San Martin de los Andes along the Route of the 7 Lakes

The big draw here is the Route of the 7 Lakes, one of Argentina’s great road journeys. National Route 40 threads through Nahuel Huapi and Lanín national parks, with mountain water, forests, and wide-open views changing at every turn. I like that the trip connects several highlights in one day, and I like the chance to spend time in both Villa La Angostura and San Martín de los Andes.

The catch is the length: 630 minutes, or 10.5 hours, with the return following much of the same road. You spend plenty of time in the vehicle, and food is not included, so bring a practical snack plan and comfortable clothes.

Key points to know before you go

• Seven named lakes: Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso, and Machónico provide the main visual rhythm of the drive.
• Two Patagonian towns: Villa La Angostura offers a small mountain-village stop, while San Martín de los Andes gives you time for lunch and a look around Lake Lacar.
• A long but efficient day: The excursion runs for 10.5 hours, making it useful if you have limited time in Bariloche.
• Multilingual guiding: Choose Spanish, Portuguese, or English when booking.
• Notable viewpoints: Isla Corazón and Pampa Linda are listed among the scenic stops, along with the Ventisquero Negro glacier.
• Praised guides and transport: Gonçalo, Valentín, and Rodi receive particular praise for attentive service, good explanations, and smooth driving.

Why the 7 Lakes Route is worth a full day

The Route of the 7 Lakes is not just a transfer between two towns. It is the main event. National Route 40 carries you north from Bariloche through protected areas where lakes appear between wooded slopes and mountain ridges.

The scenery works because it keeps changing. One bend opens onto water. The next gives you a forested slope or a broad mountain view. You are not staring at one grand viewpoint for hours. Instead, the road delivers a steady run of smaller discoveries.

I like this format for a first visit to the Argentine Lake District. You get a clear sense of the region’s scale without needing to arrange several separate day trips. You also avoid the work of driving, checking roads, and choosing which lookout deserves your time.

Still, do not expect a relaxed village tour with long stops everywhere. The distance between Bariloche and San Martín de los Andes is substantial, and the return journey uses the same general route. The reward is the scenery outside the window, not a large number of extended walking visits.

Leaving Bariloche for Puerto Manzano

The trip begins with pickup from central Bariloche hotels toward Av. Bustillo Km 8. If your hotel is not covered, the operator provides a nearby pickup hotel, and you need to wait in that hotel lobby for the guide.

Once the drive heads north on Route 40, the city gives way to the quieter setting around Puerto Manzano. This is an early taste of the region’s calm water, wooded shores, and mountain air. It also helps set the tone for the day: this is a road trip built around views rather than a packed schedule of indoor attractions.

Your guide matters here. A good guide can point out the names of lakes and explain the surrounding parks while you keep your eyes on the scenery. The excursion is offered in Spanish, Portuguese, and English. Confirm your preferred language carefully, especially if everyone in your group is not comfortable with Spanish.

The vehicle is your base for most of the day, so wear clothes you can sit in for long periods. Comfortable shoes still help at viewpoints, but there is no indication of a strenuous hike.

Villa La Angostura, the first proper stop

Villa La Angostura is one of the most appealing pauses on the route. It is a small, inviting mountain town with a storybook appearance, set among forests and water near the northern shore of Nahuel Huapi.

I would use this stop to slow down a little. After the early driving, a village center gives you a chance to stretch, take photographs, and get a feel for local Patagonian town life. It is a different experience from Bariloche, which is larger and more developed as a visitor base.

The practical limitation is time. The full day has many miles to cover, so you should not expect Villa La Angostura to function as a separate town tour. Enjoy the atmosphere, follow your guide’s timing, and save your appetite for San Martín de los Andes if lunch there is part of your plan.

The seven lakes, one turn at a time

After Villa La Angostura, the road enters the section most people come to see. The seven named lakes are Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso, and Machónico.

Each lake gives you a slightly different composition of water, forest, sky, and mountains. The names help you follow the journey, but the real pleasure comes from the sequence. You see one lake, move on, and soon find another view with a different shoreline or mountain backdrop.

Correntoso and Espejo help establish the pattern of the route. Water sits below wooded slopes, and the road creates frequent chances for photographs. Escondido is smaller in feel, while Villarino and Falkner open the view in broader ways. Hermoso and Machónico continue the run toward San Martín de los Andes.

I recommend keeping your camera ready, but do not spend the whole drive looking through it. Some of the best views arrive between formal stops. A phone with a full battery is useful, since this is the sort of day when you can take far more pictures than expected.

The word seven can make the trip sound like a checklist. It is better understood as a long scenic corridor. The lakes are the named markers, while the surrounding mountain country is what makes the road memorable.

Scenic points beyond the lakes

The experience also highlights viewpoints such as Isla Corazón and Pampa Linda. These are the sort of stops that give you a wider view than you get from the road itself, so listen for the guide’s instructions about where and when to leave the vehicle.

The itinerary also includes the chance to contemplate the Ventisquero Negro, a dark-colored glacier known for its unusual appearance. This deserves special attention because it is not simply another blue-water lookout. Its ice and rock create a more rugged scene.

