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

Patagonia packs a lot into one road. This full-day trip from Bariloche to San Martín de los Andes follows National Route 40 through Nahuel Huapi and Lanín national parks, with mountain views, forest, lakes, and several scenic stops along the way. I like the chance to see two attractive Patagonian towns in one outing, and I especially like that the route includes Villa La Angostura and the seven famous lakes. The main drawback is the length: at 630 minutes, or 10 hours and 30 minutes, you will spend much of the day on the road.

I also like the flexibility of the round-trip hotel transfer and the choice of Spanish, Portuguese, or English guiding. Guides Gonçalo, Valentín, and Rodi have each been singled out for friendly service, clear explanations, and good driving. Still, food is not included, and the return follows the same route, so this is best for you if the scenery matters more than having lots of free time in San Martín de los Andes.

Key points at a glance

• National Route 40: Travel one of Argentina’s best-known roads between Bariloche and San Martín de los Andes.
• Seven named lakes: See Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso, and Machónico.
• Villa La Angostura stop: Spend time in a small mountain town known for its pleasant setting and cozy center.
• Scenic viewpoints: Look for views at places such as Isla Corazón and Pampa Linda.
• Long but efficient day: The 10-hour-30-minute schedule lets you cover a large area without changing hotels.
• Multilingual support: Choose a guide in Spanish, Portuguese, or English.

Why this road trip works so well from Bariloche

The route gives you a broad look at Argentina’s Lake District without asking you to arrange several separate transfers. You leave Bariloche, head north along Route 40, visit Villa La Angostura, continue through the seven-lake corridor, and reach San Martín de los Andes on Lake Lacar.

I like this structure because each section feels different. Bariloche is a major base for exploring the area, while Villa La Angostura feels smaller and more village-like. The lakes then become the main event, with the road turning from one water view to another. San Martín provides a pleasant endpoint where you can walk around, eat lunch, and get a sense of another Patagonian town before returning.

The tradeoff is simple. You see a lot, but you do not have unlimited time at each place. This is a sightseeing road trip, not a slow stay in every town. If you want long walks, extended meals, or time beside each lake, an overnight trip would give you more breathing room. If you have only one day and want the largest possible sample of this part of Patagonia, the schedule makes good sense.

Leaving Bariloche for Puerto Manzano

Pickup is provided from central Bariloche hotels to Av. Bustillo Km 8. If your hotel is not included in the pickup area, the operator will tell you which nearby hotel to use. You need to wait in the lobby of that indicated hotel for the guide.

That detail matters. Do not assume the vehicle will come to every address in Bariloche. Check your pickup point ahead of time, and allow enough time to reach the correct hotel. The transfer arrangement is useful, but it requires you to follow the meeting instructions closely.

Once the vehicle heads north, the first notable area is Puerto Manzano. It sets the tone for the day with quiet water, wooded slopes, and the calm feel of the Lake District. You will not be spending the whole day in one place, so use the early part of the ride to settle in and watch the scenery change.

The included guide is more than a driver. The excursion is offered in Spanish, Portuguese, or English, depending on the option you select. That can make a real difference on a long road trip, since the guide can explain the parks, towns, viewpoints, and local geography as you go.

Villa La Angostura, a small town with real appeal

Villa La Angostura is one of the strongest stops on the route. The town has a compact, mountain-village character and sits in a particularly attractive part of the Lake District. It is a good place to stretch your legs after the first portion of the drive.

I like that this stop adds a human scale to the day. The seven lakes are beautiful, but a trip made only of roadside viewpoints can begin to feel repetitive. Villa La Angostura gives you streets, buildings, and a chance to experience one of the area’s best-known towns rather than simply looking at it through a vehicle window.

The information provided does not give a fixed amount of free time in Villa La Angostura, so keep your expectations practical. You may have time to walk around and take photographs, but this is not presented as a long independent town visit. Your guide will set the rhythm of the day.

