ESQUEL
County of Chubut - Argentina

Situated in the widest parts of the 16 de Octubre Valley, this town gathers much of the tourism and transport service offer in the Lake Corridor. Its origin dates back to February 25^th 1906, commemoration date of the telegraph´s creation. Previously, there had been early settlers, mostly Welsh, who were granted land by the government.

Several immigration currents - Spaniards, Italians, Arabs and Germans - contributed to the settlement of Esquel´s population.

The arrival of the Old Patagonian Express in 1945 ("La Trochita") linked Esquel to Ingeniero Jacobacci and gave impulse to it, allowing local wool to be furthered  to other markets. Today Esquel owns a present and further still, a future, also oriented towards tourism, thanks to the countless natural beauties in the region. Connected to the whole country through its national airport and to the rest of Chubut through an elaborate road net and not far from several international passes, it offers a thorough option of natural attractions and quality service for visitors.

Its surroundings are the ideal setting for outdoor activities. Several agencies provide specific package tours, equipment and professional guiding staff, as well as the regular offer for tourists.

The Mountain Activity Complex La Hoya is only 13 km away and presents excellent ski slopes covered with powder snow, which thanks to climate and altitude conditions lingers long periods of time (sometimes through October). It differs through this from all other centres, revalorized in turn  by important buildings and modern elevation devices.

The aforementioned Old Patagonian Express is still in use today, leaving to and from El Maitén  in an old-timer-ride that should not be missed.

Other possible choices are a drive to the Percy River area, or a trekking tour in the mountain slopes surrounding the city. Its proximity to National Park Los Alerces multiplies tourism potentiality in an extraordinary natural environment: a visit to its lakes, colourful landscapes that change with every season, or the presence of astonishing ancient larch trees, for ever alive, together with other species older than our own history. 

Esquel:

Surrounded by amazing peaks covered with snow, Esquel stands as a beautiful town with wide streets and traditional buildings. It offers all the facilities typical of a big city: there is a very good and wide hotel service that will suit any client´s taste and budget. There are banks, automatic teller machines, supermarkets and very good restaurants with excellent gastronomy.

As Esquel is very close to the best fishing places, it has a great deal of fishing guides who are organised under an association. When we visited this beautiful place, we went out fishing with Guillermo Saguí, an expert on fly-fishing. We visited Willymanco Lagoon, a private place ten minutes from the centre where only fly-fishing with compulsory return is allowed. The place is beautiful and there are good fishing possibilities - we went there under bad weather conditions and still we caught a beautiful Arco Iris trout of about 2,5 Kg.

For furtehr information in guidance, please contact Guillermo Saguí at 02945-451111 or gsagui@teletel.com.ar