Self-drive Trip to Argentina Lake District

Self-drive Trip to Argentina Lake District

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  • Enjoy a self-drive trip to Argentina’s lake district and explore Patagonia assisted by our local experts.
  • Drive through Bariloche, the capital of the district and visit the neighboring province of Neuquén.
  • Best time to travel: From October to April
 

Enjoy a 6-day self-drive travel experience and explore the incredible national parks of Argentina lake district. Drive through Nahuel Huapi National Park from Bariloche to Villa La Angostura and continue to San Martín de Los Andes, the gateway to Lanin National Park and meet the imposing Lanin Volcano. This is not just a self-drive trip, we’ll share with you our insider tips to discover Patagonia and you’ll receive 24/7 assistance from our local experts!

Itinerary

Welcome to your self-drive trip to the lake district

 

  • Transfer to your hotel / Pick up your car

 

  • Transfer to your hotel 

Upon arrival at Bariloche, we’ll meet at the airport or bus station and drive you to your hotel. 

 

  • Meet our local guide and pick up your car 

At the appropriate time in the afternoon, you’ll pick up your car at our local operator’s office and you’ll meet our local guide who will brief and share all the information you need for starting your self-drive trip to the lake district. 

 

  • Optional self-drive tour – Circuito Chico

For your first day, we recommend that you discover Bariloche, its lakes of turquoise waters and amazing hills by taking a special lake district self-drive tour called the Small Circuit where you’ll see Campanario Hill and wander the Llao-Llao Península. Be amazed by the picture-perfect views of Moreno Lake, Nahuel Huapi Lake, Lopez Mountain and Capilla Mountain. 

This road adventure will take you to travel along 15/20 km of paved road and for 40 minutes  (plus the time spent on-site).

Day1

Drive from Bariloche to Villa Traful

 

  • Self-drive from Bariloche to Villa Traful

Villa Traful is located on the southern shore of Lake Traful, Neuquén, inside Nahuel Huapi National Park. We recommend that you make some stops in Valle Encantado, Traful viewpoint, and if you arrive early you can enjoy a boat trip to a submerged forest. In this submerged forest you can see cypress that protrudes from the surface of the water!

 

Directions for today:

  • You will leave Rio Negro province, driving north to Neuquén province. Take the emblematic National Route 40.
  • Continue and take the NR 237 and finally, the PR 65.

 

This road adventure will take you to travel along 66 km of paved road, 44 km of unpaved road and for 2 hours (plus the time spent on-site). 

Day2

Drive from Villa Traful to San Martin de los Andes

 

  • Self-drive from Bariloche to Villa Traful

Continue your lake-district self-drive tour and take route PR 63 towards San Martín de los Andes. We recommend that you make a stop on the way to visit Pozones De Caleufú and Meliquina Lake.

San Martín de los Andes is a city in the northwest of Patagonia, Argentina. It is the access road to the wooded Lanín National Park, home to the Lanín volcano and varied fauna that includes guanacos and pumas.  

The road adventure of today will take you to travel along 100 km of unpaved road, 20 km of paved road and for 3h 30min (plus the time spent on-site). 

Day3

Drive from San Martín to Villa la Angostura

 

Villa La Angostura, located in the south of Neuquén province in Patagonia, is surrounded by lakes, forests and mountains. The “Garden of Patagonia” as the villa is called, is considered one of the most beautiful towns in the Andean Patagonia. Enjoy this immersion in nature! 

 

Directions for today:

  • Drive through NR 40 and enjoy the best views of Lakes Hermoso, Villarino, Espejo and Correntoso. 
  • Take the NR 231, and back to NR 40 to arrive at Villa La Angostura.

 

Today’s lake-district self-drive tour will take you to travel along 102 km of paved road and for 1h 50min (plus the time spent on-site). 

Day4

Optional self-drive to Bosque de Arrayanes
Villa La Angostura

 

  • Optional lake-district self-drive tour to Bosque de Arrayanes

Los Arrayanes National Park is the only myrtle wood in the world. This park became a protected area due to the importance of its species (the Arrayan as the “king species” in the park), and the variety of native life.

 

To reach Bosque de Arrayanes:

  • Take NR 40 to Puerto de la Villa.
  • Once there, you can make a 7-km walk to the forest or enjoy a boat tour.

 

The optional road adventure of today will take you to travel along 3 km of paved road, 20 km of paved road and for 30min (plus the time spent on-site).  

Day5

The end of your lake-district self-drive trip
From Villa La Angostura to Bariloche Airport

 

  • Self-drive from Villa La Angostura to Bariloche airport

This is the end of your self-drive experience in the Lake Lake District. Today you will drive back to Bariloche, and go directly to the airport.

 

To reach the airport:

  • Take NR 40, and once in Rio Negro, change to PR 80 until reaching the airport. 

 

This last self-drive trip will take you to travel along 82 km of paved road and for 1h 30min.  

 

Day6

If this trip doesn’t meet your expectations we can tailor it to your needs and budget.

Prices per person

INN & B&B

From

USD 1526

View INN & B&B Hotels

Comfort

From

USD 1685

View Comfort Hotels

Superior

From

USD 2021

View Superior Hotels

PRICING

  • Prices in US Dollars.
  • Valid until April 2024 (ask for prices in Christmas and New Year).
  • Prices are per person, based on 2 people in double occupancy. Single rates are available on request.
  • Flights are not included in the price, but can be arranged on request.
  • We care deeply about our planet, as we know you do. When you book with us, the carbon emissions from your trip are 100% offset. We are working to create more sustainable, responsible and meaningful ways of exploring South America.

PEACE OF MIND THIS IS A CARBON NEUTRAL TRIP

We care deeply about our planet, as we know you do. When you book with us, the carbon emissions from your trip are 100% offset. We are working to create more sustainable, responsible and meaningful ways of exploring South America. It feels good to do it right. Learn more about our actions against climate change here.

INCLUDED

  • 1-night accommodation in Bariloche
  • 1-night accommodation in Villa Traful
  • 2-night accommodation in Villa La Angostura
  • Daily Breakfast
  • Transfer as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Car rental vehicle as detailed in the itinerary
  • Days of rental: 6 days
  • GPS device
  • Roadmap 
  • Self-drive kit
  • Check the coverages and credit card hold here
  • Check the policies here
  • Bilingual English / Spanish speaking guide for self-drive briefing

 

 


NOT INCLUDED

  • International or Domestic Flights or Buses 
  • Any services or meals not detailed in this itinerary 
  • Optional tours 
  • Entrance fees to museums, natural reserves, national parks, etc. 
  • Tips and Personal expenses 

FLIGHTS NEEDED
FOR THIS ITINERARY

No flights needed for this trip. Trip starts and finishes at Bariloche.

FLIGHTS NEEDED
FOR THIS ITINERARY

No flights needed for this trip. Trip starts and finishes at Bariloche.