From Bariloche: Chico Circuit & Colonia Suiza Tour

Catch the lakes in one long day. I like this tour for its Seven Lakes scenery and easy hotel pickup, plus the chance to see Villa La Angostura’s Alpine-style buildings without arranging several buses or taxis yourself. The main drawback is that the supplied details appear to combine two different routes: one describes the Seven Lakes drive to San Martín de los Andes, while the timed stops focus on Cerro Campanario, Puerto Pañuelo, Bariloche, and Colonia Suiza.

I also like the bilingual Spanish and Portuguese guide service, and the strong praise for guides Richard and Damian and for the professional driving. At $66 per person for about seven hours, it can be good value, but you should confirm the exact route before paying, especially if San Martín de los Andes is your main reason for booking.

Key points to know before booking

• The route description needs checking: Seven Lakes and San Martín de los Andes are listed alongside stops around Bariloche and Colonia Suiza.
• Villa La Angostura is the cultural highlight: Expect Alpine-style wooden architecture, mountain roads, and access to nearby lakes.
• Colonia Suiza allows about two free hours: You can choose where to eat, browse local crafts, and set your own pace.
• Cerro Campanario access costs extra: The tour includes a stop, but the ascent is not included in the $66 price.
• Pickup is limited to central Bariloche hotels: Hotels on Avenida Pioneros and private lodgings are excluded.
• Weather changes quickly: Bring warm layers, a windbreaker, an ID document, and comfortable shoes.

Why the Seven Lakes route is worth your time

The Road of the Seven Lakes is one of the best-known scenic drives in Argentina’s Lake District. Its appeal comes from variety. You are not looking at one lake from one viewpoint for hours. You pass a sequence of waterways, forest, bends, and mountain slopes, with each stop offering a slightly different view.

The named lakes are Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso, and Machonico. The route is surrounded by old, leafy forest, and the road often hugs the Patagonian mountainside. I like this kind of excursion because the scenery keeps changing even when you are simply seated in the vehicle.

The biggest practical benefit is transport. The route covers a large distance, and arranging it independently would require careful planning, a rental car, or several long-distance connections. Here, you have a guide, a driver, insurance, and return transport to Bariloche.

The tradeoff is time. A seven-hour outing sounds generous, but a route connecting Bariloche, Villa La Angostura, the Seven Lakes, and San Martín de los Andes leaves little room for long walks. You should think of this as a scenic road trip with photo stops, not a hiking excursion.

Villa La Angostura brings a different character

Villa La Angostura is more than a quick roadside pause. The town is known for its stylized Alpine wood architecture, which gives it a distinct mountain-village feel. After the broad views from the road, the buildings and village setting offer a more human-scale experience.

I would pay attention to the design details here. Wooden façades, sloping roofs, and the surrounding forest create a strong contrast with the more urban streets of San Carlos de Bariloche. You are still in the same wider lake region, but the atmosphere changes.

The useful question is how much time you will actually have in Villa La Angostura. The information provided does not assign a separate duration to this stop. If the main route continues toward San Martín de los Andes, the village may function as a short visit rather than a leisurely town walk.

That is not necessarily a flaw. The tour is trying to cover a great deal of ground. Still, if you want time for shopping, a long meal, or an extended walk in Villa La Angostura, a separate day trip may suit you better.

The seven named lakes and what to expect from the road

The route passes Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso, and Machonico. The descriptions emphasize forest and changing scenery rather than organized activities at each lake, so expect viewing and photography rather than swimming, boating, or structured walks.

Correntoso and Espejo are among the early names on the route, while Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso, and Machonico come later. The exact order and stopping points can depend on the direction of travel and the day’s schedule. I would ask the guide which lakes will have proper photo stops and which will be viewed from the vehicle.

This matters because the best experience comes from knowing what to expect. A roadside glimpse can still be beautiful, but it is different from stepping out, walking to a viewpoint, and having time to take photographs. Bring your camera, but also keep your expectations practical.

The road itself is part of the experience. You will travel through mountain scenery, dense forest, and bends that open onto water and distant slopes. If you are prone to motion sickness, sitting near the front of the vehicle may be sensible, although no seating arrangement is specified.

San Martín de los Andes offers a natural turning point

The described route ends in San Martín de los Andes, a town on the shore of Lake Lácar. The stop is designed for independent exploration, giving you time to look around at your own pace before returning to Bariloche.

That freedom is useful after a long stretch of guided road travel. You can decide how to spend the available time instead of following another tightly planned group activity. The information does not specify the exact amount of free time in San Martín de los Andes, so ask the guide at the start of the day.

There is an important planning issue here. The timed schedule also lists three hours in San Carlos de Bariloche, with food, free time, local products, and market visits, and separately gives Colonia Suiza two free hours. Those details do not fit neatly with a full Seven Lakes drive all the way to San Martín de los Andes in only seven hours.

I would treat the route as needing confirmation. Ask these questions before departure:

• Does the bus go to San Martín de los Andes?
• Is Colonia Suiza included on the same day?
• How long is the stop at Villa La Angostura?
• Are the seven lakes viewed from the vehicle or visited at several viewpoints?
• Is Cerro Campanario part of this exact departure?

That small bit of checking can prevent disappointment.

Cerro Campanario, viewpoints, and Puerto Pañuelo

The schedule includes about 40 minutes at Cerro Campanario for a photo stop, a guided visit, and scenic views along the way. The ascent itself is not included, so you should not assume that the price covers the chairlift or other access to the summit.

