San Carlos de Bariloche, Rio Negro, Patagonia, Argentina

 Bariloche is a very busy, touristic town, near the Chilean border in Southwestern Argentina.  We arrived via a domestic flight (Latam Airways), about 1,600 km (1,000 miles) WSW of Buenos Aires.  Seemed like almost the entire plane were Argentine families on summer vacation. We were greeted at the airport and had a 1/2 day area tour. The town is a tourist mecca, way too crowded for us.  The area was settled by immigrants from Germany, Switzerland, and Eastern Europe during the great immigration, same as in the US.  Much of the architecture and cuisine is influenced by this.  You could imagine that you were in Switzerland or Austria with all of the A-frames and half-timbered houses, schnitzel and fondue on the menus.

San Carlos de Bariloche is home to Argentina's first National Park, Nahuel Huapi (area of deep waters), lake massive and powerful, 450 m deep in the deepest spot.  Beautiful views of the Andes Mountains, the spine of which forms the border with Chile, as negotiated by Perito (Father) Moreno.  Moreno is known as the "John Muir" of Argentina and was the driving force behind the creation of their first National Park.  PM tour of the Bariloche area with Monika (Polska immigrant), of Kawen Adventure Company.  Ave. Bustillo, the only road , so subject to high season traffic, both domestic and International tourist high season in combination, so everywhere was always super crowded.  Cerro Campanario, chairlift to a scenic vista peak (aka Mirador in Spanish) (Monika got us to the front of a long line), Llao llao, hotel w/ cathedral, birthplace of tourism for the area.  Trek (short) in the Coihue (So. Beech) and Arrayan forest.  Then on to Gilbert (owner Tommy, short tour, empanada making lesson, a charcuterie board w local dainties, and beer brewed on premises of course. 

 

Our second day there we fished the outlet river, Rio Limay, from the massive lake Nahuel Huapi, gin clear water fishing for brown, brook and rainbow trout.  Caught a few and raised many, driftboating.  Our guide Marcos cooked up an excellent steak and sauteed vegetables shore lunch, featuring Argentinian Cabernet and beer of course.  Almost universally, the guides on our trip were excellent, interested in the flora, fauna, history and culture of the region.  Many carried excellent photography gear and took pics of interesting fauna, flora and sights.  Most were excellent English speakers as well.

Our third day in Bariloche had us kayaking another nearby lake (we were in the Lake District of Argentina), Lago Mascardi.  Had a great guide Toto, who led and instructed us and provided another great shore lunch.