The “Wines and Flavors of Chubut” program runs from September to May, with the ideal time being between late February and mid-May, during the grape harvest season, depending on the region. During the winter, many of the routes become difficult to navigate, so this experience is not recommended.

The tour begins with arrival at Bariloche Airport, from where a five-day itinerary begins, passing through the towns of Lake Puelo, El Hoyo, Trevelin, Gualjaina, Paso del Sapo, Los Altares, Gaiman, and Trelew. Along the way, visits to various Chubut wineries will allow you to go behind the scenes at the birth of each wine: from the work in the vineyard to its production.

A scenic drive leads to Lake Puelo, surrounded by forests and mountain lakes. The experience begins with a visit to the Hansen Becerra and Adamow wineries, where you can tour their vineyards and taste their wines.

The itinerary continues in El Hoyo, home to the Patagonia Wines winery, surrounded by stunning scenery, and the charming Patagonia Labyrinth, a unique experience combining wine tourism and recreation among vineyards.

The tour departs from the cities of Trelew or Puerto Madryn, accessible by air and land. From there, the itinerary begins, lasting approximately five days, exploring authentic corners of the Patagonian coast, focusing on protected natural areas, historic towns, and ecotourism opportunities.

The journey begins south along National Route No. 3 and Provincial Route No. 30, reaching “Camarones,” a charming town declared an “Authentic Village” for its historical and cultural significance. Here lies one of the most impressive sites for observing wildlife in its natural environment, the “Cabo Dos Bahías” Penguin Colony, home to thousands of Magellanic penguins.

For those who want to appreciate the two bays that give the place its name, a detour to “Mirador del Cabo” offers a landscape framed by a turquoise sea and endless sky.

The tour continues to “Portal Isla Leones,” with a visit to its Information Center, where you can learn about the first portal of the “Patagonia Azul” project of the Rewilding Argentina Foundation. Later, you can explore “Cañadón del Sauce,” a site with large rock formations and caves, ideal for birdwatchers. “Isla Leones” Camps, located within a private conservation reserve, offers a space for deep connection with the environment. Depending on the weather and wind conditions, you can enjoy hiking through canyons, e-bike rides, mountain biking, snorkeling, and sailing to the legendary Leones Lighthouse on the island of the same name. Glamping completes the immersive experience in a pristine and protected environment.

The route continues to the “Bahía Bustamante” Portal, passing through coastal paths and marine steppe landscapes. Marisma Camps, the recently opened accommodation in this area, is the ideal place to reconnect with the natural rhythm. Here you can explore the nature and culture of “Bahía Bustamante” through horseback riding through the steppe and coast, trekking, mountain biking, and a relaxing float on the estuary. A visit to the “Patagonia Azul” Interpretation Center explains conservation efforts, protected species, and the history of this pioneering rewilding project on the Patagonian coast.

This tour not only allows you to discover pristine landscapes and unique wildlife, but also offers a regenerative tourism model, in harmony with the environment and in direct contact with Patagonian identity. The ideal time to visit is from October to April.

To complete the circuit, you can choose to return to Trelew via Provincial Route 28 and National Route No. 3 (260km), or to the city of Comodoro Rivadavia (180km) to take a flight in the afternoon or evening.

The area called “Comarca Andina del Paralelo 42” (Andean region of parallel 42) is the place at the Patagonia where more of these opportunities have been developed, combining holistic centers with high mountain activities which make people feel well.

This itinerary starts at the locality of El Bolsón, Province of Río Negro, and proposes a circuit of 4 days experiencing the therapies that are offered in the area such as exuberant nature.

San Carlos de Bariloche is the closest airport. One hundred and twenty-five kilometers to the south, going along Route 40 you reach El Bolsón, a magic place where energy flows through people, fauna, rivers and waters, mountains and forests.

Holistic spaces, therapy centers, lodgings including spa and wellbeing professionals offer multiple proposals for those who seek to connect with their being. Meditation, holistic and Thai massages, tai chi chuan, reflexology, yoga, reiki, floral therapy, acupuncture, head Indian massage, tai na massage, gong baths, aura reading and “astro tarot” are some of the therapies offered. There are also courses, seminars and workshops for those who seek to start or deepen their knowledge in the art of being well.

Only 15 km away from El Bolsón, already in the province of Chubut, there is the locality of Lago Puelo. As its name implies, there is a beautiful water mirror – located within the homonymous National Park – where it is possible to go on gentle navigations or enjoy the mountainous surroundings on trails by the lake.

To the south, in the town of Epuyén, we suggest a visit to the Buddhist Stupa. Stupas are spiritual monuments that represent the compassionate and wise minds of the masters and invite our own mind to awaken to its full potential. You can take photos, go around the Stupa, meditate and be charged with positive energy. Of course, gastronomy is not alien to this trend. In the area, the farms with production free of pesticides that work with seasonal products stand out. You can visit, tour the organic gardens, learn about the production of artisan products, and some of them also offer the possibility of enjoying lunch and snacks in an environment of peace and tranquility.

