Arrayanes Forest with Victoria Island

Two forests, one unforgettable lake day. This Bariloche outing combines a catamaran ride on Nahuel Huapi Lake with the rare myrtle trees of Arrayanes Forest and walking trails on Victoria Island. I like the striking mountain-and-water views from the boat, and I like the chance to see two very different protected areas in one trip. The main drawback is the group size: this is not a small, quiet nature walk, and the full day can run longer than planned.

You will spend about six to seven hours on the excursion, including transport from central Bariloche and the 25-kilometer drive along the Bustillo route. The English-language option is useful, and the guides can add real value, as Malina did for visitors who praised her explanations of the island’s trees and past. Still, you should leave room in your schedule, especially if you have a flight or car return later that day.

Key points before you book

• The myrtle forest is the rare centerpiece: Arrayanes trees can reach 18 meters, with some growing as high as 25 meters, and many are estimated to be about 300 years old.
• The catamaran is scenic but not intimate: The published maximum is 200 people, and the boat has been described as carrying around 100 passengers on one outing.
• Victoria Island offers the longer walk: You have about 1 hour and 30 minutes there, with leafy trails, unusual planted trees, and access to Playa del Toro in summer.
• English guiding can be excellent: Malina received especially warm praise for her clear explanations of plants, trees, and island history.
• The schedule needs caution: One outing returned about 2 hours and 15 minutes late, so do not place a flight or fixed appointment too close to the expected finish.
• The price is not the final cost: The listed price is $160 per person, while an additional ARS 25,500 per person is shown for fees and taxes.

Why these two stops work together

At first, the tour may seem like two forest visits stitched together. In practice, the contrast is what makes the day worthwhile.

Arrayanes Forest gives you a focused look at one unusual native tree and the protected setting around it. Victoria Island is broader and more varied, with trails, water views, and a mix of tree species including sequoias, birches, firs, pines, and aromas. One stop is about a rare species. The other is about walking through a larger island environment.

The boat ride ties the two together. Nahuel Huapi Lake is a major part of the scenery, and the views from the catamaran are among the strongest parts of the outing. Snow-covered mountains can appear across the water, and the open lake makes the trip feel like more than a simple transfer between two hiking spots.

I would choose this tour if you want a full nature day without arranging separate transport, boat tickets, and park visits yourself. I would not choose it if you want a private guide, a short outing, or a tightly controlled schedule.

The ride from Bariloche to the lake

Pickup is offered from downtown hotels and from hotels along the 25-kilometer Bustillo route. If your hotel sits up a steep road or along a narrow street, the company arranges a nearby meeting point instead. The stated starting point is Mitre 139 in central Bariloche, and the tour returns there at the end.

Transport is by air-conditioned vehicle. That matters in Bariloche, where the weather can shift quickly and a comfortable ride is welcome before and after the boat trip. The drive also gives you a look at the area around the city, though the main reward comes once you reach the port and board the catamaran.

The port process may feel unclear at first. One person found it confusing to know which boat to use and how the boarding system worked. I would arrive ready to ask the operator or guide for directions rather than assume the first vessel is yours. A short explanation on the bus would improve this part of the day.

The catamaran ride is comfortable, but it is shared with a substantial number of people. The activity is advertised with a maximum of 200 participants, and a previous outing had roughly 100 people on board. That is important. You are buying access to a popular lake excursion, not a small-group cruise.

The boat staff and guides have been praised for being friendly and helpful. On the other hand, the ride can include announcements promoting photos for sale. If you prefer quiet time, bring patience and focus on the views rather than expecting a silent crossing.

Arrayanes Forest and its cinnamon-colored trees

Arrayanes Forest is the most distinctive stop. It is part of Los Arrayanes National Park, a protected area created in part because of the importance of the species and the native life around it.

