10 days Lakes, Volcanoes & Forests: Argentine Lake District Loop
10 Day Road Trip in Bariloche & Seven Lakes
A 10-day self-drive route designed for a couple prioritizing slow mornings, exceptional local food, and scenic drives through the northern Patagonia lake district without rushing.
Who this is for
Lakes, Volcanoes & Forests: Argentine Lake District Loop
Why this itinerary works
Lakes, Volcanoes & Forests: Argentine Lake District Loop
This itinerary balances iconic stops like Cerro Campanario and the Seven Lakes Drive with quiet village nights and high-end regional dining, perfectly tuned for two adults traveling at an easy pace.
At a Glance
The shape of this trip, at a glance.
10
Balanced
$1,850
$185
10
10
Walk & transit
Interactive map
The itinerary
Day 1
Downtown Bariloche & Lakefront
Arrival, Civic Center & Regional Craft Beer
Pick up Rental Car & Stroll Centro Cívico
Centro, Centro Cívico, Bariloche
Establishes orientation along the lake shore while collecting your rental vehicle without morning rush.
Lunch at El Boliche de Alberto (Pasta)
Centro, Mitre 601, Bariloche
Famous handmade Argentine-Italian pastas in a relaxed downtown setting.
Artisanal Chocolate Tasting at Mamuschka
Centro, Mitre 298, Bariloche
Bariloche's premier bean-to-bar chocolatier, perfect for a mid-afternoon treat.
Dinner & Taps at Cervecería Manush
Centro, Neumeyer 20, Bariloche
Local craft beer paired with elevated Patagonian pub food like trout burgers and braised lamb.
Day 2
Circuito Chico & Llao Llao Peninsula
Panoramic Views & Classic Lake District Landscapes
Chairlift to Cerro Campanario Summit
Circuito Chico, Av. Bustillo Km 17.5
Offers what National Geographic listed as one of the world's top 10 views.
Lakeside Lunch at Cervecería Patagonia
Circuito Chico, Av. Bustillo Km 24.7
Stunning microbrewery garden overlooking Lake Moreno with exceptional wood-fired food.
Easy Nature Walk through Parque Llao Llao
Llao Llao, Llao Llao Municipal Park
Flat trail through ancient Arrayanes and Coihue forests leading to Villa Tacul beach.
Dinner at Il Gabbiano
Llao Llao, Av. Bustillo Km 24.3
Refined Italian cuisine specializing in regional seafood and fresh pasta, intimate atmosphere.
Day 3
Cerro Otto & Belgrano Neighborhood
Forest Trails & Traditional Patagonian Asado
Piedras Blancas Trail Walk on Cerro Otto
Cerro Otto, Cerro Otto, Bariloche
Gentle forest path providing south-facing viewpoints over the Andes.
Asado Lunch at Alto el Fuego
Belgrano, 20 de Febrero 451, Bariloche
Housed in a cozy wooden house, widely regarded as the best traditional parrilla in Bariloche.
Coffee & Chocolate at Rapa Nui
Centro, Mitre 202, Bariloche
Historic family-owned cafe famous for Franui (chocolate-covered raspberries) and gelato.
Casual Drinks & Small Plates at Wesley Brewery
Bustillo West, Av. Bustillo Km 15.5
Craft brewery set on a rustic farm property, serving farm-to-table pub food.
Day 4
Villa La Angostura Transit & Puerto Manzano
Drive North to Villa La Angostura & Lakeside Sunset
Scenic Highway Drive to Villa La Angostura
Lake Nahuel Huapi, Ruta 40 North
Paved scenic highway winding around the eastern tip of Lake Nahuel Huapi.
Lakeside Lunch at Mercado del Puerto
Puerto Manzano, Puerto Manzano, Villa La Angostura
Charming wooden eatery serving smoked trout paninis and artisanal salads right on Puerto Manzano bay.
Explore Villa La Angostura Alpine Village
Town Center, Av. Arrayanes, Villa La Angostura
Quiet mountain village main street lined with timber-framed craft shops and teahouses.
Dinner at Tinto Bistró
Town Center, Av. Arrayanes 155, Villa La Angostura
Stylish restaurant run by Martín Zorreguieta featuring Patagonian-Asian fusion and great wine selections.
Day 5
Los Arrayanes National Park
Myrtle Forest Walk & Lake Ferry Navigation
Catamaran Boat Trip to Bosque de Arrayanes
Puerto Manzano / Harbor, Muelle Bahía Mansa, Villa La Angostura
Scenic 45-minute ferry across Lake Nahuel Huapi to a unique cinnamon-barked forest peninsula.
Tea & Pastries at Casita de Té del Bosque
Los Arrayanes National Park, Bosque de Arrayanes
Historic wooden teahouse located inside the arrayanes forest log cabin.
Relaxation at Bahía La Brava Beach
Puerto Angostura, Bahía La Brava, Villa La Angostura
Sheltered bay with calm waters and mountain backdrops, perfect for reading or strolling.
