Bariloche San Martin de los Andes and Seven Lakes Road Tour

The road is the real attraction. This full-day outing links Bariloche with San Martín de los Andes by way of the Seven Lakes Route, a long chain of forests, mountain water, and roadside viewpoints. I like the chance to see several major lakes in one day, and I like that the small group is capped at 15 people. The main tradeoff is clear: you will spend many hours in a vehicle.

I also like the stop in Villa La Angostura, where Andean-style buildings give the day a little town life between the viewpoints. A bilingual guide adds useful context, and Matias has earned special praise for guiding the trip well. Still, the tour could feel slow for an active person who would rather hike than watch the scenery pass through a bus window.

Key points at a glance

• Seven named lakes in one long scenic run: Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso, and Machónico form the heart of the route.
• San Martín de los Andes gives the day a proper finish: You get time to look around this mountain town beside Lake Lácar and visit a viewpoint.
• A small group helps on a 10-hour day: The maximum is 15 people, which is more manageable than a large coach.
• English and Spanish guiding is included: The guide stays with the group throughout the excursion.
• The bus ride is part of the bargain: You get broad views and many stops, but the trip is not designed as a walking or hiking tour.
• Lunch is your responsibility: Plan for food during the day, since it is not included in the $135 price.

Why the Seven Lakes Route is worth a full day

Bariloche is surrounded by fine scenery, but the Seven Lakes Route gives you a wider sense of the region. Instead of spending the day around one viewpoint, you follow a road through Andean-Patagonian forest and stop beside a series of lakes with different shapes, colors, and settings.

The route is especially useful if you have limited time in the area. It reaches Villa La Angostura and San Martín de los Andes, two places that would otherwise require separate planning. You get a broad sample of northern Patagonia without arranging a rental car, studying road maps, or handling the driving yourself.

The price is $135 per person. That is not a cheap local outing, but it covers hotel transport in the central Bariloche area, a professional guide in English and Spanish, and nearly 10 hours on the road. I see the value mainly in the distance covered and the convenience. If you want long walks, personal control over stops, or extra time at each lake, the value becomes less convincing.

The day begins around 8:00 a.m., though the exact pickup time changes by season and is confirmed later. That matters because you should not build a tight morning plan around the published hour. The precise schedule is supplied about one week before departure.

From Bariloche to Villa La Angostura

The first major part of the journey leads away from Bariloche toward Villa La Angostura. This is not only a quick photo stop. It is a chance to see a small mountain town known for its typical Andean architecture, a style that fits the forests and peaks around it.

I like this change of pace. After leaving the city, you are not simply counting lakes from a vehicle. Villa La Angostura gives you a place with streets, buildings, and a local identity. It also helps break up the long day before the more concentrated lake stops begin.

Your time in the town is not described as an extended walking tour, so keep your expectations sensible. The focus remains the road and the lakes rather than a detailed visit to every corner of Villa La Angostura. If you want a slow café morning or a long look at local shops, this excursion will not provide it.

From here, the road enters the famous Seven Lakes section. Forest presses close to the route, and each stop offers a slightly different view. The tour names seven lakes, but the scheduled photo stops specifically highlight Nahuel Huapi, Correntoso, Espejo Chico, and Escondido. The other three, Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso, and Machónico are part of the route, with the amount of time at each point shaped by the day’s schedule.

Nahuel Huapi, the first major photo stop

Nahuel Huapi is treated as the most important lake on the excursion. At its viewpoint, you have about 15 minutes for pictures.

That is enough time to get out, take in the broad water view, and make a few photographs without turning the stop into a long walk. The stop works well early in the day because it announces the scale of the region. Nahuel Huapi is not a tiny roadside pond. It gives you the open, expansive view many people expect from a Patagonia outing.

The limitation is the clock. Fifteen minutes goes quickly, especially if the group needs to gather again or if you want to look in more than one direction. I recommend taking your first photos promptly, then using the remaining time simply to look. You will have more stops ahead, but you should not assume every viewpoint offers a long personal break.

Lake Correntoso and the shortest river

Lake Correntoso is described as the largest body of water on the Seven Lakes Route. It sits among Andean-Patagonian forest and connects with Nahuel Huapi through a very short river, a detail that gives the stop more character than a simple scenic pullout.

This is one of the better places to listen to the guide. The connection between the lakes gives the view a geographic story, not just a pretty surface. A good explanation can help you understand how the lakes relate to one another instead of treating each one as a separate picture.

Again, the scheduled time is about 15 minutes. That makes the stop ideal for photographs and a quick look, not for a long shoreline walk. The tour’s value comes from seeing many places in one day. Its cost is the limited time you receive at each one.

Espejo Chico, a smaller and quieter view

Espejo Chico is a small lake tucked between mountains. Its setting makes it one of the more attractive points on the route, especially for people who prefer a sheltered view rather than a huge open body of water.

The name suggests a mirror, and the stop’s appeal comes from the way water, forest, and surrounding slopes come together in a compact scene. You have about 15 minutes here, so the visit remains brief and focused.

This is also where the trip’s rhythm becomes obvious. Get off the vehicle, take photos, hear a little explanation, and return. If you enjoy collecting different views in a single day, the pattern feels satisfying. If you need time to wander, sketch, sit quietly, or explore trails, it may feel rushed.

Escondido and the Roman Bridge

Lake Escondido is smaller still, with an oval shape measuring about 850 meters long and 250 meters wide. Its position among dense forest explains its name, and the setting gives it a more enclosed feel than the larger lakes.

