Unmissable: the magic of tulips along the Cordillera
October gives a colorful landscape thanks to the cultivation of these flowers outside Trevelin, Chubut province.
On Route 259, on the outskirts of Trevelin and 43 kilometers from Esquel, in the Cordillera of the province of Chubut, the fields of tulips these days they give an amazing and colorful landscape, which looks like something out of a painting. Planted in May, the tulips bloom in October and offer magical cards of the Patagonian Andes. Later, in January- they are harvested bulbs to distribute in the Argentine market.
“On our farm we have 27 varieties of tulips that give a colorful landscape of Patagonia, red frame, yellow, white, purple, double flowered, among many others, but the tulip black flower is one of the hallmarks of our production, “explains Juan Carlos Ledesma, owner of the farm that is dedicated to this activity since 1997. the climatic conditions and soil help. Ledesma added that the seeds used are from the Netherlands, the largest producer and exporter of flowers.
The field of tulips can be visited throughout the month of October 8 to 18, visits guided by specialists in the field
Esquel and Trevelin (meaning “mill town” in Welsh) are the gateway to Los Alerces National Park, nearly 260,000 hectares preserves a landscape of great biodiversity and beauty, with sites like the ancient larch wood, the Rivadavia lakes, green, Futalaufquen, Krugger, Menendez and Stange, among others, besides waterfalls, rivers, forests and an observatory huemules, animal typical of Patagonia is endangered.
Los Alerces National Park
The Los Alerces National Park was created in 1937 to preserve ancient forests of this species highly valued and slow growth. Also it covers a succession of lakes of unparalleled beauty.
Henceforth, appeared before our eyes a whole range of green water and vegetation, viewpoints, brooks, dreamy corners and all the magic of nature.
On the left bank of Lake Futalaufquen, surely the highlight of all water bodies of the park, we find the homonymous town, main service center location. Stand buildings of stone and wood of the Park Maintenance and Interpretation Center, good space in which we were provided with detailed information on the course of the various existing trails, walks to the hill Alto Thimble, Los Pumas, Cinco Saltos, Uncle Mindo waterfall, cave paintings, and other native flora, characteristics of the area.
There are options for all tastes. A 4 kilometers from the villa, at the southern end of the east branch (one of the three that has the lake, surrounded by all of variegated forests), port Limonao, the main port of the place is, where it is possible to embark while behind us highlights the spectacular architecture of the Hosteria Futalaufquen.
There are two unmissable excursions: the larches and lake Kruger, both in summer. The first full day, crosses the lake Futalaufquen, Arrayanes River, the Green Lakes and Menendez, and allows access to the ancient forest of larch trees, with a walk Swan Lake included and breathtaking views of the glaciers of Cerro Torrecillas.
When for reasons of low flow vessels can not navigate the Arrayanes river, the excursion is done by road and the boat is taken from the Chucao port, located on Lake Menéndez. The recommendation is to consult good times, anticipating the arrival an hour before each departure of the vessels, and carry vianda (garbage, of course, has to come back with us).
The trees that make the forest of larch trees are exemplary in some cases reach three meters in diameter, 60 to 70 meters tall, aged approaching 3,000 years. This forest is located just on the edge of the so-called Valdivian rainforest. In the early twentieth century, timber was highly prized for construction (such as shingles for roofing and carpentry), especially in Chile, where she was considered the “gold” of the forest.
On the right bank of Lake Futalaufquen, conjugating with waterfalls, springs and sandy beaches, lodges, bungalows, cabins, campsites and stores are, which complete the wide range of services and allow prolonging the stay in this unique corner of Patagonia.
