From Bariloche: Chico Circuit & Colonia Suiza Tour

This is an easy way to get big Patagonian scenery without doing the driving yourself. I like how the day is built around the Road of the Seven Lakes with frequent stops, plus time in Villa La Angostura for that Alpine-wood village atmosphere.

One consideration: food and drinks are not included, and the meal setup in Colonia Suiza can feel pretty basic, so budget and plan for where you’ll eat.

Quick hits before you go

• Seven-lake photo stops along the route, with moments to hop out and take it in
• Villa La Angostura for its stylized Alpine-wood look and mountain-town vibe
• Colonia Suiza free time (2 hours) to explore at your own pace
• Cerro Campanario views from the area, with the ascent not included
• Bilingual guidance (Spanish/Portuguese), and some departures are led by guides like Richard or Damián

Why the Chico Circuit feels like Patagonia’s highlights in one day

If you’re basing yourself in Bariloche, this is one of the more practical ways to cover the famous “seven lakes” stretch. The key is that the route is scenic on the move, but you also get chances to pause. That matters in Patagonia, where weather shifts fast and the best photos often come in short windows.

You’ll drive the roads that hug the mountainside, then step out near lakes that each look different, even though they’re all part of the same famous circuit. The day also mixes in small-town time, so it’s not only a car-and-camera tour. It’s about pairing views with a sense of place.

And yes, it’s a long day. But at 7 hours total, it still feels manageable because you’re not juggling rentals, parking, or navigation.

Getting rolling from downtown Bariloche, and the Cerro Campanario photo stop

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off in centrally located hotels in San Carlos de Bariloche. If you’re staying outside the pickup route, you’ll be pointed to the closest meeting point available. Your day starts smoothly, with a bilingual guide and a driver.

Before the lake circuit really hits, you stop at Cerro Campanario for a photo stop and a guided portion focused on views you can enjoy on the way. Important detail: the ascent to Cerro Campanario is not included. That means you should not count on getting to the top just because you’re at the area. If you want the full summit experience, you’ll likely need to arrange that separately.

This early segment is also where I’d expect you to start judging what kind of weather day you’re having. Bring layers and a windbreaker, because the Lake District can change its mind quickly.

Road of the Seven Lakes: Correntoso to Machonico, with stops built for photos

After you pass through Villa La Angostura, the famous Road of the Seven Lakes starts to unfold. This is the heart of the trip: a string of lakes, roads, and forest edges that make the day feel like you’re moving through different postcards.

You’ll pass by these lakes: Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso, and Machonico. Each one brings its own look, so it’s not just repetition. Some stops favor open views, while others feel more tucked-in, surrounded by ancient leafy forest. You’re not expected to rush through all of it. The tour structure keeps you from feeling glued to a window seat.

Two of the stops are designed as hop-on hop-off moments, so you can step out when it feels right:

• Viewpoint stop with about 30 minutes
• Puerto Panuelo stop with about 30 minutes

That hop-off flexibility is practical. If the light is good, you can do extra photos. If it’s cold or windy, you can keep it shorter and regroup fast with the guide.

Villa La Angostura: why this “Alpine-wood” stop works

Villa La Angostura is one of those places where the details help you get into the mood. The architecture here is described as stylized Alpine-wood, so you feel like you’ve stepped into a mountain village rather than just passing through a roadside town.

Why I like this stop: it breaks the day into two rhythms. First you get big natural views, then you land in a town setting where you can reset your eyes and slow down a notch. Even if you only have a short guided element and photos, the contrast makes the later lake stops feel even more dramatic.

This is also the moment where I’d suggest using your common sense with timing. When the day is moving, don’t wait for perfect conditions. Patagonia can be gorgeous and temperamental at the same time.

San Martín de los Andes and Lake Lacar: your own pace on the shore

Once you reach San Martín de los Andes, you explore the area at your own pace on the shore of Lake Lacar. That part of the schedule is valuable because it’s not only about following along with a guide. You can take a walk, find a quiet corner to look at the water, and decide how long you want to linger.

Even though the itinerary you’re given includes guided and hop-off stops earlier, this “at your own pace” time helps you travel like a person, not a checkbox. If the weather is good, you can linger. If it’s windy, you can keep it short and warm up when needed.

