THE ARGENTINEAN LIKE DISTRICT:
San Carlos de Bariloche & San Martin de los Andes



San Carlos de Bariloche is situated on the southern shore of lake Nahuel Huapi, within the Nahuel Huapi National Park and at 770 m above sea level. It is the second most populated city of Río Negro province and is one of the most important centers of Argentina.

Located in the Patagonian ecotone, the scenery that surrounds Bariloche changes dramatically, from east to west, from the dry arid low hills and valleys of the steppes to meet the spectacular Andean cordillera with its typical valdivian cold wet forest.
Bariloche has a wide variety of activities to offer, for relaxation or recreation. To the traditional tourist circuits of: Circuito Chico, Isla Victoria and the Arrayanes Forest, Puerto Blest, Cerro Catedral and Otto we can add a variety of new interesting circuits, sporting events and other annual events as well as an active night life.

The "capital of the lakes" - as Bariloche is known - has a great diversity of modern cozy typical mountain hotels that offer high quality and varied food to the more than 650.000 tourists that visit the area annually.
Bariloche is the gateway to the patagonian Andes lake district, allows you to go on by air or land to explore other beautiful areas. All year round you can visit El Bolson, El Hoyo, Lago Puelo, Cholila, Villa La Angostura, San Martín de los Andes, Esquel, Trevelin, Futaleufu, La Trochita, Villa Traful and the south of Chile

NAHUEL HUAPI NATIONAL PARK - SAN CARLOS DE BARILOCHE

The Nahuel Huapi National Park (from the araucano Nahuel, that means tiger and Huapi: island) extends over 750.000 hectares (1.875.000 acres) of which 330.000 (825.000 acres) of them is a National Reserve. Situated in the south-west of Neuquen province and north-west of Rio Negro, it stretches from the Patagonian steppes to the high Andes.
To the west, its highest peaks delimit the border with Chile. Among these is the impressive Tronador (3554 Mts.) and Campana, Capilla, López and Catedral (between 1800 and 2400 Mts.). Between these high peaks these are several deep valleys that allows easy crossing to Chile trough passes such as Cardenal Samore, Perez Rosales and Vuriloche.

Another interesting feature is the quantity of lakes and rivers, that due to the abundant rains and the melting of snow and glaciers rushing down either to the Atlantic or the Pacific Ocean.
Lake Nahuel Huapi, covering an area of 60.000 hectares (150.000 acres) and with the maximum depth of 464 meters around Puerto Blest, is the most important of the area, to which we must add: Perito Moreno, Gutierrez, Mascardi, Los Moscos, Hess, Fonck, Guillelmo and Steffen lakes.

The most important feature of this National Park is its diversity of habitats. Such as the large lake and river system, the sub- Antartic and valdivian cold forests, the dry steppes, lowland forest undergrowth and the high Andean ranges that host an interesting native flora and fauna.

Big forests of cipreses, ñires, lengas, coihues, notros, guindos, lauras, arrayanes, radales, alerces and maitenes - all native trees - in the west give way to the neneo and the coiron - patagonian grasses - that cover the sterile landscape of the patagonian steppe to the east.
The exuberant vegetation of the valdivian forest, towards the border with Chile, is made up of impressive trees like coihues, mñiu, laura and alerce, entwined by varieties of lianas such as the pahueldin and pil pil voqui. The ever damp undergrowth is dominated by the caña colihue and ferns.

In spite of mans devastating effect on nature, the local fauna is no less rich than its flora. The variety of habitats host a number of interesting species: along the waterways we can find the native perch and river otter; down on the steppes many raptors, guanaco, rhea and patagonian hare and up in the snow covered peaks we find we find the majestic condor, puma and huemul. In the dense undergrowth there are pudu and chucao and in the open wetlands lapwing and Andean geese.

These qualities give it special importance as a nature reserve, with strict conservation measures but open to scientific, educational and recreational activities for present and future generations.

LLAO LLAO MUNICIPA L PARK
SAN CARLOS DE BARILOCHE

Encompassing part of the "Circuito Chico", between kilometers 26 y 31, is located the Llao Llao Municipal Park. It is a protected area of native forest set aside for recreation. Its 1200 hectares (3.000 acres) include the Llao Llao Peninsula and Conejos (rabbits) Island and the dark forest of coihues, cipreses, native bushes, cane, vine, ferns and moss offers a rich habitat for diverse birds, reptiles and small mammals.
The marshes, wetlands and streams of enclosed lake areas, as the Escondido (hidden), or connected systems, as lakes Nahuel Huapi and Moreno, host puyenes and perch (both native fishes), trout, mussels and diverse aquatic birdlife.

