My Bariloche Vacation Dream Week

January 26th, 2010 Posted in sports, travel

Written by Jamie

One of the greatest parts of having a vacation rental business is sharing this special part of the world with others.

I decided to put together my “dream week” if I were to come to the Lakes District on vacation.

Please note, this sample is for the non-winter snow months. Also, I focused my dream week around outdoor activities and food, two things I love.

Day 1

Chairlift to Cerro Campanario to get an overview of the area.

Afterwards, travel on Ruta 77 (Circuito Chico) towards Lago Moreno. Two great places for photos are the bridge separating the two Lago Morenos and Punta Panaramico.

Punto Panaramico View

view from Punto Panaramico

Stop in the Parque Llao Llao to hike either Laguna Escondido to Mirador Tacul, Cerrito Llao Llao, the Sendero a los Arrayanes, or connect all three into a 3.5 hour hike.

You can also take a side detour into Colonia Suiza. From November to March, there is a craft fair on Wednesday and Sundays.

The first day would finish off with a dinner at El Patacon.

Patacon

El Patacon

Day 2

Drive around the lake to Villa La Angostura. Rent a bike and ride the Quitrihué Peninsula. It is about 15 miles out and back.  Be sure to pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic at the tip of the Peninsula. If you not a biker or just want to ride one way, you can take the boat back from the Parque Arrayanes. There is also a cute log cabin that serves hot chocolate and treats for those that don’t want to carry food.

After the ride, stop in Villa La Angostura for a post-game meal and/or scoop of ice cream. Bonus points if you have a Pale Ale from Cervecería Australis on the way back from Bariloche.

Tonights dinner is at the Italian eatery,  Il Gabbiano.

il gabbiano

Il Gabbiano

Day 3

Take the boat to either Isla Victoria and Parque Arrayanes (I recommend the VIP section on the Cau Cau boat) or to Puerto Blest. You can purchase tickets downtown or at Puerto Pañuelo the day before. Choose a day with light winds.

After returning to shore, head across the street to Hotel Llao Llao for an afternoon tea and cocktail. Be sure to call ahead for reservations.

Go for a late afternoon hike from Bahia Lopez to Brazo Tristeza.

For dinner, it’s time to celebrate Argentine beef at El Boliche de Alberto. Highly suggest the Lomo, a punto. Bonus points if you save room for a Copa del Alberto.

boliche

Day 4

Head to El Bolson for the craft fair (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays afternoons). After the fair, head up to the trailhead for Cerro Piltriquitron and Taller del Bosque. Approximate times for the various hikes:

-The Taller del Bosque (Carved forest ): 40 minutes

-Refugio Pilitriquitron (where you can enjoy homemade beer made from the snowmelt): 1 hour

-Summit of Cerro Piltriquitron  (amazing and airy summit view of the Andes): 2.5 hours

Finish off with some Jauja ice cream and/or a stop at Cerveza El Bolson for dinner. Bonus points if you try the Spicy Pepper Aji and Chocolate  beers.

bolson beer

Day 5

River Rafting on the Rio Manso into the Chile. Afterward finish off with an authentic Argentine Asado. Be sure to bring your passport.

Dinner is enjoyed at one of the best “foodie” restaurants with a stunning view, Yuco.

view from Yuco

view from Yuco

Day 6

Spend a half day in the Patagonia steppe, riding horses with Carol Jones.

Carol Jones

On the way back through Bariloche, do the touristy shopping thing on Calle Mitre. If nothing else, go by Mamushka for some of the world’s best chocolate.

Dinner at another Bariloche culinary treat, Cassis.

Day 7

Drive to Pampa Linda and Cerro Tronador. Be sure to take your time and take photos from the Mirador de la Isla Corazon. The view of the glacier fed emerald green lake is out if this world, especially on windless days. Stop to see the Ventisquero Glacier/Black Glacier. Then hike 30 minutes to the Garganta del Diablo/Devil’s Throat waterfall.

tronador

the mighty Cerro Tronador

Be sure to leave Bariloche by 11 am as the road to Tronador is one way and changes depending on the time of the day.

The last night’s dinner is celebrated at Butterfly.

Other tips…

-Be sure to plan around the weather. As you move out towards the steppe to the east, the weather improves quickly.

-If coming through Buenos Aires, try to be there from Friday through Sunday to visit the craft fairs and catch a futbol match.

-Rent a car, as many of the best spots are not on the bus route.

-To check events and live music, click here (in Spanish).

  1. 24 Responses to “My Bariloche Vacation Dream Week”

  2. By Roberto Wallace on Jan 27, 2010

    Excellent pointers for visitors. Thanks, Jamie!

  3. By Patagonia on Jan 27, 2010

    No, por nada. Saludos, Jamie

  4. By Christian on Mar 16, 2010

    Hi Jamie,
    My wife and I recently had 3 days in Bariloche and followed your recommendations for days 1, 3 and 4. We enjoyed every minute of it.
    Thank you for your posting.
    Christian

  5. By Julie on May 3, 2010

    Hi – just saw a link to this site on Thorn Tree. I’m glad to find it! My sister and I will be in Buenos Aires next week and are thinking of going to Bariloche the following week. We’re wondering if it’s a good time to go there in mid-May? I know we’d be between summer and ski-season so I’m wondering if it might be rather empty in the town or maybe a good time to go since it won’t be as crowded. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you!

    Julie

  6. By Patagonia on May 3, 2010

    Hola Julie,

    I’ll send you an email.