In this sense, lovers of good living will also find a unique place in Lago Puelo: the place where the first authentically Argentine whiskey is distilled is “La Alazana”, pioneers in the cultivation of exclusive barley varieties for whiskey. The double distillation process is carried out in copper stills of their own design and construction. The microclimate of the “Piltriquitrón” hill valley ensures a long and smooth maturation, giving it the stamp of Patagonian Whiskey. 

Without doubt, this is a circuit that promises a total renewal of body and spirit. It offers an introspective journey, to lose yourself and find yourself, to return there again and again.

The suggested circuit takes approximately five days, starting in the city of Esquel, which has the possibility of arriving by air or land. Barely 25 kms separate this city from Trevelin, a small town where the Welsh settled at the end of the 19th century, and it is proposed to spend the first night there. On the way there are two stops to get to know the “Sierra Colorada” area where outdoor activities are combined with the Mapuche culture, and the Rosario Lake, a place that keeps the history of the original peoples alive. At the end of the afternoon, an approach to Welsh culture through its gastronomy cannot be missed. The tradition of Welsh tea summarizes a fundamental moment in the life of the Welsh communities of Chubut, and today it is enjoyed in the tea houses through these succulent and delicious snacks that include, in addition to the aforementioned infusion, the famous “Welsh” cake, scons, homemade breads and butter, among other delicacies.

The next day, again on the way to Esquel, endless attractions await on the side of Route 259. First, an unmissable encounter with nature in the Nant and Fall Waterfalls Protected Natural Area, where you can contemplate the beautiful waterfalls that make the river, from walkways and viewpoints in a magical environment of the Andean Patagonian Forest. This area is also characterized by having the southernmost vineyards in the world, a true Patagonian treasure. “Viñas del Nant y Fall” is a productive establishment where it is possible to take guided tours of the vineyard that has more than 6000 plants of Pinot Noir and other cold weather varieties. If you are lucky enough to make this trip in the month of October, there is a plus in the itinerary that gives away the best postcards of the route. We refer to the tulip fields in bloom and your gaze is lost in that carpet of bright and explosive colors, guarded by an imposing mountain range. Thanks to the fact we live in the era of digital photography, there is no limit to capture this view.

But there is much more to visit in these few kilometers. The Nant y Fach Flour Mill Museum, witness to a wheat era, built in the likeness of the old mills, reflecting the customs and habits of the past, is one of them. Lovers of gastronomy will find plenty of reasons to thoroughly explore every inch of this area to discover, for example, the “Arroyo Bagillt” Fish Farming Station, which is in charge of keeping the population of Trouts and Salmons stable in all the water courses of the Chubut River. The visitor can see different pools and know the laboratories on business days. Continuing with this theme, you can visit the Jordán Establishment, which is dedicated to trout farming and production of smoked products. The pairing of these delicacies can be found at “Casa Yagüe”, southern wines, where the visit consists of a tour along the vineyards with unique landscapes, to later visit the winery and share some wine tasting. In the area of the quiet place “Los Cipreses”, you can visit agritourism farms such as “Caricias del Bosque”, and very close to it, you can visit “Legua 13 Frutillas Orgánicas”, a family business that combines the production of fine fruits with tourist proposals.

After this short but varied journey, you will arrive to the city of Esquel for dinner and rest, and the next day you will start a journey of 80 kms. to Gualjaina. The landscape changes and enters the Patagonian steppe, which offers a unique charm. After a tour through this picturesque town, it is suggested to visit the “Hostería Huancache”, where it is possible to have lunch and get to know its artisanal and organic vineyard. 20 minutes from there is the “Piedra Parada” Protected Natural Area, where an imposing stone of volcanic origin stands 210 meters high. The place was the caldera of an ancient volcano, the chimney of which solidified and gave rise to very peculiar geoforms. The old walls with traces of the incandescent material also treasure cave paintings left by the ancient populations of the area. Adjacent to this place, we find the entrance to the “Cañadón de la Buitrera”, a particular geological formation with walls that exceed 200 meters in height. There is no visitor who is not astonished by these incredible rock formations that house ancient engravings, cave paintings and fossils, testimonies of ancient civilizations and the irrefutable proof of the millions of years that left their mark on the Patagonian geography. This place is also of interest to bird watchers and fans of climbing and rappelling.

Continuing the road, a stop in Paso del Sapo is well-worth, a small town with a young wine-growing activity, where the “Estancia Los Robles – Rincón de los Leones” vineyards stand out, producing excellent quality Chardonnay strains. From there the next destination is “Los Altares” for dinner and to spend the night.

On this day, the proposal is to make the 280 kms that remain to reach the city of Trelew on Route 25, visiting on the way unique places for their beauty which are far from what we traditionally see in classic Patagonian postcards. This is the case of “Los Altares”, that gives us a cinematographic setting, with its immense cliffs, walls carved by climatic effects and the passage of centuries that capriciously form figures that resemble altars, hence its name. Deep canyons and cliffs complete the image, which at times acquires reddish tones due to sunlight. In the area you can also do agritourism and continue learning about the innovative wine production of Chubut.

