Enchanting Patagonian Lakes

An unforgettable circuit around the lake region of the Argentinean and Chilean Patagonia. Visit the attractive ski centres of Bariloche and San Martín de los Andes, with their characteristic combination of stone and wood buildings and surrounded by stunning scenery. Travel along the beautiful Seven Lakes Route, cross the Andes towards Pucón with its dense forests and the dominating Villarica volcano before returning by the lake crossing, an exhilarating experience with its breathtaking views.

Day 1: Arrive in Bariloche
Reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Departure from the hotel for a half day sightseeing tour of Bariloche and its outskirts. Travel by bus along Bustillo Avenue bordering the Nahuel Huapi lake towards Playa Bonita. We will continue to Campanario Hill, where a chair-lift will take you to the summit. Enjoy a complete overview of Nahuel Huapi lake, the mountain peaks of the Andean Range and the city. The tour continues to the San Pedro and Llao Llao peninsulas. Visit San Eduardo Chapel and admire the view of the Llao Llao Hotel and Puerto Pañuelo, the boarding pier for most lake excursions. We will cross the bridge connecting Nahuel Huapi and Moreno lakes and continue towards to López Bay. Enjoy a breathtaking view of Nahuel Huapi Lake from the panoramic point, a natural balcony facing the Moreno lake. Return to Bariloche.

Day 2: Bariloche - San Martín de Los Andes
Breakfast. Departure to San Martín de los Andes along the Seven Lakes road. This scenic route that borders the Nahuel Huapi lake’s northern margin will first take us to Villa La Angostura, a little village surrounded by lush forests and towering mountains. The road has mountain stretches and goes through dense lush woods with huge coihues (a typical patagonian tree). The tour continues along the Seven Lakes road, visiting Correntoso, Falkner and Villarino lakes, among others. We will arrive to San Martín de los Andes, a lovely alpine village located by the Lacar lake shore. 

Day 3: San Martín de Los Andes
Breakfast. Departure to Quila Quina, located 18 km (11 miles) away, where you can still see the ancient houses belonging to the Mapuche Curruhuinca group (Indian tribe). Visit the Arroyo Grande cascade, a source of carbonated mineral water, and admire the rupestrine paintings of the area. Continue to Chapelco Ski Center to appreciate the panoramic view of the Lanín volcano and Lacar lake. Return to the city of San Martín de los Andes.

Day 4: San Martín de Los Andes - Pucón
Breakfast. Early departure by bus from San Martín de los Andes to cross the Andes Range towards Chile through Tromen mountain pass. This fascinating landscape will remain for ever in your heart. While ascending through Lanín National Park, the landscape will change constantly, until we rise above the tree-line on the mountain slope. Close to the route, the Lanín volcano, 3,776 Mts. high (12,388 feet), stands high above the rest of the surrounding mountains with its majestic conical snow-capped peak. Native Araucaria trees, also known as the Monkey Puzzle Tree, dominate the landscape. Upon arrival in Pucón, transfer to the hotel.

Day 5: Pucón - Villarica Volcano
Breakfast. An interesting day, called with plenty of excursions to explore Pucón. The options are climbing the local Villarica Volcano, rafting in the Trancura river, visiting the Huife hot springs, among some others.

Day 6: Pucón - Puerto Varas - Valdivia
Breakfast. Regular bus transfer along the Panamerican highway southwards to Puerto Varas, passing by the city of Valdivia. Great views of the Andes and the snowcapped volcanoes leading your way. 

Day 7: Puerto Varas - Puerto Montt - Frutillar - Puerto Varas
Breakfast. Departure to Puerto Montt, capital the Chilean Lake District, founded by German settlers in 1853. City tour visiting the main square and historical monuments, the port, including Angelmo fish market, where there is a large handicraft market full of craftsmen and lots of fresh shellfish. Continuation to the lakeside town of Frutillar. Sightseeing of the village. Return to Puerto Varas. Brief city tour, to discover the city known as the ‘City the Roses’, due to the infinite variety of these wonderful and charming flowers found in the area.

Day 8: Puerto Varas - Peulla - Bariloche Lake Crossing
Breakfast. In the morning you will go along the southern shore of the lake to Ensenada. Even the most experienced adventurers will stop to take a few photos while approaching the Osorno Volcano. The first real stop, however, will be at Petrohue Falls (entrance fee not included). These rapids and waterfalls were formed a long time ago by the cooled lava from the volcano towering behind them. They form an impressive sculpture of extruded volcanic rock shaped by thousands of years of thundering water flow. Later, we will board the catamaran and get ready to cross Todos Los Santos lake (All Saints Lake), surrounded by high mountains whose lower slopes are thickly forested. The nearer we get to Petrohué river, the closer we will be to the huge ice-capped Osorno volcano, a once in a lifetime experience. The rest of the morning will be spent sailing. Southwards, high above the forested shore, you will see the peculiar shape of Puntiagudo volcano and a series of waterfalls. Upon arrival in Peulla, at the eastern end of the lake, you will have time for lunch (optional). This is Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park’s heart. Here you may enjoy a lovely hike to the Cascada de la Novia (Bride’s Cascade) a native growth Valdivian Rainforest, quite an amazing vegetation for these southern latitudes. In the afternoon we will drive by bus through Pérez Rosales pass to Argentina. On the Argentine side, we will board a ferry to go across Frías lake, followed by a short bus ride to Puerto Blest, where the final sailing across Nahuel Huapi lake will start. Finally, you will arrive to Bariloche. Upon arrival at Puerto Pañuelo, transfer to hotel in Bariloche.

Day 9: Fly out from Bariloche
Breakfast. Transfer to the Bariloche airport.