Self-Drive Argentinian Lake District
Are you hoping to travel before March 2023?
Patagonia's a big trip and we know how crucial it is to get it right. As you’re considering travelling in the next couple of months, we want to be upfront with you…
Finding available accommodation is proving almost impossible in Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares National Parks. While not uncommon, the pandemic has exacerbated the situation this year.
Alongside this, Swoop are also currently focused on ensuring that all of the logistics are in place for our booked travellers who are due to head south shortly.
Swoop has therefore decided to no longer accept any new bookings departing before the beginning of March 2023.
As alternative options, here’s what we suggest:
Option A:
Push your trip back and choose to travel instead in early 2023. April onwards has more accommodation options still available. The Patagonian autumnal colours are stunning and trails less crowded.
Option B:
Defer your Patagonia adventure by 12 months, benefitting by getting exactly the trip you want without compromise, and lock in plans now while there’s still good availability.
If you are able to be flexible on your travel dates, the next step would then be for us to arrange a time to talk through the options.
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I want to travel before March 2023
Unfortunately we can’t currently help with short notice trips to Patagonia. Sign up to our newsletter to get some Patagonia travel advice and inspiration!
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I’m flexible and could travel later
Trip type
Independent
Trip length
6 Days
From
$1,270
Location
Argentinian Lakes
Self-Drive Argentinian Lake District - 6 - $1,270
Trip Summary and Itinerary Map
Day 1: Fly to Bariloche; Drive to Villa La Angostura
Day 2: Free day in Villa La Angostura
Day 3: Drive to San Martín de Los Andes
Day 4: Free day in San Martín de Los Andes
Day 5: Drive back to Bariloche
Day 6: Fly out of Bariloche
Operator's Itinerary
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: 2.5hrs, 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.
Prices, Departures and Inclusions
Two people sharing a standard room: USD $1,270 per person Two people sharing a superior room: USD $1,525 per person Two people sharing a deluxe room: USD $1,780 per person - Please contact us to discuss your preferred departure dates.
Additional Notes
Trip extension – If you want to combine the Chilean and Argentinian Lake Districts you could end this trip by taking a boat across the border to Chile.
Single supplement – Standard USD $454; Superior USD $664; Deluxe USD $919.
Optional excursions – There are many optional extras that you can add to this itinerary such as mountain biking, boat trips, rafting and fly-fishing, to name just a few. Please ask us for more details.
Includes
- Meals: 5 breakfasts
- Accommodation: 5 nights in hotels
- 6 days medium-sized car rental with insurance (1,400km allowance)
- Hotel and car hire taxes
- Trip notes, route and hotel maps
- Concierge assistance from Buenos Aires and Salta offices
Excludes
- Meals not indicated in itinerary
- Any extra/optional excursions
- Personal equipment (see our recommended kit list)
- Personal travel insurance
- Gratuities/tips
- Any visa, passport and vaccination expenses
- International and domestic/in-country flights
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