Patagonia Bariloche & Lake District
The Argentine Lake District is a stunning area of vast, deep blue lakes; thousand-year-old forests and year-round snow-capped peaks. A must-see destination at any time of the year, Bariloche and its neighbouring lakeside towns combine highly developed tourism infrastructure with majestic natural beauty.
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One of the best known sites is the imposing and immense Lake Nahuel Huapi and its arrayán (luma apiculata) covered island, Isla Victoria.
The Patagonian lakes are some of the world’s best places for fly fishing. During the summer, they are also a great place for water sports. Trekking is popular in the area with circuits suitable for all ages and abilities. For activity fans, there are numerous adventure tourism possibilities. In the winter, the snow turns this stretch of the Andes into wonderful ski resorts.
Bariloche
Bariloche is the gateway to the Argentine Lake District. It is located in the province of Río Negro, on the banks of Lake Nahuel Huapi and is surrounded by mountains and hills. It has a wide variety of hotels, golf courses and Cerro Catedral, South America’s biggest ski resort.
San Martín de los Andes
This picturesque lakeside town in the Lanín National Park (Neuquén province), built of local stone and wood is a good base for exploring the nearby lakes, volcano and countryside. During the winter there is skiing at Cerro Chapelco. In the summer, San Martín de los Andes offers good trekking, rafting and fly fishing.
Villa la Angostura
This welcoming mountain village is one of the jewels of the Lake District. It sits at the southern end of the spectacular Seven Lake Route that connects it with San Martín de los Andes. Its unique architecture and breathtaking views make Villa la Angostura an exclusive holiday spot. Skiers are drawn to the boutique ski resort, Cerro Bayo, during the winter months. Summer, on the other hand, is the season for gentle walks and long, relaxed afternoons on the lake shore.
Esquel
Located in Chubut province, Esquel, with its thousand-year-old forests, dense woods, glaciers, lakes and mountains is a good base for activity-based holidays: from skiing at La Hoya in winter; to trekking, rafting, fishing or horse-riding in the warmer months. Esquel is the gateway to the stunning, yet virtually untouched, Los Alerces National Park.
El Bolsón
Argentina’s most laid-back town and ex-hippy commune is located on the border of the provinces of Río Negro and Chubut. El Bolsón is the launch point for the region that consists of Lake Puelo, the River Manso (famous for its white water rafting) and the towns of El Maitén, Cholila, El Hoyo and Epuyén. This area is known for its local delicacies and original handcrafts.
Copahue-Caviahue
In the north of Neuquén province, these towns are famous for their thermal springs in the summer and their ski slopes in the winter. Copahue, at the base of the volcano of the same name, has a thermal village that can be visited between December and April. The thermal waters at Caviahue are accessible all year round. A trip to the thermal baths after a day on the ski slopes is a priceless experience.
Tips_
- Take the catamaran across Lake Nahuel Huapi to visit Isla Victoria and the monkey puzzle forest.
- Hire a car and explore the Seven Lake Route between San Martín de los Andes and Villa La Angostura. This is one of Argentina’s best road trips.
- Play golf on emerald green courses surrounded by Lakes Moreno and Nahuel Huapi and the snow-capped Andes.
- Villa la Angostura is the ideal base for fly fishing on the Limay and Correntoso rivers.
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