Bariloche: 7 Lakes & San Martin de Los Andes Road Trip

The best part of this day is the road itself. From Bariloche, you follow mountain roads past forests, open Patagonian country, and seven lakes, each with its own color, shoreline, and setting. Villa La Angostura adds a handsome mountain-town stop, while San Martin de los Andes gives you a pleasant place to eat and stretch your legs.

I like the strong guiding and the number of scenic viewpoints. Guides such as Isis, Freddy, Matias, and Deborah have been especially good at explaining local plants, animals, geography, and village life in English and Spanish. I also like that the bus is comfortable and hotel pickup is included within central Bariloche and as far as kilometer 8.

The trade-off is simple: this is a long day on the bus. The advertised duration is 10 hours, but some departures have taken 11 to 11.5 hours. Most photo stops last only a few minutes, and the return follows much of the same road.

Key points at a glance

• About 400 kilometers of mountain scenery: You spend much of the day on the road, with views changing from open steppe to forest and lakes.
• Seven named lakes: Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso, and Machonico all appear along the route.
• Villa La Angostura stop: Expect Alpine-style wooden buildings, time for a bathroom break, and possibly coffee or ice cream.
• San Martin de los Andes: You get free time for lunch, shopping, a walk, and views beside Lake Lacar.
• Strong multilingual guiding: The tour runs in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, with guides praised for clear and friendly explanations.
• Bring water and snacks: Bathroom stops are available, but the coach does not have a working toilet, and there are no seat chargers.

Why the Seven Lakes Route is worth a full day

The Seven Lakes Route is one of the best ways to see the wider Bariloche area in a single outing. You are not visiting seven separate attractions with long walks between them. Instead, the road links a series of viewpoints, lakes, forests, and mountain settlements into one broad day of scenery.

That distinction matters. If you want hiking, kayaking, or time beside the water, this is not the right format. If you want to sit back and see a large slice of northern Patagonia without arranging your own transport, it works very well.

The scenery changes as you go. Near Bariloche, you may pass through more open country before the route reaches thicker forest and mountain valleys. The lakes appear at different angles and with different surroundings. Some are framed by woods, some by slopes, and some by broad open views. The pleasure comes from the steady change rather than from one single stop.

The trip is also useful if your Bariloche schedule is tight. You can reach Villa La Angostura, travel the main Seven Lakes road, and visit San Martin de los Andes without renting a car or planning bus connections yourself.

Starting from Bariloche and reaching Villa La Angostura

Pickup is available at centrally located Bariloche hotels and as far as kilometer 8. If your lodging is a private residence or another type of accommodation, you may need to reach the meeting point at Margarita Stuke Tourism, Rolando 287.

The morning begins with a long drive. The first major break may come roughly 1.5 to 2.5 hours after departure, depending on the day’s timing and route. Villa La Angostura is a useful early pause because it breaks up the first stretch of road and introduces the style of the region.

Villa La Angostura is known for its carefully designed Alpine-style wood architecture. It feels more like a polished mountain village than a large city, and the stop gives you a chance to use the bathroom, buy coffee, or have an ice cream. Do not expect a long town tour. The time here is limited, so think of it as a brief introduction and a practical rest stop.

I like this part of the route because it prevents the day from becoming one unbroken bus ride. Still, you should not book the tour expecting to wander deeply through Villa La Angostura. The main purpose is to see the setting, take a few photos, and continue toward the lakes.

Following the road past all seven lakes

After Villa La Angostura, the famous Seven Lakes Route begins in earnest. The road passes Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso, and Machonico. The tour makes stops at scenic points, but the stops are generally short, often around five minutes.

That timing is enough for a photo, a quick look, and a breath of fresh air. It is not enough for a proper walk around a lake or a quiet picnic. You will spend more time looking through the coach windows than standing beside the water.

Correntoso and Espejo are among the early names on the route. The exact visual impression depends on weather, light, and the position of the coach, but the appeal is the contrast between clear water, forest, and mountains. As the road continues, the surroundings become increasingly wooded and remote.

Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso, and Machonico each add another variation. Some views feel enclosed by old forest, while others open out across a wider body of water. The guide helps make the drive more meaningful by explaining what you are seeing instead of treating the lakes as a simple checklist.

Several guides have been praised for giving information about Patagonia, local flora and fauna, national parks, villages, and unusual stories from the region. Isis has handled bilingual explanations particularly well, while Freddy, Matias, Deborah, Diego, and others have been noted for warmth and strong local detail. The exact guide changes, but the tour is designed to operate in Portuguese, English, and Spanish.

Because the commentary is part of the value, tell the guide early which language you need. Even when only one or two people speak English, the guide can provide explanations in both languages. The timing may be a little slower when commentary is bilingual, but that is preferable to missing the context entirely.

San Martin de los Andes and Lake Lacar

San Martin de los Andes is the main destination and the longest stop. The town sits beside Lake Lacar and gives you roughly two hours, sometimes a little more or less depending on the day’s schedule.

This is your chance to get off the coach for a proper break. You can choose a restaurant for lunch, browse shops, walk around the town, and take in the lake setting. Food and drinks are not included, so you should budget separately.

Two hours sounds generous after a long drive, but it disappears quickly. If lunch matters to you, choose a place soon after arrival rather than spending the first half hour browsing. If you want photos and a short walk, you may prefer a quick meal or snack so you are not watching the clock.

San Martin is a good counterpoint to the viewpoints. The lakeside stops are about scenery, while this town lets you slow down and make your own choices. You are not locked into a group meal or a fixed restaurant. That flexibility is useful, although the limited time means you will only get a brief taste of the town.

