VILLA ALUMINE

When one goes towards Blanca Lagoon on one's way to Zapala along the Rahue, one goes along the lonely and wild plains of the Patagonian steppe. This is the prelude and appetizer to one of the most fantastic views that the Cordillera offers its visitors.

You should stop at the Rahue to better enjoy the panorama. This view is only a few km from Aluminé, a tiny paradise frozen in time, with all the native traditions and ancestral memories that seem to dip into the Rahue's past to give it a new lease of life.

The venerable thousand-year-old araucarias on the way cluster together in Aluminé to show the invaluable framework of their snow-white trunks. The mountain and lake setting offer its steeply sloping streets and reserved inhabitants that, with silent hospitality give you all the necessary to enjoy the bounties of this place.

Located on the western bank of the Aluminé River, this village is the Capital of the Department that beara the same name, and is inserted in a high mountain area close to the northern section of Lanín National Park, at about 800 masl.

This is the administrative and service center of the area and the gate to the Patagonian Lake Belt. Aluminé is a tourist center next to Lanín National Park, and its particular beauty is set off by the leafy pehuen woods in a pristine area of lakes, rivers, streams, ñire and roble pellín forests, colihue canes, and so on .

Aluminé River and Lake are ideal places for fishing and nautical sports like canoeing, kayaking and rafting. You can select from two circuits to practice the latter: that of Abra Ancha and that of Aluminé Superior. They have different difficulty levels.
Named in the Mapuche language as shining well (Alum and Miné), it is a white river area, offering memorable experiences to the rafter. As from1991, Aluminé River has been the site of the Argentine Kayaking Championship, classified as one of Neuquen 's major sports events. This river has been elected for its especially powerful torrent. This is the kayakers' special place to test themselves to the limit against the water's power.

SURROUNDINGS

Villa Pehuenia
This small mountain village on the shores of Aluminé Lake, and next to the Andes Cordillera is also worth a visit, offering a peaceful setting with beauty, comfort and a family atmosphere. It is bordered by cypresses growing among the rocks and ancient araucarias.
Every year in March, coinciding with the pine seed harvest, the Provincial Festival of the Pehuén is celebrated here, in honor of the araucaria or pehuén. The activities consist in exhibits of regional crafts and criollo horsemanship.
Despite its small size and simplicity, this village is the center of the so-called Pehuenia Circuit, which takes its name from the great concentration of these trees -pehuén or araucaria araucana. This city is the beginning point of the circuit that includes a visit to the Aluminé, Moquehue, Pulmari, Ñorquinco, Ruca Choroi, Quillén and Hui Hui Lakes. This area is worth exploring to enjoy the pictorial landscapes, do a spot of fishing and camp in one of the area's well equipped campsites. In the basin of the Aluminé we may see the beginning of what has been called "apple country". The Jesuits are credited with having introduced the now abundant wild apple trees as early as the 17th century.

Lake Rucachoroi
Here lays the largest reservation for Mapuche in the area. Most of the tribes are concentrated here, with a population of between 30 and 3.500 Mapuches on state owned land.

Lake Ñorquinco
On the shores of this lake there is a campsite; one can also enjoy a nice waterfall. It is surrounded by thick forests that are very pleasing to walk in. When you return from this excursion, you will have had a unique experience that will leave you with nostalgic feelings whenever you hear the plaintive chords of a guitar on some late evening.