The arrayán, or myrtle, has the scientific name Myrceugenella apiculata. These trees are estimated to be around 300 years old, including specimens found on Victoria Island. They are tall trees, generally reaching about 18 meters, with some growing as high as 25 meters.

The trunk is one of the easiest features to notice. It can reach about 50 centimeters in diameter and often twists into unusual shapes. The cinnamon-colored bark is covered with irregular white patches. It feels cold even when the air is warmer, and its smooth, soft surface peels away in plates.

That texture gives the forest a slightly unreal quality. You are not simply walking among ordinary trees. You are looking closely at a species with a distinctive trunk, unusual bark, small white flowers, and purple fruit.

The flowers resemble orange blossom. Indigenous people used the purple fruit to make chicha and dulce, and the leaves have also been used in traditional medicine. An infusion made from the leaves is associated with relief for muscle aches and intestinal complaints. These details make the stop more meaningful than a quick photo opportunity, especially when your guide explains how the tree fits into local plant life and culture.

The scheduled visit is about 50 minutes, with admission included. That is enough time for a focused walk and close views of the trees, but it is not a long wilderness trek. One poor assessment of the tour described the forest as far away and lacking explanation. That criticism points to a real issue: the forest needs guiding to feel fully worthwhile. With clear commentary, the short visit has purpose. Without it, you may feel you traveled a long way for a brief loop among trees.

Wear shoes suited to walking, since both island and forest portions involve trails. The supplied information does not specify trail difficulty, so you should not assume a fully flat or accessible route. Most people can participate, but the day includes walking and time on a boat.

Victoria Island’s trees, trails, and Playa del Toro

Victoria Island provides the longer land portion of the tour, with about 1 hour and 30 minutes set aside for walking. The trails pass through leafy areas with a surprising range of trees, including sequoias, birches, firs, aromas, and pines.

The variety gives this stop a different character from Arrayanes Forest. Instead of concentrating on one native species, you get a wider view of the island’s plant life. The paths also create more chances to see the lake and mountains between the trees.

One outing included an English-speaking guide for only two people on the Victoria Island walk. That can happen, but you should not book the tour expecting a private walk. The broader excursion can carry up to 200 participants, while the number in your walking group may vary.

The island walk was praised for its good pace and for covering a lot of ground in about 50 minutes on one occasion. That detail is useful because it suggests the guide may keep the group moving rather than stopping for long periods at every tree. If you want a relaxed stroll with plenty of sitting, this may feel active. If you want to see more of the island within the available time, the pace is helpful.

In summer, you can cool off at Playa del Toro. The information does not promise swimming conditions or a long beach stop, so treat it as an available feature rather than the main purpose of the trip. The island’s walking trails and views remain the core attraction.

The strongest praise for Victoria Island focuses on the scenery and the guide’s narration. Good commentary helps you understand why the island contains such a mix of trees and gives shape to what might otherwise be a pleasant but ordinary woodland walk.

Six to seven hours, with some schedule risk

The advertised duration is approximately six to seven hours. That includes pickup, the drive, port arrangements, catamaran travel, both visits, and the return to central Bariloche.

Do not read six to seven hours as a guaranteed end time. One outing returned about 2 hours and 15 minutes later than expected. The reason is not explained, but the practical lesson is clear: boat schedules, port operations, weather, group movement, and return transport can affect the day.

I would avoid booking this tour on a day when you have a flight soon after the planned finish. One person nearly missed a flight because the return ran late, despite the flight itself being delayed. If you have a car to return or another paid activity, build in a generous buffer.

Weather also matters. One especially positive account described enjoying the outing despite wind, rain, and snow. That tells you the tour can go ahead in changing conditions, but it also underlines the need for proper layers and rain protection. The boat may feel colder than the city, and forest paths can be unpleasant in poor footwear.

Is the $160 price fair?

At $160 per person, this is a significant day-trip price. The package includes an air-conditioned vehicle, the catamaran, and admission to both listed stops. Pickup is also offered in central Bariloche and along the Bustillo route.