Casual Dinner at Epulafquen Cervecería
Town Center, Villa La Angostura
Original craft brewery in Villa La Angostura with hearty local dishes and informal rustic charm.
Day 6
Seven Lakes Highway Corridor
The Iconic Route of the Seven Lakes to San Martín de los Andes
Seven Lakes Scenic Drive (Ruta 40 north)
Seven Lakes Corridor, Ruta 40 between VLA and SMA
Fully paved scenic corridor visiting Lake Correntoso, Espejo, Falkner, and Villarino.
Lakeside Picnic / Kiosk Lunch at Lago Hermoso
Seven Lakes Corridor, Lago Hermoso turnout
Quiet, turquoise-water lake stop with a small rustic summer cafe near the water.
Check-in & Stroll Lake Lácar Waterfront
Waterfront, San Martín de los Andes waterfront
San Martín sits on the edge of Lake Lácar; sandy shore and walkable town pier.
Patagonian Lamb at La Pastería or Doña Rosa
Town Center, San Martín de los Andes
Hearty alpine mountain cooking featuring slow-roasted Patagonian cordero.
Day 7
San Martín de los Andes & Mirador Bandurrias
Lakeside Overlooks & Craft Chocolate in San Martín
Hike or Drive to Mirador Bandurrias
Mirador, Mapuche Community Land, SMA
Overlook perched above Lake Lácar with views back to San Martín de los Andes.
Lunch at Ulises Restaurant
Town Center, Villegas 968, San Martín de los Andes
Charming local bistro serving wild boar ravioli, smoked trout salad, and homemade desserts.
Chocolates & Coffee at Mamusia
Town Center, San Martín 821, SMA
The oldest chocolate shop in San Martín de los Andes, established in 1972.
Taps & Dinner at Cervecería Chester
Town Center, San Martín de los Andes
Favorite local pub serving craft IPAs, stouts, and artisan burgers in a warm wood interior.
Day 8
Paso Córdoba Return Loop & Confluencia
Volcanic Valleys & Steppe Backcountry Drive
Paso Córdoba Scenic Drive (Ruta 63)
Steppe / Paso Córdoba, Ruta Provincial 63
Alternative return route to Bariloche through striking, eroded volcanic rock formations and Patagonian steppe.
Rustic Riverside Lunch at Confluencia Traful
Confluencia, Confluencia RN40 & RP63
Remote roadhouse cafe where the Traful and Limay rivers meet, known for empanadas and trout.
Drive back to Bariloche along Valle Encantado
Limay River Valley, Ruta 237
Wind along the Limay River gorge past famous rock formations like 'El Dedal' and 'El Centinela'.
Dinner at La Tapera (Las Grutas / Bariloche east)
Dina Huapi, Bariloche East / Dina Huapi
Comforting Patagonian stews, locro, and grilled steaks away from tourist crowds.
Day 9
Colonia Suiza & Bustillo West
Historical Swiss Settlement & Craft Fermentation
Explore Colonia Suiza Craft Market & Village
Colonia Suiza, Colonia Suiza, Bariloche
Historic 19th-century Swiss immigrant settlement featuring wooden artisan stalls and forest pathways.
Traditional Curanto Feast or Fondue at Fundo Coihue
Colonia Suiza, Colonia Suiza
Curanto is an indigenous pit-cooking technique adopted by Swiss settlers, offering smoked meats and tubers.
Craft Cider & Gin Tasting at Berlina Kilómetro 12
Bustillo West, Av. Bustillo Km 11.5
Relaxed outdoor beer garden specializing in local craft cider and Patagonian botanical gins.
Dinner at Anima Restó
Circuito Chico, Circuito Chico Km 18
Tiny 20-seat woodland cabin restaurant serving refined seasonal Patagonian wild game and trout.
Day 10
Plaza Belgrano & Departure
Slow Morning, Souvenir Chocolate & Airport Transit
Slow Breakfast & Lake Stroll at Playa Centenario
East Lakefront, Playa Centenario, Bariloche
Quiet pebble beach near eastern town exit ideal for a final calm coffee with lake view.
Last Minute Chocolate Shopping & Light Lunch at Abuela Goye
Centro, Mitre 258, Bariloche
Historic teahouse and chocolate shop for final gift boxes and light sandwiches before driving to airport.
Car Drop-off at San Carlos de Bariloche Airport (BRC)
Airport, BRC Airport
Return rental car and board afternoon flight.
Budget
ON TARGETTarget
$2,000
Estimated
$1,850
Difference
$150
Trip Balance Score
How well this trip will actually work
Weighted traveler_fit and experience_mix higher to reflect a couple's food-focused, slow-morning travel style.
What works well
- Overnighting in San Martín de los Andes avoids the common 10-hour driving mistake on Ruta 40.
- Geographic clustering minimizes back-and-forth along Avenida Bustillo traffic bottleneck.
- Balanced ratio of easy coastal walks to high-reward scenic stops with minimal physical strain.
What we would improve
- Rental car and fuel costs consume a substantial portion of the overall budget, requiring casual lunch spots.
- Lake activities remain subject to sudden Patagonian wind changes.
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