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

The real prize here is the road itself. From Bariloche, the coach follows a grand sweep through Patagonian forests, mountain roads, and seven striking lakes before reaching San Martin de los Andes. Villa La Angostura adds a pleasant village stop, while San Martin gives you time for lunch and a walk beside Lake Lacar.

I like the sheer range of scenery, from open steppe to thick forest, and I like having a guide explain the lakes, plants, wildlife, and local towns as you go. Guides such as Isis, Freddy, Matias, and Debora have been praised for clear English and lively commentary. The main drawback is simple: this is a long bus day, with limited walking and short photo stops.

Key points to know

• Around 400 kilometers by road: You will spend much of the day seated, but the views keep changing.
• Seven named lakes: Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso, and Machonico each bring a different setting.
• Villa La Angostura included: Expect Alpine-style wooden buildings, a short break, and time for coffee or ice cream.
• San Martin de los Andes stop: You get roughly two to three hours for lunch, shopping, and a walk near Lake Lacar.
• Bilingual or trilingual guiding: Tours operate in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, with guides including Isis, Freddy, Matias, and Paz.
• Bring water and snacks: Bathroom stops exist, but the coach may not have a working toilet, and there are no seat chargers.

Why the Seven Lakes Route is worth a full day

Bariloche is surrounded by fine scenery, but the Seven Lakes Route gives you a wider view of the region. You leave the city behind and cross changing terrain on the way to San Martin de los Andes, a resort town on the shore of Lake Lacar.

The route is not a single dramatic viewpoint. Its pleasure comes from the steady change in color and form. One section may show a broad lake under open sky. A few minutes later, the road enters old forest and hugs the mountainside. The route can feel almost cinematic, especially on a clear day when the water and distant peaks are sharply visible.

I would choose this trip if you have only one day for the route and do not want to rent a car. The driver handles the long distance, and the guide adds context that you would miss from a regular bus. You also get planned stops at the main viewpoints instead of having to work out the route yourself.

The tradeoff is that this is a sightseeing road trip, not a hiking outing. At many lake viewpoints, you have only a few minutes to get out, take pictures, and rejoin the group. If you want long walks, quiet time by the water, or a flexible schedule, a rental car or a multiday stay along the route may suit you better.

Leaving Bariloche for Villa La Angostura

Pickup is offered at centrally located Bariloche hotels and properties up to kilometer 8. The listed meeting point is Margarita Stuke Turismo at Rolando 287, which also serves as the return point. Confirm your exact pickup arrangement in advance, since one booking had confusion over the meeting location.

The first major driving stretch lasts about two and a half hours. That sounds demanding, but the guide usually fills the time with explanations about Patagonia, Bariloche, the road, and the places you are approaching. Isis, Debora, Diego, Federico, and Freddy have all been singled out for clear, personable guiding, particularly when switching between Spanish and English.

Villa La Angostura is one of the first appealing breaks. This mountain village is known for its carefully styled Alpine wood architecture. It feels different from Bariloche, with a smaller-town character and a setting tied closely to the surrounding forest and mountains.

Your stop here may be brief. Use it for the bathroom, coffee, or a quick look around rather than expecting a full village tour. Some departures include another visit to Villa La Angostura on the return journey, often giving you a chance for coffee or ice cream. The exact order and length of this stop can vary with the day’s timing.

The seven lakes, one viewpoint at a time

After Villa La Angostura, the famous Seven Lakes Route begins. The seven named lakes are Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso, and Machonico.

You will not spend equal time at each one. The coach makes several planned viewpoint stops, often around five minutes each, while the guide explains what you are seeing. That arrangement lets you cover the route in a day, but it also means you need to be ready when the door opens. Keep your camera and jacket close, and do not wander far from the coach.

Correntoso and Espejo help set the tone for the route, with forested shores and broad water views. Escondido feels more tucked into the woods, while Villarino and Falkner bring another change in scale and setting. Hermoso and Machonico complete the sequence, each surrounded by the forested Patagonian mountains.

