Argentina · LAKE DISTRICT TOURS
The good lake district tours go weeks ahead and the great ones go before that. Below: the 15 to hold early, what each includes and where they differ.
Spend about 10 to 11 hours on Argentina’s famous Seven Lakes Route from Bariloche to San Martin de los Andes. You’ll visit Villa La Angostura, stop at lakes including Correntoso and Espejo, and enjoy a bilingual guide such as Isis, Freddy, or Matias. Expect a comfortable coach, short photo stops, and a long day with plenty of road time.
“Diago the tour guide and chris the driver were excellent!”
This 4 to 8-hour Bariloche outing combines Cerro Campanario, Llao Llao, Punto Panorámico, and Cerro Catedral. Expect scenic van rides, photo stops, and free time, with Spanish, English, or Portuguese guiding. Guides such as Diego, Freddy, and Santi have been praised for clear explanations and friendly service.
“Damian was very well-organized and prepared for the tour. He even called about 5 minutes before he arrived. He provided interesting information throughout the tour. We saw all the sites mentioned in the description in a timely manner, and the tour was exactly as long as described. Highly recommended!”
Leave your Bariloche hotel at 8 AM for a Spanish-language day trip along Route 40. Stop in Villa La Angostura, walk beside the Seven Lakes, and reach San Martín de los Andes for free time and lunch. Guide Stella has been praised for her regional explanations, while the comfortable bus helps make the long return journey easier.
“A guia Stella muito atenciosamente explicou tudo sobre a região.”
Take a four-hour Spanish-guided loop from Bariloche around Lake Nahuel Huapi, Playa Bonita, Cerro Campanario, Llao Llao, and Lake Moreno. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. You can add the chairlift to Cerro Campanario for wide views, while Panorama Point offers a free alternative above the Llao Llao peninsula.
This four-hour minibus tour circles Bariloche’s Circuito Chico, stopping at Lake Nahuel Huapi, San Eduardo Chapel, Puerto Pañuelo, Llao Llao Park, Lago Escondido, and Cerro Campanario. Guides may speak Spanish, Portuguese, or English. The chairlift is optional and costs extra, but it provides the tour’s finest view.
“Excellent tour our guide was very nice and provided a lot of information. They were on time in picking me up.”
Spend about 10.5 hours traveling from Bariloche to San Martín de los Andes along the Seven Lakes Route. Expect mountain roads, forest, lakes, photo stops, and free time for lunch. The tour runs with a Spanish and English or Portuguese-speaking guide, but confirm your language before departure.
“Sadly we would not recommend this tour to anyone. We booked (and paid MORE money) for an English guide on this tour. The evening before at 8pm we were sent a message to tell us they wouldn’t be able to do it in English and gave us an option to cancel or do it in Spanish (we can’t speak Spanish which is why we paid more for the English one). Firstly we weren’t impressed we were only told that late the evening before! But it was our last day there so we really didn’t want to miss the views! So we went ahead in Spanish. We are very upset and…”
Travel from Bariloche to San Martín de los Andes by coach along the Seven Lakes Road. Expect mountain views, photo stops, Villa La Angostura, three hours to explore San Martín, and hotel pickup. Guides such as Cinthia, Natalio, Fabián, and Patricia have led this route, though English service should be confirmed carefully.
“Great way to see the Seven Lakes. It was cold, snowing and windy! I recommend you wear some type of waterproof shoes/boots this time of year. Great driver and english speaking guide, worth the trip!”
Ride from central Bariloche through cypress, maiten, and coihue forests to Cerro Campanario, San Eduardo Chapel, Llao Llao Hotel, Puerto Pañuelo, and Moreno Lake. Guide Sinta and driver Yuma are named in recent feedback. The chairlift costs about $15 extra, but the tour makes a strong half-day introduction to the Lake District.
You’ll follow Bariloche’s scenic Circuito Chico by guided van, stopping at Mount Campanario, Puerto Pañuelo, Llao Llao, Villa Tacul, Lago Escondido, and Panoramic Point. Guides may include Cintia, Cristina, Paloma, Naty, or Cecilia, with English, Spanish, and Portuguese options. The chairlift is optional and costs extra.
“We loved our morning trip to see lots of beautiful views and scenery. Cristina was the perfect guide and explained everything really well for us in English,”
You’ll spend about 9.5 hours traveling from Bariloche to Cerro Tronador, with stops at Lake Gutierrez, Lake Mascardi, Pampa Linda, and Ventisquero Negro Glacier. A guide, air-conditioned coach, and hotel pickup are included. The day suits you best if you value dramatic scenery over long hikes, but expect plenty of time on the road.
“Not able to hear the ice cracking too many people talking, not enough time at the area and too many buses at same time. Wonderful view. Wish tourists would be more appreciative of the beauty in front of them. Thanks”
This 9-hour guided outing from Bariloche follows Route 40 into Nahuel Huapi National Park, then reaches Cerro Tronador, Pampa Linda, Isla Corazón, and the dark Ventisquero Negro glacier. You travel by vehicle with hotel transfers, a guide, and insurance included. Tours run in Spanish, Portuguese, or English, subject to guide availability.
“Lugar hermoso. Para volver. La guía Yamila y el chófer súper amables.”
Spend about four hours exploring Circuito Chico and kayaking from Bahía López toward Brazo Tristeza on Nahuel Huapi Lake. Andy, Diego, Julian, or Andres lead the outing, explain safety and paddling, and may share mate and snacks during a lakeside break. Hotel pickup, viewpoints, and private service are included.
“Our tour was fantastic, the views were stunning and our guide Andy was hilarious and very informative. It was a very special experience, highly recommend.”
Travel along Av. Bustillo from central Bariloche to Cerro Campanario, Llao Llao, Puerto Pañuelo, and a panoramic viewpoint above Moreno Lakes. A Spanish-speaking guide handles the route, while the chairlift ride to Cerro Campanario gives you the tour’s finest mountain and lake views. Hotel pickup and return are included.
“Fantástico, muy bonito el recorrido. Guías muy amables. Divertido subir el telesilla al Cerro Campanario”
Meet guide Diego at Bariloche’s tourism office for a 90-minute walk through the Civic Center, Puerto San Carlos, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Nahuel Huapi, and Chocolate Street. Expect local stories, Patagonia context, cathedral details, and a short stop at Rapanui. The group is limited to 20 people.
“Bariloche isn’t just a great base for exploring the surroundings; it’s an interesting town in its own right. Diego was an excellent guide with impeccable English and he even accommodated our late arrival.”
Spend about nine hours from Bariloche exploring Nahuel Huapi National Park, Lake Gutiérrez, the Manso Superior River, Vuriloches Valley, Cerro Tronador, and Ventisquero Negro. Expect a bilingual guide, hotel transfers, long scenic drives, easy walks, and a separate ARS 20,000 park fee.
“Nuestra guía Cristina y el chofer Sebastián fueron excelentes. Es una experiencia inolvidable! Recomendado.”
Pick an ice field, a bodega or a dance floor.
