Things to do in The Lake District
-
A
El Boliche de Alberto
It’s worth dining at this esteemed parrilla simply to see the astonished look on tourists’ faces when a slab of beef the size of a football lands on the table; it’s the AR$46 bife de chorizo (the AR$35 portion is plenty). If the place is full, check out the nearby sister restaurants at Elfein 49 and 158.
reviewed
-
Pura Vida Patagonia
Pura Vida Patagonia offers kayaking trips on the Lago Nahuel Huapi, ranging from half-day stints to overnight camp-n-kayak trips, custom designed to match your skill level.
reviewed
-
La Casona
The cozy atmosphere belies the wide menu, with some good twists on regional favorites. Try the boar stew in black-beer sauce (AR$37) or the lamb and wild mushroom risotto (AR$34).
reviewed
-
Cerro Catedral
Nahuel Huapi's ski resort, Cerro Catedral, was once South America's trendiest, and has been superseded only by Las Leñas (near Mendoza) and resorts in Chile. Las Leñas has far superior snow (dry powder), but it lacks Catedral's strong point: views. There's nothing like looking over the shimmering lakes of Nahuel Huapi from its snowy slopes.
There's a good mix of easy, intermediate and advanced ski runs, with steep advanced runs at the top and some tree runs near the base. Lift lines can be long at this very popular resort, but the capacity is substantial enough and waiting time is generally not excessive.
reviewed
-
Cabalgatas Carol Jones
Most travel agencies along Av Bartolomé Mitre offer horseback riding trips. For something special, contact the amiable Carol Jones at Cabalgatas Carol Jones, who offers half-day horseback riding from her family estancia outside of town. The price includes transport to/from town and an excellent asado outside. She also offers multi-day pack trips by horse. Carol speaks English. All trips require a minimum of two people.
reviewed
-
B
Tarquino
Built entirely of Patagonian cypress, this esteemed restaurant resembles a hobbit house with its wood stairway, carved wooden doorway, fireplace and troll-like architecture. The small menu is almost entirely parrillada (including a delicious cordero, or grilled lamb), though a pasta and a trout dish grace the menu as well. One of Bariloche’s best.
reviewed
-
Maputur
For adventures in the surrounding countryside,Maputur rents mountain bikes for AR$30/40 per half-/full day. It also offers rafting on the Río Manso. Trips on the Manso Inferior (class II to III) cost AR$200 per person (including lunch); on the Manso a la Frontera (class II to IV) trips cost AR$290 (including lunch and dinner).
reviewed
-
La Encantada
A cute little cottage offering all of your Patagonian and Argentine favorites. The food is carefully prepared and beautifully presented, and the atmosphere is warm and inviting. The ojo de bife (eye-fillet steak; AR$55) for two is a definite winner if you are a couple of carnivores.
reviewed
-
Jauja
The most dependable confíteria in El Bolsó serves up all your faves with some El Bolsón touches (such as homemade bread and strawberry juice) thrown in. The daily specials are always worth checking out – the risotto with lamb and wild mushrooms is divine.
reviewed
-
C
Familia Weiss
A popular family restaurant offering good-value regional specialties such as venison, trout and goulash. The picture menu’s handy for the Spanish-challenged, there’s a good atmosphere and nightly live music.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
La Trochita
Argentina's famous narrow-gauge steam train, averages less than 30km/h on its meandering weekly journey between Esquel and El Maitén - if it runs at speed. In its current incarnation, subsidized by the city of Esquel and the governments of Río Negro and Chubut, La Trochita - which Paul Theroux facetiously called The Old Patagonian Express - provides both a tourist attraction and a service for local citizens.
Like many other state projects, completion of the line seemed an interminable process. In 1906 the federal government authorized the southern branch of the Roca line, between Puerto San Antonio on the Atlantic coast and Lago Nahuel Huapi. In 1922 Ferrocarriles del E…
reviewed
-
Centro Paleontológico Lago Barreales
For true dino freaks, the best place to satiate the hunger for bones is the Centro Paleontológico Lago Barreales, 90km northwest of Neuquén. Here you can actually work – as in get your hands dirty digging – on-site with paleontologists in one of the world’s only fully functioning dinosaur excavation sites open to the public. You can visit the museum and take a guided tour of the site in about 1½ hours, but the real pleasure comes from the unique opportunity offered by sticking around. Prices (which help fund research) are AR$400 for one day and AR$1050 for two days and one night. It also offers scientific/educational tours, making a circuit of Neuquén province pal…
reviewed
-
Volcán Lanín
Dominating the view in all directions along the Chilean border, the snowcapped cone of 3776m (12,388ft) Volcán Lanín is the centerpiece of Parque Nacional Lanín, which extends 150km (93mi) from Parque Nacional Nahuel Haupi in the south to Lago Ñorquinco in the north. The northern approach to Volcán Lanín, which straddles the Argentine-Chilean border, is the shortest, and usually the earliest in the season to open for hikers and climbers.
Before climbing Lanín, ask permission at the Lanín National Park office or, if necessary, from the Gendarmería (border guards) in Junín. It's obligatory to show equipment, including plastic tools, crampons, ice axe and clothing - in…
reviewed
-
D
Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi
One of Argentina's most visited national parks, Nahuel Huapi occupies 750,000 hectares (1,853,290 acres) in the mountainous southwestern Neuquén and western Río Negro provinces. The park's centerpiece is Lago Nahuel Huapi, a glacial remnant over 100km (62mi) long that covers more than 500 sq km (193 sq mi). The lake is the source of the Río Limay, a major tributary of the Río Negro.
