History, nature and tradition

La Pampa, the gateway to Argentine Patagonia, is a land deeply rooted in its traditions, which it proudly displays and seeks to share with all who visit. This tour offers a journey through Argentine history, exploring the remains of the Ranquel Indians, exploring different cultures, and meeting the Mennonites. And, of course, a visit to the cattle ranches in the Pampas, which are open to tourism, allowing you to enjoy typical rural activities and exquisite local cuisine.

The Journey

Starting from the city of Santa Rosa, capital of the Province of La Pampa, two circuits are suggested that combine traditions, culture, history, and nature.

Circuit 1

This tour departs from Santa Rosa and suggests two itineraries that can be combined. The first, “Latidos del Caldenal. Through the Ranquel River…,” begins in the provincial capital, taking Provincial Route No. 14 to the “La Holanda” Tourist Cattle Ranch, where you can spend an afternoon in the countryside, stay overnight, and visit the “Ortiz Echagüe” Atelier Museum, where visitors are welcomed by descendants of the Spanish painter and can delight in his work. The circuit continues 55 km from there to Victorica, the first town in the Pampas, where the National Western Pampas Livestock Festival is held every February. Nearby, a visit to the “Leuvucó Indigenous Park” is worthwhile, located 25 kilometers north of Victorica on Provincial Route No. 105. It was the most populated center in the region, with approximately 8,000 indigenous people living around the Leuvucó Lagoon.

The Burial Ground houses the remains of the last chief, Mariano Rosas, and a Monument commemorating the Ranquel culture. Every June 24th, the “We Tripantü” celebration takes place, where the Council of Lonkos of La Pampa performs a “Rogativas” ceremony.

If you are still eager to continue your journey, you can return via Provincial Route No. 10 and turn off onto National Route No. 35 to enter the “Tierra del Cawell” region. The first stop will be in Eduardo Castex—82 km from Santa Rosa—to visit the Prehistoric Park, where a local artist created a handcrafted work modeling prehistoric animals, crafted to the actual size of each of the living species of that era. Continuing 53 kilometers along Provincial Route No. 102, we arrive at General Pico, where we cannot miss out on the Maracó Regional Museum and the “Delfín Pérez Recreational Park” Lagoon.

The tour then continues to Intendente Alvear, where a visit to the “La Casa de los Abuelos” Ecopark is a learning farm where you can enjoy the charm of its animals, native trees, and other species, offering accommodations and excellent services for tourists. This locality is also home to the world’s finest polo. Tranquil groves surround the fields of the Chapaleufú Polo Club. Members of the Heguy family spent years developing their skills in this magnificent sport and today delight the eyes of those who attend the matches periodically held in the locality. Another strong attraction is the National Dressage and Folklore Festival, held in the last week of January and the first week of February each year. It features cultural and craft exhibitions, and the presence of renowned figures from national folklore and renowned riders. The next stop for a restful break and exquisite cuisine is the “La Pampeana” Hotel Rural—in the locality of Sarah—with its award-winning haute cuisine restaurant. But to complete the relaxing experience, it is worth traveling a few more kilometers to reach Bernardo Larroudé and enjoy its thermal baths.

The Thermal Center offers tourists various therapy options for the treatment of various skin and bone conditions. It offers massage services, a sauna, hydromassage, mud therapy, Reiki, and a relaxation room. The Center also houses outdoor pools with thermal waters.

Circuit 2

The itinerary begins in the city of Santa Rosa, an important urban and tourist center in the province of La Pampa. A visit to the city highlights the Provincial Museum of Arts, the Museum of Natural History, the Spanish Theater, and the Cathedral, among other buildings and sites of interest. Just 35 kilometers along National Route No. 35, you will find a natural balm in the “Parque Luro” Provincial Reserve.

This is the largest caldén nature reserve in the world, which, with its forest, dune, and lagoon, represents a typical Pampas landscape. The reserve covers 7,600 acres, of which 1,600 acres are open to exploration. Here, you can admire nature in all its splendor and mingle with a paradise of flora and fauna. The origins of what was once the world’s largest reserve are linked to the generation of the ’80s and the Belle Epoque. The experience will allow visitors to access the business of Don Pedro Luro, its first owner. A guided tour of the building that was once his residence, now a museum, “El Castillo,” a national historic monument, is a must.

But the undisputed stars of this reserve are the red deer, which provide a unique natural spectacle during the months of March and April when, during the mating season, the males move toward the females, emitting sounds known as “bellowing.” During this time, the dominant males will gather their harem for mating and fight with their rivals to retain it. It is possible to spot these majestic animals on excursions offered at dawn or dusk. It is recommended to wear comfortable clothing, a coat, and binoculars for optimal viewing. The park offers accommodation in comfortable cabins, which complete the experience of being in complete contact with nature.

The next destination on the “Southeast Pampas Roads” via Provincial Route No. 1 is “Guatraché.” There, for those interested in continuing their encounter with nature, we recommend visiting the lagoon of the same name, a 778-acre body of water with approximately 40 acres of beaches and salt lakes. It is ideal for communing with nature, hiking, photo safaris, climbing the trails of the cliffs and hills, and reaching panoramic points from which to observe the Lagoon in all its splendor. These activities take place year-round, and in the summer, you can enjoy the Samuel Novick Recreational Park beach resort. An alternative option for those who enjoy experiencing other cultures is to visit the Mennonite Colony. Owners of a unique way of life and working the land, far removed from the comforts of the contemporary world, the Mennonites preserve their Dutch and German customs and traditions. They lead a simple life, removed from the most basic signs of modernity. Its main activities are dairy farming, cheese making, carpentry, metalworking, general retail, clothing manufacturing, canning, carriage building, farm animal breeding, and gardening.

The tour culminates in the locality of Jacinto Arauz, known for being the place where Dr. René Favaloro lived while practicing as a rural doctor. You can follow his footsteps by visiting the Historical Museum of the Rural Doctor René Favaloro. But it is impossible to leave Jacinto Arauz without visiting the salt lakes. The “La Colorada Chica” or “Laguna Larga” salt lake is located 30 km south of Jacinto Arauz. It is one of the salt mines in operation and is most striking due to the red color of its waters. This is due to small crustaceans called “brine shrimp,” which seem to dye the water reddish, producing a very special, beautiful, and attractive effect. The salt harvest, which takes place during the months of February and March, is worth seeing.