Experiences and local guides in Lago Puelo

Nature

Lago Puelo National Park protects a turquoise lake fed by Andean meltwater, whose waters eventually drain to the Pacific Ocean through Chilean rivers, unusual at this latitude of the Andes. The climate is milder and wetter than in Bariloche, with dense Valdivian forest reaching right down to the shore.

Activities

• Sand and pebble beaches along the lakeshore, with water warm enough to swim in during January and February
• Boat or kayak trips toward the Turbio arm and the mouth of the Puelo river
• A short hike to the Hitos viewpoint, or longer walks toward the Chilean border
• Trout and salmon fishing on the lake and the Puelo and Azul rivers, amid Valdivian forest scenery

When to go

December to March for beach and boating, when the water is warmest; the rest of the year the park is quieter, ideal for fishing and trekking without the heat.