From Bariloche: Chico Circuit & Colonia Suiza Tour

The big draw here is the road itself: mountains, old forests, and a chain of clear Patagonian lakes viewed from a vehicle that handles the long distances for you. The advertised route includes Villa La Angostura, San Martín de los Andes, and the Seven Lakes road, while the practical schedule also highlights Cerro Campanario, Puerto Pañuelo, and Colonia Suiza.

I like the hotel pickup in central Bariloche and the chance to see several major sights in one day without arranging a rental car. I also like the bilingual Spanish and Portuguese guiding, plus the free time at Colonia Suiza. The main caution is that the supplied route details do not line up perfectly, so confirm whether your departure includes the full Seven Lakes drive, Colonia Suiza, or both.

Key points at a glance

• Seven lakes and mountain roads: The route passes Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso, and Machonico lakes.
• Villa La Angostura stop: Expect Alpine-style wooden buildings and a mountain-village feel.
• Free time in Colonia Suiza: You get about two hours to eat, browse local crafts, and explore on foot.
• Cerro Campanario viewpoint: A 40-minute photo and sightseeing stop is included, but the ascent itself costs extra.
• Central Bariloche pickup: Pickup and return are included for centrally located hotels, with limits for Avenida Pioneros and residential lodging.
• Good value for a full day: At $66 per person, transport, a guide, and insurance are included, but meals, drinks, and the Cerro Campanario ascent are not.

What this Bariloche day trip actually covers

This is sold as a seven-hour excursion from San Carlos de Bariloche, with central hotel pickup and return. The main appeal is simple: you spend the day looking out at Patagonia rather than concentrating on mountain roads, parking, directions, and fuel.

The information supplied for the excursion combines two related sightseeing plans. One description focuses on the famous Seven Lakes route, Villa La Angostura, and San Martín de los Andes. The timed stop list also includes Cerro Campanario, a viewpoint, Puerto Pañuelo, Bariloche sightseeing, and Colonia Suiza.

That matters because these places are spread across different directions and require different amounts of driving time. Before paying, I would ask the operator to confirm the exact day’s sequence and whether the full route reaches San Martín de los Andes. This is not a small detail. A Seven Lakes outing and a Colonia Suiza outing can both be worthwhile, but they offer different kinds of scenery and different amounts of time on the road.

The guide speaks Spanish or Portuguese. Pickup is included from centrally located Bariloche hotels, but not from hotels on Avenida Pioneros or from residential and other lodging types. If your address is outside the route, you receive the nearest available meeting point.

Cerro Campanario gives you the first wide view

Cerro Campanario is listed as a 40-minute stop with a guide, photo time, and scenic views. It is a useful first look at the setting around Bariloche, where wooded slopes, water, and mountain ridges come together in one broad view.

The chairlift or ascent is not included in the $66 price. The supplied details call the ascent an extra cost, so budget for it separately if you want to go higher. If you prefer to keep the day moving, the included photo stop still gives you a chance to see the area without paying for the ride.

Forty minutes is enough for a quick look and photos, but not for a long visit. Keep your shoes comfortable and have a warm layer ready. Patagonian weather can change quickly, and the wind can make a sunny stop feel cold.

Viewpoints and Puerto Pañuelo add water-level scenery

The next listed viewpoint lasts about 30 minutes. This is the sort of stop that works well on a coach excursion because you can step out, get your bearings, take photographs, and return to the vehicle without spending half the day on a single attraction.

Puerto Pañuelo is also listed as a 30-minute sightseeing and photo stop. Its value is the change of mood. Instead of seeing the lakes only from the road, you get a short look at a port setting and the surrounding water and mountains.

Do not expect a full boat trip here. The provided details describe a photo and sightseeing stop, not an included cruise. If you want a substantial waterfront visit, ask how much time the vehicle will spend there on your departure date.

Villa La Angostura feels different from Bariloche

Villa La Angostura is described as a true mountain village with stylized Alpine wood architecture. That gives you a more intimate setting than the larger resort center of Bariloche, with buildings and streets shaped by the local mountain style.

The village is one of the strongest cultural parts of the outing. The Seven Lakes route is mainly about scenery, while Villa La Angostura gives you a place to walk and notice how the region presents itself through wood, stone, and mountain design.

You should still keep expectations sensible. The stop is part of a long day, not a full village stay. The available information does not specify a separate long block of free time here, so your visit may be guided and fairly brisk.

The Seven Lakes road is the main reason to book

A few kilometers after Villa La Angostura, the Road of the Seven Lakes begins. The route passes Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso, and Machonico. Each lake has its own setting, with old forests and mountain scenery changing as the road continues.

This is not a tour where one grand monument carries the day. The pleasure comes from the steady change outside the window: one bend opens onto water, another reveals a forested slope, and another gives you a new mountain view. The driver handles the road while the guide helps identify the places you are seeing.

If you like photography, sit where you can see out clearly and keep your phone or camera ready. Stops and road views are not the same thing. Some of your best pictures may come from the moving vehicle, while the formal stops give you time to stand still and frame a shot.

The tradeoff is time. The Seven Lakes route involves long stretches in the vehicle, and the seven-hour duration means the day cannot offer extended visits at every lake. You book this for a broad sample of the route, not for quiet hours beside each body of water.

San Martín de los Andes offers a relaxed finish

The route description places the final major stop in San Martín de los Andes, on the shore of Lake Lacar. You are expected to explore at your own pace before returning to Bariloche.