This is a classic Bariloche viewpoint, but the cost issue is clear. If you want to go higher, budget separately and confirm whether the group schedule allows enough time. If the tour only pauses at the base or a nearby viewpoint, you may still get good photographs without paying for the ascent.

A second viewpoint receives about 30 minutes. It is listed for photographs, sightseeing, and scenic views, with a hop-on, hop-off reference. The information does not name this viewpoint, so ask the guide what you will see there and whether you can leave the vehicle.

Puerto Pañuelo also receives about 30 minutes. The port is associated with Bariloche’s lake setting and is a useful place for photographs and orientation. The tour does not include a boat cruise, so do not book this expecting a full lake excursion.

These shorter stops are best viewed as visual breaks during a driving day. They give you time to stretch, take photographs, and see a different part of the Bariloche area. They are not long enough for a full independent visit.

What Colonia Suiza adds to the day

Colonia Suiza is the most practical stop for food and browsing. You have about two free hours, with options to eat, visit a food market, sample regional products, and look through arts and crafts stalls.

I like the freedom here. Instead of being assigned one restaurant, you can choose how to spend your break. You might find local snacks, regional food, and casual street food, but the experience is not presented as a formal tasting menu.

Food quality and facilities may feel basic. One recent booking described the food choice as poor and the facilities as rustic, so I would arrive with modest expectations. Colonia Suiza is better suited to a relaxed village pause than to a polished dining experience.

If food is important to you, use the two hours carefully. Ask the guide where the strongest local options are, compare menus before ordering, and keep enough time to return to the meeting point. The tour includes no food or drinks, so every meal and snack is your own expense.

Transport, guides, and the value of $66

At $66 per person, the tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off at centrally located Bariloche hotels, a bilingual Spanish and Portuguese guide, and insurance. For a long mountain drive, that package can be worthwhile because you avoid fuel, navigation, parking, and the strain of driving unfamiliar roads.

The guide quality matters greatly on a scenic trip. The strongest praise is directed at Richard for being accommodating and at Damian for making the day pleasant. The driver also received clear praise for professional service. Those details matter because you will spend many hours in the vehicle, and a calm driver and helpful guide can make the difference between a pleasant road trip and a tiring one.

The price does not include food, drinks, or the ascent to Cerro Campanario. Those extras are easy to overlook, so add them to your budget. Insurance is included, but you must provide the full name, DNI or passport details, and date of birth for every participant within 12 hours of booking so the policy can be issued.

The overall score is 4.4 from 35 ratings, which suggests a solid experience with some variation. The highest praise centers on the scenery, guides, and driving. The clearest caution concerns expectations around Colonia Suiza and the basic nature of its food and facilities.

Pickup rules and a realistic day plan

Pickup is included only from centrally located hotels in San Carlos de Bariloche. Hotels on Avenida Pioneros are not included, and private homes, apartments, and other residential lodgings are also excluded. If your accommodation falls outside the route, you will receive the closest available meeting point.

The named meeting location is Margarita Stuke Tourism at Rolando 287. The details refer to two pickup options, but only this location is identified, so confirm your exact pickup point after booking.

A seven-hour tour can feel long because much of the day is spent on the road. I would wear comfortable shoes, bring a warm layer and a windbreaker, and keep your passport or ID card with you. Patagonia’s weather can change quickly, even during a sunny morning.

You should also keep your schedule flexible after the tour. Traffic, weather, and the number of photo stops can affect the return time, and the route description itself suggests that different departures may follow different patterns.

Who will enjoy this Bariloche excursion?

I would recommend it to you if you have limited time in Bariloche and want a broad look at the Lake District without renting a car. It suits people who enjoy scenic drives, short stops, village architecture, photography, and flexible free time rather than strenuous activity.

It is also a good match if you are comfortable spending several hours in a vehicle. Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate the simple structure, hotel pickup, and limited walking. The guide and driver take care of the road while you focus on the scenery.

I would be more cautious if your priority is a slow visit to one place. The schedule covers a lot, and the free periods may feel short. You may also prefer another option if you want a refined meal, modern facilities, or a guaranteed summit visit at Cerro Campanario.

Most of all, confirm the route. A Seven Lakes trip to San Martín de los Andes is a different day from a Bariloche and Colonia Suiza circuit. The title and details should match before you commit.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want an affordable, guide-led introduction to Bariloche’s mountain roads, Villa La Angostura, and the Seven Lakes region. The scenery is the main prize, and the included transport, bilingual guide, insurance, and central pickup make $66 reasonable.

I would book only after confirming whether your departure includes San Martín de los Andes, Colonia Suiza, or both. If the operator gives you a clear route and you are happy with a full day of driving and short stops, this is a practical choice. If you want a slower village visit or a carefully planned food experience, choose a tour built around one area instead.

The flexible cancellation policy helps: you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That gives you some room to check the route, weather, and pickup point before the day arrives.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about seven hours. Starting times depend on availability.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in Spanish and Portuguese.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included for centrally located hotels in San Carlos de Bariloche. Pickup is not included from hotels on Avenida Pioneros or from residential and other types of lodgings. You will be given the closest available meeting point if needed.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. Colonia Suiza provides about two hours with several options to buy meals, snacks, and regional food.

Is the Cerro Campanario ascent included?

No. The stop at Cerro Campanario is included, but the ascent is not.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport or ID card, comfortable shoes, warm clothing, and a windbreaker. You must also provide the full name, DNI or passport details, and date of birth of every participant within 12 hours of booking so insurance can be issued.