LAKES CROSSING
FROM BARILOCHE TO PUERTO MONTT OR PUERTO MONTT TO BARILOCHE

2- DAY LAKES CROSSING

Day 01
09:00 am After leaving the hotel we travel on a bus to Puerto Pañuelo.
10:30 am Upon arrival we board El Condor Catamaran and sail the Blest Branch of Nahuel Huapi lake.
11:30 am We enjoy lunch (optional) in the cozy restaurant of the Blest Hostal with a magnificent view of the lake. After lunch we start a bus trip to Puerto Alegrewhich borders the Frías river during 3 km. On board the Caleuche or the Dalca motorship we sail Frías Lake for 15 minutes. From where we shall have the first view of Tronador Hill.
15:30 pm Upon arrival at Puerto Frías we clear Argentine customs and proceed on a bus through lush Andean vegetation to the Vicente Pérez Rosales pass and then 29 kms. to the Chilean customs at Peulla. After customs, it is a short ride to Peulla Hotel where we dine and spend the night.

Day 02
08:30 am After an early breakfast we board the Lagos Andinos Catamaran and set out to cross the waters of the Todos Los Santos lake. On our trip we will be able to view Mount Puntiagudo and the impressive Osorno volcano. We will arrive to Petrohué and during our trip to Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt we will do a stop for visiting the magnificent Petrohué waterfalls. End of service.

SPRING - SUMMER / September 1st to April 30th
One day cruise with optional lunch in Peulla

07:00 am Starting at Bariloche making the same tour except for the visit of Cántaros fall. Arriving in Puerto Montt at 20.00 p.m.

NOTE
Overnight: The Lake Crossing trip Bariloche to Puerto Montt and viceversa can
be interrupted in both ways, staying more than one night, and continue on the following
day at the scheduled time.

Cruce de Lagos: Lake crossing is a touristic trip, timetable is referential. Weather
conditions and amount of passengers can change it.

ONE DAY CRUISE

08:00 am Departure from Puerto Montt to Puerto Varas, following the same
itinerary with the exception of visit to Cántaros Falls. Arrival at
Bariloche at 21.30 pm

WHAT TO SEE IN THE CITY

CIVIC CENTER
Surrounding the main square, the main Government building, the Municipal Tourist Board, Police Headquarters, Patagonian Museum, Hall for cultural activities (Sala Frey) and Sarmiento Public Library, were handsomely built by Ernesto Estrada in 1940 using the local wood and stone.

HATCHERY
The complete process, from spawning to incubation, is practiced here with a novel system of cages. The fingerlings are raised in pools away from the coast. Later they are taken to different mesh pens according to size.

PATAGONIAN MUSEUM
National Parks inaugurated this museum in 1940. It has five rooms for the permanent natural science, prehistory, ethnography and regional history exhibits. It also has a large hall for temporary exhibitions, a library with 3000 books, a department of research and design and a small gift shop.

FISH MUSEUM
It is located at the "Caza y Pesca Bariloche Club" where it displays a world record brown trout of 16 kg, 199 cm long and 49 cm wide, caught by Mr. Eugenio Cavaglia.

HOUSE OF NATIVE HANDCRAFT
Helping to keep alive their Mapuche culture, the native craftsmen association exhibits their spinning and weaving here

LAND EXCURSIONS FROM BARILOCHE

Bariloche surrounding countryside offers almost fifty different options, either for relaxation or sport. The area is so rich in possibilities that the visitor can choose if he wants to takes a guided tour or go on his own, take traditional or adventure tours, by land, lake or river.

CERRO CATEDRAL
One of Bariloche´s main attractions is Cerro Catedral winter sports center which is open to visitors year round. At km. 8.60 on Exequiel Bustillo Avenue there is a turn off which 11 further on take one the ski resort with impressive views of the surrounding range and lakes.
Time: Half day.
Operates: daily-annual.

