San Martín de los Andes por 7 Lagos

San Martín de los Andes por 7 Lagos is interesting because you spend the day mixing a famous high-mountain lakes hike with a classic Patagonia drive, then you end with real time in San Martín de los Andes. What I like most: you tackle the Seven Lakes Route itself, not just viewpoints from a bus, and you also get a stop in Villa La Angostura, where the town feels made for easy walking. One consideration: it is a full day at 10 hours, so you need to be fine with both driving time and active walking.

You start with pickup in Bariloche around 8 AM, ride out via Dina Huapi and the Limay River bridge, then connect onto Route 40. You’ll have a live Spanish-speaking tour guide (one guide named Stella is specifically noted as attentive), and you’ll be back in Bariloche around 6:30 PM. It’s a good-value day trip if you want one organized hit of lakes, national-park scenery, and town time.

Key things to know before you go

• Seven Lakes Route, on foot: You visit Espejo, Correntoso, Villarino, Falkner, Escondido, Machónico, and Lácar as part of the trek.
• Nahuel Huapi National Park nature time: The day is built around wildlife and outdoorsy scenery, not just photos.
• Villa La Angostura breaks the route: A short walk and architecture stop helps you reset before the longer hike.
• Route 40 drive through classic scenery: The route north is part of the experience, not just transportation.
• San Martín de los Andes free time by the lake: You get time to wander and lunch on your own.
• Shared-day logistics are handled for you: Pickup, roundtrip transport, and a guide keep things simple.

Entering the route: why this lakes day makes sense

This is the kind of outing where the name basically tells the truth. You are not commuting to a single destination and then turning around. Instead, you build a full day around a connected loop of scenic water and famous stops, starting in Bariloche and ending back there.

I like this format because you get two different styles of “wow.” First, the driving corridor gives you quick hits of Patagonia scenery as the land opens up along the lakes. Then the hike gives you something deeper: slower movement, closer angles, and that feeling of earning the views. If you’ve ever done sightseeing-only days and felt like you were rushing through the best parts, this route corrects that.

The other smart piece is timing. You’re out early, so you hit the lakes route while the day is still young. You also arrive in San Martín de los Andes mid-afternoon, when you can enjoy some calm lakefront time before the return drive. For me, it’s a better balance than purely “transfer all day, see little” tours.

From Bariloche at 8 AM: Dina Huapi, the Limay River, and Route 40

Your day starts with pickup from your hotel in Bariloche at about 8:00 AM. If your address is outside the pickup area, the operator assigns a meeting point as close to your accommodation as possible. That matters, because it reduces the stress of finding the right bus spot on a busy day.

Once you’re moving, the route takes you north through Dina Huapi. You then cross the bridge over the Limay River, which is a nice visual break from “just driving.” From there, you connect to Route 40, Argentina’s legendary long-distance road. Even if you don’t memorize highway numbers, it helps you feel like you’re traveling through Patagonia, not just passing through it.

Practical note: because the day is long, the bus ride is part of your experience. One review specifically called out that the bus is comfortable, which is exactly what you want on a 10-hour day when the walking portion comes later. You’ll feel the benefit of comfortable seating once you’ve done the trail.

Villa La Angostura stop: a town walk before your legs take over

Along the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi, you make a first stop in Villa La Angostura. The idea here is straightforward. You arrive early enough that you can enjoy a quick town visit without it eating your whole afternoon, and you get a change of scenery before the hike.

You’ll see Villa La Angostura’s mountain architecture and have time to walk on foot. I like this kind of break because it prevents the classic “bus, hike, bus again” burnout. A short walk also gives you a chance to stretch, re-check your pace, and grab anything you might have forgotten.

Later in the day, you return for another stop at Villa La Angostura before heading back to Bariloche. That second touch matters, because it gives you a more complete sense of the place, not just a drive-by photo stop.

The real star: trekking the 7 Lagos route

This is the heart of the tour. After Villa La Angostura, you start walking an incredible path surrounded by mountains and lakes, with stops along the way so the hike doesn’t feel like one nonstop grind.

You’re also in the zone of Nahuel Huapi National Park, which is where the nature and wildlife focus comes in. I can’t promise you’ll spot wildlife on a specific day, but the route is designed so you’re constantly in “nature mode,” with scenery doing most of the talking.

The lakes you’ll pass on the way to San Martín

As you progress along the Seven Lakes Route, you’ll see:

• Espejo Lake
• Correntoso Lake
• Villarino Lake
• Falkner Lake
• Escondido Lake
• Machónico Lake
• Lácar Lake

What makes this list special is the variety of water edges and the feeling of continuity. You’re not jumping from one distant lake viewpoint to another. You’re moving along a connected path, so each lake feels like a new chapter in the same story.

