Argentina Packages

Patagonian Safari
11 Days / 10 Nights

This safari explores the most scenic places of the Northern Patagonia National Parks. The length of the trip is 11 days, including 3 days backpacking to a mountain hut (locally known as a refugio) far removed from civilization. We will travel through native Mapuche land.

Day 1
After a brief orientation chat in the morning, we leave for Villa La Angostura, a small tourist resort on the north shore of Lake Nahuel Huapi. On the way, we can stop to admire the incredible landscape and take marvelous pictures. From these viewpoints, and/or the town (depending on our mood and the weather) we may opt to hike to different points for beautiful views of beaches, forests, and ponds.
Next we take the Seven Lakes Road towards San Martín de los Andes. On the way, we may stop to take in the breathtaking views. There are beautiful natural rivers long the way where we can stop for lunch.A few kilometers before San Martín de los Andes, we take a road that goes through a Mapuche community to the shore of Lacar Lake, where we will camp. The campground has bathrooms and hot showers.

Day 2
In the morning we take a very short and easy hike to a waterfall. We leave the new road to San Martin to follow the old one, along which the views are beautiful. When we reach San Martin de los Andes, a picturesque ski village, we can take a stroll around this small city to see the great influence European culture has had upon it.
After lunch we will drive towards Volcano Lanín . At night, (weather permitting, of course) we can admire a fantastic view of the night sky and all the constellations of the southern hemisphere by the lake shore. We stop to camp in one of the most lovely and yet unvisited corners of Lake Huachulafquen. The campground has basic bathrooms and hot showers.

Day 3
We take dirt roads southeast and head for Filo Hua-Hum Lake. After setting up camp and having a Patagonian asado (BBQ), a night hike within the cypress forest of will allow us to experience nature in a very different way. The Filo Hua-Hum lake is a quiet, rarely visited area, probably because there are niether showers nor bathrooms. The people who live in the area make homemade cheese, bread and jelly, all of which are available to sample and purchase.

Day 4
This morning is a perfect time for relaxing on the beach, having some "mate", trying to fish, or taking a walk to a small waterfall nearby.
After a very short drive we are in Caleufu Canyon. It is a sort of natural swimming pool with rapids and waterfalls. It is great for swimming and sunbathing!
Afterwards, we drive to the confluence of Rivers Traful and Limay. Nearby there is a cave where anthropologists found evidence of human activities dated thousands of years ago. Later, on our drive back to Bariloche, we pass over Encantado (Enchanted) Valley where strange and impressive rock shapes caused by wind erosion can be seen. In Bariloche we will stock up on supplies for the next three days of backpacking. That night we'll sleep at a Camping Site in Colonia Suiza.

Day 5
With our backpacks and hearts ready, we walk to the beginning of the trail. From there we'll follows the gorgeous Goye river by trail. At the end of the valley, the hike becomes more demanding as it climbs to the Laguna Negra, home of the refugio Italia where we will stay overnight. It takes about six hours to get there. On the way, there are plenty of beautiful picnic sites and a nice bathing spot.

Day 6
After enjoying the beautiful place and a delicious breakfast, we'll go for a walk in these spectacular surroundings we will descend to Colonia Suiza and spend the night at a campsite by the lake.

Day 7
Today we'll hike around the area. Tonight we'll sleep at the same campsite.

Day 8
Today we go south, passing the Gutierrez, Mascardi and Guillelmo lakes, through the valley between the Ventana Range and the Catedral (an important ski resort). After 65 miles of incredible views from mountains and lakes, we turn right to get into the heart of the Andes at the Paraje El Manso, very close to the border with Chile. It's a good place to relax and enjoy nature, but also we will have the oportunity (optional) of river rafting (degree III+) or horse back ride. We are going to spend the night at the beach.

Day 9
An early bath at the river is not a bad idea to start the day with. After having a filling breadfast we head south again. In the evening before getting to the town of El Bolsón, it's time to go shopping! we stock up on supplies. We'll continue our trip south, it's time to change provinces, once we get to Los Alerces National Park, we'll be in Chubut, living Río Negro behind. These is the land where Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid spent part of their life. We are going to spend the night at the amazing Lake Verde, in a very equipped camping. We stay here for two nights.

Day 10
We'll discover the wonders of these National Park, by hiking trough the Patagonian rainforest. Here is were the millenary Alerce tree lives and also exuberant forest (optional tour). Good posibillities for fly casting , canoing or horse back ride. Our last night in the nature would be a good time to share an "asado" (BBQ) with patagonian lamb.

Day 11
After lunch we'll start our trip back. End of our services in Bariloche.

*** End Of Our Services ***

CODE : OVEPAT