Highlights of Bariloche

Day 1: Transfer to Bariloche Airport; Panoramic tour

Arriving into Bariloche Airport, you'll be met by your guide and driver and driven 30mins to your hotel in town.

After checking in and maybe grabbing a bite to eat, your guide will take you on a three-hour panoramic tour by vehicle to get to know the impressive scenery which makes Bariloche such a popular destination for both national and international travellers.You'll make a series of stops, including a trip up a small chair lift at Cerro Campanario, for what locals state is 'the best view in the world'. Your guide will share local history and insight into the region, and ensure you're fully prepared for the exciting days ahead.

Note: Your hotel check-in time may be after your arrival in Bariloche.

Accommodation: Hotel in Bariloche

Day 2: Hike to Cerro Bellavista or Goye

Your first full day in Bariloche will see you taking to one of the nearby hiking trails to get up into the mountains. You'll hike either the Cerro Bellavista or Cerro Goye, depending on your guide's recommendation, and if you prefer more or less strenuous walking.

The terrain on both hikes will be similar and as you meander through the Andean forest and eventually emerge above the tree line you'll find yourself hiking in stunning mountain terrain. The trails are well-maintained, but expect some rocky parts on both routes.The summits provide excellent vistas of the surrounding peaks, including Cerro Lopez, Cerro Negro, Cerro Catedral, and the glaciated Cerro Tronador.

On clear days you'll be able to see across the border into Chile and the iconic conical volcanoes. You'll also have clear vistas across the immense Nahuel Huapi Lake, which gives its name to the national park in which the town of Bariloche is located.While the climb occasionally involves scrambling up small outcrops, it is not overly challenging, and these sections can even be avoided if desired.

The descent from either peak involves returning down the same route.Upon finishing back at the trailhead, you will visit a local microbrewery, of which there are many in Bariloche, for a toast to a wonderful day's hiking!

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Bariloche

Day 3: Kayak on Lake Mascardi

You'll depart Bariloche this morning and drive south along Ruta 40 until reaching the shores of the immense Lake Mascardi. The setting is perfect, with the imposing Andean mountains as a backdrop.

First you'll have an introduction to basic kayaking techniques and a safety briefing. You'll then begin to explore this beautiful lake from the turquoise waters with amazing views of the unique and dramatic Andes mountains. Your guide will be with you to share the history and geology of this magnificent area.

After about 1.5hrs of kayaking you'll beach up for a gourmet picnic lunch at a remote and isolated location, where you'll of course have the chance to take a dip in the fresh glacial waters. After a relaxing stop, you'll take to the water in your kayak again and gently paddle back to the starting point.

Having enjoyed a great day out, with very few other people around, you'll return to your hotel in the afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Bariloche

Day 4: Horse ride or mountain bike excursion

Today's outing will give you the choice to take to the saddle; either on horse or mountain bike.

Horse riding: Raised on the Nahuel Huapi Estancia, your horse riding guide is the perfect host for this day's authentic outing. You'll travel about 40 minutes by vehicle to the estancia, located in the pre-Andean region and nestled between valleys and rolling hills. After meeting your gaucho guide and host, and being accompanied at all times by your local guide, you'll take to a Criollo horse for approximately two hours of gentle riding. Today's excursion may be shared with a small number of other guests.

You'll eventually stop at a wonderfully secluded spot for lunch. Your hosts will prepare an authentic countryside asado (BBQ) for you to enjoy under the shade of the trees with nobody else around. After your sumptuous meal, you'll ride back to the main estancia building from where you started this morning, then return by vehicle to your hotel in Bariloche.

The riding route you'll have followed will be both diverse and attractive, taking you across streams, through pockets of forest and up winding trails to exposed mountain vistas. The riding is suitable for all levels and the only other company will be the cattle that breed on the estate.

Mountain biking: If choosing to take to two wheels, your guide will provide you with all the equipment required (bike and helmet) before you set out westwards from Bariloche. You'll descend through relatively easy mountain trails towards Colonia Suiza before taking to forested dirt trails where very few vehicles are encountered.

Bordering the Moreno Lake and stopping at different viewpoints, your ride will cover a distance of about 20km in total and climb approximately 200 metres.Finally you'll arrive back at the town of Colonia Suiza where you can enjoy visiting the small stores and where you'll have lunch in a local brewery. You'll return to your hotel in Bariloche, by vehicle, in the mid-afternoon.

Note: Your excursion must be selected at the time of booking.

Meals (horse riding): Breakfast, asado (BBQ)

Meals (mountain biking): Breakfast, lunch at brewery

Accommodation: Hotel in Bariloche

Day 5: Transfer to Bariloche Airport

After enjoying breakfast, your vehicle will pick you up and transfer you to the Bariloche Airport for onward travel.

Meals: Breakfast