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 Patagonia
is located in the south of the American continent stretching
from the Atlantic to Pacific ocean through the Andes covering
both Chile and Argentina.
San Carlos de Bariloche is located at the North East of
the Patagonia region, at the foot of the Andes.It is 1680
km (100 miles) away from Buenos Aires city, to the southeast.
Andean Patagonia it is well known by the cordillera with its
highest mountain (Mount Tronador) topping at 3.554 m,
also has abundant rain and snowfall so there are many different
rivers and lakes surrounded by thick forest of nothofagus
and pine trees. The area of the Nahuel Huapi National
Park has 750.000 ha.
Climate and Ecosistems:
The climate goes from mild to cold and the rain fall from
West to East decreases from 4.000 to 1.000 mm in a 50
km distance. This great difference in rainfall in such a small
area is due to the cordillera effect and determines three
different vegetation zones: hydrofoil forests, mesofoil
vegetation and shrub steppe.
The forest in the mountain area has also to different types:
the low mountain forest with different sorts of nothofagus
and cypress (cohiue, Patagonia cypress and radal) and high
mountain forest with lenga and low shrub vegetation. In this
amazing natural surrounding you can enjoy different activities
involved in adventure tourism and ecotourism all year round.
A little history- the native ancient
cultures
Man's existence in America and Patagonia is contemporary
compared to other places on Earth. The most ancient indicators
of primitive cultures have been found in the Magellan region,
Tierra del Fuego and the extreme south of the continent, which
date back to over 10000 years BC Given the nomadic nature
of the Patagonian cultures, no remains of dwelling places
or of writings have been found, however paintings and engravings
abound. Both the Tehuelches in the South and the Puelches
of central Patagonia survived by hunting guanaco
and ñandú and by collecting wild fruit. They sheltered in
simple windshields and later in huts made from guanaco hides.
Only upon white man's introduction of the horse in the
XVII century, did they begin to use this animal
for transport and as a supplement to their diet.
In northern Patagonia there dwelled another ethnic
group known as the Pehuenches. Toward the end of
the XVII century a clear advance of the Araucano or
Mapuche Indian from Chile toward the east began and along
with this, a profound peaceful ethnic transformation
began to take shape in Eastern Patagonia. The Mapuches belonged
to a more evolved, stronger and overbearing culture
and upheld a very courageous attitude in light of the Spanish
invaders. They produced weavings and ceramics of an
excellent quality, as well as a rich array of silverware.
Their language was very complete, characteristic of a people
of orators. In 1879, indigenous rule was brought to an
end with the Desert Campaign, with which the massive advance
of the white man to northern Patagonia began.
Means of payment:
The local currency in Argentina is the Peso Argentino. It
is convenient to change currency in Buenos Aires, Bariloche
or Santiago, in order to get better value for the Dollar
or the Euro. However, credit cards are also widely accepted,
except in smaller and more isolated towns and villages.
In Argentina the Value Added Tax (VAT) is 21%. It is not
advisable to carry travelers' checks as it is costly to
use them. At the major cities in Patagonia you have several
ATM available, which is a good option. A debit card used at
an ATM avoids the interest payments of a credit card used
at an ATM and you get a good exchange rate. Here is a currency
converter where you can check the exchange rate into
your local currency
Requirements to enter Argentina:
Most countries are granted a 90 days permit to stay with
no visa. Only a valid passport. Neighboring countries: passport
not required. Only identity document.
You are not allowed to enter : plants, vegetables,
fruit and other perishables ( jams, fresh food etc..) If you
bring a car or rent one you need an international drivers
license. .
Communications:
In Argentina has an efficient telecommunication infrastructure
and international phone calls are at an acceptable price.
Public telephones use coins or phone cards. I.D.D.
can be found even in small towns. International phone calls
from hotels are not recommended they tend to charge an extra
fee. Most of the commercial centres have call centres known
in Argentina as "locutorios" where you can obtain information,
make call back calls and also buy prepaid phone cards.
In Argentina there is a good Web system and Internet is
well known. Some hotels offer these services. Cybercafés
are found in most of cities and towns with an Internet connection
via ADSL or phone.
How
to get there?
Argentina has a good road system with modern buses for
long distance transport. The railway system is slow and
in many cases services are no longer provided. There are different
buses or "colectivos" with normal seats and others with leaning
seats that become beds (coche supercama, servicio ejecutivo).
Depending on the route there are different services
and prices.
Patagonian cities in Argentina such as: San Carlos de Bariloche,
El Calafate, Rio Gallegos and Ushuaia have modern international
airports with daily flights from Buenos Aires and also
connect with other airports although flights are not so frequent.
The airlines flying these routes are: (Aerolíneas
Argentinas, Austral, American
Falcon, SW
y Línea
Federal) For international flights in Argentina a U$18
airport tax is charged which is not included in the airfare.
(It can be paid cash or by credit card)
From Chile the national airline Lanchile
offers flights from Santiago de Chile to Bariloche
and from Bariloche to Puerto Montt.
Anthropology
tours | Botanical
trips | Summer
multisport adventure | Trekking
|
Winter
multiadventure tour | Volcanoes
ascent adventure | El
Calafate trekking & riding| Paine
towers adventure tours| Ushuaia
trekking | Prices
and dates | Contact
us | Guestbook | Patagonia
trip notes travel information | Interesting
links | About
us | Home
ECO-FAMILY:
20 de Junio 728 - Phone/fax: +54 2944 428995 -
(8400) - San Carlos de Bariloche - Patagonia - Argentina
e-mail: info@eco-family.com - http://www.eco-family.com
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