TOURIST CIRCUITS

LLANCANELO LAKE CIRCUIT
(Click here to enlarge)

In order to reach the lake one should drive along National Route 40 towards the South, cross the bridge over the Malargue River (there is a steep curve to the left) and alter 27 kilometers, one comes to the crossing with Provincial Route 186 on the left hand side. Following this road done comes upon the warden’s office. These last few kilometres are not paved but the road is in good condition.

There are quite a few volcanoes that can be seen on the way to the lake, amongst them the Malacara Volcano. Besides, one can appreciate quite a few native Fauna species such as ostriches, foxes, hares and “pichi-ciegos” amongst others. Ancient rocky formations originated by lava overflows can also be seen.

IT IS RECOMMENDED TO TAKE APROPRIATE WARM CLOTHING AND ENOUGH FOOD TO LAST FOR THE DAY.

It is a good idea to take a pair of binoculars as well for flamingo-watching.

The name of Llancanelo comes from the word “Chaquira” meaning “green-bluish pearl”. The lake is surrounded by Andean valleys, volcanic elevations and the Huarpes Depression which give the landscape a myriad of colours.

 The waters of the lake are salty due to the characteristics of the soil around it. Llancanelo is fed by the Malargue River. The length of the lake is 50 kilometres and the width is between 11 and 15 kilometres and the waters are turquoise but may vary according to the position of the sun.

DO TAKE A CAMERA AS THE SUNSET OFFERS A TREMENDOUS VIEW OF THE HORIZON AND THE MANY BIRDS.

The bird population is quite incredible numbering around 155 species many of them migratory. The most abundant are: flamingos, ducks, swans, Moorish and white herons, gulls, “teros”, “taguas”, widgeons, “macáes”, “peuquenes”, “bandurias” etc. Llancanelo was declared a RAMSAR site by the international environmentalist community for its high ecological value being as its one of the largest and best preserved swampy/humid lands on the planet.