MOUNT CATEDRAL & LOS ALERCES WATERFALL
Tronador is the highest peak in the area (3.554 m.a.s.l. ) The tour goes through the southern part of the National Park Nahuel Huapi to see the three main peaks: Argentino, Chileno and International and its eight glacial tongues.
The drive up goes past the "Pampa de Huenuleo ", lakes Gutierrez and Mascardi, the upper Manso river, Pampa Linda, Vuriloche valley and the "Ventisquero Negro" (Black Glacier) -a moving mass of ice from the Mount.
Tronador´s permanent ice fields. A short walk along the 300 m causeway between the parking area and the outlook allows one to have a great view of "Los Alerces" waterfall.
Time: all day.
Operates: daily - annual (subject to winter road conditions)

CIRCUITO CHICO
This is one of the most traditional tours of Bariloche. It goes through the city and them trough the Nahuel Huapi National Park and Llao Llao Municipal Park. Along the length of its 65 Km there are several interesting places to visit: Cerro Campanario by chairlift, the look out Llao Llao peninsula and the surrounding lake system, the lavender plantation and factories of knitted wear, candles, dolls, artistic clocks, jam and chocolate, ceramics and homemade beer. You can also visit fish hatcheries, forgeries, tea houses and plant nurseries as well as the magnificent Llao Llao hotel, San Eduardo chapel and the Lopez and Capilla massive rock face.
Time: Half day.
Operates: daily - annual.

SAN MARTÍN DE LOS ANDES
This tour starts from Bariloche, goes by route 237 along the southern shore of the Nahuel Huapi lake to the Limay and then carries on for a 352 km daylong ride. Bordering the lake's northern shore along the national route 231, one can over briefly at Villa La Angostura and then carry on by lakes Espejo, Correntoso, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Machonico and finally Lacar where the city of San Martin de los Andes is. The road back goes through "Paso Cordoba", bordering lake Meliquina and the Filo Hua Hum and Caleufu rivers. The "The Casa de Piedra" (stone house) and Confluencia are visited finally before arriving back to Bariloche.
Time: All day.
Operates: daily - annual (subject to winter road conditions).

San Martín de los Andes is located only 158 kilometres from San Carlos de Bariloche, the another important city of lakes district. You´ll find a paradise with an agreeable environment, where the peace and silence of nature, and the air of the forest renew your life. The transparent waters of Lake Lácar and Parque Nacional Lanín, are the most important highlignts in this area.

You can enjoy the snow in winter, the tranquility and colorus of the forest in autumm and spring, and adventure sports during summer season. You will enjoy San Martin de los Andes.

EL BOSTÓN AND LAGO PUELO
This tour takes one national route 258 bordering lakes Guitierrez, Mascardi and Guillelmo. Carrying on through Pampa de Toro, Cañadón de la Mosca and El Foyel. This daylong tour arrives at El Bolson, a Beautiful valley appropriate for agriculture. Going through small farms or wheat, maíz, cherry, raspberry, recurrent, apple and hops one arrives at the splendid turquoise Puelo Lake.
Time: all day.
Operates: weekly and all year ( subject to winter road conditions)

THE PATAGONIAN EXPRESS, EL BOLSÓN FARMS
Similar to the previous tour, the patagonian express, known as "La Trochita", runs between the towns of El Maiten and Leleque. The train is made up of two old steam engines, one wagon for the diesel fuel, one first class and one second class car with its receptive restaurant car.
Time: all day.
Operates: weekly - annual.

VILLA LA ANGOSTURA
From Bariloche, along national route 237, one takes the turn off onto national route 231 towards the west, bordering the northern shore of lakes Nahuel Huapi and arrives at this picturesque mountain village surrounded by dense forest and impressive snow capped mountains.
Time: half day or all day.
Operates: daily - annual.

ENCHANTED AND TRAFUL VALLEYS
This scenic tour starts from Bariloche. Along the National Route 237 one borders lakes Nahuel Huapi towards the east crossing the Limay river and arriving at the first stop over for a panoramic view of the city from Perito Moreno historic arrival point. Following the Limay river one arrives at the Enchanted Valley which is the highlight of the tour with its strange rock formations. This half day tour includes sightseeing place like Pincon Chico, Rincón Grande, Villa Llanquin and the amazing amphitheater. The tour ends at Villa Traful, going from the steppes to the forest.
Time: half day.
Operates: annual

CERRO LOPEZ AND COLONIA SUIZA
Departing from Bariloche along Bustillo Ave. towards west, one turns off the Circuito Chico route at the foot of Cerro López. This dirt road climbs up to Colonia Suiza, where a group of French - Swiss immigrants settled and for many years produced fine wheat. Nowadays the descendants of these pioneers produce homemade jams, bottled fruit, liqueurs and prepare the "CURANTO": a mapuche meal of different meat and vegetables cooked in a hole lined with hot stone and covered with nalca leaves.
From this village the trail leads to Cerro López where you have a fantastic view of its snowed peak. From this refuge one can take interesting walk to Pico Turista, Pico Principal del López and La Hoya.
Time: half day.
Operates: Annual

