Lanín National Park , a must visit!

In addition to being home to 24 glacial lakes, Lanín National Park is home to the volcano that bears the same name. There are 412 thousand hectares loaded with natural wonders, giving its visitors an unparalleled experience. And it is that, to the majestic natural landscapes, an interesting history and culture is added, considering that it was also inhabited by Mapuche communities.

Located to the southwest of the province of Neuquén, in San Martín de Los Andes, it is a protected area where you will also find a large number of free and organized campsites. Meanwhile, some of its lakes allow activities such as sport fishing and water sports, all of them as long as they do not threaten the natural ecosystem!

The number of walks that can be done in the Park should not be left out. This place has a considerable number of trails where wonderful excursions are made. It all depends on the area to be visited: Tromen, Huechulafquen, Villa Quila Quina and Queñi. So that you have a better reference, we bring you information about one of the most famous activities in the Lanín National Park.

LANÍN VOLCANO AND HUECHULAFQUEN LAKE EXCURSION

The Lanín Volcano and Huechulafquen Lake excursion is the most famous and requested in this destination. Fortunately, it takes place throughout the year and all you need to do is have a full day. That is, it does not require physical effort since it is done on a combi.

The walk that begins in San Martín de Los Andes has its first stop after 30 minutes of travel. We stop in Junín de Los Andes for a City Tour that includes a visit to the Church-monument to Laura Vicuna. 

With an architecture and design similar to that of any other Catholic church, it has images, thematic windows and handcrafted matras that take us into the local history and Mapuche culture, although with a very special and particular touch. In fact, it has the recognition of the Vatican.

We resume the route, but this time bordering the Chimehuin River until we reach its source in Lake Huechulafquen. Now, it is the turn of a (short) walk along the coasts. It should be noted that this sector is recognized worldwide as the mecca of fly fishing, as it attracts fishermen from as many countries.

When it comes to adventure, the upper part of the river has rapids up to class 3, which begins to make this place one of the favorites for rafting among unprecedented natural landscapes.

We return to the vehicles to enter the Lanín National Park, bordering Lake Huechulafquen for about 30 km until we see splendid Araucarias. It consists of an arboreal species that shared lands with dinosaurs. You can now account for its longevity! 

After this, we arrive at Los Quinchos. They are country restaurants run by a family of Araucano Cañicul origin, where you can taste grilled meats and a variety of salads. In this case, you must bear in mind that the cost of lunch is not covered by the excursion, having the option of taking your lunch and enjoying it on the volcanic black sand beaches that are nearby.

We return to the combi towards the Lanín Volcano, one of the best places of this experience. With 3776 mt high and its glaciers, it is a majestic monument of the nature of this region. This time we will not see it in the distance, but rather we will delight in its beautiful silhouette from its own southern base, where the ascent walks begin to the summit. 

The experience is magical and, as if that were not enough, it will give you the best views of the Lanín National Park. But this does not end here! The tour continues to Lake Paimún where we will visit the chapel that bears the same name and whose location is special. It is at the foot of the volcano and it also has a touch of cultures from around the world, after donations received from the hands of ancient settlers.

As if all this adventure were not enough, on our return we will stop on the banks of the Ruculeña River, from where we will have another view of the imposing Lanín. However, it is important to note that throughout the journey you will learn about the ecological importance of this place, its cultural history and the geological history that gave rise to the volcano.

A GREAT TRAVEL EXPERIENCE 

In short, it is a super complete experience. Ready to live a day in the Lanín National Park? Send a WhatsApp to our travel assistance specialists and request all the advice you want. We will help you with reservations and everything you require. Another alternative is to hire one of the travel itineraries to Salta that already include this destination among their excursions.