bariloche argentina lake district patagonia nahuel huapi

Lake Nahuel Huapi and the peaks of Tronador, Cerro Catedral, and Cerro Lopez

The Bariloche area, surrounded by breathtaking lakes and mountains, offers wonderful opportunities for exploring by foot and by sea kayak.

Photo by Dan Cooper / iStock Photo

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Mountains, Lakes and Malbec route-map
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Trip Details at-a-Glance

Cost From: $6495   see pricing
Length: 11 days
Arrive: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Depart: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Lodging: 9 nights hotels and inns, 1 night estancia describe
Meals: All meals included except 2 dinners
Activity: Cultural Adventures, Hiking / Trekking
Trip Level: Cultural exploration, day hikes of 3-6 hours, altitudes between 3,000-7,500 feet, 1 day bike riding through vineyards
3 explain

Highlights

  • Visit Buenos Aires, with its vibrant atmosphere
  • Explore, hike, and kayak in the lush forests and deep blue lakes of the Patagonian Lake District
  • Savor an insider’s look at Argentina’s prime wine country, with wine tasting at one of the area’s most prestigious winery collectives
  • Enjoy a stay at a historic estancia


Great variety of activities and experiences, fantastic food and accommodations. Each day was a different adventure.Brenda H.—Surrey, BC, Canada

Choosing the Right Trip

We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please contact us.
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References

We are proud to have an exceptionally high rate of repeat travelers. For more information, we would be happy to put you in touch with a client who has traveled with us.

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Departure Notes

Once you have signed up on the trip, we send a complete packing list, relevant health information, and required travel documents.

Resources

Snow-capped peaks, vast sapphire lakes, lush and ancient temperate forest, one of the finest wine-growing regions in the world—we’ve put them all together to create a unique journey that explores the best of central Argentina. On our insider’s adventure, we hike and kayak in the Patagonia Lake District, boat to a remote island to enjoy a traditional asado (barbecue), savor wine tasting, a vineyard lunch, and biking in the Valle de Uco near Mendoza, Argentina’s prime wine country, and experience Gaucho culture at a historic estancia. This is the perfect moveable feast in the Andes!

Itinerary at a Glance

For a more complete description, Download Full Detailed Itinerary

Days 1-6
Buenos Aires / Bariloche / Lake Nahuel Huapi

After a day in Buenos Aires to explore its artistic neighborhoods and see a tango show, we fly to Bariloche. At Nahuel Huapi National Park, where the Andes meet the golden Patagonian steppe, we hike to viewpoints of glacier-clad peaks, kayak the fjords of the lake, and enjoy a private yacht cruise, stopping on a remote island and peninsula to hike and enjoy a special asado criollo, a classic Argentine barbecue.

Days 7-11
Mendoza Wine Country / Estancia La Candelaria

A flight brings us to Mendoza, Argentina’s wine capital, with its rose gardens and sycamore-shaded streets. The Valle de Uco is where Argentina’s most prestigious and state-of-the-art wineries are found. Our explorations include a hike in the mountains and biking from winery to winery in the Clos de los Siete, a magnificent collective of wineries, where we delight in a special estate lunch—and taste wines, of course! Returning to Buenos Aires, we can swim, ride horses, or just relax in the atmospheric ambiance of Estancia La Candelaria before departing on Day 11.

For a more complete description, Download Full Detailed Itinerary

Optional Extensions

If you would like to continue your adventure, we offer the following extension:

What the Trip is Like

This trip is Level 3, Moderate. It features sightseeing with day walks and hikes and some long drives on rough, unpaved roads. Appropriate time for rest and acclimatization is included in the itinerary, but for your own enjoyment of the trip, we recommend that you make a special effort to be in good physical condition. Throughout the trip, we enjoy hotel and lodge accommodations.

Explanation of Trip Levels

 

Departures & Leaders

Oct 26-Nov 5, 2013
Jan 26-Feb 5, 2014  Bernardita De Negri
Feb 16-26, 2014  Bernardita De Negri
Oct 26-Nov 5, 2014

Trip Cost

Prices valid through Spring 2014
$6495 (10-12 members)
$6995 (7-9 members)
Single supplement: $1495
Forced single supplement: $1295
Internal airfare: $1290 (subject to change)
Extra overnight at Estancia La Candelaria: $355
Argentina Reciprocity Fee for US citizens (must be obtained in advance online): $160
more on pricing

Trip Cost Includes:

  • Expert leadership of a Wilderness Travel Trip Leader and local guides
  • Accommodations in hotels, inns, and an estancia
  • All meals included except 2 dinners
  • Land transportation, airport transfers, and guided explorations as noted

Trip Cost Does Not Include:

International airfare, internal airfare, transfers for independent arrival or departure, any meals not specified after each itinerary day in the Full Trip Brochure, airport departure taxes, optional tipping or gratuities to leader or local guides, hotels en route and any additional hotel nights that may be necessitated by airline schedule changes or other factors, expenses such as medical immunizations (if any), U.S. citizen “reciprocity” visitor fee for Argentina, travel insurance, or passports and visas, and other expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.).

