Lake Victoria, Bariloche, Lake District, Argentina

Argentinian Lake District

Remarkably, early explorers dismissed Patagonia as an intolerable land that was devoid of freshwater and trees, featuring only undesirable brackish ponds and dwarf plants. Evidently, they must have circumnavigated the Lake District.

Concealed within the nucleus of this inhospitable region of Argentina, Bariloche and the surrounding lakes compose a spectacular and bountiful scene. Often compared to Switzerland, Bariloche is dotted with wooden chalets and sits next to the Nahuel Huapi Lake, which is rumoured to be home to Nahuelito (the Argentinean version of the Loch Ness Monster).

Lake Victoria, Bariloche, Argentina
Lake Victoria, Bariloche, Argentina

Self-Drive Mendoza & the Lake District

With time allotted to exploring the sophisticated capital of Buenos Aires and staying in a wineland lodge, embark on a self-drive adventure through the Argentinian Lake District to see its dazzling blue pools and snow-capped peaks.

15 days

from £5,290 pp

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Old Patagonian Express Railway, Argentina
Old Patagonian Express Railway, Argentina

Lake District & the Old Patagonian Express

From the picturesque Lake District of the north to the wild glaciers of the south and the soaring Andes of the west to the wildlife-rich Atlantic of the east, this journey traverses the extremes of Argentinian Patagonia.

16 days

from £6,845 pp

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Lake Nahuel Huapi, Bariloche, Lake District, Argentina
Lake Nahuel Huapi, Bariloche, Lake District, Argentina

Things To Do in the Lake District & Bariloche

During the summer months, from November to early March, trout and salmon fishing are popular exploits in the Lake District. Meanwhile, hikers voyage through the ancient emerald forests of the Nahuel Huapi National Park and settle down to tuck into remote picnic lunches in the company of green austral parakeets and 450-year-old evergreen beeches.

Activities in Bariloche are endless ranging from soft adventure to adrenalin thrills, spending a day with Dr Lorenzo Sympson who looks after the Condor raising project, horse riding, kayaking, white-water rafting or just stopping at viewpoints en route on your self-drive.

Experiences

Tell us what you love doing and we’ll curate a journey that’s perfect for you.

blue and yellow tanagers, Argentina
Argentinian Lake District

Panoramic Golfing

Partake in a game on an 18-hole golf course, marvelling at the lake-views and high mountains that frame the landscape.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Kayaking, Mascardi Lake, San Carlos de Bariloche, Patagonia, Argentina
Argentinian Lake District

Lake District Water Sports

Take to the river and try kayaking and windsurfing, or brave the cold by wild swimming.

Cycling, Lake District, Argentina
Argentinian Lake District

Outdoors in the Lake District

Head out on horseback through dense forests, or hop on a mountain bike to tackle the Andean foothills.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Hiking, Blue Lagoon, Patagonia, Argentina
Argentinian Lake District

Trekking with a Picnic

Hike to little secluded beaches and panoramic vantage points, carrying a delicious picnic full of goodies from Bariloche.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

Tipiliuke Lodge £££££

  • Argentina

Tipiliuke Lodge is part of the Estancia Cerro de Los Pinos, one of the first estancias established in this region. Conveniently located just 10 minutes from San Martin de Los Andes airport, covering a considerable area of 20,000 hectares at the foot of the Andes, Tipiliuke uniquely combines an authentic estancia experience with a strong emphasis on comfort and great food.

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Estancia Peuma Hue £££££

  • Argentina
  • Farmstead and Ranches

Set amongst the dramatic backdrop of Nahuel Huapi National Park and a stones’ throw from the charming alpine town of Bariloche, Estancia Peuma Hué is an enchanting eco-lodge at the gateway to the northern Patagonian Andes. Overlooking the dazzling Lake Gutirrez and nestled within 500 acres of peaceful wilderness, the estancia boasts its own greenhouse, boathouse, horse stables and organic vegetable garden that yields produce harvested from the Patagonian soil for use in delicious locally-inspired meals.

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Llao Llao Resort & Spa £££££

  • Argentina

Burrowed within the Nahuel Huapi National Park in Argentinean Patagonia, Llao Llao Resort & Spa is an exclusive getaway that sits atop a hill overlooking three glistening lakes. With 360-degree panoramic views, the iconic property is framed by majestic mountain peaks and boasts a private 18-hole golf course, a heated outdoor infinity pool, and a peninsula that juts over Lago Nahuel Huapi. Its 205 rooms and suites, split between the original and modern wings of the building, range from simple and cosy to spacious and contemporary, with some even featuring impressive jacuzzi bathtubs that boast expansive views to Mount Tranador, private lake-view terraces and fireplaces.

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Estancia Huechahue £££££

  • Argentina
  • Farmstead and Ranches

Steeped in tradition and exuding the home comforts now synonymous with Argentina’s preeminent working ranches, Estancia Huechahue is a self-sufficient estate nestled within 15,000 acres of scenic Patagonian landscape. Maintaining deeply rooted traditional values that see horses roaming free, gauchos pacing through the property, and provincial wines circulating the tables, guests at Estancia Huechahue are treated to a quite rare and incredibly authentic experience.

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Aldebaran Hotel & Spa £££££

  • Argentina

Aldebaran Hotel & Spa is set just 23 kilometres from Bariloche with fantastic views of Lake Nahuel Huapi and the surrounding mountains. Located close to Cerro Cathedral, it is a lovely area in which to hike or ski. Aldebaran Hotel offers 10 charming rooms which are strategically positioned to enjoy the wonderful views from all three floors. The restaurant offers a wonderful view of Lake Nahuel Huapi and Cerro Lopez Hill. There is also an exclusive spa with sauna, heated pool, treatment rooms and hydro massage. Its design is very much traditional wood and stone giving a sense of a charming mountain lodge and a great place to relax in the Lake District.

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Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Rachael Tallents

Adventure, discovery and my curiosity for people and the natural world is what drives my love of travelling.  I am grateful for my parents’ desire to explore, and from an early age my eyes were open to diverse landscapes, cultures, and underwater worlds.

For the last 16 years, I have worked for a leading luxury tour operator designing incredible journeys for discerning clients and travelled to some magical places. I am excited to have joined Steppes Travel, and to be working for a company with such strong ethical and sustainable values.

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  • 01285 880 980

Paul Bird

Paul has visited Argentina several times, taking in everything from the mighty Iguazu Falls to the dazzling Perito Merino Glacier. According to him, any country that boasts one of Earth’s most dramatic waterfalls, magnificent salt flats, exquisite wines and a vibrant capital is more than worth a visit.

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  • 01285 880 980

Sue Grimwood

I was inspired to travel south from an early age. My form teacher when I was nine made us listen to tapes from Shackleton’s expeditions, I didn’t know it at the time, but it obviously left a deep impression on my psyche.

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  • 01285 880 980

John Faithfull

My love affair with travel began in a vintage Italian train carriage at sunset on a hot and sticky September evening in 1983. Sardined into a two-bench compartment, I’d spent five hours sharing sweaty thighs, broken-Italian pleasantries and furtive glances while rattling towards Turin, stopping at every wisteria-draped village along the way.

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  • 01285 880 980

Roxy Dukes

I love to squeeze as much out of my day as possible. An outdoors fanatic, I love to delve into harsh environments having summited numerous mountains and trail running into the unknown whenever I get the chance – whether at home or overseas. Funnily enough, it didn’t start like that. It took a few years for the burning fire of adventure to truly take light with my eyes opened by the adventures travel could afford.

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  • 01285 880 980

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