    Adios, Jamie

  7. By Ian on Jun 2, 2010

    hi, thanks for your posts. They were very interesting. We’re trying to plan a 3 week trip to Argentina from mid August. we know it will be winter…can anyone suggest best places to visit? Is mid august really bad with regards weather? Can one still travel to the south, particularly to the glaciers?

  8. By Sarah on Jun 2, 2010

    Hi, i have the same dilemma. August is the only time i can travel and i really would appreciate anyone who could suggest the best places to go to. I’d like to do outdoor activities such as rafting, kayaking, horse riding and also head south for some time. Any suggestions?

  9. By Patagonia on Jun 2, 2010

    Ian and Sarah,

    In August around Bariloche, you can still hike some of the lower elevation trails, but no horseback riding or kayaking. As well, you could visit the East coast of Patagonia and Puerto Madryn to see the marine life.

    Suerte, Jamie

  10. By Connie on Jul 1, 2010

    My husband and I are interested in staying in Bariloche for 2 months (January and February 2010) We would love to do some volunteer work in the Arts if possible. Last year we organized a 1 hour puppet circus show with local children and other volunteers in Ecuador. We could do a similiar thing in Bariloche. How much would it cost to rent a 2 bdrm house/apartment for 2 months? Thank you.

  11. By Patagonia on Jul 1, 2010

    Hi Connie,

    I will send you an email directly.

    Cheers, Jamie

  12. By jessica on Oct 31, 2010

    hi!
    I love your itinerary for Bariloche! The question is, do you offer such a tour? I found Patagonia-Argentina’s 5 day Bariloche tour (3 full day of excursions) but I’m not so sure if I get to hike as much, not to mention bike! I’ll be in Bariloch3 1/11-1/15 by myself (my friend couldn’t get a flight out from El Calafate to Bariloche with the Aerolineas Argentina’s pass, so she opted to go back to BA) Please let me know if you have any recommendations for a single traveler! Your day1-3 sounds so great, but I believe I would need a car? The problem is I only drive automatic and haven’t been able to locate one! Hence I’m looking at organized tours.
    Thank you!

  13. By Patagonia on Nov 1, 2010

    Hi Jessica,

    Thanks for the note. We do not offer any tours, but we do offer our vacation rental guests assistance in trip planning.

    There are automatic car rentals available, though they are difficult to find.

    Suerte, Jamie

  14. By Janet on Nov 27, 2010

    We are going to Argentina in end of April next year. We wish to go to Bariloche to see the autumn lake district (e.g. seven lakes). However, it seems from the information available that it will be rainy and cold during that time. Can you please advise me whether we should still go during that time? If we hire our own car, will the road be too tough (after rain, and maybe snow) to drive?

  15. By Patagonia on Nov 27, 2010

    Hi Janet,

    The Lakes District is beautiful in April and May. The weather could be very nice, or rainy, or both in the same day. I would highly suggest visiting then as the colors are amazing.

    As far as driving, it is well before the snow falls and you will be fine.

    Suerte, Jamie

  16. By Nina on Apr 21, 2011

    Hi Jamie,

    I will be in Bariloche at the beginning of May and I was wondering if all these hikes were possible without a tour and doing it on your own? Also, any advice would be fabulous as, like, Julie (post from May 2010), I am worried that many of refuges will be closed as it is low season. Any advice and tips would be much appreciated. Thank you!

  17. By Patagonia on Apr 21, 2011

    Hi Nina,

    It’s easy to do the hikes without a guide. I suggest checking with Club Andino in Bariloche when you arrive to see if the refugios are still open.

    Suerte, Jamie

  18. By Lauren on Jun 1, 2011

    Hi Jamie,

    Thanks so much for these recommendations! My boyfriend and I will have 2.5 days in Bariloche next week. We’re particularly interested in hiking, but would also be open to boat tours or anything else. Unfortunately we won’t be able to rent a car because our wallets were stolen recently, and our drivers licenses along with them. Which of the above would you recommend considering the time of year (early June) and lack of car?

    Thanks so much!
    Lauren

  19. By Patagonia on Jun 1, 2011

    Hi Lauren,

    I suggest planning your activities around the weather. Even if it’s raining, I would definitely go hiking in the Llao Llao parque. If the weather is nice, take a boat ride and go to the top of Cerro Campanario.

    Buen viaje, Jamie

  20. By Lindsay Ullman on Sep 30, 2011

    Hi Jamie-

    My husband and I are currently working abroad in Bs. As. and want to plan a trip to Patagonia to include Calafate and El Chalten, as well as places that are more off the beaten path. We are interested in rafting, riding, fishing, glacier hikes etc etc. I would love if you could give me some feedback as to how long you think we would need to do the above itinerary as well as a little farther south?

    Thanks so much in advance!

    Lindsay

  21. By jodi on Jul 11, 2013

    Hi Jamie,

    Do you have an update version of My Bariloche Vacation Dream Week? Me & 2 friends are going to be in the area this Dec/Jan? Do you recommend beginning in this area or El Calafate over Christmas or New Years? We do not celebrate Christmas so we are fine just hiking or biking that day.

    Thank you,
    Jodi

  22. By Stefanie on Oct 22, 2013

    Thank you for your helpful information!
    My husband and I are interested in moderate hiking and biking in the area from December 25 through January 3. We are interested in the warmer parts of Patagonia (which do you suggest?), and are flying into Buenos Aires. Do you have a suggested tour operator or a suggested itinerary for all or part of our time there? Thank you very much!
    Stefanie

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