A day on the road, and you feel Patagonia open up fast. This Chico Circuit & Colonia Suiza trip strings together big-view photo stops, Alpine-style villages, and lake after lake along a famous route from San Carlos de Bariloche. It is a classic way to see a lot of the Lake District in one go, without turning your trip into a DIY driving marathon.

I especially like the Seven Lakes route views from the car, because each lake looks a little different as you travel by. I also like the mix of guided moments and free time, including time in Colonia Suiza to wander and refuel on your own. The result is scenic, flexible, and easy to fit into a stay in Bariloche.

The main drawback to weigh is that food is not included, and some people expect a more polished experience at Swiss-themed Colonia Suiza than what they actually get on the ground. If you are picky about meals or facilities, you will want to plan where you spend your eating time.

Key Things To Know Before You Go

• Seven Lakes route stops give you repeated photo chances, not just one quick pass-by.
• Villa La Angostura is your Alpine-style break, with architecture that feels different from Bariloche.
• Guided Spanish/Portuguese moments at each stop keep you from staring at scenery with no context.
• Colonia Suiza includes 2 free hours, so you can pace yourself instead of being rushed.
• Cerro Campanario ascent is not included, so you will not get the full viewpoint upgrade unless you pay separately.
• Hotel pickup is downtown-focused, so your lodging location could affect where you meet the group.

The Road Trip That Shows You More Than One Pretty Place

This tour is built for the kind of travel day where you want the scenery, but you do not want the stress. You start in central Bariloche hotels, then move through the Lake District with a bilingual guide (Spanish/Portuguese) and a driver who keeps things moving smoothly.

At a glance, it is just “a scenic route.” In practice, that means a lot of rolling viewpoints, lake-by-lake variation, and small villages you would struggle to string together by yourself without careful planning and driving fatigue. If you are in Bariloche and want a day that feels like you actually traveled, this hits that goal.

Bariloche Pickup and the 7-Hour Reality Check

You get hotel pickup and drop-off in centrally located hotels in San Carlos de Bariloche. If your hotel is in places like Avenida Pioneros or you are in a residential or other non-standard lodging area, pickup may not be available, and you will get the closest meeting point instead.

The total duration is listed as 7 hours, so you should think of it as a concentrated day. You will be in the car a fair amount, but you will also get timed breaks where the guide handles the “why this spot matters” part, then you get your own time to wander or photo-stop.

A practical tip: wear comfortable shoes and expect weather to change. You will want warm layers and a windbreaker, even if the morning looks calm.

Cerro Campanario Photo Stop: The Views Start Before the Lakes

One of the early moments is a Cerro Campanario photo stop with a guided component and scenic viewpoints on the way (about 40 minutes).

Important detail: the ascent to Cerro Campanario is not included. That means you will likely get the viewpoint experience from the areas the tour stops at, plus photos from designated points, but you are not paying for the full climbing or tram-style access as part of this package.

This works well if you are more interested in the route and the lake circuit than in spending extra time on one specific hill. It is also a good warm-up stop, because it sets you up to appreciate what you are about to see from the seven lakes corridor.

The Viewpoint and Puerto Panuelo Stops: Where You Grab Photos and Breathing Room

After Cerro Campanario, you have another viewpoint photo stop with sightseeing and a hop-on hop-off style window (about 30 minutes). The key advantage here is timing. You are not stuck in a long line at one spot. You get a window, take photos, and move on with the group.

Then comes Puerto Panuelo, again with photo stops, guided commentary, sightseeing, and a 30-minute hop-on hop-off window.

Why this matters: these are the kinds of stops where the guide can point out what you are seeing, and then you can spend the time you want actually looking. If you are the type who likes photos but also likes a quick walk, this format is a nice compromise.

Villa La Angostura: Alpine-Style Charm in the Patagonian Mountains

Later you reach Villa La Angostura, described as a mountain village with stylized Alpine-wood architecture. This is one of those stops that changes the emotional tone of the day. Bariloche has its own vibe, but Villa La Angostura feels more “storybook Alpine” in its look and presentation.

Even if you only have limited time here, the architectural style is the point. It gives you a cultural counterpoint to the big nature scenery. Think of it as a visual palate cleanser, then you roll right back into lake and forest country.

Entering the Road of the Seven Lakes Corridor

This is the heart of the day. After Villa La Angostura, the Road of the Seven Lakes begins, and you pass by a chain of lakes: Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso, and Machonico.

The most useful way to think about these stops is variety. Even though they are all part of the same route, each lake’s setting reads slightly differently, shaped by the surrounding forests and how the road angles you toward the water. In other words, you do not get one repeated view. You get a series of “wait, look again” moments.

Also, the lakes sit near ancient leafy forests, so the green-and-water mix adds depth to your photos. If you are traveling with friends or family who want a variety of scenery, this is where everyone finds something they can agree on.

San Martín de los Andes Area and Colonia Suiza: Free Time Where You Choose Your Pace

The tour continues toward San Martín de los Andes, on the shore of Lake Lacar. Once you arrive, you get time to explore at your own pace.

This is where Colonia Suiza fits in. You get 2 free hours to explore the village, and you will find plenty of options to eat there.