There is an additional charge listed as ARS 25,500 per person for fees and taxes. Because that amount is shown separately from the $160 price, check the total payable amount before confirming. The information provided does not explain whether the peso figure is fixed, collected locally, or subject to change.

The value depends on what you would otherwise need to arrange. If you want to combine transport, a boat ride, two protected areas, and English-language guiding in one booking, the cost may be reasonable for the convenience. You also avoid trying to coordinate port transfers and island access on your own.

The value is weaker if you are mainly interested in a short walk through Arrayanes Forest. The catamaran and Victoria Island make up much of the day, and the shared boat can be crowded. You are paying for a broad outing rather than a quiet, specialist botany tour.

The strongest value comes from the setting and the amount covered in one day. The best guides add another layer by explaining the plants and history rather than simply pointing out the route.

Group size, guiding, and the real feel of the day

The activity can accept up to 200 people. That figure should guide your expectations from the start. Even if your walking group is small, the boat portion is likely to feel communal and busy.

A previous description of the excursion suggested a maximum of 10 people, which caused serious disappointment when the actual boat carried around 100. The operator later clarified the published passenger information and apologized for the confusion. The current details now indicate a maximum of 200 for the activity, so I would trust that number more than any expectation of a tiny group.

The guides are a key part of the experience. Malina received especially strong praise for explaining the flora, trees, and history of the island and forest. Another English-language guide was described as excellent, and the boat and walking staff were praised for being friendly and helpful.

That difference matters. A guide who explains the cold bark, purple fruit, tree ages, and protected status can turn a scenic walk into a memorable one. A poorly timed or thinly explained visit can feel long, especially when the forest stop itself lasts only 50 minutes.

The tour is offered in English, but confirm that you are placed with the English-language guiding option when booking. The supplied details say mobile tickets are accepted and confirmation arrives at booking.

Who should book this Bariloche outing?

I would recommend it to you if:

• You want lake views, boat travel, and forest walking in one day.
• You are staying in central Bariloche or along the Bustillo route.
• You value a guide who can explain plants and local history.
• You are comfortable with a shared catamaran.
• You have enough flexibility in your schedule for a possible delay.
• You enjoy a moderate amount of walking but do not need a long backcountry hike.

I would be more cautious if:

• You dislike large groups or sales announcements on boats.
• You have a flight, rental-car deadline, or fixed appointment soon after the tour.
• You want a slow, private nature experience.
• You are interested only in Arrayanes Forest and not the longer island visit.
• You need confirmed accessibility details, since the available information only says most people can participate.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and changes made then are not accepted.

Should you book Arrayanes Forest with Victoria Island?

Book it if you want a full, scenic day on Nahuel Huapi Lake, with two very different forest stops and a guide who can bring the trees to life. The rare arrayán trees, snow-covered mountain views, and Victoria Island trails are the real reasons to go.

Skip it if a crowded catamaran or uncertain timing would spoil your day. The tour is best for flexible schedules and broad sightseeing, not for a private or tightly timed outing. Before paying, confirm the full price including the ARS 25,500 fee, the English-language arrangement, and the pickup point. With those expectations set, this is a worthwhile way to see more of Bariloche’s natural surroundings in a single outing.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The stated meeting point is Mitre 139, R8400 San Carlos de Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina. Pickup is also offered from downtown hotels and hotels along the 25-kilometer Bustillo route.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in central Bariloche.

How long does the excursion last?

The expected duration is approximately six to seven hours. A previous outing returned about 2 hours and 15 minutes later than planned, so allow extra time.

Is transportation included?

Yes. The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle and the catamaran.

Are admission tickets included?

Admission tickets are listed as included for both Bosque de Arrayanes and Isla Victoria.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. English is one of the available languages. Make sure the English-speaking option is selected or confirmed when you book.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum of 200 participants. The catamaran may carry a large shared group, rather than a small party.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.