The Southern Lakes Circuit

The region gathers several National Parks of incredible beauty. Vast extensions of virgin forests surrounding countless lakes, with the remarkable backdrop of the Southern Andean-Patagonian Range, where nature offers each season a different scenery. This wonderful voyage along the Seven Lake route passes near by Villa Traful, a picturesque village situated by the Espejo lake, and Villa La Angostura, a lovely village set in a wonderful spot between the Correntoso and Nahuel Huapi lakes. Then, we will cross the border to Chile for a glimpse at the astonishing Valdivian forest. Afterwards we will cross back to Argentina while sailing the lakes on the ferryboat and bus.

Day 1: Arrive in Bariloche - Nahuel Huapi - Villa La Angostura - Península Huemul
Reception at the airport. Departure from Bariloche, along the Nahuel Huapi lake shore to Villa LaAngostura, passing by Puerto Manzano, set in a lovely spot surrounded by beaches, and Península Huemul with its impressive coihue and cypress woods. Visit to Villa La Angostura. Accommodation at a charming inn by the lake.

Day 2: Villa La Angostura - Arrayanes Wood
Breakfast. Day at leisure to enjoy some ofthe following optional excursions:
a) Navigation from the pier to the Arrayanes Wood (Myrtle Wood). Thirty minutes sailing until Quetrihue pier, in thesouthern part peninsula. Disembarkto admire the marvelous myrtle woods,with trees averaging 18 meters 59 feet)high, and are protected by the National Park bureau. We also have the option ofreturning to Villa La Angostura walking some 12 km (7.5 miles) among cypress,coihues, radales and palo santo woods.
b) Bayo Mount excursion: the chair-lift, will take you to the top of the mount. Upon arrival, will make us of mountain bikes,ready and equipped to ride down themountain, along the road we will havetime to stop and take beautiful pictures ofthe place. For those prefer to stay atthe hill-foot, a visit to Río Bonito cascade(36 m high / 118 feet) in middle ofthe woods, is an other interesting option. Return to the hotel.

Day 3: Lago Espejo - Villa Traful
Breakfast. Departure on a half day tour to Villa Traful. Along the Seven Lakes Road, bordering the Espejo Lake and going by Portezuelo, we will stop at the lake and Villa Traful, where there are many typical and picturesque mountain, roof-tiledwooden houses, with large gardens separated by natural fences. There you will taste a typical tea and cakes in a local tea house. Return to hotel.

Day 4: Villa La Angostura - Osorno
Breakfast. Departure by regular bus towards the Chilean border to Puyehue Pass, to cross the frontier by land, climbing the imposing Andes Range up to 1,308 meters (4,291 feet). On the Chilean side you will find the Puyehue Hot Springsand the hotel named after it. Further on, we will arrive to the city of Osorno.

Day 5: Osorno - Llanquihue
Breakfast. Departure on a tour to Frutillar, charming German style village located by the Llanquihue Lake and with a spectacular view of the Osorno volcano. There we will find a well assorted museum, which exhibits samples and relics of the German pioneers. Return to the hotel.

Day 6: Osorno - Lake Crossing - Bariloche
Breakfast. In the morning departure to Ensenada. Stop to take photos of the Osorno Volcano. The first real stop, however, will be at Petrohue Falls (entrance fee not included ). These rapids and waterfalls were formed by the cooledlava from the volcano. Later, we will board the catamaran and get ready to cross Todos Los Santos lake (All Saints lake), surrounded by high mountains whose lower slopes are thickly forested. As you get away from the source of PetrohueRiver, the impressive size and proximity of the ice-capped Osorno Volcano behind will capture your attention and certainly amaze you. Southward, we will have the pleasure of seeing the peculiar shape of Puntiagudo volcano and some waterfalls.Arrival at Peulla, where you will have time for lunch (optional). This is the heart of Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, where you have the chance of enjoying Cascada de la Novia (Bride’s Cascade), a native Rainforest with quite an amazing amount of vegetation for these southern latitudes. In the afternoon we will continue by minivan through Pérez Rosales pass, into Argentina. On the Argentine side, we will board a ferryboat across Frías Lake, followed by a short bus ride up to Puerto Blest from where the final sailing across Nahuel Huapi Lake will finally take you to Bariloche. Upon arrival at Puerto Pañuelo, transfer to the hotel. Reception and accommodation.

Day 7: Bariloche
Breakfast. Half day Small Circuit excursion. During excursion, you will visit the Campanario Hill; Virgen de las Nieves; Trebol Lake; Playa Bonita (Beautiful Beach); the Panoramic Point(945 meters high) to admire a fantastic scenery; Lopez Bay, Llao-Llao and Victoria Island. Rest of the day at leisure.

Day 8: Fly out from Bariloche
Breakfast. Transfer to the Bariloche airport.