San Martin de los Andes along the Route of the 7 Lakes

The real prize here is the road itself. National Route 40 carries you north from Bariloche through Nahuel Huapi and Lanín national parks, past seven mountain lakes and a string of viewpoints that keep changing with every bend. Villa La Angostura adds a pleasant town stop, while San Martín de los Andes gives you time beside Lake Lácar.

I like the easy round-trip transport and the chance to cover a huge stretch of Patagonia without renting a car. I also like that the guide adds context in Spanish, Portuguese, or English, with guides such as Gonçalo, Valentín, and Rodi receiving particularly warm praise. The drawback is the length: 630 minutes means a full day on the road, and lunch, drinks, and other personal costs are not included.

Key points to know before you go

• Seven named lakes: Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso, and Machónico appear along the route.
• A full-day road trip: The outing lasts about 10.5 hours, including the return to Bariloche.
• Two distinct towns: You visit storybook-style Villa La Angostura and later have free time in San Martín de los Andes.
• Flexible guide language: Choose Spanish, Portuguese, or English, depending on the option available when you book.
• Pickup has a limit: Hotel transfers cover central Bariloche locations to Av. Bustillo Km 8. If your hotel is outside the pickup area, you receive an alternative meeting hotel.
• Extra sights are advertised: Isla Corazón, Pampa Linda, and the Ventisquero Negro are among the named scenic attractions connected with the outing, but the exact stopping pattern should be confirmed before departure.

Why Route 40 is the main event

This is not simply a ride between two Argentine towns. The road is the attraction. Route 40 threads through Patagonian forest, open mountain country, and lake country where the water often reflects the slopes and sky with startling clarity.

You begin in Bariloche and head north toward Villa La Angostura. The first part of the journey brings the quiet setting of Puerto Manzano, then the road reaches the more developed but still inviting mountain town of Villa La Angostura.

From there, the famous Seven Lakes route takes over. The scenery is broad and constantly changing, but the experience is not built around one grand monument. It is built around repeated views: a lake appearing through trees, a mountain opening behind the road, or a lookout that gives you a wider sense of the country.

That matters because the trip works best for you if you enjoy scenic travel rather than a packed schedule of indoor attractions. The guide keeps the day moving, but much of your time is spent seated, watching Patagonia pass outside the window.

Puerto Manzano and Villa La Angostura

Puerto Manzano is one of the early scenic areas on the way north. The information provided for the excursion describes it as a calm introduction to the region before the road reaches Villa La Angostura.

Villa La Angostura is the first major stop with a town feel. Its appeal comes from its small-scale mountain setting and cozy center. You get a break from the vehicle and a chance to see one of the Lake District’s best-known resort towns before continuing along Route 40.

I would treat this stop as a pleasant change of pace rather than a long sightseeing tour. The schedule must eventually carry you to San Martín de los Andes and back to Bariloche, so your free time in Villa La Angostura may be limited. Wear shoes that are comfortable for walking and bring a layer you can add or remove easily.

The town also gives you a practical chance to buy food or drinks if needed, though you should not depend on that. Since meals and beverages are not included, bring some Argentine pesos or another accepted payment method for lunch and snacks.

The seven lakes, one bend at a time

The route’s seven named lakes are Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso, and Machónico. Each name marks a different view, but the larger pleasure is how the scenery changes between them.

You can expect forested stretches, open viewpoints, mountain slopes, and water that reflects the surrounding country. The lakes do not all look alike from the road, and the light can alter the mood of each stop. A gray day may bring a quiet, moody view, while clear weather can make the blues and greens sharper.

The route is especially good for people who want to see a lot of the region in one day. Instead of choosing one lake and staying put, you get a broad survey of the road between Bariloche and San Martín de los Andes.

There is a tradeoff. A one-day excursion cannot give you the slow pace of an independent road trip. You will follow the group schedule, and the return journey uses the same route. That repetition is not necessarily a weakness. The views look different on the way back, but you should still know that this is a long transport day rather than a relaxed overnight journey.

Keep your camera ready, but do not spend every minute looking through it. The best view may appear only briefly between wooded sections. If you are prone to motion sickness, the long drive and changing road may be worth planning for, although the activity information does not specify the vehicle type or road conditions.

Viewpoints including Isla Corazón and Pampa Linda

Isla Corazón and Pampa Linda are highlighted as impressive viewpoints connected with the day’s scenery. These names add variety to the route, since not every memorable view comes from a lake directly beside the road.

A viewpoint gives you something a moving vehicle cannot: a chance to stop, look across the surrounding country, and understand how the road fits into the wider mountain setting. This is also where a guide can be most useful, pointing out the features you might otherwise miss.

The exact length of time at each viewpoint is not provided, so do not plan a detailed photography session at every stop. Instead, think of these as short scenic pauses within a much longer road trip.

The same applies to the Ventisquero Negro, the dark-colored glacier named among the experience highlights. It is presented as part of the natural attractions associated with the excursion, but the main itinerary focuses on Route 40, the Seven Lakes, Villa La Angostura, and San Martín de los Andes. If the glacier is a must-see for you, ask the operator to confirm exactly where it fits into this departure before booking.

San Martín de los Andes and Lake Lácar

The trip reaches San Martín de los Andes on the shore of Lake Lácar. After hours of mountain roads and lake viewpoints, this town provides a welcome chance to walk, eat, and get your bearings.

The scheduled free time is useful because you are not rushed straight from the vehicle into another viewpoint. You can explore the city center, choose a restaurant for lunch, and enjoy the character of a Patagonian lakeside town.

