In Pehuenches Department, protected volcanic landscapes meet paleontological finds, birdlife, and rural culture. Auca Mahuida and El Tromen shape the natural side of the trip; Rincón de los Sauces and Buta Ranquil add different museum, route, and tradition themes. When planning, it is worth keeping these highlights distinct: some details refer to protected areas, while others concern towns and excursions in their surroundings.

Auca Mahuida and El Tromen: Protected Areas with Distinctive Character

The Auca Mahuida Protected Natural Area safeguards 77,020 hectares in the departments of Añelo and Pehuenches around the Auca Mahuida volcanic massif. Elevations range from 500 to 2,258 meters above sea level. The Monte and Patagonian Steppe natural regions meet here. Wildlife is also a particular highlight: Auca Mahuida and its adjoining area are home to approximately half of Neuquén Province’s guanaco population.

The El Tromen protected area encompasses Tromen Volcano, Laguna Tromen, and Bañado Los Barros. Cerro Wayle is also part of the area, although its summit lies outside the park boundaries. Auca Mahuida and El Tromen therefore represent different types of landscapes: at Auca Mahuida, the elevation zones and transition between the Monte and steppe are defining features, while El Tromen brings together several named volcanic and wetland areas.

Routes and Landscapes Around Buta Ranquil

The main entrance to Auca Mahuida is about 35 kilometers southeast of Rincón de los Sauces on Provincial Route 6. El Tromen can be reached via National Route 40 and Provincial Routes 2 and 37. As road conditions can change, it is a good idea to check them before setting out.

The Buta Ranquil Valley lies between the transitional sand dunes and the pre-Cordillera. To the north, it is bounded by the Río Colorado, the Chihuidos orographic formations, and the ridge of Tromen Volcano. The Buta Ranquil, Huantraico, and Chacay streams irrigate the valley. Nearby destinations also provide ways to explore this landscape: at Laguna El Aparato, ten kilometers from Buta Ranquil, black-necked swans, various duck species, coots, moorhens, and flamingos can be found in the wild.

Other destinations differ in location and route type. Valle de los Cactus is about 25 kilometers east of Buta Ranquil; access is via Provincial Route 6 on a paved gravel road. The Michicó craters can be reached on a very easy loop route with a total length of 20 kilometers. Las Yeseras is about 30 kilometers from Buta Ranquil. The loop there is of moderate difficulty and leads to a gypsum outcrop considered the largest in the province. When planning, it helps to compare the specific details: the 20 kilometers refer to the Michicó loop, about 25 kilometers to the location of Valle de los Cactus, and moderate difficulty to Las Yeseras.

Buta Ranquil also has a fairly easy, approximately 30-kilometer half-day route through the town and part of the rural surroundings. A local rural loop leads to the El Arriero cultural and recreation area and continues to the Aguas Termales de Buta Ranquil. These routes offer different ways to include the landscape and town life in your itinerary; check current route conditions before setting out.

Fossils and Culture in Rincón de los Sauces and Buta Ranquil

The Museo Municipal Argentino Urquiza in Rincón de los Sauces displays dinosaur, turtle, and crocodile skeletons, as well as original fossilized tree trunks. The museum also has a fossil preparation laboratory. The Parque de los Dinosaurios, featuring life-size sculptures of species that lived in the region more than 80 million years ago, is located beside the museum. A report from July 2024 also described a children’s area there where kids could experience a day in the life of a paleontologist.

In Buta Ranquil, driving livestock to summer pastures during the veranada is considered one of the traditions that continues around the town. A specific glimpse into local festival culture was offered by the 31st Fiesta Provincial del Arriero in February 2026: the event featured live music by local and provincial groups, a Bailanta Campera, gaucho competitions, and traditional riding and skill demonstrations. Empanadas and Chivito Neuquino were served as traditional dishes.

The options in Pehuenches Department thus range from natural areas and wildlife watching to fossils, rural routes, and a specific festival tradition. Which aspects you focus on depends on whether, when planning your trip, you are most interested in protected areas, the landscape around Buta Ranquil, or the museums and dinosaur sculptures in Rincón de los Sauces.

Discover more destinations: Catán Lil, Minas Department, Zapala Department, Lácar Department, Ñorquín Department, Los Lagos Department, Chos Malal Department, Añelo Department

For the main travel overview: Neuquén.