Nahuel Huapi National Park

The Nahuel Huapi National Park was set up in 1934 and is Argentina's oldest and largest national park. In the midst of the park stands the Nahuel Huapi Lake at the foothills of the Patagonian Andes. It spans an area of 7,050 sq. km. It comprises three geographical zones—the Altoandino with perennial snow at an altitude of 5,200 ft, the Andino-Patagónico at lower levels, and the Patagonian steppe. The dominant parts of this park are the Andes Mountains, lakes, waterfalls, rivers, snowy peaks, glaciers, and lush green forests. Chile lies on its west side.

The park has rich flora and fauna. You'll find species such as coihue, lengas, ñires, Chilean cedar, Myrceugenella apiculata, Winter's bark, Lomatia ferruginea, Lomatia hirsuta, Alstroemeria aurantica, Fuchsia megellanica, Patagonian cypress, ferns, arrayanes and caña colihue reeds, arvejillas and amancayes. In the thick Valdivian rain forests, you can see arrayan trees and nar the Chilean border in the high rainfall areas; you can see coihue trees which are at least 450 years old. You can also find a profusion of bamboo trees growing here.

Among fauna found here, you can spot river otters, cougars, southern Andean huemuls, foxes, small deer, maras and guanacos and Huillin. The birdlife here comprises woodpeckers, parakeets, swans, Andean condors, geese, ducks, blue-eyed cormorants, etc.

This park is ideal for trekking, rafting, skiing, kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking, kit surfing, paragliding, golfing. There are several trekking routes and accommodation facilities for trekkers on the way.