Blog 14 / Swiss Argentina & Patagonia Express 'La Trochita' in Esquel

After an easy border crossing - the Argentinians didn't feel like checking our camper, just the usual stamps for passports and car permits - we soon find ourselves in the "Argentinian Switzerland". The view of lakes and mountains already confirms this nickname,

The alpine tourist hustle and bustle in Villa La Angostura is pretty authentic as well, so we leave San Carlos di Bariloche behind and head straight to Lago Guiterrez in Nahuel Huapi National Park.

The next day, we "storm" Mirador Guiterrez, from which we have a truly beautiful view of the surrounding lakes and mountains.

We continue south through Los Alerces National Park, with its beautiful landscapes and lakes, and some rough gravel roads.

Our destination is Esquel - the village itself doesn't offer much besides a non-existent internet café and ATMs that don't want to dispense cash, but it does have one highlight: "La Trochita" - the old Patagonia Express.

It now runs a 20 km route exclusively for tourism, following an "Argentinian" schedule. So we were lucky to meet it at a level crossing.

Easy crossing the border - the Argentinian folks were not in the mood to check our camper - just the usual stamps into passports and car permit. Soon after we are in "Swiss Argentina" - the view of mountains and lakes proofs the nickname. Also touristic hectic in Villa La Angostura is original and so we bypass San Carlos di Bariloche and drive directly to Lago Guiterrez in Nahuel Huapi National Park.

Next day we "conquer" Mirador Guiterrez. From there we really have nice views of mountains and lakes.

Further to the South through Los Alerces National Park - again nice views of landscape - and partly tough gravel road.

Finally we reach Esquel - the village itself can deliver only non-existent Internet Café and ATMs not willing to provide money - BUT one highlight, "La Trochita" - the old Patagonia Express. Today it's running for tourism a 20 km track only, following schedules Argentina style, so we were quite lucky to meet by chance at a crossroad.