7 days Complete Northern Patagonia: Circuito Chico, Villa La Angostura & Seven Lakes
7 Day Road Trip in Bariloche & Seven Lakes
A 7-day self-drive route designed for a couple looking for a balanced mix of scenic lake country driving, moderate day hikes, and Patagonia's finest regional dining. Grounded in a two-base strategy—Bariloche and San Martín de los Andes—to eliminate tedious out-and-back driving.
Who this is for
Complete Northern Patagonia: Circuito Chico, Villa La Angostura & Seven Lakes
Why this itinerary works
Complete Northern Patagonia: Circuito Chico, Villa La Angostura & Seven Lakes
This itinerary achieves high logical coherence by utilizing a multi-base road trip approach while maintaining a unhurried daily pace for a couple.
At a Glance
The shape of this trip, at a glance.
7
Balanced
$1,850
$264
12
7
Walk & transit
Interactive map
The itinerary
Day 1
Downtown Bariloche & Lakefront
Arrival, Civic Center & Artisan Chocolate
Pick up Rental Car & Check-in
Airport, Teniente Luis Candelaria Airport (BRC)
Having a rental car is critical for accessing lake trailheads and driving Route 40 independently without fixed tour groups.
Lunch at La Casita de la Paula
Downtown Bariloche, Downtown Bariloche
Centrally located near Mitre Street; offers hearty Patagonian soups, empanadas, and artisan pies in a cozy wooden cabin setting.
Stroll Calle Mitre & Rapa Nui Chocolates
Downtown Bariloche, Downtown Bariloche
Bariloche is the chocolate capital of Argentina. Rapa Nui offers exceptional gelato and chocolate tasting inside an iconic timber shop with an indoor ice-skating rink.
Dinner at El Boliche de Alberto (Parrilla)
Downtown Bariloche, Downtown Bariloche
Famous for generous cuts of Argentine steak cooked over open hardwood coals in an energetic, traditional atmosphere.
Day 2
Circuito Chico
Panoramic Views, Llao Llao Peninsula & Craft Beer
Cerro Campanario Chairlift
Circuito Chico, Avenida Bustillo Km 17.5
Offers one of National Geographic's top-rated views in the world overlooking Lake Nahuel Huapi, Lake Moreno, and snow-capped peaks.
Lunch at Cervecería Patagonia
Circuito Chico, Circuito Chico Km 24.7
World-famous microbrewery taproom perched on a cliff edge with dramatic glass windows facing Lake Moreno.
Senderos Llao Llao & Villa Tacul Walk
Llao Llao, Llao Llao Municipal Park
Gentle, flat forest trails through ancient Arrayanes and Coihue trees leading to secluded pebbled lake beaches.
Dinner at Il Gabbiano
Llao Llao, Avenida Bustillo Km 24.3
An intimate, refined Italian restaurant specializing in handmade pastas and regional lake trout set inside an alpine home.
Day 3
Cerro Otto & Craft Breweries
Alpine Heights & Regional Craft Beer Culture
Teleférico Cerro Otto & Rotating Cafe
Cerro Otto, Cerro Otto
Enclosed cable cars take you to a summit art gallery and a 360-degree slowly rotating coffee shop overlooking Bariloche town.
Lunch at Manush Craft Beer & Food
Downtown Bariloche, Downtown Bariloche
A pioneer of Bariloche's craft beer scene with exceptional pub gastronomy, including trout burgers and beer-infused gravies.
Havanna Chocolate Museum (Museo del Chocolate)
Melipal, Avenida Bustillo Km 1.5
Learn about the European immigrants who brought chocolate craft to Northern Patagonia, complete with chocolate sculpture tours.
Dinner at Alto el Fuego
Downtown Bariloche, Downtown Bariloche
A cozy neighborhood house converted into an artisan steak house, known for exceptional ribeye and private wine cellar selections.
