Argentina 2018 (part III): Zapala & surroundings

Zapala, Argentina:

thunderstorm in the steppe near Zapala

An overnight bus brought me from Buenos Aires all the way to Zapala in the province of Neuquén from where I would do field work in the coming weeks.

Zapala is a small town with a couple of hotels, restaurants, and small museums which serves as a good base to explore the surrounding countryside. I did work in Zapala itself for a couple of days, but much more fascinating was the time I spent camping in the vast, empty countryside north of Chos Malal. Research also brought me to the beautiful Laguna Blanca National Park south of Zapala. I would definitely recommend visiting this fantastic region yourself and experience the inconceivable vastness of the landscape – just beware of black widow spiders!

city centre of Zapala

central park in Zapala

city centre of Zapala

Museo Histórico Municipal

Museo Olsacher next to the bus station

bus station

countryside of Neuquén Province

Chos Malal

graffiti protesting the government

Fuerte IV Division Fort

landscape north of Chos Malal

sunset

our camp in the steppe

landscape north of Chos Malal

ant highway

dramatic evening atmosphere

beautiful clouds

landscape north of Chos Malal

ant hill with garbage heap

landscape north of Chos Malal

driving back south towards Zapala

landscape south of Chos Malal

Ruta Nacional 40

landscape south of Chos Malal

la estación espacial china

Las Lajas

landscape south of Las Lajas

Ruta Nacional 40

black widow spider

Darwin’s Rhea

Laguna Blanca National Park

countryside south of Zapala

rain fall in the steppe

thunderstorm

I had heard and read about the pampa or steppe of Argentina, but nothing prepared me for its extent, secludedness, and stark beauty – truly a place one has to see!