Advancing through the Patagonian steppe, you reach the small town of “Las Plumas”, where there are important deposits of rock stones and petrified trees. And a few kilometers away, the “Florentino Ameghino” Dam, which originated from the construction of the hydroelectric power plant, is the ideal place to visit in summer, where you can do recreational activities, trout fishing and adventure proposals such as rafting, trekking, rappelling, zip-lining and climbing, among other activities.

Trelew will be the last step of this circuit. From there it is suggested to visit the localities of the lower valley of the Chubut River, with a strong Welsh imprint, on a journey that allows you to explore the spirit of the pioneers who came to this land, learn about their history, their traditions and the way they live today, also enjoying a lush green landscape and the slow pace of these towns.

Another point of interest is the Astronomical Center, where tour guides are held in the Planetarium room and the theme park, you can attend projections in the dome and make night observations, in a fascinating approach to astrotourism.

Before heading back, you cannot miss an appointment with prehistory at the Paleontological Museum Egidio Feruglio of Trelew, a center for scientific activities and exhibitions, with interpretive tours that tell the story of the life forms that populated Patagonia through a time travel of millions of years into the past. But without a doubt, the grand finale of this trip is the possibility of meeting the largest dinosaur in the world, the Patagotitan Mayorum, whose bones have been recently found in the area in an excellent state of preservation, becoming one of the most relevant paleontological discoveries.

After this adventure through the less explored sites of this Chubut circuit, we suggest taking advantage of the stay to make the classic wildlife sightings that are offered in the area. Depending on the time of year, you can go to “Punta Tombo” to see the largest continental colony of Magellanic Penguins in the world, or go to “Peninsula Valdés” to see specimens of southern right whales, which stop at these things between the months of June and December.

Intendancy: “Villa Futalaufquen.” Post Office Box N° 82, Esquel (9200), Chubut.

Telephone: +54 9 2945 54-8973

infoalerces@apn.gob.ar

Lake Puelo National Park Intendancy, (U 9211 ADA) Chubut.

(02944) 499232

lagopuelo@apn.gob.ar

Intendancy: Urquiza esq. Costanera, Camarones (9111), Chubut.

(0294) 15 4413580

marinocostero@apn.gob.ar

CHUBUT

Trails at “Los Alerces” National Park

Cave Paintings (Central Zone): Two and a half kilometers from Villa Futalaufquen, you can see an overhang with cave paintings from ancient settlements, then take a ten-minute climb to a viewing point. It takes forty minutes and is of low difficulty.

“Laguna Larga” (Central Zone): Two kilometers from the information center, along a vehicle path, you travel four kilometers to reach the lagoon outside the park. It takes four hours and is of medium to low difficulty.

“Alto el Petiso” (Central Zone): Starts at Puerto Mermoud on the shores of “Lago Verde.” The hike continues through a forest on a snail-shaped climb to reach “Arroyo Zanjón Hondo.” Continue along the streambed to a ridge, along which you ascend to the scree that leads to the summit. Total hike: 7 hours. Difficulty level: High. Registration at the ranger section at the Arrayanes River is required (before 10 a.m.).

“Cerro Cocinero” (Central Zone): It begins 150 meters from the Rañinto stream. It climbs a steep slope until reaching a high valley. One-way time: 4 hours. Total hike: 7 hours. Difficulty: High. You must register at the National Parks section – Central Entrance. (Before 10 a.m.)

Irigoyen Waterfall (Central Zone): Six kilometers from Villa Futalaufquen, a large waterfall cascades through lush and varied vegetation. The first section lasts fifteen minutes and is of low difficulty.

Lake Krugger (Central Zone): It begins at 1,500 meters past Puerto Bustillo. This is the most challenging trail in the park, as it requires more time. Before starting this hike, you should check the trail status, available sections, and register at the information center. Each section takes approximately 6 or 7 hours to complete, carrying light weight. Camping is permitted at “Playa Blanca,” but fires are prohibited. There is a park ranger station at Lake Krugger. Difficulty: high.

“Lago Verde” (Central Zone): It begins 1 km from the “Lago Verde” section. At the end of the trail, you have an excellent panoramic view of lakes “Lago Verde,” Rivadavia, and Menéndez. It lasts one hour and is of medium to low difficulty.

“Laguna Escondida” (Central Zone): It starts in front of the “Arrayanes” River Section and ascends to the Lagoon. Registration is required and the hike takes three hours. Its difficulty level is medium.

“Arroyo del Hacha” Waterfall (North Zone): It begins 200 meters from Lake Rivadavia. You reach a large waterfall and can enjoy panoramic views of Lake Rivadavia and its surroundings. It takes one hour and is of medium to low difficulty.

“Laguna del Toro” (South Zone): It begins 600 meters from the South Gate of the “Los Alerces” National Park along the paved road. It begins with a slope through the forest, passes through a rocky area, and reaches a high-altitude lagoon with spectacular views of Lake Amutui Quimey. The total hike takes 5 hours. Difficulty: Medium. Registration required at the Parks section – South Gate.

Futaleufú Dam Interpretive Trail (South Zone): It begins 600 meters from the south entrance of the “Los Alerces” National Park along the asphalt road. It is a short walk with interpretive signage about the dam construction process. The walk takes 30 minutes. Low difficulty.