Colonia Suiza: 2 hours to explore a Swiss-themed village feel

Colonia Suiza is built into the day, and the tour information is clear about the pacing: you’ll have 2 free hours to explore the village. You’ll also have options to eat there.

Here’s the balanced take. On one hand, having two hours means you can actually enjoy the place, not just pass through it. On the other hand, the meal setup can be a letdown if you expect modern comfort. The information you’re given also states that food and drinks are not included, and one guide-led day can vary a lot depending on what you choose to order and how hungry you are when you arrive.

So I’d treat Colonia Suiza as a place for wandering and casual meals, not a culinary destination. If you’re picky about food or trying to maximize value, look over options early in your free time, then commit.

Puerto Panuelo and viewpoints: where to use your time wisely

The itinerary includes two stops with photo time and sightseeing time, both around 30 minutes, plus hop-on hop-off flexibility. That’s plenty for:

• quick photos when conditions are right
• a short stretch outside the bus
• asking the guide for quick context about what you’re seeing

My practical advice: wear layers and keep your phone or camera accessible. When the views hit, you often get one good window before wind or clouds move in.

Also, listen to the guide. On these routes, what you’re seeing usually comes with a reason, like how the road follows the lakes and how the forest comes closer in certain sections. Even a quick explanation helps your photos feel more meaningful later.

The return to Bariloche: BBQ, market time, and local flavors

Back in San Carlos de Bariloche, the schedule includes a longer 3-hour stop that mixes sightseeing with food-focused time. You’ll have options like beer, lunch, street food, BBQ, local snacks, and food tasting, plus time for an arts and crafts market.

Since the tour does not include food and drinks, think of this as a chance to browse and eat on your terms. Want a sit-down lunch? Fine. Prefer street-style snacks? Also fine. Want to skip heavier food after a day on the road? You can.

This stop is where I’d expect you to see the “real day” side of Bariloche. It’s not only scenic stops and mountains. You get a taste of what life looks like back in town, including crafts and a food market vibe.

Price and logistics: is $66 good value for a full day?

At $66 per person for 7 hours, the value comes from what’s included, not from what’s left out.

Included items you should count:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off for centrally located hotels
• Bilingual guide (Spanish/Portuguese)
• Insurance
• Guided segments plus multiple scenic stops across the circuit

What’s not included:

• Food and drinks
• Cerro Campanario ascent

So is it worth it? For me, yes if you want the convenience of a guided route plus the scenic stops, and you’re okay paying for meals separately. If you’re hoping every meal is folded into the price, this won’t match that expectation.

Also, this tour is run by Margarita Stuke Turismo, and the guide team quality tends to matter on long days. The names Richard and Damián show up in the guidance you may encounter, and both come up as people who are helpful and accommodating.

What to pack for Patagonian weather and comfort

Weather on this kind of route can change fast, and the tour info is direct about it. Bring:

• Warm clothes
• A windbreaker
• Comfortable shoes
• Passport or ID card

Comfort matters because you’ll be outside at photo stops and viewpoints. Even if the car ride is warm, the stops can be chilly.

And quick administrative note: when you book, you’ll need to provide your full name, DNI or passport details, and date of birth for each participant. The tour operator also needs that data within 12 hours of booking so the insurance can be issued. This is one of those annoying but important steps that keeps the day running smoothly.

Who this tour is best for

This works best if:

• you want to see the Road of the Seven Lakes without driving yourself
• you like scenic photo stops, with time to hop out and take pictures
• you enjoy mixing nature with short town segments like Villa La Angostura and Colonia Suiza
• you’d rather have a Spanish/Portuguese guide to explain what you’re seeing

It might not be ideal if:

• you want all meals and drinks included
• you specifically want the Cerro Campanario summit ascent (since it’s not included)
• you dislike long, full-day drives with limited downtime

Should you book the Chico Circuit and Colonia Suiza Tour?

Book it if your priority is convenience plus maximum scenery time. The seven lakes route, the Villa La Angostura stop, and the mix of guided plus free-time segments add up to a day that’s built for seeing a lot without getting stressed.

Skip or rethink it if you’re meal-comfort focused and want food costs folded into the price, or if Cerro Campanario is a must-do summit visit for you.

If you go in knowing food and drinks are extra, dressing for wind and cold is part of the deal, and you’re happy with shorter stops that maximize views, this tour is a strong way to experience the Lake District in one push.