San Martín de los Andes por 7 Lagos

The real prize here is the Seven Lakes Route, a long sweep of mountain roads, forest, and bright Andean water between Bariloche and San Martín de los Andes. I like that you see all seven named lakes rather than stopping at one or two viewpoints, and I like the walk through Villa La Angostura, where mountain-style buildings give the day a pleasant human scale.

The main drawback is the length. Ten hours on the road means this is a full day with a lot of time in the vehicle, and the return follows the same route. The tour is also conducted in Spanish, so you should be comfortable following explanations in that language.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven named lakes in one day: You visit Espejo, Correntoso, Villarino, Falkner, Escondido, Machónico, and Lácar lakes.
• A useful Bariloche departure: Hotel pickup begins around 8 AM, with return scheduled for approximately 6:30 PM.
• Villa La Angostura adds more than a photo stop: You have time to walk through a town known for its mountain architecture.
• San Martín de los Andes is the northern goal: Free time there gives you a break from the road and a chance to have lunch beside Lake Lácar.
• Spanish guide service: Guide Stella has been singled out for attentive explanations about the region.
• Good value at $65: Transport, hotel pickup and drop-off, and a guide are included, while meals are extra.

Why the Seven Lakes Route is worth a full day

The Seven Lakes Route is one of the best ways to see how the Lake District changes as you travel north from Bariloche. Instead of treating the lakes as isolated sights, this trip links them by road, giving you a sense of the scale of the region.

You are not signing up for a single viewpoint and a quick photograph. You spend much of the day moving through the countryside, with planned stops for views and short walks. That makes the outing useful if you have limited time in northern Patagonia and want to cover a lot of ground without renting a car.

The route runs along legendary Route 40 after passing through Dina Huapi and crossing the bridge over the Limay River. That opening section provides a clear transition from Bariloche’s surroundings into a broader road trip through the Andean foothills.

I would book this as a scenery day, not as a serious hiking excursion. The description includes walking on an incredible path and stopping along the way, but it does not give trail lengths or difficulty ratings. You should expect short walks connected to the road stops rather than a long, demanding trek.

Leaving Bariloche at 8 AM

Pickup begins at your hotel in Bariloche at around 8 AM. If your address is outside the vehicle’s route, the operator assigns a nearby meeting point. That is worth checking before the morning of departure, since the convenience of hotel pickup depends on where you are staying.

The early start matters. San Martín de los Andes is a considerable distance from Bariloche, and the tour needs most of the day to reach the city, make the lake stops, and return. You will be back in Bariloche at approximately 6:30 PM, so avoid scheduling an evening flight, dinner reservation, or other fixed plan too close to that time.

The transportation is round trip, and a guide travels with you. One rating specifically praised the comfort of the bus, which matters on a day with many hours on the road. Still, no vehicle can turn a ten-hour road trip into a short outing. Bring patience, water, and something useful for the quieter stretches between stops.

Dina Huapi, the Limay River, and Route 40

The first part of the journey takes you north through Dina Huapi. You then cross the bridge over the Limay River, which connects this part of the trip to Route 40.

This is not presented as a major sightseeing stop, but it gives the route a sense of progression. You begin near Bariloche, pass through a nearby town, cross a significant river, and then settle into the long drive toward the lakes. If you like to understand how places connect rather than teleport from attraction to attraction, this part of the ride is useful.

The guide’s regional explanations can make these transitions more meaningful. The tour is in Spanish, and the available information identifies Spanish as the language of the live guide. Guide Stella has been praised for explaining the region attentively, so Spanish speakers may get more from the ride than they would from a simple driver-led transfer.

Villa La Angostura gives the day a town stop

Your first short stop is Villa La Angostura, on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi. The town is known for its mountain architecture, and it is intended to be explored on foot.

This is a welcome change from sitting in the vehicle. The stop lets you see how the local building style fits the surrounding mountains and forest, rather than viewing the area only from roadside pullouts. It also gives you a chance to stretch your legs early in the day.

The wording describes this as a short stop, so keep your expectations in check. You are not receiving a full town tour or a long independent visit. Use the time to walk, take in the architecture, and enjoy the setting without straying too far from the meeting point.

Villa La Angostura appears again near the end of the return journey. That repeat stop may feel familiar, but it gives you another opportunity to walk around or take a final look at the town before the last drive to Bariloche.

The seven lakes, from Espejo to Lácar

After Villa La Angostura, the tour follows the route of the seven lakes. The lakes named in the itinerary are Espejo, Correntoso, Villarino, Falkner, Escondido, Machónico, and Lácar.

Each stop breaks up the drive and gives you a different view of the region. The value is not just counting seven bodies of water. You get repeated chances to see how mountains, wooded slopes, open shorelines, and changing viewpoints create different scenes along one route.

The stops are designed to help you experience the road rather than rush past it. The description calls for walking along an incredible path surrounded by mountains and lakes, with stops along the way. Since exact walking distances are not listed, ask the guide what each stop involves if you need to plan around mobility, energy, or footwear.

