Planning a Trip to Bariloche Argentina

When planning a trip to Bariloche you will indeed be looking forward to soaking up some of the greatest mountain vistas Argentina has to offer. Leave the city to explore the lakes and mountain trails of the Nahuel Huapi National Park set deep in the famous region of Bariloche.

From Buenos Aires the best way to travel to Bariloche is by plane. Aerolineas Argentinas have numerous flights a week that leave from and return to Buenos Aires. Usually, there are two daily flights earlier in the week, then three a day for the rest of the week. This town, surrounded by a number of lakes and found within the Nahuel Huapi National Park, offers excellent opportunities for skiing, kayaking, trekking, and mountaineering, many of which can be done as day trips. If you are planning to visit Bariloche, check out the following list of Bariloche day trips.

Roads meander through some luscious forests and cross over sparkling turquoise lakes, rivers and brooks (such as lakes Nahuel Huapi, Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner and Machonico) with many natural beaches providing fantastic retreats to stop, relax and soak up the scenery.

San Martin de los Andes is on the shore of Lacar Lake, a delightful place to enjoy some lunch and explore the town with its elegant, Swiss-style architecture. The way back via Paso Cordoba proves to be a different adventure. After skirting Meliquina Lake, the thick forest makes way for unusual images etched into the rocky terrain by centuries of Aeolian erosion. And when you approach Confluencia you can spot the deep blue waters of Limay River which form the Enchanted Valley and the Amphitheatre. The drive continues through the magical valley alongside the Limay River to Nahuel Huapi Lake.

If you have had enough walking, take to the water and try your hand at kayaking. If you’ve never kayaked before there are always guides on hand to run you through the basics before you set off on an unforgettable journey and navigate some of the most pristine and scenic lakes in Argentina. 

• Don’t forget to try some of the delicious locally-made chocolates when you get back to the Swiss-influenced town plaza.
  
  
  
  
  

This tour involves an intrepid adventure of the length of about half a day, covering 41 miles or so. Stunning panoramas are aplenty throughout Circuito Chico but this tour stands out more for the opportunities available to eat delicious meals unique to Bariloche, Argentina.

Several natural viewpoints make for fantastic pit stops along the way on the Circuito Chico. Bahia Lopez and Punto Panoramico serve as tasters for some of the greatest vistas the country has to offer. But they don’t quite match Cerro Campanario, known as the “centre of panorama”. It is from this peak that the incredible landscapes can be truly viewed in all their glory.

Opposite Puerto Panuelo, the Llao Llao Hotel and the Chapel of Saint Edward add magnificent architectural pieces to the natural beauty – even if you don’t go inside, make sure you take a good look at the exteriors of these wonderful buildings.

• On the way, there are several tea houses and restaurants where it is highly recommended to sample some of the local food.
  
  
  
  
  

When you get here we recommend some of the fantastic mountain treks on offer. Take the route down Av. Bustillo which goes alongside the Nahuel Huapi Lake with its beautiful scenery. After traveling 10 Km you will reach the base of Cerro Campanario (Belfry Hill) (Chair lift included), where you can see a selection of striking views that include the Nahuel Huapi and Perito Moreno lakes, El Trebol Lagoon, the San Pedro and Llao Llao peninsulas, Isla Victoria, and the Otto, Lopez, Goye and Catedral Hills. Marvel as your guide fills you in with the facts about the region and explains Bariloche’s dynamic history.

Another great excursion to keep in mind when planning a trip to Bariloche is to take the gondolas up to Cerro Otto’s summit. Here you can find the Garden of Prayer, so-called for its beautiful panoramic oratory. There are also a few wide terraces to enjoy the surrounding landscape.
 

• If the weather isn’t ideal, you can enjoy the view in the Rotating Café, which, if you hadn’t guessed, rotates permanently with the smoothness and synchronization of a wristwatch allowing you to admire a 360-degree panoramic view from inside.
  
  
  

Once in Bariloche, Argentina, there are a million things to do and see for the adventurous go-getter or sightseeing photographer. There is so much to enjoy and getting to Bariloche from Buenos Aires is too easy to pass up. It’s time to enjoy one of the most beautiful places in the world.