The town also helps you understand why this route is so popular. The appeal is not one single monument. It is the combination of small settlements, protected parks, clear lakes, and mountain roads. The changing scenery is the attraction.

The seven lakes: Correntoso to Machónico

After Villa La Angostura, the excursion follows the Camino de los 7 Lagos. The seven named lakes are Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso, and Machónico.

Each lake contributes to the overall road experience, even though you should not expect seven identical sightseeing stops. Some views may be seen from the road or from designated viewpoints, while others may receive more attention depending on the day’s timing and road conditions. The route is about the progression from one view to the next.

Correntoso and Espejo begin the sequence with the classic combination of water, forest, and mountain ridges. Escondido, Villarino, and Falkner keep the road moving through a remote-feeling setting. Hermoso and Machónico complete the named group as you approach San Martín de los Andes.

The scenery changes at every bend, which is why a window seat is valuable. You will want to keep your camera ready, but do not spend the entire ride staring at a screen. The point of this trip is the continuous view outside: blue water, wooded slopes, open sky, and distant peaks.

Two viewpoints specifically associated with the experience are Isla Corazón and Pampa Linda. These give you more than a quick glance from the vehicle. They are useful moments to stop, take photographs, and appreciate how the lakes fit into the wider mountain setting.

I recommend comfortable clothing rather than dressing for a formal outing. You may be sitting for long periods, then stepping out for short walks and photographs. The supplied advice is brief, but comfortable clothes are exactly right for this type of day.

A note about the Ventisquero Negro highlight

The experience description also presents the Ventisquero Negro as a glacier highlight. That is worth clarifying before you book.

The detailed route describes the drive from Bariloche through Villa La Angostura, along the seven lakes, and onward to San Martín de los Andes. It does not give a separate glacier visit, stop time, or route detail for the Ventisquero Negro. Since the glacier is associated with a different excursion area than the seven-lake road, you should confirm with Gray Line Argentina whether it is actually part of your selected departure.

This is not a reason to reject the trip. The Route of the 7 Lakes is already a full scenic outing. It is simply important to know what you are paying for. If seeing the Ventisquero Negro is a top priority, ask for confirmation before reserving rather than assuming the highlight list means you will reach the glacier.

Arriving beside Lake Lacar in San Martín de los Andes

San Martín de los Andes sits on the shore of Lake Lacar and makes a pleasant destination after the long drive. The town gives you time to get out of the vehicle, walk through the center, and choose a restaurant for lunch.

Food and drinks are not included, so plan to pay separately for your meal. The tour description does not specify a restaurant or a set menu, which is helpful if you prefer choosing your own food. It also means you should budget for lunch and any other personal purchases.

The free time here is a practical part of the day. You can explore the center at your own pace, enjoy the setting beside Lake Lacar, and have a proper break before the return journey. Still, remember that San Martín is the endpoint of a long excursion, not a full city tour. The time available will depend on the day’s schedule.

I find this balance appealing for a first visit. You get a taste of San Martín without committing to a separate hotel stay. But if you already know you want to explore its streets, waterfront, and restaurants slowly, you will probably prefer to spend at least one night there.

The return trip: beautiful, but not short

The return to Bariloche follows the same route. This gives you another chance to see the lakes, forests, and mountain views, often from a different angle or under different light. It also makes the ride feel less like a one-time pass through the area.

The downside is the repeated driving. By the end of the day, you may be tired of sitting, especially if you prefer active outings. The total duration is fixed at 630 minutes, so this is not a quick half-day excursion.

The return does offer one practical advantage: you do not need to arrange a separate connection from San Martín de los Andes. Your transport and guide remain part of one organized day, which can be valuable if you are staying in Bariloche and want to avoid managing buses or rental-car logistics.

The vehicle received especially positive comments, including one detailed assessment describing the transport as excellent. That is encouraging on a day when comfort matters. However, no group size or vehicle model is provided, so you should not assume a small private tour or luxury coach.