The route back to Bariloche uses the same general road, so the return is less fresh than the outward journey. The guide may have fewer new stories to tell, but the changing afternoon light can make familiar views look different. There may also be another lake stop and time at Villa La Angostura on the way back, depending on the day’s plan.

How much time you really spend on the coach

The advertised duration is 10 hours, including pickup and return. In practice, you should plan for a very full day and allow up to 11 or 11.5 hours. One reported schedule ran from an 8:00 a.m. pickup to about 7:30 p.m., with roughly 400 kilometers covered.

The coach has generally been described as comfortable, and the driving has received strong praise. Drivers such as Juanpi, Joseph, Cristian, Marcus, Bruno, and Osvaldo have been singled out for safe, careful service. That matters on a long mountain road where you want to enjoy the view without worrying about the ride.

There is no working toilet on the coach. Bathroom opportunities come during stops, but they are not constant. Use each one, especially before leaving Villa La Angostura or another major stop.

Bring water and snacks. Food is not provided, and the gaps between stops can feel long. There are also no chargers in the seats, and mobile internet may be unavailable for much of the route. Charge your phone before leaving and avoid relying on a live connection for maps or messages.

Large bags and luggage are not allowed. A small day bag with water, snacks, sunglasses, a phone, and a light layer is the sensible choice. Comfortable shoes are listed as essential, though the tour involves more short walks and viewpoint stops than serious walking.

What the $100 price includes

At $100 per person, the price pays for a full day of transport, a guide, hotel pickup and drop-off within the stated Bariloche area, and insurance. It does not include the national park entrance fee, lunch, drinks, or personal purchases.

The value depends on how you would otherwise handle the route. If you would need to rent a car, pay for fuel, manage a long mountain drive, and plan your own stops, the organized tour is convenient. You also get commentary in three languages and a driver who knows the route.

The value is weaker if you have already traveled the road by regular bus. One person found that the scheduled bus from San Martin de los Andes used the same route, creating two similar scenic days. If you are already using that bus for transportation, compare the cost and decide if the added photo stops and guiding justify the extra booking.

You may also find a lower cash price by arranging a local tour in Bariloche. The listed price buys the convenience of advance booking, included pickup, cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and the ability to reserve without paying immediately. It is not the cheapest possible way to see the road, but it is a straightforward option for a visitor who wants the day organized.

The guide can make or break a long drive

This tour relies heavily on the guide. With a good guide, the long stretches become lessons in the region rather than dead time. With less engaging commentary, you are left watching the same road for hours.

The strongest guiding feedback centers on clear bilingual delivery, local stories, and practical help. Isis has been praised for explaining the lakes, Patagonia, plants, animals, and national parks while making sure English speakers are not left behind. Freddy has been noted for combining humor with detailed information. Matias, Deborah, Diego, Federico, Paz, and others have also received praise for friendly and attentive service.

The exact person on your departure cannot be guaranteed. Still, the pattern is encouraging: guiding is treated as a central part of the outing, not an afterthought. The guide also gives directions at stops, helps with timing, and may suggest other things to do in Bariloche.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this trip if you have one free day and want a broad view of the region. It suits first-time visitors, people without a rental car, and anyone who prefers a guided day over handling a long route alone.

It is especially good for:

• People who enjoy scenery more than physical activity
• Visitors who want to combine lakes, forests, two towns, and mountain roads
• English, Spanish, or Portuguese speakers who want live commentary
• Couples and families who prefer a planned day with transport included
• Anyone with limited time in Bariloche

I would hesitate if you dislike long coach rides or need lots of time outside the vehicle. The photo stops are short, the return repeats the route, and San Martin gives you only a limited window for lunch and exploring.

For a slower experience, consider arranging your own overnight stay in San Martin de los Andes or using public transport, though that changes the trip from a single organized day into a larger travel plan. This tour is about efficiency and scenery, not solitude.

Should you book the Bariloche Seven Lakes tour?

Book it if your priority is seeing the route in one day with safe transport, useful commentary, and several planned viewpoints. The combination of Villa La Angostura, seven lakes, and San Martin de los Andes gives you a strong overview of this part of Patagonia.

Skip it if you have already covered the same road by bus or if the thought of spending most of a day seated bothers you. For everyone else, bring water, snacks, a charged phone, comfortable shoes, and patience for the long return. The scenery is the reason to go, and the guides are what make the hours on the road worthwhile.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is 10 hours, but you should allow 11 to 11.5 hours in case the day runs longer. One schedule ran from about 8:00 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is included at centrally located hotels in San Carlos de Bariloche and as far as kilometer 8. The listed meeting point is Margarita Stuke Tourism at Rolando 287.

Is hotel drop-off included?

Yes. Drop-off is included for the same central Bariloche hotel area covered by pickup. The listed return point is Rolando 287, Margarita Stuke Tourism.

Which languages are available?

The live guide service is available in Portuguese, English, and Spanish.

Which lakes are visited?

The route passes Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso, and Machonico.

How much free time do I get in San Martin de los Andes?

The planned stop is about three hours in the itinerary, including guided time, lunch, and free time. Several schedules provide roughly two hours for lunch and exploring, so the exact amount can vary.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You have free time in San Martin de los Andes to choose and pay for your own meal.

Is the national park entrance fee included?

No. The entrance fee is paid separately in cash and in local currency.

Can I bring luggage or a large bag?

No. Luggage and large bags are not allowed. Bring only a small day bag with essentials such as water, snacks, and personal items.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also allows you to hold a place without paying immediately.