How to think about the hike

This is a guided, organized trek, not a self-guided “go explore and hope” situation. That’s a plus for first-timers. You’ll have a guide to orient you and help you get more from what you’re seeing.

One drawback to consider is that meals are not included. Since you’ll be hiking for much of the day, plan to manage your energy with what you buy on your own, especially during your San Martín de los Andes time later.

Also, bring your “hike brain.” Even if the path is manageable for many people, you’ll likely want good walking shoes and a plan for water and sun protection, because you’re out from morning until early evening.

San Martín de los Andes: free time, lunch by the lake, and real town energy

You’ll arrive in San Martín de los Andes after the lakes portion, and you get free time to explore the city. You also have a chance to have lunch in front of the lake. Since meals aren’t included, you can choose what fits your budget and appetite.

I like this structure because it turns the day from one long outdoor activity into a more complete travel experience. You’re not just proving you can walk. You also get to be in a town where the lake is part of daily life.

If you’re the type who needs a little decompression after a hike, this is your moment. Sit, watch the water, take a slower walk, and let the day settle. It’s the kind of timing that helps you enjoy the final return drive instead of feeling cooked.

Getting back to Bariloche: the same path, then a final town reset

After San Martín de los Andes, you start the return along the same path. The return route is the right choice for most people. You’re not guessing where to go, and you don’t have to coordinate any navigation logistics.

You then make your last stop at Villa La Angostura, which is basically your “last stretch” break before the long ride back. Finally, you arrive in Bariloche at approximately 6:30 PM.

A full-day timing like this is convenient because you can plan your evening back in Bariloche without surprises. It’s also a reminder to keep dinner plans simple. After this kind of day, you’ll likely be grateful for something nearby instead of a big outing.

Price and value: is $65 a fair deal for a 10-hour day?

At $65 per person, this is priced like a solid group outing for the Lake District. What makes the value work is that the price covers the biggest practical costs: pickup and drop-off, roundtrip transportation from Bariloche to the Seven Lakes area, and a live tour guide.

You also get something that many budget tours skip: time in multiple meaningful places. Villa La Angostura is not just a photo stop. San Martín de los Andes is not just a quick pass-through. And the lakes portion is an actual walking experience along the famous route, which is where the day earns its name.

Meals are not included, so you’ll still spend something for lunch. But you also get freedom there. If you know you’ll want a specific kind of meal, you can pick it without feeling locked into one option.

Overall, if your priority is maximizing scenery time with organized guidance and simple logistics, this is a reasonable price.

Who this tour is best for (and who should skip it)

This works well if you:

• Want the Seven Lakes Route experience as part of a guided, structured day
• Like a mix of outdoors and town time (Villa La Angostura plus San Martín de los Andes)
• Prefer not to handle transportation and routing yourself
• Are comfortable with a long day, about 10 hours, that includes walking

You might think twice if you:

• Don’t enjoy full-day tours that combine driving and active segments
• Want meals included as part of the price
• Prefer a shorter outing with fewer moving parts

Language is Spanish, so plan on following the guide comfortably in Spanish.

Should you book San Martín de los Andes por 7 Lagos?

If you’re doing the Lake District and want one memorable day that combines a famous lakes hike with structured sightseeing, I think it’s worth booking. The route hits major highlights: Nahuel Huapi nature, Villa La Angostura’s walking-friendly town vibe, and the San Martín de los Andes lakefront break. Add in pickup, roundtrip transport, and a live guide, and the day stays easy to manage.

If your biggest goal is a super laid-back day with no walking, then skip it. But if you want to come home with more than bus-window photos, this one delivers.

Finally, it’s rated 4.4 out of 5 from 155 reviews, and the recurring theme in the feedback you have here points to good organization, an attentive Spanish guide (including someone named Stella), and comfortable transport. That combination matters on days like this, when you need everything to run smoothly so you can enjoy the scenery.

FAQ

What is the duration of the tour?

The tour lasts 10 hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts with pickup from your accommodation in Bariloche and returns to Bariloche at approximately 6:30 PM.

What is included in the price?

The price includes pickup and drop-off at your accommodation, roundtrip transportation from Bariloche, and a tour guide.

Are meals included?

No. Meals are not included.

Which lakes are included in the Seven Lakes Route?

The lakes included are Espejo Lake, Correntoso Lake, Villarino Lake, Falkner Lake, Escondido Lake, Machónico Lake, and Lácar Lake.

Does the tour include a stop in Villa La Angostura?

Yes. You have a stop in Villa La Angostura early on and again later on the return.

Is the tour guide available in English?

No. The live tour guide language is Spanish.

Is pickup included for hotels?

Yes, pickup is included from hotels in Bariloche. If your address is not within the route, you’ll be assigned a meeting point as close to your accommodation as possible.

What is the cancellation and payment policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour also offers reserve now & pay later, so you can book without paying today.