Guides, languages, and the human side of the trip

The guide can make or break a road excursion. Here, the named guides Gonçalo, Valentín, and Rodi received strong praise for attention, friendliness, explanations, and driving.

That feedback fits the nature of this route. You spend many hours with the guide, so a patient person who explains the region and keeps the day organized adds real value. Gonçalo was praised for explaining the area carefully, Valentín for combining guiding with confident driving, and Rodi for his positive attitude and willingness to help.

You can choose Spanish, Portuguese, or English. Portuguese is a useful option for visitors from Brazil, especially on a route where explanations about place names and geography add context to the views. Check that you select the language you want when booking.

The experience is not described as private, and there is no listed maximum group size. If you need a very personal pace, ask the provider for current group details before booking. If you are comfortable with a standard guided outing, the included guide should make the long journey easier to manage.

Is $153 a fair price?

At $153 per person, this is not a budget bus ride, but the price can be reasonable if you value convenience. You are paying for a full-day excursion, round-trip transport, hotel-area pickup arrangements, and a live guide in your chosen language.

The route covers a large distance between two destinations, and organizing the same day by rental car would involve fuel, navigation, parking, and the responsibility of driving for roughly 10 and a half hours. A guided tour lets you look out the window instead of watching the road.

The price does not include food, drinks, or unspecified personal services. Add lunch in San Martín and any snacks to your budget. You also should not count on a separate glacier visit unless Gray Line confirms it.

I would judge the value this way:

• Good value if you are based in Bariloche, have one free day, and want to see Villa La Angostura, the seven lakes, and San Martín without changing hotels.
• Less good value if you dislike long vehicle rides or want several hours for independent exploration.
• Potentially poor value if your main goal is the Ventisquero Negro and that stop is not confirmed for your departure.

The free cancellation option up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking can help if your Patagonia plans are still shifting. Keep those terms in mind as booking conveniences, not as reasons to overlook the long schedule.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors to the Lake District who want a broad introduction in one day. It also suits people who prefer not to drive, photographers who enjoy changing views, and anyone staying in Bariloche who wants to reach San Martín de los Andes without arranging a separate journey.

It works well for couples, families, and small groups who are happy to spend most of the day on the move. The chance to pause in Villa La Angostura and San Martín keeps the trip from becoming only a road ride.

I would be more cautious if you have limited mobility, since the day involves transfers in and out of the vehicle and the provided information does not describe accessibility arrangements. I would also hesitate if you want hiking, long lakeside walks, or an unhurried lunch.

Pack comfortable clothes and keep your plans for the evening light. You will want enough energy left for the return to Bariloche.

Should you book the Route of the 7 Lakes tour?

Book it if you want the most efficient one-day view of this famous road and prefer a guide and organized transport. The seven lakes, Villa La Angostura, Isla Corazón, Pampa Linda, and San Martín de los Andes give you a strong mix of scenery and town time.

Skip it if a 10-hour-30-minute outing sounds tiring, or if you want to stay longer in San Martín. Before paying, confirm the pickup point, language, group details, and whether the Ventisquero Negro is genuinely included. With those points clear, $153 is a reasonable price for a long but memorable day through one of Argentina’s finest road corridors.

FAQ

How long does the excursion last?

The stated duration is 630 minutes, which equals 10 hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the tour begin and end?

Round-trip transfers are provided from central hotels in Bariloche to Av. Bustillo Km 8. The excursion returns to the Bariloche pickup area.

What happens if my Bariloche hotel is not included in the pickup area?

The operator will contact you with the closest hotel where you should wait. You must meet the guide in the lobby of that specified hotel.

Which languages are available?

The live guide is available in Spanish, Portuguese, or English, depending on the option you choose.

Are meals and drinks included?

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

Which lakes are included on the Route of the 7 Lakes?

The route includes views of Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso, and Machónico.

Will I have time to visit San Martín de los Andes?

Yes. The schedule includes time to explore the city center and have lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Bariloche.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.