Self-Drive Argentinian Lake District

Day 1: Fly to Bariloche; Drive to Villa La Angostura

Upon arrival at Bariloche Airport you'll pick up your rental car and drive to your hotel in Villa La Angostura. The drive round the shore of the lake is short but very beautiful – a great introduction to the Lake District. 

Length of drive: 1hr, 80km

Accommodation: Hotel in Villa la Angostura

Day 2: Free Day in Villa La Angostura

This is a free day for you to explore the surrounding area. There are some great walks, or you can head out onto the lake. There is an option to take a boat trip to the Arrayanes National Park, with a hike back up to the peninsula on a forest trail bordering the lake. There are guides who can take you on kayaking trips, or hikes on the harder-to-find trails.

Alternatively, you can use your car to do some touring, maybe exploring Villa Traful and, if you have time, the Cordoba Pass which is particularly pretty in the autumn when the trees turn golden-red.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Villa la Angostura

Day 3: Drive to San Martín de Los Andes

Today you will drive along the famous Seven Lakes Road to San Martín de Los Andes. It is not far, the drive will certainly involve several stops for photos. Although the road is called the Seven Lakes Road, there are many more lakes that can be accessed from the road that not everyone knows about, such as Pichi Traful, a couple of kilometres down a dirt track and a great spot for a picnic, or a swim in summer.

Lago Hermoso – literally 'beautiful lake' – is also worth a detour as it is just a couple of minutes from the road. There is a lively beach in summer and a wooden restaurant. The falls at Ñivinco are worth a stop – it's a brisk 30min walk from the road through a native forest.

Length of drive: 4hrs, 167km

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in San Martín de los Andes

Day 4: Free day San Martín de Los Andes

Today is a free day so you can enjoy this superb mountain town. For touring in the car, we recommend the short drive to Lake Lolog, just 20km from town and also Laguna Rosales for a wonderful walk. This is a hidden gem that only locals tend to visit.

For a longer road trip, we suggest a visit to see the Lanín Volcano in Huechulaufquen National Park. Take a picnic and enjoy the lake – there are campsites along the road to access the beach.

For more active souls, San Martín de Los Andes is a mountain biker's paradise, but to explore the ride available we recommend booking a guide. There is also the world-class and very scenic  Chapelco golf for any keen golfer.

Overnight in San Martín de Los Andes.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in San Martín de los Andes

Day 5: Drive back to Bariloche

Drive from San Martín de Los Andes back to Bariloche on a paved road in good condition. You can take the same beautiful road back or make a loop on a faster  but longer route to get back to Bariloche from San Martín de Los Andes. You will drive along good roads and past various estancia (ranches).

Length of drive: 3.5hrs, 260km

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Bariloche

Day 6: Fly out of Bariloche

Return your car to Bariloche Airport before catching your flight.