Cholila

Altitude: 190 meters/623 feet,  Populaiton: 1,981,  Telephone code: 02945 

Cholila is the entry point to the National Park of Los Alerces, one of the world's best fly-fishing area and a famous park for its giant alerce trees. The little town is surrounded by several lakes and 4 valleys: El Blanco, El Cajón, El Rincón y El Rivadavia. Hence the name Cholila, meaning "beautiful valley".Its traditional Patagonian style makes it a great place to stay for a day, to relax and enjoy the view of the Lago Cholila, surrounded by a range of mountains.

The house of the famous Butch Cassidy and the Sundance kid, situated in Cholila, is currently being renovated to be open to the public soon. The two fugitives remain, until nowadays, a very popular figure in the village.

In the south of town, the Museo Leleque focuses on the history of rural Patagonia (Tel: 02944/451141, open Tuesday to Thursday from 11a.m. to 5p.m.). The museum is also worth visiting for its location, on a large ranch owned by the clothier family Benetton. To get there by car, take RP 15, the museum is 6km out of town.

Outside of the town is the Tres Picos, highest mountain peak in the region (2525m). The nature around the town encourages the development of activities such as fishing, canoeing, rafting but also trekking and horse-riding. Tourist infrastructure though is not really developed, and tourists may find it difficult to get information.

Options to stay overnight include the Lago Cholila del Pedregoso Hosteria, the cabins Cerro Momia (Ruta 71 - 16 km from Cholila) or even camping such as "Camping Pelegrini."

To get to Cholila: Arrive at the Bariloche airport. It is then a 2h drive from Bariloche to Cholila. Cholila lies 76km south of el Bolsón on Route 71.

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Other places nearby Cholila: Villa La Angostura, Lago Traful, El Huecu, Esquel, Lago Lácar , Lago Norquinco, Neuquén , Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi, Llao Llao and Junín De Los Andes.