Located in the North-Western wedge of Patagonia, this lake district is surrounded by rich forests, jagged peaks and extinct volcanoes. Not to mention the postcard-worthy glacial lakes. Controlled by indigenous people until recently, Bariloche, the modern capital is now seeing an explosion of tourists.
Snow-coated volcano cones and the natural beauty of the lakes make this lake district a scenic destination for holidaymakers. Tourists flock to the place lured by the abundance of outdoor activities, trekking and the national parks. The alpine scent of the place is sure to remind one of the Swiss.
The region’s green pastures, clear lakes, hills and mountains attracted the Germans and Austrians who went on to settle here. The chalet-style architecture and chocolate shops are largely influenced by them. On the contrary, most of the natives have moved to larger cities for a livelihood. However, the existing locals are warm and welcoming towards tourists.
Well-paved roads with clear signposts make the lake district easy to navigate by renting a car. Your days here will be spent with activities like trekking, visiting the national park, learning about the history in museums and many more such activities. There are islands and wildlife to be explored
Indulge yourself with some locally made chocolate and brews. On the whole a great opportunity to explore the national treasures of Argentina.
• Take a leisurely stroll in the town centre ‘Centro Civico’. The place has a chocolate-box architecture which will remind you of the beautiful Alpine houses of Switzerland
• The national park ‘Nahuel Huapi’ is the most popular attraction. Co-ordinate with your place of stay to organize small tours of the place. Alternatively, you can just drive through admiring the scenic beauty
• The town of El Bolson is known for its ecological living and organic farming. A 2-hour drive away from Bariloche, this is famous for its cheese and beer production
• The volcano Lanin is situated on the outskirts of the city of Bariloche and is visible from all around the area thanks to its height of 3,776 meters. Though it has not erupted since the last 10,000 it is yet to be officially declared ‘Extinct’. Official guided tours are available if you wish to climb up the volcano
• Situated up the mountains is the town of Villa La Angostura. It is home to ‘arrayan’ a species of trees native to the Argentinian-Chile border. You can either bike or take a walk through the forest
• Visit the museum for some interesting facts about the natives and also to explore the history of the national park
• Give in to your temptations with a visit to some of the chocolate shops on the main shopping street of Bariloche
• The highest mountain in the lake region of Argentina is the Cerro Tronador. Located in the Nahuel Huapi National Park, visitors can see the glaciers which creak when chunks of ice drop off
• A short boat ride away from Lake Hahuel is the island of Isla Victoria. It is home to a variety of flora and fauna and is a great place for a tranquil walk
• If you happen to be there at the time of snow, try some skiing at Cerro Catedral which is a short bus ride away from the town centre
From Torres del Paine, the lake district can be accessed either by crossing the border into Argentina and flying from El Calafate. Or you can go south to the city of Punta Arenas and fly to Puerto Montt.
• Best time to visit would be in between September and November or during the autumn months of March and April
• There are nonstop flights to Bariloche from LAN and Aerolineas Argentinas. Flying time is 2 hours 20 minutes
• Tipping is fairly common in bars and restaurants. Tips will usually be 10% of the total bill. However, it is not mandatory to leave a tip if you are not satisfied with the service
• Since the distances are huge between places, the bus would be the ideal means of transport as it would also help you appreciate the beauty of the place. However, if you are short on time, domestic flights can save you a lot of time
• Make sure you are vaccinated against common ailments like Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Typhoid
• Argentinian and Australian plug sockets may look the same, however, the polarity is reversed
• Argentines are warm and friendly people known for their passion and sentimentality. If invited to a local home, be sure to arrive 30 minutes later than the mentioned time
• Avoid pouring wine in Argentina, as it is linked to various rituals and taboos which visitors may not be aware of
Most of the attractions are open from morning to evening. Best to confirm the timings of individual places before visiting
Waiting Time
No
Entrance Fee
Each attraction has a fixed fee of its own. You can either book in advance or buy tickets at the venue
Time you can spend
3 to 4 days
Weather
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