A first glance of Argentina and what a view! Bariloche, town build around 1903 by a mixture of Germans, Slovak, Swiss, Italians and Argentinians, is one of a kind. Coming from Switzerland it was like a taste of home: nested on Huapi Napei lake and surrounded by hills and mountains, the town resembles a ski station (Bariloche is the biggest ski station in Argentina) with chalet and wooden/stone houses everywhere, and tourist agencies and shooing alleys. The view on the surrounding lakes and mountains is impressive!
Many activities can be undertaken in the area should it be winter (with mainly skiing) or summer (hiking, kayaking, sun tanning at the beach, canopying and much more!).
Bariloche was a coup de cœur of our journey and wouldn't hesitate to go back! Aside from having a nice lifestyle it has so much to offer!
For the greedy ones, Bariloche is known for its artisanal beers and chocolates!
Many activities can be undertaken in the area should it be winter (with mainly skiing) or summer (hiking, kayaking, sun tanning at the beach, canopying and much more!).
Bariloche was a coup de cœur of our journey and wouldn't hesitate to go back! Aside from having a nice lifestyle it has so much to offer!
For the greedy ones, Bariloche is known for its artisanal beers and chocolates!
Day 1 - Bariloche
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Day 2 - Lake Huapi Nei
This lake which size is 3 times buenos aires finds its origins in the surrounding glaciers. Exactly, the water is cold! Is name comes from ... Language in which it means puma and - as a symbol of the Braves living off island Victoria.
Island Victoria: This island first started to host human life about a hundred years ago when a rich family from Argentina choose it as its holiday destination. In order for the place to be attractive and entertaining enough for his friends, he brought everything they would need with them: cows for the milk, deers and trees. Today this island is a place of experimental forest (to analyse their diameter and how they grow in size comparison to each other despite the fact that they were planted at the same time) due to the number and variety of trees planted by humans on the island. They planed then on purpose close to each other so that the "competition system" happening between trees would enable them to grow as high as possible (they compete to get sun). As you can see on the pictures the trees are so high (68m) and close to each other that the sun barely goes through leaving then green on the outside but thin and dry on the inside. |
Dy 3 - Cerro Tronador
This volcano's name finds its origin in the sound it makes from the ice breaking off the volcano.
The volcano is black because of its volcanic ashes, which combianed with ice creates the black glacier. |
Transport: we hitchhiked from Osorno, Chile after a night bus from Santiago (CLP 22000 - 33€)
Accommodation: we couchsurfed with Cristian, an online poker professional!
F&B: around ARS 1100 - 65€ for 4 days
Activities: ARS 920 + 200 of fees for the isla Victoria and parque arrayanes tour including only guide and boat teas proration. We then rented a car to go see the Cerro tronador (ARS 1667 - 97€) to which you have to add a ARS 150 (8.75€) for part entrance fee.
Accommodation: we couchsurfed with Cristian, an online poker professional!
F&B: around ARS 1100 - 65€ for 4 days
Activities: ARS 920 + 200 of fees for the isla Victoria and parque arrayanes tour including only guide and boat teas proration. We then rented a car to go see the Cerro tronador (ARS 1667 - 97€) to which you have to add a ARS 150 (8.75€) for part entrance fee.
Traveller's tips
Hitch hiking: only do it if you have time, not if you're in a rush for another transport connection! It was easier to do it from Chile to Argentina than the other way round. There seem to be less cars passing by or willing to stop (many of them are full already because they cross the border as a group...)
Road to Cerro tronador: hiring a car was 5€ more expensive than a tour with an agency but worth it! You have the freedom to see the landscape as you wish which is something precious over there! The road from the main road to Cerro tronador is way longer than we expected (count at least 2h and up to 3h depending on the car you have).
To use public transportation in Bariloche you have to be patient as buses usually take longer than scheduled to arrive at the bus stop (or pass by without stopping when they are full). In order to take the bus you must buy the "Sube" card in a kiosk (ARS 35) and charge it with money. It's the only way to pay your bus ticket. We had a hard time to find an open kiosk in a Sunday. We eventually found 2 open on a Main Street // from the mitre.
Road to Cerro tronador: hiring a car was 5€ more expensive than a tour with an agency but worth it! You have the freedom to see the landscape as you wish which is something precious over there! The road from the main road to Cerro tronador is way longer than we expected (count at least 2h and up to 3h depending on the car you have).
To use public transportation in Bariloche you have to be patient as buses usually take longer than scheduled to arrive at the bus stop (or pass by without stopping when they are full). In order to take the bus you must buy the "Sube" card in a kiosk (ARS 35) and charge it with money. It's the only way to pay your bus ticket. We had a hard time to find an open kiosk in a Sunday. We eventually found 2 open on a Main Street // from the mitre.