Thanks to its surrounding beauty, the city is an ideal destination for nature lovers. With these best tours in Bariloche in summer you will get to know lakes, hills, forests and the magic of Patagonia near the Cordillera.
Bariloche is a magical city, surrounded by mountains, lakes and forests. A perfect destination for lovers of outdoor activities. The best way to get to know all the points of interest that the surrounding area has to offer is by means of excursions.
Sailing through the crystal clear waters of Lake Nahuel Huapi, touring a native Patagonian forest, visiting panoramic viewpoints of the Andes Mountains and even recreational activities such as diving is possible on a tour.
The following is a summary of the best excursions in Bariloche in summer, so that you don’t miss out on the must-do’s if you visit the city during this time of year.
Table of Contents
Cerro Tronador, one of the best tours in Bariloche in summer
Mount Tronador is one of the postcards in the vicinity of Bariloche. Its 3500 meters of altitude make it imposing. And if anything is missing to make the landscape perfect, it is being surrounded by glaciers and lakes.
In the lower part of Mount Tronador is the so-called Ventisquero Negro, whose dark color comes from the mixture of the thawing of the Manso glacier with the sediments of the soil. Next to the snowdrift are the turquoise waters of Lake Manso.
Although it is possible to reach the base of Cerro Tronador by car from Bariloche, the last stretch of the road is gravel. One of the best ways to get to know this site is by hiring the day trip to Cerro Tronador from Bariloche, which includes guide which includes guide and transfer.
🔎 Want more information about the visit? Check out our article on how to get to and thins to do at Cerro Tronador.
Best lake tours in Bariloche
Bariloche is located on the shore of Lake Nahuel Huapi, although lakes Mascardi and Gutierrez are also nearby.
Victoria Island and Arrayanes Forest Excursion from Bariloche
One of the best excursions in Bariloche in summer is to visit Victoria Island and the myrtle forest. It is one of the essential tours to do in Bariloche in summer or winter. Victoria Island is characterized by the presence of exuberant vegetation, mainly coihues and cypresses. There are even volcanic sand beaches and even cave paintings left by the native peoples.
The Arrayanes forest is the other stop on this excursion. These trees have adapted to the environment and coexist with other species of the region. Their cinnamon-colored trunk is their main characteristic.
📝 Travel tip: touch the trunks of the myrtles in the forest and feel the cold temperature, one of the characteristics of these trees.
📷 Book here the lake tour in Bariloche to visit Victoria Island and the Arrayanes forest.
Excursion to Puerto Blest and Los Cantaros waterfall from Bariloche
Another of the best excursions in Bariloche in summer is to sail along one of the branches of the Nahuel Huapi up to the proximity of the territorial limit with Chile. Surrounded by high snow-capped peaks, Puerto Blest is characterized by its views of the Valdivian rainforest and Mount Tronador.
It is also an ideal place to hike through the jungle and discover waterfalls such as the Cantaros waterfall and turquoise water lakes such as Lake Frias and Lake Cantaro.
📝 Do you want to have the best postcard of the Puerto Blest area? At the end of the tour through the Cantaros waterfall you reach the viewpoint over the lake, where the mountains are reflected in the mirror of water. Impressive!
📷 Book here the catamaran tour to Puerto Blest and Los Cantaros waterfall. Includes guide and a short trekking route.
Diving in Moreno Lake
In summer, one of the best experiences to do in Bariloche is diving in a Patagonian lake. These lakes are characterized by their very good visibility. Lake Moreno is ideal for beginners in the activity.
Diving in Moreno Lake allows you to observe local fish such as trout and perch and aquatic plants. An experience that is sure to be unforgettable!
📷 Book here your diving baptism in Bariloche at Moreno Lake.
Bariloche Tour to visit Colonia Suiza and Chico circuit
If there is one thing that attracts visitors to Bariloche, it is the scenic route known as Circuito Chico, which runs along the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi and has stops that will leave you open-mouthed.