A balanced expectation check based on what you have been given: Colonia Suiza is the Swiss-themed highlight, and it can be fun to wander. But some visitors come in expecting a fully upgraded, polished experience, and they find the food offering can feel basic or rustic. If you go in ready to graze, snack, and choose casual meals, the free time becomes a real win.

If you like markets and local browsing, you will also appreciate how this slot breaks up the drive-heavy day. You are not just watching from a bus window. You are walking around, picking your own rhythm.

San Carlos de Bariloche Block: Food, Beer, and Arts-and-Crafts Time

Back in Bariloche, you get about 3 hours built around food and walking opportunities. The itinerary-style description includes:

• Beer stops
• Lunch and BBQ options
• Street food and local snacks
• Food tasting
• Food market visit
• Arts and crafts market visit
• Regional food and scenic stops on the way

This is more than a filler stop. It is one of the most valuable parts for many people because it adds structure to what you might otherwise do on your own in town. You get a guided feel in the food scene, plus open time to move around the markets.

If you are traveling on a budget, this is also where you can stretch your day. Since food and drinks are not included on the tour, your spending is on you. But this long Bariloche window gives you more chances to choose what fits your taste, your hunger level, and your wallet.

The Guide and Driver Factor: What You Should Expect

A good guide makes these days better, not just louder. In past experiences connected to this tour, guides named Richard and Damián showed up in feedback, and the common theme is how accommodating and professional the team feels.

That kind of guidance matters on the Seven Lakes route because it is scenic, but it is also easy to miss the reason each stop exists. When your guide can explain what you are looking at, you do not just collect photos. You collect context.

As for the driver, professional driving matters too. You are riding mountain roads, and a smooth ride is part of the comfort of the whole day.

Price and Value: How $66 Makes Sense (If You Plan the Food)

At $66 per person for a full day with hotel pickup, bilingual guiding, and insurance, the pricing is fairly straightforward: you are paying for transportation and a guide to connect multiple scenic areas efficiently.

The things not included are also important for value math:

• Food and drinks are not included
• Cerro Campanario ascent is not included

So your true cost depends on how you eat. The tour gives you places to eat with time built in, especially Colonia Suiza (2 hours) and Bariloche (3 hours). That means you can control spending by choosing casual meals, snacks, or market bites rather than one big sit-down meal each time.

If you already know you will pay for a bunch of meals, the tour can still be a good deal because you avoid hiring multiple transport legs or spending your vacation time driving and navigating.

If you prefer all-inclusive meals, this may feel less “cheap” than the base price suggests. But if you travel like most people do, with a mix of snacks and one decent meal, it tends to work.

What to Bring (So You Do Not Regret It 30 Minutes In)

This is the day where small items save your mood:

• Passport or ID card
• Comfortable shoes
• Warm clothes and a windbreaker (weather can change quickly)

Because you are moving between lakes, forests, and viewpoints, the temperature and wind can feel different at each stop. Even if you think you are dressed “fine,” Patagonia has a way of turning fine into chilly fast.

Who This Tour Fits Best

This tour is a great match if you:

• Want to see a lot of the Lake District in one day
• Like a schedule that balances guiding with free time
• Prefer organized stops over self-driving the entire corridor
• Enjoy scenic viewpoints, lake variations, and small village browsing

It is also a solid choice for couples, friends, and groups who want shared photos and a clear plan.

If you hate sitting in a vehicle for a good chunk of the day, you may find the drive time heavy. But if you accept that tradeoff up front, the payoff is the repeated lake-and-mountain views.

Should You Book This Chico Circuit & Colonia Suiza Tour?

Yes, I would book it if you want an efficient, good-value day that combines the Seven Lakes route, Villa La Angostura, and meaningful free time in Colonia Suiza plus a long Bariloche block for food and browsing.

I would think twice if:

• You specifically want Cerro Campanario ascent as part of your viewpoint plan, since it is not included
• You are very picky about restaurant quality at Swiss-themed village stops, because the food and facilities there can be more basic than some people expect
• You are staying far outside the pickup zone, since meeting points may be adjusted

If you book, go in with the right attitude: treat it as a scenic route day with photo stops plus a couple of real exploration windows. That is where the tour shines.

FAQ

How long is the tour from Bariloche?

The duration is listed as 7 hours.

What does the price include?

Hotel pickup and drop-off in centrally located hotels, a bilingual guide (Spanish/Portuguese), and insurance are included.

Are meals and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Does this tour include the ascent to Cerro Campanario?

No. The ascent to Cerro Campanario is not included.

What language will the guide speak?

The guide provides Spanish and Portuguese.

Where are the pickup and drop-off locations?

Pickup and drop-off are included in centrally located Bariloche hotels. If you are not in the pickup route, you will be given the closest meeting point available. Drop-offs also note Margarita Stuke Tourism, Rolando 287 as one location.

What free time do you get at Colonia Suiza?

You get 2 free hours to explore Colonia Suiza, and there are plenty of options to eat.

What scenic lakes are on the Seven Lakes route?

The tour passes by Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso, and Machonico lakes.

What should I bring for the day?

Bring your passport or ID card, comfortable shoes, and plan for changing weather with warm clothes and a windbreaker.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.