San Carlos de bariloche
San Carlos de Bariloche - a Patagonian paradise! Located in Argentina's Río Negro province, Bariloche is nestled within the Nahuel Huapi National Park, the oldest national park in Argentina.
Surrounded by the Andes, this picturesque town is known to dazzle visitors with its snow-capped peaks and glistening lakes.
Circuito Chico - a four-hour tour around Bariloche is a major attraction in this area. 60 kilometers of stunning scenery through mountains, forests, and serene vistas - it truly made for an unforgettable half-day excursion. Best part of the tour was Cerro Campanario – a mountain standing 1,000m above Bariloche surrounded by lush forests, sparkling lakes, and stunning views! We took a chairlift up there, where we were nearly swept away by strong winds!
The town of Bariloche has a unique alpine atmosphere that was reminiscent of traditional European towns. It is partly influenced by German settlers arriving in the early 1900s. Since then, Bariloche has been fondly nicknamed "Little Switzerland" or "Argentina's Switzerland." It is even rumored at one point that Hitler had escaped Germany secretly to spend his life there! Though historical experts refute such an outlandish conspiracy theory. The highlight of the town was the Rapa Nui chocolate factory with all its delightful varieties available, which left us drooling just looking at them!
Go for a leisurely stroll near the lakeside!
There are some great hikes in the area. In one of our hikes, we spotted a Caracara circling majestically in the sky - this prey bird is native to South America and was quite a sight!
We also stumbled upon Cyttaria hariotii or llao llao fungus growing near some trees -- these fascinating parasitic golf-ball like species are endemic only to Patagonia region in South America. Charles Darwin himself discovered a related species (Darwin’s Fungus - Cyttaria darwinii) while voyaging through Tierra del Fuego aboard HMS Beagle back in 1832 - now how incredible is that?!
Nestled in the breathtaking Cerro Lopez and Tronador mountain ranges, Llao Llao Hotel stands proud among Bariloche's finest. Guests can explore its lush 15-hectare park overlooking idyllic Moreno and Nahuel Huapi lakes - a perfect destination to bask in nature’s serenity!
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