- Province: Neuquén
- Town: Las Ovejas
- Year of foundation: 1973
- Area: 22 thousand hectares
Epu Laken is an interesting and diverse park, protected by the Argentine authorities and in recent years has been increasingly gaining recognition among ecotourism lovers around the world.
Location:
The conservation areas of Epu Laken are located in the foothills of the Andes, near the city of Las Oweise in the province of Neuquén in Argentina .
The history of the creation of Epu Laken
The natural park was created to protect the forests of Patagonia , as well as glacial lakes and a unique local ecosystem. The territory of Epu Laken was opened for visiting in 1973, then its area was 7,5 thousand hectares. In 2007, the park was expanded threefold, but the status of the National Reserve has not yet been assigned to it.
What is interesting about Epu Laken?
Here special attention is paid to the protection of local flora and fauna, as well as to the preservation of landscapes and the local ecosystem. The park's flora is very diverse and is represented by massive centuries-old oak forests and plants adapted to survive in harsh conditions. You can see several lagoons formed on the Nauve River and at the point where it flows into the Neuquen River.
As for representatives of the animal world, on the banks of rivers and lakes in Epu Laken you can meet ibises, cormorants, geese, swans and ducks, in forests - pum, foxes, skunks.
For acquaintance with the park visitors are offered a choice of several interesting routes, among which there are both foot and bicycle. Some of them will lead you to those places where the indigenous tribes used to live. In this regard, it is worth paying special attention to the rocks of Kolokhimiko, where scientists discovered ancient inscriptions. While walking in the park you can see animals grazing in its territory. This circumstance causes a considerable damage to the ecosystem of Epu Laken, but so far the problem has not been finally solved.
How to visit?
The way to Epu Laken is rather difficult, as these territories are far from major cities with which there is regular communication. So, to visit the park, you will first need to fly to the airport of Neuquen from Buenos Aires , then rent a car or take a taxi to the side of the city of Las Oweias, and then to the park.