CIRCUITO GRANDE
This daylong, 250 Km round trip takes you alongside the Limay river through Rincon Chico, Rincon Grande, Amphitheater, Enchanted Valley, Confluencia, and Cuyin Manzano. After crossing the Rio Minero we arrived at the Traful lookout, 70 mts. above the lake. The road carries on though Villa Traful, the sandy deaches of Puerto Arrayán and the Portezuelo to connect the seven lakes road and return to Villa La Angostura.
Time: all day.
Operates: daily - annual ( subject to the winter road conditions)

WINTER OR GREEN SAFARY
Climbing 26 km. up the Chall Huaco valley, this dirt road starts from the national route 258, just south of the city. The road takes one across bridges, fords and streams up to the Neumeyer refuge, 1.200 m.a.s.l. After a long walk through snowed covered trails, frozen marshes and lagoons you arrive at a high southern beach forest. Finally, at midday you can try the typical barbecued lamb or chicken. In summer, on the Green Safari, the trekking can carry on to Laguna Verde or the spectacular Mirador among the flowers and trees of the higher prairies.
Time: all day.
Operates: daily - annual.

CERRO OTTO CABLE CAR
These modern cable cars, equipped with music and panoramic windows, have their base on Los Pioneros Ave. just outside Bariloche. After a 12 minutes ride up to almost 1.400m you arrive at the top of Cerro Otto. There is a revolving restaurant building from where you can take short walk through the forest, rent sleds or just enjoy the splendid view of Bariloche and its surroundings.
Time: the bus leaves from the city every half hour.
Operates: daily - annual

LAKES EXCURSIONS FROM BARILOCHE

ISLA VICTORIA & BOSQUE DE ARRAYANES NATIONAL PARK
The boat ride takes more than one hour and a half from Puerto Pañuelo to Victoria Island, which with 9.250 acres and 20 km. in length makes it the lakes largest island. Once there you can see several native bird species: wood-peckers and hummingbirds, or exotic species: pheasant ant peacock. The island's natural reserve has several 500 year old rock painting areas or you can visit the modern restaurant and a chair lift that take to Bella Vista peak. On the island you go through the unique arrayán forest with its strange cinnamon colored tree truncks
Time: half day and all day.
Operates: daily and annually.

PUERTO BLEST & LOS CANTAROS WATERFALL
This lake tour consists on sailing westwards on Lake Nahuel Huapi trough the Blest arm of the lake towards its end at Puerto Blest. During the trip you can admire special views like the one of Centinela Island (the place where Francisco P Moreno, the father of the Argentinean National Parks was buried).
As you arrive al Puerto Blest, in the center of the valdivian rain forest, you start a bus drive to Lake Frías, where you sail to the last argentine port of the " lake crossing" to Chile: Port Frias.
Later, the catamaran crosses the lake to visit "Los Cantaros" waterfall, where you can walk up about 720 steps alongside the falls to get to "Los Cantaros" Lake.
The international lakes crossing goes by bus to Puerto Alegre to board the catamaran "El Caleuche" for lake Frías crossing to arrive at the custom office at Puerto Frías. From there you carry on by to Puerto Caras or Puerto Montt.

Time: all day year round or two days in summer.
Operates: daily - annual (subject to weather conditions in winter).

CERRO TRONADOR BY LAKE MASCARDI WITH SIDE TRIP TO LOS CÉSARES WATERFALL
T his beautiful tour takes you by boat though Mascardi lake to visit Cerro Tronador. From Mascardi port, near the 258 highway you board the Victoria II boat for a great cruise up to Tronador Hotel. From there you can walk the trail to the 70 m high waterfall or by car to the foot of Cerro Tronador.
Time: all day.
Operates: from January to march.

FISHING IN BARILOCHE AREA
AND NAHUEL HUAPI NATIONAL PARK

The easy access to most of the coast of Nahuel Huapi National Parks important river and like system and to the introduction and expansion of various trout species make it particularly interesting for sport fishing.

Among the more widespread species, the rainbow trout inhabit the larger lake and rivers. There are areas set aside for fly fishing, spinning and trolling for other species as well: brook trout, native trout or perch and the streamlined landlocked salmon.

The demanding fly fishing technique, that needs plenty of skill is becoming more popular. The best areas are brook can be seen on the Correntoso river. The world renown landlocked salmon rivers are the Traful and Manso. Good sized rainbow and book can be found on lakes Fonck, Hess and Roca, while there are plenty of rainbow and brown on the smaller lakes like Los Moscos.