Among the essential stops in Circuito Chico are the climb to Campanario Hill, the luxury hotel Llao Llao Llao Llao Hotel surrounded by a golf course and with its characteristic Patagonian wooden architecture, the picturesque dock on Escondido Lake and the panoramic viewpoints of Los Troncos Bay.
Another essential stop is the small town of Colonia Suiza, founded by Swiss settlers from Chile. Today it is a place that is characterized by the sale of handicrafts and the elaboration of curanto, a traditional meal based on meat and vegetables. Its elaboration consists of wrapping the meat and vegetables in a kind of blanket, and burying them next to hot stones, which will be in charge of cooking the food.
📝 Travel tip: one of the traditional places in Colonia Suiza to eat curanto is Victor Goye. In addition to explaining how it is made, there is an Argentine folklore show.
📷 Book here the tour from Bariloche to visit Circuito Chico.
Tour to El Bolsón from Bariloche
This small town located south of Bariloche is ideal for contemplating the surrounding area. It was the artisans and hippies who settled here many years ago and the town began to grow.
Today it has an important Artisans Fair in the main square and many hikes to do in its surroundings such as the Azul River, the Amigo and Pilquitron hills and the Escondida waterfall.
A few kilometers from El Bolsón is one of the most beautiful national parks in Patagonia Argentina, Lake Puelo. Sitting on the shore of the lake is to relax completely while observing the Andes Mountains as a backdrop. Ideal for a picnic!
One of the best ways to visit El Bolsón is with a day trip from Bariloche that includes guide and transfers.
🔎 Check out our article on things to do in El Bolsón in two days.
Tour from Bariloche to Seven Lakes and San Martín de los Andes
If you travel to Bariloche, one of the places you have to visit is the panoramic route of the Seven Lakes, a zigzagging route that borders seven Patagonian lakes from the town of Villa La Angostura to San Martin de los Andes.
Along the way you will find viewpoints of each of the lakes and small beaches that form the water mirrors. If you are in Bariloche, the ideal is to finish the Seven Lakes route and have time to visit downtown San Martin de los Andes.
Located on the shores of Lake Lacar, it is one of the most charming towns in Patagonia Argentina, with its low houses built in wood and stone, viewpoints overlooking the lake, the small lakeside promenade and many cafes and restaurants where you can relax.
📷 Book here the day trip from Bariloche to the route of the seven lakes and San Martin de los Andes.
Tour to Villa La Angostura and Villa Traful from Bariloche
The so-called Circuito Grande from Bariloche is the one that includes the cities of Villa Traful and Villa La Angostura. These two Patagonian villages are one of the best excursions in Bariloche to do in summer.
Villa Traful stands out for its location on the shores of Lake Traful, a turquoise water surface. Among its attractions are the viewpoint of the Wind and the submerged forest, a portion of Patagonian forest that is immersed in the waters of Lake Traful and can be visited by boat while diving.
Villa La Angostura is one of the most touristic cities in Patagonia. Its center is of great beauty, in addition to the small Manzano Bay bathed by the waters of Lake Nahuel Huapi.
The way back from Villa La Angostura to Bariloche is along route 40 and part of the road runs along the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi, a real beauty. You can book here this day trip from Bariloche to Villa Traful and Villa La Angostura..
🔎 Check out our article with the must-do’s in Villa La Angostura in summer.
Cerro Catedral, a must-see tour in Bariloche in summer
Cerro Catedral is the most important ski center in Patagonia Argentina. In summer, there is no snow on the slopes but you can hike and enjoy the mini city called Villa Catedral, which includes hotels, cafes and restaurants.
In addition, the ascent in the chairlift allows you to observe the panoramic view. Once at the top of the hill, the panoramic view includes Cerro Tronador, Puntiagudo Volcano and Gutierrez Lake.
📷 Book here the tour to Cerro Catedral on your own, to enjoy this site at your own pace. You can also book a trekking route through Cerro Catedral to the Frey refuge.
Where to stay in Bariloche
You can take a look at our articles on the best hotels in Bariloche and the best cabins in Bariloche to choose the most convenient accommodation in the city, whether in the center, by the lake or in the outskirts.
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