Circuito Chico (short circuit)
In spite of being one of the shortest excursions of the region, it contains corners which deserve to be known. We set off from Bariloche along Bustillo Avenue, skirting the amazing landscape brought about by Nahuel Huapi Lake.

At km 8 you find Playa Bonita, where you can see Huemul Island. Ten kilometres ahead we reach the foot of Cerro Campanario. There is a chairlift which takes the traveller to the peak (1050.m) where you can enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the region: you can see Nahuel Huapi and Perito Moreno lakes, El Trébol lagoon, San Pedro and Llao Llao peninsulas, Victoria Island, Otto, López, Goye and Catedral hills, and finally, San Carlos de Bariloche city.

Following Bustillo Av., passing by the surroundings of San Pedro peninsula, you reach Llao Llao. There you find San Eduardo Chapel, architectural jewel of the region, and on Nahuel Huapi Lake, the important Pañuelo port. Then we will see the golf courses, Angostura Bridge (over Angostura River which connects Moreno and Nahuel Huapi lakes, and Bahia López (bay) at the foot of the hill of the same name. Then you get to the bridge which crosses Moreno Lake in its narrowness and you start to edge El Trébol lagoon. Further ahead, at km 18, you find Bustillo Av. Junction where we go back to the city, closing this short circuit. You have here the option to insert a private excursion by boat. In that way you will be able to see other kind of views and enjoy a delicious tea in the mystic Winter Garden at Llao Llao Hotel

Villa la Angostura
Along national route 237 eastwards you get to Limay River, where you can see a typical Patagonian steppe landscape. At this point, we take the fork, which along National Route 231 leads to Villa La Angostura. The itinerary involves edging Brazo Huemul, branch of Nahuel Huapi Lake, and pass by Bahia Manzano, spot in which the traveller will be surrounded by cypress trees, which will gradually give way to the humid forest.

Villa La Angostura got its name for the isthmus or narrowing (”angostura”) of Quetrihué peninsula near the hillsides of Bayo, Inacayal and Belvedere.

With a long story and founded officially in 1932, in a mountain and lake area, incorporated to its gentle urban layout and strategic location an important tourist infrastructure. “La Villa”, as it is popularly called, is located on the north Coast of Nahuel Huapi Lake and has different attractions: the historical residence El Messidor, the Selva Triste lagoon and La Asunción chapel. Going back, you may have the option to ascend to Cerro Bayo, the traditional Villa La Angostura ski centre.

Alter a distinguished lunch at the exclusive Relais & Chateaux Las Balsas in charge of the chef Pablo Campoy we return to Bariloche.

Among its wide variety of dishes we can mention as outstanding: Saffron risotto with calamaretti, and Pollack, watercress and crustacean broth; twice cooked lamb, dates sauce, chick-pea puree with garlic, spinach, cous cous with nuts, deer entrecote with cassis sauce, apple tian and blood sausages, red cabbage puree and onion fondue

Circuito Grande (Long Circuit)
We set off from Bariloche to take National Route 237, cross Ñireco stream, Ñirihuau River and in the west of Nahuel Huapi Lake, the Limay River, natural border of Rio Negro and Neuquén provinces. Then we cross Pampa Newbery and reach Rincón Chico. Then we skirt Limay River to find the so called Anfiteatro(amphitheatre), roman circus shaped. The trip continues to Valle Encantado(enchanted valley), where you can see strange rock figures known as Dedo de Dios (God’s finger), Centinela (Guard), Tren Expreso (Express Train) Los Siameses (The Siamese) and others.

A few kilometres ahead we get to Confluence, where Limay and Traful rivers meet. Before crossing the bridge over Traful River we turn left to take National Route 65: this is a gravel road which goes into hills and valleys and you can see Cuyin Manzano and Minero Rivers. Through beautiful coihue forests we’ll skirt Traful Lake and, 4 km before getting to the villa of the same name, there’s a sharp bend where, protected by a natural veranda, you will find Traful lookout, over a 70 meters high cliff above the lake. Passing by the villa, we get to Arrayán Port and, after that, El Portezuelo Pass to meet National Route 234 or the Seven Lakes Route; right on the left, crossing Quintupuray and skirting Correntoso River, we arrive to Ruca Malén.