That free time can be welcome after a long scenic drive. Rather than moving from one photo stop to another, you can walk around, pause for food, or enjoy the lakeside setting at a slower pace. The supplied information does not specify the exact length of this stop, so ask the operator if independent time in San Martín de los Andes is important to you.

The return to Bariloche is part of the experience, but it also makes for a long day. I would choose this outing if seeing the route matters more to me than having lots of time in each town. If you prefer a slow village visit, the Colonia Suiza option may be the better focus.

Colonia Suiza gives you two hours to wander

The practical information specifically says you have two free hours at Colonia Suiza. That is a useful amount of time. You can walk through the village, look for local arts and crafts, and choose a meal without being rushed from one organized stop to the next.

Food is not included. You have options to eat in Colonia Suiza, but one direct account found the food selection poor and the facilities quite rustic. I would treat this as a simple mountain village stop, not a polished dining destination.

That rustic quality may be exactly what some people want. Colonia Suiza can feel more local and informal than a large tourist center, but you should bring flexible expectations. If a comfortable restaurant meal is important, check the available choices before settling on this excursion.

The two-hour break is also where the tour’s mixed description becomes important. Colonia Suiza is specifically mentioned in the practical notes, while the main route description emphasizes the Seven Lakes road and San Martín de los Andes. Confirm whether Colonia Suiza replaces part of the Seven Lakes route or is included in the same day.

Food, drinks, and the extra costs

The $66 price includes hotel pickup and drop-off in central Bariloche, a bilingual guide, and insurance. It does not include food or drinks, and it does not include the Cerro Campanario ascent.

That is a fair price if you want a guided day with transport across a wide area. A rental car would give you more control, but it would also leave you responsible for driving, directions, fuel, parking, and mountain-road conditions. Here, your main job is to enjoy the views and keep track of the meeting times.

You should still carry enough money for lunch, snacks, and drinks. The itinerary information mentions beer, street food, barbecue, local snacks, regional food, food markets, and crafts as possible parts of the day, but no meals are included in the price.

Because there is free time at Colonia Suiza, you may prefer to choose your own meal there. Just do not assume that every food option will suit your taste or that facilities will be modern.

Guides, transport, and the day’s pace

The guide service is offered in Spanish and Portuguese. Individual feedback specifically praises Richard as accommodating and the driver as professional. Another recent account names Damián and the driver positively. Those names suggest that the human side of the outing can vary by departure, but the operator has received strong comments about both guiding and driving.

A professional driver matters on this route. The roads follow mountain terrain, and the whole point of the excursion is to enjoy the views without dealing with the driving yourself.

The day moves at a steady pace. You have a 40-minute Cerro Campanario stop, a 30-minute viewpoint, a 30-minute Puerto Pañuelo stop, and longer time for town visits or food. Bring comfortable shoes, a passport or ID card, warm clothing, and a windbreaker.

The operator requires the full name, DNI or passport details, and date of birth for every participant. Send those details within 12 hours of booking so the insurance can be issued. Without them, the operator may not be able to provide the service.

Who will get the most from this excursion

I would recommend this tour to you if you have limited time in Bariloche and want a broad view of the region. It suits people who enjoy mountain roads, repeated photo stops, forest and lake scenery, and a guide who can handle the practical details.

It is also a good match if you do not want to rent a car. The included pickup, return, guide, and insurance simplify a day that would otherwise require careful planning.

You may want a different plan if you dislike long drives or need a slow, unhurried visit at every stop. The route covers a lot, and the Seven Lakes section is about seeing a sequence of places rather than staying for hours in one location.

Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate the easy structure, but everyone should be ready for changing weather and time in the vehicle. Comfortable shoes are a must, even though this is not described as a strenuous walking tour.

Should you book the Bariloche Seven Lakes tour?

Book it if your priority is scenic variety in one organized day. At $66, the combination of transport, a bilingual guide, insurance, and central hotel service offers solid value, especially for a first visit to the Lake District.

Before booking, confirm the exact route. The supplied details mention both the Seven Lakes road with Villa La Angostura and San Martín de los Andes, and a Colonia Suiza-centered plan with Cerro Campanario and Puerto Pañuelo. That clarification will tell you whether this is the right tour or simply a similarly named excursion.

If you are happy with a full day of changing views, short stops, and independent time in one village, this is a practical way to see beyond Bariloche. If you want a leisurely meal, polished facilities, or long walks beside one lake, you may find the pace too tight.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about seven hours.

What language is the guide?

The live guide speaks Spanish or Portuguese.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included for centrally located hotels in San Carlos de Bariloche.

Are hotels on Avenida Pioneros included for pickup?

No. Pickup from hotels on Avenida Pioneros is not included. If you are outside the pickup route, the operator provides the closest available meeting point.

Is food included in the price?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You have options to eat during the free time at Colonia Suiza.

Is the Cerro Campanario ascent included?

No. The ascent to Cerro Campanario costs extra. The sightseeing and photo stop are included.

Which lakes are visited on the Seven Lakes route?

The route description names Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso, and Machonico.

How much free time do you get at Colonia Suiza?

You get about two free hours to explore the village and choose a place to eat.

What information is required when booking?

You must provide the full name, DNI or passport details, and date of birth for every participant. The operator asks for this information within 12 hours of booking so the insurance can be issued.