The appeal is not only the lakes themselves. The road moves through a gradual change from open steppe into thicker forest, a contrast that several visitors found especially memorable. In autumn, the colors can be striking. In summer, clear skies and long daylight hours give you better odds for photographs, though weather in the mountains can change.

The coach slows enough for you to take in the views, but this is not a stop-and-stroll experience. One useful way to think about it is as a moving scenic route with selected picture stops. If you need a walk at every lake, you may leave frustrated. If you want to see the main sights without driving, it works very well.

San Martin de los Andes and Lake Lacar

San Martin de los Andes is the day’s main destination and the place where you get genuine free time. The town sits on Lake Lacar and offers a pleasant setting for lunch, shopping, and a walk.

You generally have around two hours, although the official schedule allows about three hours for guided sightseeing and free time, followed by roughly 45 minutes for lunch and shopping. In practice, expect the free period to be limited enough that you should plan it before leaving Bariloche.

I suggest taking a quick look at the lake first, then choosing lunch. If you spend too long browsing shops or sitting down to eat, there may not be much time left to walk. The stop is enough to get a feel for San Martin, but not enough for a relaxed town visit or a separate excursion.

This is also where the group breaks up a little. You can choose your own restaurant and move at your own pace rather than following the guide every minute. That flexibility is welcome after the long drive.

The town works best as a pause in the route, not as the sole reason to book the trip. The Seven Lakes road is the main event. San Martin adds a human scale to the day and gives you a chance to eat, stretch your legs, and see Lake Lacar before the return journey.

What the coach ride is really like

The advertised duration is 10 hours, but you should allow closer to 11 hours on some departures. One reported schedule ran from an 8 a.m. pickup to about 7:30 p.m., covering roughly 400 kilometers. Another departure took about 11 and a half hours even without delays.

Most of the time is spent on the coach. Group size can exceed 40 people, although some trips use a smaller van. The vehicle has generally been described as comfortable and air-conditioned, and drivers such as Juanpi, Joseph, Marcus, Cristian, Bruno, and Osvaldo have received praise for careful driving.

There are bathroom opportunities along the route, but do not count on a working toilet onboard. Internet access is limited for much of the drive, and the seats do not have chargers. Bring a full water bottle, snacks, sunscreen, and a portable battery if your phone will be doing camera duty all day.

The return follows the same general road back to Bariloche. The morning commentary may feel fuller because you are seeing each place for the first time. On the way back, you can simply enjoy the scenery, rest, or sort through photographs. If repeated scenery makes you restless, bring headphones or a book, but keep looking up because the light may have changed.

Guides, languages, and the human side of the trip

The guide can make a major difference on a day with this much driving. The strongest guides combine practical direction with stories about Patagonia, local plants and animals, the lakes, national parks, and the towns along the route.

Isis has been noted for moving smoothly between English and Spanish, even when only one or two people in the group speak English. Debora has done the same, sometimes giving the English explanation separately so no one is left behind. Freddy has been praised for strong English, humor, and an easy way with a mixed-language group. Matias, Paz, Federico, Diego, and Ana Laura have also been praised for clear explanations and friendly service.

You should still expect some waiting while information is delivered in more than one language. That can make a stop or roadside explanation take longer, but it is a fair price for a bilingual group tour. If you speak Portuguese, English, or Spanish, you can request the language you need when booking or at pickup.

The guide also keeps the day moving. You will receive instructions about when to return to the coach, where to meet, and how much time remains. That matters on a route with many stops, since a late departure at one viewpoint can cut into your time in San Martin.

Is $100 a fair price?

At $100 per person, the tour is priced for convenience, transport, guiding, insurance, and hotel pickup and drop-off in central Bariloche and up to kilometer 8. You are paying mainly to cover a great deal of ground in one day without arranging a car, fuel, navigation, or a driver.

The value is strongest if you are staying in Bariloche, have one free day, and want the full route. A private rental would give you more freedom, but it would also put a long day of mountain driving on your shoulders. A regular bus can cover the same road, so compare local transport prices if you are already traveling between Bariloche and San Martin.