Going along the road southwards and going through dense forests, you go along the edge of the magnificent Espejo Lake (Mirror) and, skirting Correntoso Lake, at 6 km distance we arrive at Villa La Angostura fork and take National Route 231. We pass by Puerto Manzano and further on, we skirt Brazo Huemul (peninsula of the same name) meeting then National Route 237 to return to Bariloche. In this opportunity, Aoniken-Patagonia suggests a Gourmet picnic for lunch. Let yourself be surprised with the variety and the chosen place.

San Martín de los Andes through the Seven Lakes
The itinerary of this attractive circuit includes the whole range of landscapes you can enjoy in this privileged region. The journey to San Martín, through a forest road, crosses rivers, streams and goes round the edge of several lakes: Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Machónico and Lácar. Those shores, beaches and several panoramic spots allow you to enjoy wonderful landscapes. Skirting Lácar Lake, we get to San Martín de los Andes to have lunch and get to know the city. Lunch is free, although Aoniken Patagonia suggests L`Unique Restaurante at the exclusive Hotel Le Chatelét, where you will taste a varied gourmet patagonic menu.

On the way back taking Junín de los Andes, the trip offers a different view: Skirting Collón Cura River, the forest vanishes to give way to strange and beautiful rocky formations. Upon reaching Confluencia, to this magic landscape you add the winding blue of Limay River shaping “ Valle Encantado” (enchanted valley) and “el Anfiteatro” (amphitheatre).

Going along the shores of the river up to its source Nahuel Huapi Lake, we return to Bariloche

Cerro Tronador and Los Alerces waterfalls
This tour leaves from Clemente Onelli street southwards, heading to National Route 258, where we take a secondary road following Challhuaco stream and leading to Neumeyer shelter which belongs to Andino Club. There you find and cross country ski trails and trails to Laguna Verde and Cerro Challhuaco. Before reaching Gutiérrez Lake, there’s a gravel road on the right which goes along the lake and leads to Arelauquen Golf and Country Club, one of the major real-state enterprise in the region. This same road meets the road to Cerro Catedral whose granite needles make a magnificent background to Gutiérrez Lake.

The National Route 258 crosses the continental divide since Gutiérrez Lake drains to the Atlantic and Mascardi Lake, to the Pacific. Further on, you find a fork: on the right fork, Provincial Route 81 and the road to Tronador (gravel road) with uphill and downhill schedule. The provincial Route skirts the southern shore of Mascardi up to Los Rápidos and forks: on one side, follows the course of Manso River up to the beautiful Los Alerces cascade and Hess, Fonck and Roca Lakes; on the other side, the road goes edging the forest shore of Mascardi Lake. The road goes up by the bed of Manso River up to Pampa Linda with a Forest Ranger station, a hostel, a camping site and a number of varied snacks bars, after passing near Ventisquero Negro (black glacier) which ends almost at the feet of La Garganta del Diablo (the Devil’s throat) of Tronador Mount (3478mts.) This is the giant of this region and its glaciers are noticeable from Pampa Linda: The thundering ice detachment of these glaciers gave the name to the three peaked mountain. The three peaks of CerroTronador are Argentino (3410 m), Internacional (3478 m) and Chileno (3430 m)

The return is by the same itinerary.
In this opportunity, Aoniken-Patagonia suggests a Gourmet picnic for lunch. Let yourself be surprised with the variety of the menu and the chosen place.

El Bolsón and Chacras
Its first setters were Chilean, until 1902 when the valley was adjudged to Argentina. In 1933 the city, whose name is actually due to its geographical location (it is only 300m above sea level), was founded. Surrounded by Quemquemtreu River on one side, and by Piltriquitrón hill, on the other (2.200m) this mountainous region was born and it is the most southern town in Río Negro province, right on the border of the Chubut province.

