From Bariloche: Chico Circuit & Colonia Suiza Tour

The best part of this Bariloche outing is the road itself. You follow mountain routes beside clear Patagonian lakes, pass through forests, and reach Villa La Angostura, an Alpine-style village with wooden buildings and a calm lakeside setting. The scenery changes often, so the drive never feels like dead time.

I like the hotel pickup and return for centrally located Bariloche hotels, and I like having a bilingual Spanish and Portuguese guide along for the trip. Guides Richard and Damián have both received especially warm praise, with Richard noted for being accommodating and the driver praised for professional service. The main drawback is that the supplied trip details appear to mix the Seven Lakes route with a Bariloche and Colonia Suiza itinerary, so confirm the exact stops before booking.

Key points to know

• Seven named lakes: The route includes Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso, and Machonico, each with different forest and mountain views.
• Villa La Angostura stop: This attractive mountain village is known for its stylized Alpine-wood architecture.
• Colonia Suiza time: You get about two free hours to explore and find something to eat, but food choices may be limited and facilities are rustic.
• Cerro Campanario costs extra: The tour includes a photo stop and views, but not the ascent.
• Seven hours on the road: This is a scenery-first outing, with transport and guide service taking up much of the day.
• Flexible booking: Central hotel pickup, insurance, free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead, and reserve-now-pay-later terms add practical value.

What this Bariloche day trip is really about

This is a long scenic outing rather than a packed sightseeing checklist. You spend much of the seven-hour day in a vehicle, but that is the point. The roads around Bariloche reveal the region best in passing: a wooded slope opens to a lake, a bend frames a mountain, and a village appears between the trees.

The advertised route includes Villa La Angostura, the Seven Lakes Road, and San Martín de los Andes on the shore of Lake Lácar. Another part of the provided schedule lists Cerro Campanario, a viewpoint, Puerto Pañuelo, Bariloche, and Colonia Suiza. Those are not the same seven-hour program.

That mismatch matters. Confirm the day’s exact route, stops, and time allocation with Margarita Stuke Turismo before you pay. The rest of this review explains the places and services described in the booking information, but you should not assume every listed location fits into one short outing.

Starting from central Bariloche

Pickup is included from centrally located hotels in San Carlos de Bariloche. The listed meeting point is Margarita Stuke Tourism at Rolando 287, and there are two pickup options shown in the details.

This is useful in Bariloche, where a central hotel can save you the trouble of arranging a taxi early in the day. Pickup does not cover hotels on Avenida Pioneros or residential and other types of lodging. If your accommodation falls outside the route, the operator provides the closest available meeting point.

Bring your passport or national identity card. The operator also requires each participant’s full name, DNI or passport details, and date of birth within 12 hours of booking so the insurance can be issued. That is an easy detail to miss, and failure to send it may prevent you from joining the tour.

Cerro Campanario and the first viewpoints

Cerro Campanario is one of the early scenic points listed for the day. You have about 40 minutes here for a photo stop, a guided visit, and views along the road. The ascent itself is not included in the $66 price.

That distinction is important. The tour can bring you to the area, but you should budget separately if you want to go up Cerro Campanario. The listing does not state the ascent price, so ask before setting out.

The viewpoint stop adds another 30 minutes. You can expect a short visit, some explanation from the guide, and time to take photographs rather than a long walk or independent hike. If you enjoy wide views but prefer not to plan transport between lookouts, this part is convenient.

The schedule also lists Puerto Pañuelo for roughly 30 minutes. The port is a scenic point by the water and a useful place for photographs. Do not confuse a short port stop with a boat cruise, since no boat ride is included in the stated package.

Villa La Angostura and its Alpine character

Villa La Angostura is one of the most appealing cultural stops on the advertised Seven Lakes route. The town is known for stylized Alpine wood architecture, which gives it a distinct look from Bariloche’s more urban center.

You will have a chance to see a true mountain village rather than only passing through forests and stopping at viewpoints. That change of pace is welcome on a road trip. The village offers a human scale, local shops, and places to pause before the long run of lakes begins.

The stop is not described with a fixed amount of free time, so ask the guide how long you will have there. The day has several major locations, and the time available in Villa La Angostura may depend on traffic, weather, and the final route being operated.

The Seven Lakes Road, one lake at a time

A few kilometers after Villa La Angostura, the famous Seven Lakes Road begins. The route links a series of lakes through forested Patagonian mountain country. You are not simply driving past seven names on a map. Each stop offers a different arrangement of water, trees, slopes, and open sky.

Correntoso Lake is one of the first named lakes on the route. The road gives you a chance to see how the water sits within the mountain setting, with leafy forest close by.

Espejo Lake follows with another change in shape and view. The name means mirror, and calm conditions can make the water reflect the surrounding hills. Weather is never guaranteed, so think of the name as a promise of possibility rather than a sure photographic effect.

The route also includes Escondido Lake, a quieter stop surrounded by woods. Its appeal is the feeling of being away from a town or major development. You may find the forest as memorable as the water here.

Villarino Lake and Falkner Lake continue the scenic sequence. The roadside views are the main event, so keep your camera and warm layer close rather than packed in the luggage compartment.

Hermoso Lake is another named stop, followed by Machonico Lake. The exact order and time at each lake are not specified, and the vehicle may pause longer at some points than others. The guide’s judgment, road conditions, and weather will shape the day.

This route is best for you if you enjoy seeing a large area without having to drive. It is less suitable if you want long walks, quiet time at one lake, or control over every stop. The tour gives you access to a famous road, but it does so at a group pace.

