San Martín de los Andes por 7 Lagos

The best part of this Seven Lakes Route tour is the steady change of scenery between Bariloche and San Martín de los Andes. You follow Route 40 past Nahuel Huapi, stop in Villa La Angostura, and then continue through a string of mountain lakes that make the long drive feel like a series of small discoveries.

I like the easy hotel pickup and the chance to see seven named lakes without arranging a rental car. I also like the stop in Villa La Angostura, where mountain-style buildings give you a pleasant break from the road. The main drawback is the length: this is a full day with a long return over the same route, and the tour is conducted in Spanish.

Key points

• Seven named lakes in one day: See Espejo, Correntoso, Villarino, Falkner, Escondido, Machónico, and Lácar lakes.
• A useful stop in Villa La Angostura: Walk through a town known for its distinctive mountain architecture.
• Pickup from Bariloche hotels: If your address is outside the route, you receive a nearby meeting point.
• A full-day road trip: The day begins around 8 AM and returns to Bariloche at about 6:30 PM.
• Free time in San Martín de los Andes: Explore the city and arrange your own lunch beside Lake Lácar.
• Spanish guide service: Guides explain the region in Spanish, with Stella specifically praised for her attentive explanations.

Why the Seven Lakes Route deserves a full day

The road between Bariloche and San Martín de los Andes is one of the Lake District’s classic outings. The appeal is not one single monument. It is the rhythm of the route: forest, water, mountain views, short stops, then another lake around the next bend.

This tour works well if you want to see the route without driving yourself. You can watch the scenery from the vehicle, get out for stops and walks, and let someone else handle the road. At $65 per person, the price is reasonable for a roughly 10-hour excursion that includes transportation, hotel pickup, drop-off, and a guide. Meals are not included, so you need to budget for lunch in San Martín.

The day is also a good match for visitors with limited time in the Lake District. You do not need to plan separate transport to Villa La Angostura or San Martín. The tradeoff is clear: you cover a lot of ground, but you do not have the freedom to linger at every lake.

Leaving Bariloche through Dina Huapi and the Limay River

Pickup begins at your Bariloche hotel around 8 AM. The exact collection time may depend on your accommodation and the route for the day. If your address is not covered, the operator assigns a meeting point as close to you as possible.

The first part of the journey takes you through Dina Huapi and across the bridge over the Limay River. This is the connection to legendary Route 40, the long north-south road that carries the tour toward Villa La Angostura and San Martín de los Andes.

This early section matters because it sets up the day as a road journey rather than a single-stop attraction. You are moving through the Lake District, with the scenery changing as the road follows water and mountain valleys. If you prefer active sightseeing with constant stops, the first stretch may feel slow. If you enjoy watching a region unfold from a vehicle, it gives you time to settle in.

Villa La Angostura: a useful first walking stop

The first main stop is Villa La Angostura, located along Lake Nahuel Huapi. The town is known for its mountain architecture, and the tour allows time to walk around rather than simply photograph it from the bus.

I would use this stop to get your bearings. It breaks up the drive early in the day and gives you a chance to see a town with a distinct visual character. The architecture is part of the attraction, so look beyond the lake views and notice the way the buildings fit the mountain setting.

The stop is described as short, so keep your walk focused. You are not getting a full town tour or a long independent visit. It is a taste of Villa La Angostura before the road becomes more rural and the lakes become the main event.

The tour also makes a final stop in Villa La Angostura on the return journey. That gives you another chance to stretch your legs, but you should not assume it will function as a second long visit. The timing remains controlled by the group schedule.

Seven lakes, seven different pauses

After Villa La Angostura, the route becomes the heart of the excursion. You travel through the famous Seven Lakes Route and stop along the way for views and walks. The listed lakes are Espejo, Correntoso, Villarino, Falkner, Escondido, Machónico, and Lácar.

You should think of these as a sequence of viewpoints and short nature stops, not seven separate hikes. The description promises walking on an incredible path surrounded by mountains and lakes, but it does not give a trail distance or difficulty rating. Bring comfortable shoes, since you will be getting out and walking, but do not book this expecting a long guided trek.

Here is what each named lake adds to the route:

• Espejo Lake: Its name means mirror, which points to the reflective quality that makes this type of stop especially rewarding on calm days.
• Correntoso Lake: This is one of the named lakes along the road and forms part of the continuous water-and-mountain sequence.
• Villarino Lake: Another roadside stop where the value comes from the broad natural setting and a chance to pause outside the vehicle.
• Falkner Lake: The route includes time for stops around the lakes, allowing you to take in the scenery rather than view everything through a window.
• Escondido Lake: Its name means hidden, and its inclusion adds another change of mood to the drive.
• Machónico Lake: This lake appears later on the route as you continue toward San Martín de los Andes.
• Lácar Lake: The final named lake is beside San Martín, where you have free time to explore and eat lunch.

The exact length of each stop is not provided, so keep your expectations practical. The day is designed to show you the route as a whole. You may have enough time for photographs, a short walk, and a few quiet minutes by the water, but not enough time for an extended trail outing at every location.

Nahuel Huapi National Park from the roadside

Much of the scenery is connected with Nahuel Huapi National Park, one of the area’s major protected natural spaces. The tour gives you access to this setting through a mix of driving and short walks.

