Hike in Patagonia
Snowcapped mountains, check. Deep, blue lakes, check. Gorgeous views, check. See tall granite spires, piercing the sky like holy cathedrals of stone. See the rich colour of the trees, especially in the fall, when the leaves turn a deep shade of crimson. Pristine air, sharp colour, excellent trails – those granite spires make Patagonia a hiker and climbers paradise. The rest of us can sit back with a bottle of good Malbec, satiated with last night’s perfectly grilled steak, and simply enjoy the views.
Length of Trip : 3-7 days, depending on your outdoor activities
Cost :
It's free to hike into the mountains, although you may want to use the services of a professional guide to avoid ending up in the same situation as I did in the book!
Best time to go : November to May
Wheelchair friendly : Yes
Family friendly : Yes
Where to eat :
Argentina is home of the best steaks in the world. Period. The best places to test this bold statement in Bariloche: Bariloche are El Boliche de Alberto (famous for the meat and the crazy long line-ups) and Parrilla El Refugio del Montañes de Julian (San Martín 590). For something a little more casual, try Morfy's.
Official Site :
Trek Bariloche
Where to Stay :
Llao Lloa Hotel and Resort
Hotel Tronador
Hotel Tirol
Budget: Penthouse 1004
Getting There :
Bariloche is accessible via daily flights from Buenos Aires, Mendoza and Califate. Alternatively, you can take a luxury overnight super cama bus (think of it like business class, on a bus). It's a 22-hour drive from Buenos Aires. Bariloche has excellent public transportation.
Note from Robin :
Bariloche is an all-season town that hums with tourists, especially backpackers, outdoor enthusiasts and luxury travellers. Nested against an enormous lake and surrounded by mountains serviced by a world-class ski resort, the mountain biking, rafting, fishing, hiking, climbing is spectacular in the summer. In winter, the Cathedral Ski Resort is rated the best in South America. There are dozens of parillas (steakhouses), Irish bars, funky youth hostels and swanky hotels. For bucket listers, Argentina represents a perfectly grilled slice of value-for-money heaven.
