluencia Department, Lácar Department, Andacollo, Huiliches Department, Ñorquín Department, Aluminé Department, Villa Traful, La Lipela, Zapala Department, Chos Malal Department, Añelo Department, Loncopué Department, Collón Curá Department, Catán Lil, Minas Department, Pehuenches Department, Picunches.
For the main travel overview: Argentina.