There is one practical point worth checking before you commit. Isla Corazón, Pampa Linda, and Ventisquero Negro are listed among the highlights, while the main route description centers on the road between Bariloche and San Martín de los Andes. Ask the operator to confirm which of these sights are included on your departure day and how long you will spend at each. That small check can prevent a mismatch between your expectations and the actual stop pattern.

Arriving in San Martín de los Andes beside Lake Lacar

San Martín de los Andes is the northern destination and the natural turning point of the day. The town sits beside peaceful Lake Lacar and gives you a chance to leave the vehicle for a more urban pause.

This is where I would plan to have lunch, since meals and drinks are not included in the tour price. You can explore the center, look at the local shops and streets, and enjoy the character of a Patagonian town before the return drive.

The stop is valuable because it breaks up the road journey. You are not simply being driven to a viewpoint and immediately turned around. You get time to experience a second town with its own setting and rhythm.

At the same time, lunch is at your own expense and the exact amount of free time is not stated. If you are particular about where you eat, ask your guide for a recommendation or keep your meal simple so you do not lose time. The return trip still has to cover the same long route.

The return journey and the reality of 10.5 hours

The drive back to Bariloche follows the same route, but familiar views often look different in the opposite direction. Afternoon light can change the appearance of the water and mountains, and you have another chance to photograph places you may have missed earlier.

Still, the return is the main reason this outing will not suit everyone. Ten and a half hours is a serious commitment. If you get restless during long drives, have limited energy, or prefer slow travel with several nights in each town, you may be happier staying in San Martín de los Andes or arranging a one-way transfer.

For a short stay in Bariloche, however, the long day can make good sense. You see a major section of Patagonia without packing and unpacking. The vehicle handles the route, and the guide adds structure to what could otherwise be a tiring self-drive.

The quality of the guide and driver becomes important on a day like this. Gonçalo is praised for being attentive and explaining the region clearly. Valentín is praised for guiding and driving, while Rodi is singled out for a friendly attitude and strong transport service. Those details matter more on a 10.5-hour outing than they would on a two-hour city walk.

What the $153 price gives you

At $153 per person, the tour sits in the range where convenience is part of the value. The price includes round-trip transfers from central Bariloche hotels to the Av. Bustillo Km 8 meeting area and a live guide in your selected language.

You are paying for more than a ride. You get a planned route through two national parks, a driver for the full day, guidance through the seven-lake section, and time in Villa La Angostura and San Martín de los Andes. If you would otherwise need to rent a car, manage a very long drive, and plan every stop yourself, that package can be reasonable.

The value is weaker if you want complete control. The schedule is fixed, the day is long, and food is extra. You also have less freedom to linger at one lake or skip a stop that does not interest you.

I would compare the price with the cost and effort of a rental car, fuel, navigation, and the mental load of driving a long mountain route. For solo visitors or anyone who does not want to drive, the guided option is easier to justify. For a larger group already planning to rent a car, doing the same road independently may offer more flexibility.

How to prepare for the road

Pack light, but pack sensibly. Comfortable clothes are specifically recommended, and I would add a refillable water bottle and snacks because food and beverages are not included. Keep a jacket within reach, since conditions can feel different beside open water than inside the vehicle.

Wear shoes suitable for standing at scenic points. The information does not describe a difficult walk, so hiking gear is unnecessary unless you have your own plans beyond the guided stops.

Your pickup details deserve attention. Transfers operate from central hotels in Bariloche to Av. Bustillo Km 8. If your accommodation is outside the pickup area, you will be directed to the closest suitable hotel. Be ready in the lobby of the assigned hotel rather than waiting at your room.

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and allows you to reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful when weather or a changing Patagonia schedule makes advance planning difficult.

Who should book this excursion

I would recommend this tour to you if you have a short stay in Bariloche and want one big day of scenery. It suits people who value a guide, prefer not to drive, and want to combine lakes, mountain roads, two towns, and national park views in one outing.

It is also a good match for visitors who want commentary in English, Portuguese, or Spanish. The praise for Gonçalo, Valentín, and Rodi suggests that guide quality can add real value, especially when the day involves so much time on the road.

I would hesitate if you dislike long vehicle journeys or want extensive time at each stop. Families should also think about the 10.5-hour duration, particularly if children are not comfortable with a full day in transit.

Should you book the Route of the 7 Lakes tour?

Book it if you want the broadest taste of this part of Patagonia from a Bariloche base. The seven lakes, Villa La Angostura, San Martín de los Andes, and the added viewpoints create a full day with plenty to see.

Skip it if you would rather slow down, eat on your own schedule, and spend several hours at a single lake. Before paying, confirm the exact stops for Isla Corazón, Pampa Linda, and Ventisquero Negro, then bring food money, comfortable clothes, and patience for the return drive. With those expectations in place, the $153 price can be fair value for a very scenic day handled by a guide and driver.

FAQ

How long does the excursion last?

The tour lasts 630 minutes, which is 10.5 hours.

Where does pickup take place?

Round-trip transfers are provided from central hotels in Bariloche to Av. Bustillo Km 8. If your hotel is not included, you will be told which nearby hotel to use for pickup.

Which languages are available?

The live guide is available in Spanish, Portuguese, or English, depending on the option you choose.

Are meals and drinks included?

No. Food, beverages, and other services not specifically listed are not included.

Which lakes are part of the 7 Lakes Route?

The route includes Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso, and Machónico.

Can I cancel the tour?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.