Here is how I would think about the named lakes:

• Espejo Lake: One of the early lake stops, it helps establish the visual character of the route after leaving Villa La Angostura.
• Correntoso Lake: Another northern Lake District view, with the road trip continuing through the wooded mountain zone.
• Villarino Lake: Part of the middle stretch, where the repeated stops give you time to compare the scenery rather than seeing it all at once.
• Falkner Lake: A named stop on the route and another chance to get out, walk, and take photographs.
• Escondido Lake: Its place among the seven makes it part of the quieter sequence of roadside discoveries.
• Machónico Lake: One of the later lakes before San Martín de los Andes.
• Lácar Lake: The final named lake and the water beside San Martín de los Andes, where you have free time for lunch and exploring.

The tour also includes the natural setting of Nahuel Huapi National Park. The point is not a specialized wildlife safari, and there is no promise of animal sightings. You are visiting an area known for wildlife and nature, so keep your eyes open, but book this for the scenery and protected environment rather than a guaranteed encounter.

Reaching San Martín de los Andes

The tour’s northern destination is San Martín de los Andes, a city set beside Lake Lácar. Once you arrive, you have free time to explore and eat lunch in front of the lake.

This is an important pause in an otherwise road-focused day. You can walk around at your own pace, choose where to eat, and enjoy the lake without being directed from one photo stop to the next. Meals are not included, so plan to pay separately for lunch.

The free time also gives you a chance to decide what matters most. If you prefer a relaxed meal, use the time for that. If you have already eaten, you can focus on seeing more of the city before the return trip. The information does not specify the length of the free period, so your guide will be the best source for the exact meeting time.

Do not expect a long stay in San Martín de los Andes. The city is the farthest point of a round-trip day, not an overnight destination. You are seeing it as part of a broad scenic circuit, with the lakes and road between Bariloche and San Martín taking equal billing.

The return trip follows the same scenic road

After your time in San Martín de los Andes, you return to Bariloche along the same route. The repeat journey has one clear benefit: familiar scenery can look different later in the day, and you may notice views you missed in the morning.

The tradeoff is simple. You do not get a loop with entirely new scenery on the way back. If you prefer a trip with no repeated roads, this may feel long. If your main goal is to visit the Seven Lakes Route without arranging separate transport, the return is the practical price of making the trip from Bariloche in one day.

There is another stop at Villa La Angostura before the final drive. That gives the town a useful role at both ends of the outing and breaks up the return ride. Arrival in Bariloche is expected around 6:30 PM, though road conditions and the timing of the day can affect the exact return.

What the $65 price really covers

At $65 per person, the tour offers solid value if you want transport and a guide handled for you. The price includes pickup and drop-off at your accommodation, round-trip transportation from Bariloche, and a tour guide.

You are paying for access to a long-distance route that would require planning, fuel, driving, and parking if you arranged it yourself. You also avoid the task of navigating between seven lakes while trying to arrive in San Martín de los Andes and return the same day.

Meals are not included. That is normal for a full-day road trip, but you should budget for lunch in San Martín de los Andes and any drinks or snacks you want along the way. The price also does not turn the tour into a private outing, and the group size is not specified, so do not assume a small vehicle or a custom schedule.

The activity allows you to reserve now and pay later, which can help if your Bariloche plans are still shifting. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Those terms are useful for a weather-sensitive day, though you should still check the exact booking conditions before paying.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a broad introduction to the Lake District and do not plan to rent a car. It works especially well for first-time visitors who want to see Villa La Angostura, the seven lakes, Nahuel Huapi National Park, and San Martín de los Andes in one organized outing.

It also suits Spanish-speaking visitors who enjoy hearing local context during a long road journey. Stella has been noted for attentive explanations, and the guide is part of what separates this from simply booking a transfer.

You should think twice if you dislike long drives, need a detailed hiking itinerary, or want extensive time in San Martín de los Andes. The outing includes walking, but trail distances and difficulty are not provided. It is best understood as a scenic road tour with short walks, not a full-day wilderness hike.

The activity has an overall rating of 4.4 from 155 ratings. That suggests a generally strong experience, while the mixed score also supports a practical point: your satisfaction will depend heavily on how comfortable you are with the ten-hour schedule and Spanish-language guiding.

Should you book the Seven Lakes Route?

Book it if you want the simplest way to cover a famous Patagonian road from Bariloche. The combination of seven lake stops, Villa La Angostura, a Spanish-speaking guide, and free time in San Martín de los Andes gives you a lot for $65.

Skip it if you want a slow visit to each town, a long hike, or a route that does not repeat itself. For most people with one open day and no rental car, the tour is a practical and worthwhile way to see the region. Start early, bring money for lunch, and treat the bus time as part of the adventure rather than an inconvenience.

FAQ

How long is the Seven Lakes Route tour from Bariloche?

The tour lasts 10 hours. Pickup begins at about 8 AM, and arrival back in Bariloche is scheduled for approximately 6:30 PM.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $65 per person.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at your accommodation in Bariloche are included. If your address is outside the vehicle’s route, you are assigned a nearby meeting point.

Which language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks Spanish.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Round-trip transportation from Bariloche to the Seven Lakes Route and San Martín de los Andes is included.

Which lakes do you visit?

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

Does the tour stop in Villa La Angostura?

Yes. The tour makes a short stop in Villa La Angostura, where you can walk and see its mountain-style architecture. A further stop is made there on the return journey.

Is lunch included?

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

Can you walk during the tour?

Yes. The itinerary includes walking in Villa La Angostura and along paths surrounded by mountains and lakes. Specific trail lengths and difficulty levels are not provided.

Can you cancel for a full refund?

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