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BOSQUE LOS ARRAYANES / LOS ARRAYANES FOREST |
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The Arrayan Tree |
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Also known as quetri, cuthu, or red tree, belongs to the myrtaceae family. These species are some of the most characteristic and beautiful in the lake region of the Patagonian Andes. Its scientific name is Luma apiculata. The Arrayan is a tree or bush, whose foliage is persistent, and the forests they make up are classified as "ever green forests," since it foliage does not fall during the winter. It can be found in humid lands and along the banks of rivers and lakes. Its growth process is slow but it may reach a height between twenty-six and forty nine feet and its trunk, which is twisted, multiple and with an extraordinary amount of branches, may reach a diameter between eleven and twenty-seven inches.
A very important characteristic of this tree is its bark, which is cinnamon or brick red in color, as a product of the tannin concentration, and it is silky-smooth and cold. When it falls off, it produces the characteristic whitish spots of the Arrayan tree.
The Arrayan wood is a high in quality wood, which is semi-hard and semi-heavy. In order to preserve it, it is not used in Argentina. Their leaves are ever-green; opposing, dark-bright green on their superior face and light green on the lower one. Its flowers are little, white colored and hermaphrodite. They provide the tree with a beautiful color and pleasant scent, during the summer.
Its fruits appear by the end of the summer and are present until autumn. They are fleshy berries with a kind of spherical shape, whose color is black-purplish.
When mature, they can measure between 0,31 and 0,60 inches. They contain between two and four small seeds, however this number may vary between one and fifteen. These fruits are edible, stimulating, soothing and healing, that is, they heal sores and wounds. From all the trees in this forest, the Arrayan is the last one to bloom, since it does it from the beginning of January till the end of March, while the other species finish their bloom period in December tops.
Even though the flowers are essential for the reproduction of the trees, the Arrayan also multiplies thanks to its roots, which give out numerous stems or shoots. Also, a fallen branch may give out roots and these produce new branches in the areas, which are exposed to the sun light. These small stems, when they grow, form arboreous bushes, which are at times impenetrable, and they also cast a very thick shadow. Due to these conditions, lack of sunlight and space, the development of other species is not easy.
Coexistence with other animal and vegetal species.
Scattered and intermingled with the Arrayan trees, you can find other trees like the following: lignum vitae, podocarpus nubigenus, saxegothaea, mayten, and laurel; and in the undergrowth, you will be able to find small trees and bushes like the canelo, tineo, lomatia hirsuta, and patagua, among others. In the mallin area (low and damp lands), you can find Chilean rhubarbs and near the water you can find chilcos.
Among the animal species, you can find one of the smallest species of deer in the world, the pudu, and the committed huemul. You can also find one of the smallest population of huillin in Argentina and the monito del monte (a small marsupial weasel), and foxes. Regarding birds, you can find condors, several species of eagles and falcons, and the Patagonian woodpecker, as well as the southern parrot and the Araucarian pigeon. |
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History |
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The generous donation made by Mr. Francisco Pascasio Moreno on November 6, 1903, constitutes the core on which the Nahuel Huapi National Park is created in the year 1934. Due to its landscape and ecological value, the park protects a vast and representative area of the Andean region, located in the north of Patagonia. It is located to the southwest of Neuquen province and to the northwest of the Rio Negro province, and it spreads over 705,000 hectares.
Around the year 1900, the banks of the Nahuel Haupi Lake were divided in pastoral plots. The first known owner of the south sector of the peninsula was Juan O'Connor, who around the year 1930 sold those lands to the Lynch family. When the Lynchs learned of the existence of the Arrayanes forest, they decided to build a tea house to receive their friends, which continues to exist nowadays. Between the years 1935 and 1950, after successive negotiations with the National Government, those lands were added to the Nahuel Haupi National Park.
Nevertheless, since it is a unique wooded formation and with the purpose of preserving it and providing it with the maximum protection possible, foreseeing possible alterations or destructions, it was declared Los Arrayanes National Park in 1971, under the National law number 19,292.
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The Circuit |
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In order to recover the low vegetation of the forest, a board path was built, with the purpose of preventing the damage that tourists may cause, whether voluntary or involuntary. After a few years of constant and unavoidable stepping over, caused by the thousands of people that visited the place, the dead leaves bed that protected the ground was destroyed; and the earth became disintegrated. It was turned over by the wind and the water, exposing the roots of the larger trees, and thus causing the death of the smallest ones. We should consider that this species grow in a very slow manner, and for that reason it is very difficult to recover the forest after such an impact. That is why we advise you not to leave the pedestrian path under any circumstances. Whether you arrive in the park by the Futaleufu catamaran, any other water transport, walking or by bike, you should bear in mind that you are in the only "passable Arrayanes forest in the world," which spreads over sixteen hectares approximately, in the south point of the Quetrihue peninsula, adjoining Neuquen province.
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Tea House |
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In the heart of the forest and within a magical environment, you will find a wooden cabin built over fifty years ago. This tea house is also known as "Bambi's house."
Here, you will be able to taste cold beverages, coffee, tea, sandwiches, pastries, cakes, alfajor candies, and a delicious hot cocoa.
Every day from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.
 See photos of the Tea House
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Location