Leaving from San Carlos de Bariloche along route 258, after 130 km we arrive at El Bolsón. We skirt Gutiérrez, Mascardi and Guillelmo Lakes, cover Ñirihuau and Áspero hillsides-crowded with old trees- to reach Pampa del Toro and Cañadón de la Mosca, where you can see Foyel River and, a few kilometres further you can watch the whole valley: It has a special microclimate that favours the production of fine fruits and hops which, together with local traditional crafts like preserve and jams manufacture, leather, wood and wool works, increases the tourist attraction. It has superb gastronomy and hotel services. At Piltriquitrón (Perito Moreno) there is a ski resort with ski slopes for competition and cross country ski. In summer it is ideal for fishing trout which are abundant in its streams, rivers and lakes.

After visiting the local artisans fair, located at the central square of the city, and enjoying a mouth-watering lunch at the brewery and beer factory El Bolsón, we’ll have the chance to taste delicious traditional beer directly poured from the casks and try smoked cold cuts and cheese trays, homemade pizzas and Central European dishes. After that, we’ll return to Bariloche

City tour and shopping tour
The aim of this tour is to get to know Bariloche city, its central square and its port and also get to know the shops which sell typical products of our region.

We’ll visit chocolate factories, our Patagonia museum, the artisans’ fair, shops that sell leather and wool products as well as local craftsmanship and those shops devoted to oils, creams, in particular those made with hip and lavender.
This tour takes approximately 3 hours.

Victoria Island and Arrayanes Forest
This tour starts from Puerto Pañuelo aboard Cau-Cau catamaran or Victoria Modesta ship and sail about 11 km (around 30 minutes sailing) to arrive to Anchorena Port of Victoria Island. You may make a tour or a walk around the island and visit a former coniferous nursery. Then we’ll embark again, this time heading to Quetrihué Port (approximately 40 minute sailing) at the peninsula of the same name where you can visit the world famous Arrayanes Forest: unique in the world with centennial specimens.

These trees have a cinnamon-like bark with white spots, orange blossom like flowers and purplish fruits with good taste. The Arrayanes Forest has been declared intangible area and a Natural Monument. To finish this tour we embark again to return to Puerto Pañuelo.

Puerto Blest, Los Cántaros waterfalls and Frías Lake
Setting sail from Puerto Pañuelo, and after sailing an hour, we get to the most important Nahuel Huapi inlet: Blest.

We can see Centinela islet, where Perito Moreno’s grave is located. The view along the itinerary resembles the classical Norwegian fjords or the distant Fuegian Channels (Tierra del Fuego) Passing by Cascada Blanca (white waterfall) we find the dense and humid valdivian rainforest.

From there, we can continue by bus to make the tour to Frias Lake: We arrive to Puerto Alegre at the north end of the lake where we take another boat to get to Frías port and finally return.

Going back to Puerto Blest, we set sail to cross to Los Cántaros waterfalls. Or else we may do this having a beautiful walk that takes about an hour. We skirt the head of Blest inlet, going up the wooden path along the river where you can see amazing waterfalls and cascades until you get to Los Cántaros Lake. After that, you go down towards the dock to set sail to Puerto Pañuelo.

International Lake Crossing into Chile
The Lake Crossing is a tourist circuit that starts in San Carlos de Bariloche and finishes in Puerto Montt or vice versa and has the option to make it in 1 (one) or 2 (two) days, according to the traveller’s preferences. This is a bus and boat combination tour and takes about 14 hours; therefore it must be booked beforehand and paid in US dollars since we are talking about a binational company (Argentine-Chilean)

For further information visit www.cruceandino.com

Private Yachts
We count on the possibility of making all lake tours in a private way (except the International Crossing into Chile) and yachts for 15 people aboard with trilingual suitable captains. These services have gastronomy options aboard, such as roasting a typical patagonic “asado” (barbecue) in paradise-like islands.