Is this the MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE IN PATAGONIA? 🚤🌳 Visiting Los Alerces National Park in Argentina 😍🌄

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In our latest travel video from Argentina we visit possibly the most beautiful places in Patagonia, Los Alerces National Park, on a day trip from Esquel, Chubut. Today we visit Los Alerces National Park where we encounter trees that are over 2600 years old! We were visiting Esquel during low season, so there was only one daily bus with Transportes Esquel leavening in the early morning and returning in the evening. We made sure to arrive at the bus terminal 1 hour ahead of departure to make sure we could get seats on the bus since you can’t reserve tickets ahead of time and once they’re gone, they’re gone.

One of the coolest parts of the boat ride was seeing the Torrecillas Glacier. If you’re up for a serious trek, there are excursions in Los Alerces National Park that take you right to the foot of the glacier.

After cruising on the north end of Lake Menendez, we reached the Alerzal Milenario, where we disembarked and continued the rest of the excursion on foot.

The trees that we had come to see are the ‘Alerces patagónicos’ also known as lahuán. This is a type of tree that can be found in the Valdivian temperate rain forest below the higher elevations of the Andes in both Argentina and Chile. These trees can grow from sea level up to 1,500 (fifteen hundred) meters above sea level, and though they are slow-growth trees, they can reach heights of above 50 meters.

And that was our excursion to Los Alerces National Park in search of two-thousand-year-old trees! We hope you guys enjoyed this trip and we’ll see you soon with more videos from Patagonia.

🌄 Exploring Los Alerces National Park: Boat Tours, Ancient Trees & Hiking Adventures in Patagonia 🚤🌳 | Esquel Day Trip

🌅 Early Morning Start & Travel Logistics

Bright and early in Esquel, the adventure begins! The day starts before sunrise, leaving the house at 6:45 a.m. to catch the only daily bus to Los Alerces National Park. Tips for travelers:

Arrive at the terminal early—seats are limited and tickets sell out fast (no advance bookings).

Buy a round-trip ticket to secure your return—those who didn’t risked being stranded overnight!

Cost Breakdown: $50 USD per person for the boat excursion, $9 for park entry (less for locals), and around $12–13 for bus transportation.

🚌 Journey to Los Alerces National Park

The bus journey takes about 2.5 hours, offering scenic mountain and forest views.

The bus drops everyone at Pasarela Río Arrayanes, where it’s a 20-minute walk to the port (Puerto Chucao), the departure point for the lake cruise.

Travel Tip: Be punctual! The boat waits for no one.

🚤 Boat Cruise on Lake Menéndez

Board a scenic cruise with jaw-dropping glacial turquoise waters reminiscent of Banff National Park.

Highlight: Spectacular views of the Torrecillas Glacier.

Pro tip for adventure seekers: there are longer treks available that go right to the glacier’s foot.

🌲 Hiking Among 2,700-Year-Old Trees

Disembark for a guided 2.2 km hike (mandatory—this area is only accessible with a guide).

The trail gains about 70 meters of elevation in the first 700 meters.

Main Attraction: Ancient alerce (Fitzroya cupressoides) trees, also known as Patagonian cypress or “lahuán”—some over 2,700 years old!

Fun fact: Alerces grow just 1 millimeter in width per year.

Walk through a living museum of rare plants, ferns, moss, and towering trees, ending at a stunning lookout over the lake and mountains.

🍃 Nature & Scenery Overload

The guided walk reveals fascinating flora, unique to the Valdivian temperate rainforest that straddles Argentina and Chile.

Look out for ancient tree trunks, unique undergrowth, and unbeatable Andean backdrops.

Don’t miss the panoramic viewpoint at the end of the trail!

🍎 Post-Hike Free Time: Exploring More Trails

After the main excursion, you’ll have about 2.5 hours of free time before the bus back to Esquel.

Met a fellow traveler who recommended a shorter local trail—perfect for filling the gap.

Snacked on packed lunches and enjoyed the peace and quiet of the Patagonian wilderness.

🍕 Bus Waits, Apple Trees & Adventure Tips

Sampled not-quite-ripe apples from a wild tree—definitely a summer fruit, not yet Granny Smith-ready!

Passed time wandering the forest, soaking up the fresh air and mountain vistas while awaiting the only return bus.

💡 Travel Tips & Takeaways

Plan Ahead: Limited transportation options mean organization is key (or be prepared to camp!).

Bring Snacks & Water: Food options are limited inside the park.

Dress in Layers: Mornings are chilly, afternoons warm, and weather can change quickly.

Camera Ready: The lakes, glaciers, and ancient forests are a photographer’s dream.

🌟 Final Thoughts & Traveler’s Recap

The Los Alerces excursion exceeded expectations with its combination of boat rides, ancient forests, rare flora, and epic Patagonian scenery.

Is this the MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE in Patagonia? | Visiting Los Alerces National Park in Argentina 😍