Trip Payment Schedule

At time of reservation: $500
120 days prior to departure: 20%
60 days prior to departure: Balance

Cancellation and Transfer Fee Schedule

Minimum fee: None
46-90 days prior to departure: 25% of trip cost
45 days or less: 100% of trip cost

Nuss Hotel

Nuss Hotel

Days 1 to 2 (2 nights), Buenos Aires, Argentina

The Nuss Hotel enjoys a superb location, right in the heart of Palermo Soho, the most bohemian and atmospheric neighborhood of the city. A former ...
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El Casco Art Hotel

El Casco Art Hotel

Days 3 to 6 (4 nights), San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina

The El Casco Art Hotel is a boutique lodge with a tranquil lakeside setting and views stretching out over the waters of Lake Nahuel Huapi, best ...
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Casa Antucura

Casa Antucura

Days 7 to 9 (3 nights), Vista Flores, Argentina

Deep in Argentina’s prime wine country, the secluded Casa Antucura is a tranquil haven, combining the comforts of a country home with the ...
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Estancia La Candelaria

Estancia La Candelaria

Day 10 (1 night), Buenos Aires, Argentina

Estancia La Candelaria, set on 250 acres of verdant parklands, is a historic luxury retreat. The main house, dating from the late 19th century, is ...
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Extension Accommodations

If you would like to view the accommodations offered with our extensions option:

Note: Listed above are our signature accommodations for this trip. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.

Bernardita De Negri

Bernardita de Negri, born in Buenos Aires, grew up in a family that had immigrated from Europe to Argentina. Her family loved travel, books, and languages, and her international background, combined with living in cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, helped her develop a lust for world travel and a curiosity about other cultures. Bernardita studied Hotel & Tourism Management, lived for a while abroad, and then built a career as a travel consultant. Having always loved being close to nature, she found ways to experience the great Argentine outdoors despite living in a city. After multiple Patagonian adventures in camping, trekking, and sailing, she decided to dedicate her life to natural history studies and began a career as a professional guide. "My life as a Trip Leader lets me indulge my passion for travel and the outdoors, and at the same time I can share my knowledge of Patagonia and contribute to the development of nature tourism in my country." Bernadita lives in Buenos Aires and speaks fluent English.

Upcoming Trips:

Patagonia Express, November 23-December 4, 2013
Mountains, Lakes and Malbec, January 26-February 5, 2014
Mountains, Lakes and Malbec, February 16-26, 2014

Client Testimonials:


Bernie was a great trip leader, always up, and with a great smile and attitude. Charles C., Lebanon TN
In Patagonia Bernie was always ready to help and answer questions with a smile. She understands group dynamics very well and is extremely dedicated to the success of the trip. Marie-Claire T., Danville CA
In Patagonia A spectacular and fun trip! Trish K., Berkeley, CA Bernie is a goddess! Fabulous energy, great appreciation of group dynamics, excellent management. Can’t say enough good things about her. Mary Ann W., Oakland, CA Bernie made the tri a 10+! She’s an extremely talented person. Harold and Nancy L., Golden, CO Bernie is one of the best leaders we’ve had on a trip. Everything ran smoothly and she is delightful company. We’d go anywhere Bernie wants to take us! Kurt G., San Francisco, CA
Organized, efficient, knowledgeable, friendly, and always cheerful. We would love to do another trip with her. Brenda H., Surrey, BC Canada A delightful, always smiling, unflappable leader. Sarah M., Brooklyn, NY Best Trip Leader ever! Joe M., San Antonio, TX Berni is the best guide that I have ever had! From the beginning she understood the needs of each member of the group. Rahel R., Bethesda, MD Berni was a major reason the trip was so outstanding. Her spirit, enthusiasm, upbeat and smiling persona were extraordinary. She truly enjoys her job! What a pleasure! Daisy R., New York, NY Bernie was outstanding and made the trip what it was. Todd J., Austin, TX
Patagonia Express

Optional Extensions

If you would like to continue your adventure, we offer the following extension:

Argentina

Iguazu Falls Extension

One of the World’s Spectacular Natural Wonders

Wildlife & Natural History
3 days  -  Level 1