Bariloche Family Extension

Fly to Bariloche, where you'll be met and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon, your private guide will bring you to Cerro Otto, where you'll ride to the top by aerial tram for fantastic views over Lago Nahuel Huapi, a stunning 200-square-mile lake complete with peninsulas, islands, and fjords that sweep down from thick forests. Take time to enjoy the spectacular view from the summit (6,890 feet above sea level!) then make an easy hike through a forest of towering lenga trees, the native birch of the Andes. At the vista point called the Habsburg Stone, you'll have panoramas of Lago Gutierrez and Cerro Ventana. Along the trail, your local guide will give you an overview of the native vegetation and the history of the area. A packed lunch is provided. Descend by tram for an overnight in Bariloche. Overnight at Hotel Alma del Lago...L
Hiking Time: 2 hours

Your program today includes your choice of one of the following private guided options. The minimum participation in any option is two persons. Dinner is on your own. Your guide will be happy to make recommendations for you, depending on how local or fancy you want to go. Overnight at Hotel Alma del Lago...BL

Full-Day Bariloche History & Nature with Canopy Zip Line (best option with older kids)
Begin the day with visits to some of the iconic viewpoints of the area, including Campanario Hill, where you'll have a bird's-eye view over alpine lakes, the snow-capped Andes, and the 5-star Llao Llao hotel resort, first opened as a lodge in 1938. Learn the fascinating history of the mountain village of Llao Llao, now part of Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi. After a short hike with your guide through a forest of 300-year-old arrayán trees (Luma apiculata), return to Bariloche and head to Gilbert's brewery (Cerveceria Artesanal Gilbert), a fun spot to try out your culinary skills with an engaging lunchtime cooking class that introduces you to the culinary secrets of both the immigrant and native cultures of Bariloche.

After lunch, drive a bit out of town to Colonia Suiza, the first European settlement in Bariloche, where you'll proceed by 4WD vehicle to Cerro López for an adrenaline-filled zip line experience. After instruction and safety advice, glide from one treetop platform to another (there are 10 in all!) for a unique and exciting way to enjoy the Andean landscapes. Afterwards, head back to your hotel in Bariloche.

Full-Day Bariloche History & Nature with Nahuelito Park (best option for young kids)
(This is the same as the first option through lunchtime, then concludes with a visit to Nahuelito Park instead of the zip line adventure). After morning activities and lunch at Gilbert's brewery, visit Nahuelito Park (Parque Nahuelito), a dinosaur-inspired theme park set in a lush green forest. The park takes its name from the Nahuelito, the Argentinian version of the Loch Ness monster, and provides an entertaining educational experience with 30 life-size replicas of dinosaurs painted by professional artists and set along walking trails in a 10-acre park. Specialized guides will explain depth the history and particularities of these former inhabitants of prehistoric Argentina. Afterwards, head back to Hotel Alma del Lago in Bariloche.

Your program today includes your choice of one of the following private guided options. The minimum participation in any option is two persons. Dinner is on your own. Overnight at Hotel Alma del Lago...BL

Kayak and Hiking at Lago Mascardi
This is an ideal day of lake kayaking paired with a hike in lakeside forest of native trees. Head to Camping Wiritray, owned by the local native Mapuche community, for an introduction to kayaking and a safety review, then board your kayaks and paddle across Lago Mascardi in the heart of Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi. Head to shore at Playa Leones, one of the most beautiful beaches in the park, and enjoy a hike through the forest to a small lagoon. Hike back to Playa Leones for a packed lunch and time to relax on the beach before kayaking back to the starting point. No previous kayaking experience is necessary, and all equipment is provided.
Driving Time: 1 hour
Kayaking Time: About 2 hours, plus a 1-hour picnic (packed lunch) on the beach
Total Duration of Excursion: 5-6 hours

Full-Day Visit to the Valle Encantado
This option brings a complete change of scene from the mountain peaks of the Andes to the Patagonian steppe and craggy volcanic rock towers of the Valle Encantando (“enchanted valley'). To enter the valley, you'll cross the peaceful Limay River by boat, viewing stunning rock faces en route, and arrive in beautiful Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi on the other side. Take a walk among the big walls and volcanic caves with your guide and enjoy a packed lunch in a beautiful outdoor setting before re-crossing the river and returning to Bariloche. The Valle Encantado has long attracted rock climbers to its crags, towers, and classic arête routes.
Driving Time: 1.5 hours each way, depending on traffic around the lake
Total Duration of Excursion: 8 hours

Transfer to the airport and fly from Bariloche to Buenos Aires for departing flights. Many travelers prefer to overnight in Buenos Aires before taking the international flight the next day...B