The wildlife is part of the appeal, but sightings are never promised. Treat the park as a place for forests, lakes, mountain views, and open air first. Keep your eyes open, but do not choose this excursion solely because you expect to see animals.

A guide can add useful context here, especially if you understand Spanish. Stella is specifically praised for explaining the region attentively, and the activity includes a live Spanish-speaking guide. That language detail matters. If you do not speak Spanish, you can still enjoy the views and follow the schedule, but you may not get the full benefit of the commentary.

The experience has received an overall rating of 4.4 from 155 reviews. The clearest positive points are organization, guide service, and comfort on the bus. One recent booking described it as well organized, while another specifically praised Stella’s careful explanations. A separate review highlighted beautiful scenery, a friendly guide, and a comfortable bus. Those details suggest that the basic operation of the day is a strength, though the rating also leaves room for ordinary limitations such as a long schedule and limited time at each stop.

Reaching San Martín de los Andes and Lake Lácar

The route ends at San Martín de los Andes, where you receive free time to explore. The city sits beside Lake Lácar, giving you a more urban pause after hours of nature stops.

This is the point where you can slow the pace. You might walk around the city, take in the lakeside setting, and choose lunch in front of the water. Since meals are not included, you are responsible for selecting and paying for your food.

The free time is useful because it gives the day a clear center rather than making it one uninterrupted chain of photo stops. You can stretch your legs, eat, and see a little of San Martín before returning to the vehicle.

Still, keep the schedule in mind. The tour must begin the return to Bariloche, and there is no indication that you can extend your stay in San Martín or arrange a later return independently. If you want a relaxed visit focused mainly on the city, an overnight stay would suit you better than this day trip.

The return journey and the real cost of convenience

The return follows the same general route. After another stop in Villa La Angostura, the tour continues to Bariloche, with arrival expected around 6:30 PM.

The return is both practical and tiring. You get another look at the same route from a different angle, and changing light may make familiar views feel different. At the same time, you have already spent much of the day on the road. Anyone who dislikes long vehicle excursions should consider this carefully.

The $65 price includes roundtrip transport, pickup and drop-off, and a tour guide. That is good value if you are staying in Bariloche and would otherwise need to rent a car, pay for fuel, plan the route, and manage the return drive. It is less compelling if your main goal is a long hike or a slow visit to San Martín, because the fixed schedule limits your time on foot.

The comfortable bus noted in the feedback is another practical plus. Vehicle comfort matters on a day with morning and afternoon road time. Still, comfort does not change the basic fact that this is a long excursion. Bring water, sun protection, and something small to eat if you do not want to wait until lunch in San Martín.

Who will enjoy this excursion most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a broad introduction to the northern Lake District from a Bariloche base. It is especially useful for:

• You want to see Villa La Angostura and San Martín de los Andes in one day.
• You prefer an organized road trip to renting a car.
• You enjoy short walks and viewpoints rather than one demanding trail.
• You are comfortable with a Spanish-speaking guide.
• You want hotel pickup and do not want to arrange several separate transfers.
• You have only one free day for the Seven Lakes Route.

I would hesitate if you need long stops, quiet time at one lake, or detailed commentary in English. The route is full, and the tour returns along the same path. Families and older visitors may appreciate the vehicle and short walking format, but each person should judge the 10-hour schedule for themselves.

You should also check the pickup details before booking. Hotel pickup is included in Bariloche, but an address outside the operating route may receive a nearby meeting point instead.

Should you book the Seven Lakes tour?

Book it if your priority is seeing the famous route efficiently from Bariloche. For $65, you get a full day of transport, a guide, Villa La Angostura, seven named lakes, and free time in San Martín. The scenery is the star, while the organized transport removes much of the planning work.

Skip it if you want a flexible self-drive day or a serious hike. You will spend many hours on the road, and the walks are stops along a wider sightseeing route rather than a detailed trekking program.

For the right person, this is a practical way to cover a huge amount of Lake District scenery in one day. Just bring sensible expectations: Spanish commentary, a packed schedule, lunch money, and enough patience for the return trip.

FAQ

How long does the Seven Lakes tour take?

The activity lasts about 10 hours. Pickup begins around 8 AM, and arrival back in Bariloche is expected at approximately 6:30 PM.

Where does the tour start?

Pickup is available from hotels in Bariloche. If your address is outside the pickup route, you receive a meeting point as close to your accommodation as possible.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Roundtrip transportation from Bariloche to the Seven Lakes Route is included, along with pickup and drop-off at your accommodation or assigned meeting point.

Which lakes are included on the route?

The route includes Espejo Lake, Correntoso Lake, Villarino Lake, Falkner Lake, Escondido Lake, Machónico Lake, and Lácar Lake.

Does the tour visit Villa La Angostura?

Yes. You stop in Villa La Angostura for a walk and to see its mountain architecture. The tour also makes a final stop there on the way back to Bariloche.

Is lunch included?

No. Meals are not included. You have free time in San Martín de los Andes to explore and arrange your own lunch beside the lake.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide service is in Spanish. Stella is one guide specifically praised for attentive explanations about the region.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers a reserve-now-and-pay-later option.