The stop also includes the Roman Bridge. The supplied information does not describe the bridge in detail, so I would treat it as an additional point of interest rather than expecting a major historic monument. The appeal here is the combination of a small forest lake and a bridge in one short stop.

You receive about 15 minutes. That is enough to see the lake and bridge together, but not enough for a leisurely exploration. Keep your camera ready before leaving the vehicle, since the group will need to stay on schedule.

The remaining lakes: Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso, and Machónico

The route also passes Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso, and Machónico. Each is presented as having its own setting among old, thick forest, which is why the complete road journey matters more than any one stop.

The available schedule gives exact 15-minute visits for several named viewpoints, but it does not promise the same length of stop at every one of the seven lakes. You may see some from the road or pause briefly depending on traffic, weather, and the day’s timing. That is worth knowing before you book: the title refers to the full route, not seven long, separate visits.

I would use these stretches to watch the scenery and listen to the guide. One direct account praised the English explanations but felt the time on the bus could have been used better and the excursion could have offered more information. That is a fair criticism. The scenery carries much of the day, so the guide’s commentary makes a real difference.

San Martín de los Andes beside Lake Lácar

San Martín de los Andes gives you the day’s second town experience. Located on the shore of Lake Lácar, it is described as a sweet mountain town, and you have time to tour the city and visit a viewpoint.

This stop helps the excursion feel like more than a series of roadside photographs. You can stretch your legs, see a different town, and have lunch before the return journey. Lunch is not included, so this is the natural point to arrange your own meal.

One account praised a nice meal and cheerful service in San Martín de los Andes. That does not mean a particular restaurant is guaranteed, but it does show why this stop matters. You have a chance to eat in town rather than rely on a packed meal or snacks from the vehicle.

Do not expect hours of independent exploration. The entire outing lasts about 10 hours, and the route back to Bariloche still takes time. The town visit is best viewed as a useful pause and a chance to get a feel for San Martín de los Andes, not as a full city tour.

The ride, group size, and guide quality

Transport is central to this experience. Pickup and drop-off are offered at central Bariloche hotels and at hotels up to kilometer 8 of Avenida Bustillo. If you stay farther along the avenue, you receive a meeting point instead of direct hotel service. Send the hotel name when booking, since the operator may be able to arrange a nearby pickup point along the route.

The group has a maximum of 15 people. That is a meaningful advantage on a 10-hour outing. A smaller group usually makes it easier to hear the guide, gather at stops, and ask a question without waiting behind a crowd.

Guiding is available in English and Spanish throughout the tour. The English guide has been praised for speaking clearly and explaining what the group was seeing. Matias and the driver also received especially warm praise after one outing. Those details matter because a long scenic drive can feel empty when the commentary is thin.

At the same time, a guide cannot remove the basic fact that this is a road tour. One direct assessment found the views excellent but the bus time long, especially for an active person. I agree that you should book it for the scenery and access, not for exercise.

What the $135 price really covers

At $135, the fee pays for access and convenience rather than paid admissions. The lake viewpoints do not carry an admission charge, and the listed stops are free. Your main included services are transportation from eligible Bariloche hotels and a bilingual professional guide.

You still need to budget for lunch. Drinks and other personal spending are not listed as included, so bring money for the day. Since the exact pickup schedule changes by season, leave room in your plans before and after the outing.

The tour is most worthwhile if you want to cover a lot of ground without driving. It is less attractive if you already have a car and prefer to stop whenever you wish. A private vehicle would give you more control, but it would also require you to manage the long route yourself.

The average advance booking period is 62 days. That suggests you should not leave this to the last minute if your Bariloche dates are fixed, especially during a busy season. The cancellation policy is strict: the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. Read those terms carefully before paying.

Who should book this day out?

I would recommend it to you if this is your first visit to the Bariloche area and you want a broad introduction to the northern Patagonia road. It suits photographers, scenery lovers, couples, families, and anyone who prefers a guide and arranged transport.

It also suits you if San Martín de los Andes is on your wish list but you do not want to organize a separate trip. The combination of Villa La Angostura, several lakes, and San Martín gives you a lot of geographic range in one day.

I would hesitate if you dislike long vehicle journeys or need frequent movement. The route includes short viewpoint stops, not hikes. Active visitors may feel that more time should be spent outside the vehicle.

The tour is generally open to most people, according to the supplied participation information. Still, you should consider your own comfort with a 10-hour day and repeated boarding and unloading. The schedule is fixed enough that you cannot simply extend the most beautiful stop.

Should you book the Seven Lakes tour?

Book it if your priority is seeing the route, reaching San Martín de los Andes, and leaving the driving to someone else. The scenery is the star, the small group is sensible, and the bilingual guiding can make the long ride more useful. Matias is a name worth requesting if available, though guide assignments are not guaranteed.

Skip it if you want a hiking day, a slow town visit, or complete control over your timing. At $135, the value is strongest for convenience and coverage. You are buying a full sweep of the Seven Lakes Route, not an intimate visit at every lake.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 10 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 8:00 a.m., but pickup times change by season. The exact schedule is provided about one week before the tour.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included for central Bariloche hotels and hotels located up to kilometer 8 of Avenida Bustillo. Hotels farther along Avenida Bustillo receive a meeting point.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. A professional guide provides service in English and Spanish throughout the tour.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 15 people.