Rafting and kayaking on the Río Limay has become increasingly popular in recent years. The best time to be on the rivers is November through February, though you can raft October through Easter.
reviewed
-
Cavernas del Viejo Volcán
Cavernas del Viejo Volcán is a cave complex, 15km east of Bariloche, which was inhabited for nearly 8000 years by the Mapuche and other tribes. Parts of the cave feature reasonably well-preserved rock-art specimens. A guided tour is compulsory, and takes you 130m into Cerro Leones then out onto the summit where there is a lookout with majestic views of the surrounding countryside. It is possible (but not a whole lot cheaper) to make your own way there on public transport. Either way, reservations are essential – contact the Bariloche office for more information.
reviewed
-
Feria Artesanal
Local craftspeople sell their wares at the Feria Artesanal every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The market boasts over 320 registered (and countless unregistered) artists, who make and sell everything from sculpted wooden cutting boards and handcrafted mate gourds to jewelry, flutes and marionettes. With numerous food vendors (all adhering to the regulation that everything sold in the market must be handmade), it's also an excellent opportunity to sample local delicacies.
On sunny Sundays the feria operates about half-tilt.
reviewed
-
E
eXtremo Sur
In business since 1991, eXtremo Sur offers several trips on the Río Manso: the Manso Inferior (class II to III, AR$195 per person) is suitable for all ages; the Manso a la Frontera (class III to IV, AR$250 per person, ages 14 and up) is a fun and beautiful stretch of the river before the Chilean border. There’s also a three-day Expedición Río Manso (class III to IV, AR$1350 to AR$1500), where you camp riverside at excellent facilities. For the last, asados and all food and drink are included in the price.
reviewed
-
F
Esquel Tours
Numerous travel agencies, including Esquel Tours, sell tickets for the Circuito Lacustre boat excursion in Parque Nacional Los Alerces; buying a ticket in Esquel assures a place on the often-crowded trip.
Excursions to El Bolsón/Lago Puelo and Corcovado/Carrenleufú are also offered. Half-day trips include La Hoya's winter-sports complex; the nearby Welsh settlement of Trevelin and the Futaleufú hydroelectric complex and the narrow-gauge railway excursion to Nahuel Pan.
reviewed
-
Expediciones Patagonia Aventura
Expediciones Patagonia Aventura offers myriad options, for rafting and outdoor adventures, on the Río Corcovado. For class II and III rafting trips, choose either two hours on the river (with/without transport AR$150/100) or a full-day excursion that includes lunch (with/without transport AR$185/140). Once you’re there, you might want to take advantage of the peaceful surroundings: one interesting option is to stay at EPA’s riverside hostel.
reviewed
-
Monte Tronador
To the west, a ridge of high peaks separates Argentina from Chile; the tallest is 3554m (11,627ft) Monte Tronador, an extinct volcano that still lives up to its name (which means 'Thunderer') when blocks of ice tumble from its glaciers. During the summer months, wildflowers blanket the alpine meadows. Climbers intending to scale Tronador should anticipate a three- to four-day technical climb requiring experience on rock, snow and ice.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
G
Baruzzi Deportes
Day passes run between AR$90 and AR$150, depending on the season. If you need lessons, stop into the ski schools at Cerro Catedral or Club Andino Bariloche. Two-hour private lessons run at about AR$330. For rental equipment, try Baruzzi Deportes. Sets of skis, boots and poles rent for between AR$54 and AR$70, and snowboarding gear between AR$75 and AR$98 per day, depending on the season.
reviewed
-
H
Martín Pescador
Day passes run between AR$90 and AR$150, depending on the season. If you need lessons, stop into the ski schools at Cerro Catedral or Club Andino Bariloche. Two-hour private lessons run at about AR$330. For rental equipment, try Martín Pescador. Sets of skis, boots and poles rent for between AR$54 and AR$70, and snowboarding gear between AR$75 and AR$98 per day, depending on the season.
reviewed
-
Otto Tipp
After a hard day of doing anything (or nothing for that matter) there are few better ways to unwind than by working your way through Mr Tipp’s selection of microbrew beers. Guests are invited to a free sampling of the six varieties on arrival and there’s a good selection of regional specialties on hand, such as smoked trout and Patagonian lamb cooked in black beer, should you happen to get peckish.
reviewed
-
I
Dirty Bikes
Bicycles are ideal for the Circuito Chico (though this 60km loop demands endurance) and other trips near Bariloche; most roads are paved and even the gravel roads are good. Mountain-bike rental, including gloves and helmet, costs AR$40 to AR$60 per day at a number of places. Try Dirty Bikes. Guided tours with bilingual guides run at about AR$180 per day.
reviewed
-
J
Bikeway
Bicycles are ideal for the Circuito Chico (though this 60km loop demands endurance) and other trips near Bariloche; most roads are paved and even the gravel roads are good. Mountain-bike rental, including gloves and helmet, costs AR$40 to AR$60 per day at a number of places. Try Bikeway. Guided tours with bilingual guides run at about AR$180 per day.
reviewed