Some local agencies may offer lower cash rates than the online price. One price comparison reported rates around 45 to 60 euros when booking offline, though prices and exchange rates change. If you find a cheaper local option, check that it includes the same stops, guide service, insurance, and hotel transport.

Food, drinks, and the National Park entrance fee are extra. The park fee must be paid in cash in local currency, so ask for the current amount before departure and carry enough Argentine pesos. Personal purchases in Villa La Angostura and San Martin are also your responsibility.

The right shoes and the right expectations

Comfortable shoes are enough. You do not need hiking boots because the planned stops are mainly for viewing and photographs, with limited walking.

Large luggage and big bags are not allowed. Bring only what you need for the day in a small daypack or personal bag. Water, snacks, a camera, sunglasses, and a warm layer make more sense than heavy equipment.

Weather will shape the experience. Clear weather gives you the best views and photographs, but the route remains scenic in changing conditions. Dress in layers so you can handle cool air at viewpoints and warmer conditions inside the coach.

The road is scenic, but you should not book this as an active adventure. You will spend much more time riding than walking. The payoff is access to a famous route, a full set of lake viewpoints, and a taste of San Martin without changing hotels.

Who should book this road trip

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want to see the Seven Lakes Route from Bariloche and prefer a guided day out. It suits couples, solo visitors, families with older children, and anyone who values scenery more than strenuous activity.

It is also a good choice for English speakers who want support in a multilingual group. Guides have handled English and Spanish groups well, and Portuguese is available too. The tour’s insurance and organized transport add reassurance on a long road day.

I would hesitate if you dislike coaches, need frequent bathroom access, or want long periods at each lake. The short photo stops can feel rushed, and two hours in San Martin is enough for a quick visit but not a full exploration.

You should also compare it with your transport plans. If you are taking the public bus to San Martin on another day, that journey may use the same route. In that case, this tour still adds viewpoints and commentary, but the scenery will not be entirely new.

Booking advice and final verdict

This is a strong one-day introduction to one of Patagonia’s most scenic drives. The lakes, changing forests, Villa La Angostura, and San Martin de los Andes give you plenty to see, while guides such as Isis, Freddy, Matias, and Debora can turn the long ride into an informative day.

Book it if convenience matters and your priority is seeing the route rather than hiking it. Skip it, or choose a self-drive plan, if you want freedom to linger, take long walks, or stop whenever the view catches your eye.

Allow 10 to 11 and a half hours, bring water and snacks, carry cash for the park fee, and confirm pickup before the morning begins. With those expectations in place, the $100 price can be reasonable for a well-run day through some of the finest scenery around Bariloche.

FAQ

How long does the Seven Lakes road trip take?

The scheduled duration is 10 hours, but some departures take around 11 to 11 and a half hours. Travel time can be affected by the pace of stops and the day’s schedule.

Where does the tour start?

Pickup is available from centrally located hotels in San Carlos de Bariloche and properties up to kilometer 8. The listed meeting point is Margarita Stuke Turismo at Rolando 287.

Does the tour visit Villa La Angostura?

Yes. The route includes Villa La Angostura, known for its Alpine-style wooden architecture. The stop may allow time for a bathroom break, coffee, or ice cream.

Which lakes are included?

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

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

The schedule allows roughly three hours for visiting, walking, guided sightseeing, and scenic views, with about 45 minutes listed for lunch and shopping. Actual free time may vary by departure.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so you should budget for lunch in San Martin de los Andes and bring snacks for the drive.

Is the National Park entrance fee included?

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

What languages are available?

The tour is offered in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. Guides may explain the route in more than one language during the journey.

Is there a toilet on the bus?

The tour provides bathroom opportunities along the route, but a working toilet on the bus is not guaranteed.

Can I bring luggage?

No. Luggage and large bags are not allowed. Bring only a small personal bag with essentials for the day.