Lunch is at your own expense, and that is worth remembering when comparing the $153 price. The excursion covers the long-distance transportation and guide, but you need to budget separately for food, drinks, and anything else you buy during the day.

San Martín de los Andes is also the point where the route feels like a destination rather than just a scenic corridor. Lake Lácar gives the town a strong sense of place, and the pause here helps break up the drive.

Still, free time should not be confused with an extended city visit. The return to Bariloche follows the same general route, so your time in town is only one part of a tightly timed day. If you want several hours for shopping, a long meal, or a leisurely walk by the lake, an overnight stay in San Martín de los Andes would suit you better than this excursion.

What the long return journey means

The return leg allows you to see the route again from a different direction. Familiar places can look new when the sun has shifted, and a view missed in the morning may be easier to appreciate later.

But the return also explains why the tour lasts 630 minutes. This is a major cross-region outing, not a short trip from Bariloche to a nearby lookout. You should be prepared for a full day that begins and ends with transport.

I would book this for a day when you want scenery more than rest. It is not the right choice if you want a flexible schedule or dislike long hours in a vehicle. On the other hand, it is a strong option if you have limited time in the Lake District and want to see both San Martín de los Andes and the Seven Lakes without arranging a rental car, fuel, navigation, and driving.

The same road twice may sound repetitive, but it gives you a second chance to enjoy the scenery. You can also use the return for quiet conversation or rest after the walking stops.

Guides, languages, and the human side of the trip

A scenic route is easier to appreciate when someone explains what you are seeing. This experience provides a live guide in Spanish, Portuguese, or English, depending on the selected option.

Recent departures have included guides named Gonçalo, Valentín, and Rodi. Gonçalo was praised for being attentive and explaining the region, while Valentín received especially strong comments for both guiding and driving. Rodi was singled out for a friendly attitude and willingness to help, and the transport was described as excellent.

Those details matter because you spend many hours with the guide. A guide who explains the area clearly can turn a sequence of lake stops into a more meaningful trip. A considerate driver also matters on a day with so much time on the road.

Names and staff can change, so you should not book on the assumption that one particular guide will lead your departure. The useful point is that the experience has recently been delivered with a warm, personal approach rather than as a silent transfer.

Pickup, timing, and what to bring

Pickup is included from central Bariloche hotels to Av. Bustillo Km 8. The activity does not cover every hotel, so if your accommodation is outside the pickup area, you will be directed to the closest participating hotel.

You must wait in the lobby of the designated hotel for the guide. This is a small detail, but it can prevent a stressful start. Confirm your pickup location in advance, especially if your hotel is not in central Bariloche.

The stated duration is 630 minutes, or 10.5 hours. Starting times depend on availability, so check the departure time before reserving. With an outing this long, wear comfortable clothes and bring anything you need for a full day out.

I would also carry water, sun protection, and a light extra layer, but the only item specifically required in the supplied information is comfortable clothing. Food and drinks are not included, so plan for those separately.

The $153 cost should be judged against what it saves you. You are paying for a full-day transfer between Bariloche and San Martín de los Andes, a guide, and access to a carefully arranged route through two national parks and the Seven Lakes area. For a solo visitor or anyone who does not want to drive, that can be fair value.

The value is weaker if you already have a car, want to stop wherever you wish, or plan to stay overnight in San Martín de los Andes. An independent drive gives you more control over timing, meals, photography, and the length of each stop. This organized option gives you less freedom but removes much of the practical work.

Who should book this road trip

I would recommend it most strongly to first-time visitors with a short stay in Bariloche. You can cover a famous Patagonian route, see Villa La Angostura, reach San Martín de los Andes, and return in one day.

It also suits you if you prefer listening to a guide instead of managing navigation. The language choices make the day more accessible, and recent guide feedback points to attentive service and strong driving.

Families and couples who enjoy scenic road trips may find the format easy. You can focus on the views while someone else handles the route. The town stop in San Martín de los Andes also gives the day more variety than a pure viewpoint excursion.

I would think twice if you have limited tolerance for long drives. The Seven Lakes route deserves time, but this version covers a lot of ground. You also need to accept that the schedule, exact stop lengths, and meal choices are not fully yours.

Should you book it?

Book this excursion if your priority is seeing the Seven Lakes route from Bariloche without renting a car. The combination of Route 40, Villa La Angostura, San Martín de los Andes, Lake Lácar, and several named viewpoints gives you a strong overview of the northern Lake District.

Skip it if you want a slow, independent road trip or a dedicated glacier visit. Before paying, confirm how Isla Corazón, Pampa Linda, and the Ventisquero Negro fit into your specific departure, since the main route description centers on the Seven Lakes and San Martín de los Andes.

At $153, it is a reasonable convenience purchase for a long scenic day, provided you are comfortable with the 10.5-hour schedule and separate lunch costs.

FAQ

How long does the San Martín de los Andes tour last?

The activity lasts 630 minutes, which is about 10.5 hours.

What route does the excursion follow?

It travels north from Bariloche along National Route 40, passing through the Seven Lakes route and continuing to San Martín de los Andes.

Which lakes are included in the Seven Lakes route?

The named lakes are Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso, and Machónico.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip transfers are included from central Bariloche hotels to Av. Bustillo Km 8. If your hotel is outside the pickup area, you will be given the closest hotel meeting point.

What languages are available for the guide?

Live guides are available in Spanish, Portuguese, and English, depending on the option you choose.

Are lunch and drinks included?

No. Food, beverages, and other services not specifically listed are not included.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, keeping your plans flexible.