San Martín de los Andes and Lake Lácar

The advertised route continues to San Martín de los Andes, a town on the shore of Lake Lácar. Once there, you can explore at your own pace before returning to Bariloche.

That independent time is valuable after several guided roadside stops. You can choose how to use it, though the information does not specify exactly how much free time you receive in San Martín de los Andes. Ask about this before departure if the town is one of your main reasons for booking.

The return to Bariloche completes a full day on the road. Since the total duration is listed as seven hours, the schedule is fairly tight for a route that includes Villa La Angostura, seven lakes, San Martín de los Andes, and the return journey. This is another reason to verify the final itinerary rather than treating every listed location as guaranteed.

Colonia Suiza, food, and the rustic side of the trip

The booking information also gives Colonia Suiza a prominent place, with about two free hours to explore the village and find something to eat. Colonia Suiza offers a very different experience from a quick lake viewpoint. You can walk around, look at arts and crafts, and choose from local food options without being tied to a guided walking tour.

Food and drinks are not included. You should plan to pay for lunch, snacks, and drinks yourself. The schedule allows for food tastings, regional food, street food, barbecue, markets, and local snacks, but those descriptions do not mean a meal is part of the price.

The practical warning is simple: food choices may be limited, and facilities can feel rustic. If you want a polished restaurant meal or modern amenities, keep expectations modest. If you like informal village food and local craft stalls, the rougher character may be part of the appeal.

Because the provided details mention both Colonia Suiza and the Seven Lakes route, ask whether your departure is the Chico Circuit and Colonia Suiza version or the longer Villa La Angostura and Seven Lakes version. The names suggest different excursions, and the distinction affects what you will actually see.

How the $66 price measures up

At $66 per person, the tour offers reasonable value if you want a guided driving day from Bariloche. Hotel pickup and drop-off, transport, bilingual guide service, and insurance are included. Those inclusions reduce the cost and effort of arranging a private vehicle or several separate transfers.

The price is less attractive if you are mainly interested in the Cerro Campanario ascent, a full meal, or extended time in one town. The Campanario ascent costs extra, and food and drinks are not included. You also pay with your time: seven hours on a scheduled route leaves little room to linger.

I would compare this price with the cost of renting a car, fuel, insurance, and navigation before deciding. A rental may offer more freedom, but driving mountain roads and planning the Seven Lakes route require work. This tour makes more sense if you value having a driver and guide, especially when you want to focus on the scenery.

The overall score is 4.4 from 35 ratings, which fits the experience described here: strong scenic appeal and generally well-received guiding, with some reservations about the Colonia Suiza food and facilities. The most positive feedback centers on the guides and drivers. Richard is described as accommodating, and Damián is also singled out warmly. Those details matter because a long road day depends heavily on clear communication and a capable driver.

What to wear and carry

Patagonian weather can change quickly. Bring warm clothes and a windbreaker, even if Bariloche feels mild when you leave. You may spend time beside exposed viewpoints or near the water, where wind makes the temperature feel lower.

Comfortable shoes are enough for the listed stops. The tour does not promise long hikes, but you will want shoes suitable for short walks around viewpoints, village streets, and lake stops.

Pack your identity document, water, and money for food and drinks. Since the tour includes photo stops and free time, a small day bag is more useful than heavy luggage.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this experience if you have limited time in Bariloche and want a broad look at the surrounding region without driving. It suits photographers, first-time visitors, couples, families able to manage a long vehicle day, and anyone who wants a guide to handle the roads.

It is also a good fit if you want both natural scenery and a village stop. Villa La Angostura and Colonia Suiza provide more variety than a day made entirely of viewpoints.

I would hesitate if you dislike fixed schedules, motion-heavy days, or changing vehicles between many scenic stops. You should also choose another plan if your priority is a long hike, a boat trip, or a carefully planned restaurant lunch. None of those is included in the stated package.

The language service is Spanish and Portuguese. No English guide is listed, so English-only visitors should confirm communication arrangements before booking.

Should you book the Bariloche circuit?

Book it if you want an affordable, guided introduction to Bariloche’s surrounding lakes, mountain roads, and village life. The scenery is the main reward, and the inclusion of transport, central pickup, a bilingual guide, and insurance makes the price sensible.

Before you commit, confirm the route in writing. The information combines the Seven Lakes Road, Villa La Angostura, and San Martín de los Andes with Cerro Campanario, Puerto Pañuelo, Bariloche, and Colonia Suiza. If the operator confirms the version you want, this can be a very useful full-day introduction. If you want control, long stops, or a guaranteed meal, rent a car or choose a more focused excursion instead.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts seven hours, including transportation, guided stops, free time, and the return to Bariloche.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is included from centrally located hotels in San Carlos de Bariloche. Margarita Stuke Tourism at Rolando 287 is listed as a pickup location. Hotels on Avenida Pioneros and residential or other types of lodging are not included, but the operator provides the closest available meeting point.

Is food included in the price?

No. Food and drinks are not included. At Colonia Suiza, you have about two free hours and several options for finding food yourself.

Is the Cerro Campanario ascent included?

No. The tour includes a stop at Cerro Campanario, but the ascent is an additional cost.

Which languages are available?

The live guide service is available in Spanish and Portuguese.

What documents are required when booking?

You must provide the full name, DNI or passport details, and date of birth for every participant. The operator requests this information within 12 hours of booking so the required insurance can be issued.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option lets you book without paying immediately.