Day 4
Villa La Angostura
Gateway to Seven Lakes & Arrayanes Forest
Drive Route 40 to Villa La Angostura
Villa La Angostura, Route 40 North
Paved scenic highway hugging the eastern edge of Lake Nahuel Huapi with impressive Andean backdrops.
Lunch at Tinto Bis
Villa La Angostura, Villa La Angostura
Chef-driven bistro in Villa La Angostura noted for tapas, lamb dishes, and curated Patagonian wines.
Puerto Manzano & Lakefront Walk
Puerto Manzano, Puerto Manzano
A tranquil peninsula of luxury timber chalets, secluded bays, and forest walks away from main traffic.
Dinner at Viejos Tiempos
Villa La Angostura, Villa La Angostura
Authentic mountain tavern specializing in wild boar, gnocchi, and trout specialties in a rustic log house.
Day 5
Seven Lakes Highway to San Martín de los Andes
The Iconic Seven Lakes Drive & Mountain Overnight
Drive Camino de los Siete Lagos (RN 40)
Seven Lakes Corridor, RN 40 between Villa La Angostura and San Martín
One of South America's premier scenic drives, passing Lake Correntoso, Lake Espejo, Lake Falkner, and Lake Machónico.
Lunch at Picnic at Lago Falkner
Seven Lakes Corridor, Lago Falkner Beach
Lakeside beach stop along the Seven Lakes corridor to enjoy artisan bread, regional cheeses, and cured meats purchased in town.
Check-in & Stroll San Martín de los Andes Waterfront
San Martín de los Andes, San Martín de los Andes
A much quieter, highly walkable alpine town on the shores of Lake Lácar.
Dinner at La Pasta del Mercado
San Martín de los Andes, San Martín de los Andes
Charming artisan restaurant serving fresh handmade stuffed pasta, regional wines, and artisanal breads in San Martín center.
Day 6
San Martín to Bariloche Return
Mirador Bandurrias & Paso Córdoba Scenic Loop
Hike to Mirador Bandurrias
San Martín de los Andes, San Martín de los Andes
Accessible forest hike passing Mapuche community lands with cliffside view over Lake Lácar.
Lunch at Doña Rosa
San Martín de los Andes, San Martín de los Andes
Home-style Patagonian stews, trout empanadas, and regional desserts in a warm family house setting.
Return Drive to Bariloche via Paso Córdoba (RP 63)
Valle Encantado, RP 63 / RN 237
Dramatic change of scenery from lake pine forests to dry, moon-like rock formations along the Enchanted Valley (Valle Encantado).
Dinner at La Tapera
Colonia Suiza, Colonia Suiza
Rustic wooden hut restaurant serving clay-oven braised lamb and craft beer in early 20th-century swiss settler style.
Day 7
Lakeside Relaxation & Departure
Lakeside Farewell & Regional Gifts
Breakfast & Coffee at Mamuschka
Downtown Bariloche, Downtown Bariloche
Iconic red-fronted cafe and master chocolatier in Bariloche core, famous for specialty hot chocolate and bean-to-bar slabs.
Lunch at Batistin (Villa Huinid)
Melipal, Avenida Bustillo Km 2.6
Serene lakeside restaurant with floor-to-ceiling lake views serving elevated Patagonian lamb and wild trout dishes.
Car Drop-off & Departure at BRC Airport
Airport, Teniente Luis Candelaria Airport (BRC)
Return vehicle directly to rental office prior to outbound 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 for a relaxed couples road trip focused on dining and scenery.
What works well
- Splitting the Seven Lakes Highway into an overnight stay avoids the exhaustion of a 200km single-day return drive.
- Geographic clustering keeps Bariloche activities grouped cleanly along Av. Bustillo to avoid peak afternoon traffic.
- Includes reservations at top-tier regional restaurants without over-scheduling afternoons.
What we would improve
- Car rental and gas costs take up a significant portion of the $2,000 budget, requiring modest lunch choices.
- Weather dependency on Cerro Campanario and chairlifts may require quick re-sequencing if wind spikes.
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