Bariloche and Old Patagonian Express

Bariloche and Old Patagonian Express

6 Days / 5 Nights

Bariloche - Esquel

Departures: Mondays from September to April

Meals: According to itinerary. 

Day 1 - Bariloche

Reception at the airport and transfer to the selected hotel. Depart from the hotel for a half-day sightseeing of Bariloche and its outskirts. Drive along Bustillo Ave. bordering Nahuel Huapi Lake toward Playa Bonita. Continue to Campanario Hill, where a cable car will take you to the bleeder located at the summit of the hill. Enjoy a complete overview of Lake Nahuel Huapi, the mountain peaks of the Andean range and the city. Then drive toward the San Pedro and Llao Llao Peninsulas. Visit San Eduardo Chapel and view the Llao Llao Hotel & Resort and Puerto Pañuelo, the departure point of most Lake Excursions. Cross the bridge that connects Nahuel Huapi Lake and Moreno Lake and proceed to Bahía Lopez. Enjoy a breathtaking view of Nahuel Huapi Lake from the Panoramic Point, a natural balcony facing Moreno Lake. Return to Bariloche. Accommodation.

Day 2 - Bariloche

Full day visit to Estancia Fortín Chacabuco. Located 20 km away from Bariloche and 23 from the airport, in Neuquén province. It has 5000 has dedicated to sheep breeding (they were the first ones who used frozen sperm for artificial insemination). It was built in 1883 when General Villegas ordered to build the Chacabuco Fort, in the fight against the aborigines. As it is located in the transition between the precordillera and the steppe, it has different flora, fauna and soils. In the west we can find snow until summer as well as valleys, lakes, rivers, etc. In the East we can find a much more arid climate. This typical Patagonian estancia allows to taste the famous Patagonian asado (Argentine barbecue), watch stags, go for a walk, go for horseback rides and enjoy the landscape. It also has pine trees plantations (these pines are 15 years old). Return to the hotel.

Day 3 - Bariloche / Esquel

Continental breakfast. Departure to El Bolsón, a spectacular valley with its own microclimate that allows an important production of fine fruit (strawberries, raspberries, cherries, blackberries, boysenberries, raising, ginger, etc.), hops, cheese, trout, homemade beer, woolen garments and handicrafts. In the 70's it was home to many ecological communities and cultural movements such as the famous "hippies" that still live nearby. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays a Craft Fair is available. Continue to El Maitén to board the Patagonian Express (La Trochita), a land of legends that leads to adventure, where nature never fails to impress the visitor with its landscape of lakes, forests and rivers. La Trochita is one of the few steam narrow gauge trains in the world, an attractive part of our Patagonian history. The ride through the amazing Patagonian steppe allows to see sheep in the estancias in the area, guanaco's flocks and nandus. Arrival at Esquel and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.

Day 4 - Esquel

Continental breakfast. Visit to the Australian merino's herd of El Principio Estancia. Continue to Trevelín, a Welsh colony whose name means "City of the Mill", due to the first wheat mill that was installed in this area. Continue to the frontier with Chile to visit De Nant & Fall Cascades and a replica of a floury mill of the last century. Return to Trevelín and visit the Welsh Museum that, placed where the mill used to be, houses the memories of the first Welsh colonies. Continue to Esquel.

Day 5 - Esquel

Continental breakfast. Full day excursion to Los Alerces National Park visiting Futalaufquen Lake, Arrayanes Lake and Verde Lake. Walk bordering Menéndez River until Chucao Pier, in Menéndez Lake. Embark to visit, in the end of the North Arm, the majestic Alerzal Milenario (Millenary Larch Wood) with trees of more than 3000 years, 60 meters high and 2,60 meters of diameter. The circuit allows to appreciate big cohiues, the lake, the cascade and the beautiful Cisne River. Box lunch included. Return to Esquel.

Day 6 - Esquel / Bariloche

Continental breakfast. Transfer to Bariloche airport to board the flight to Buenos Aires or to its pier for the Lake Crossing.

Hotels: Edelweiss in Bariloche and Sol del Sur in Esquel 

Tour price per person: $1264 in double room,  $879 in single room. 

Tour Includes: Please click here