Excursions in San Martín de Los Andes

There is no doubt, nature is the protagonist of all the charm of the Argentine Patagonia and the province of Neuquén is no exception. Reliable proof of this is this top of the best 5 excursions in San Martín de Los Andes. The entertainment and fun of each activity arises between majestic lakes, forests, glaciers and mountains that, depending on the season, are covered with snow. All of this without neglecting the culture and history of the region!

 

•         EXCURSION TO VILLA QUILA QUINA 

It is one of the classics, not missed to those who travel to this city in the province of Neuquén as this walk presents us in the first row all the beauty that the Lanín National Park contains.

The 18 km adventure begins bordering Lake Lácar where the Colorado Volcano and Cerro Sabana are spotted. After this, we enter the lands of the Mapuche Curruhuinca Community, established in this territory more than 100 years ago.

While the route goes by, we enter between mountain ranges, slopes and forests of robles, raulies, coihues and nirez. Also, we will see places bathed by lichens or devil’s beards. Without a doubt, it is a fascinating landscape.

The route takes us up in height until we reach the viewpoint that connects us again with Lake Lácar, through a great aerial view. There, we also stop to enjoy a wonderful panoramic view: it includes the town, the lake, the mountain range and much more.

And now, finally, we arrive to Villa Quila Quina! A small valley that is very close to the lake, which is surrounded by the splendid Andes Mountains. There, visitors come across settlements of the Curruhuinca Mapuche Community, which offer sweets and handicrafts to remember, and private houses such as that of the Pérez-Companc group.

There is also a bar-restaurant, dock from where sailing excursions around the lake and beach areas depart. You can sit down for lunch and have some delicious mates in front of the granite Cerro Abanico or simply take photos in the majestic natural scenery.

But that’s not all. From the site, a hike is made along the Cipresal trail. The activity culminates by sharing a chocolate or delicious coffee in the confectionery on the village jetty. Consult operability and other details of the experience.

•         CAMINO 7 LAGOS 

One of the most famous and unmissable walks in Patagonia Argentina is the Camino 7 Lagos excursion. So much so! This excursion can be carried out from Bariloche and from San Martín de Los Andes, the latter being the one we are going to talk about in this post.

The name says it all. It is a route that connects 7 wonderful lakes: Machónico, Falkner, Villarino, Escondido, Correntoso, Espejo and Nahuel Huapi. 

The experience is lived along National Route 40, through a 4-hour journey, giving us unprecedented natural landscapes. In case you don’t know yet, these lakes are the result of the glacial metamorphosis that the Patagonian region experienced millions of years ago.

The adventure begins bordering Lake Lácar. After 5 km, we leave the mountain village behind, taking a detour to the right with a sign that welcomes us to Playa Catrite, which is located on the shore of the lake. It is a paradisiacal place where you will find camping, toilets, showers, a grocery store and a restaurant.

Just one kilometer further on, there is the road that leads to Villa Quila Quina, which presents us with one of the best natural spas in the Argentine Patagonia, nestled between the limits of the Lanín National Park and the Mapuche Curruhuinca Community. Also, we will pass in front of Cerro Chapelco and the viewpoint of the Partido stream.

And now yes, it is the turn of the lakes! You will find the protected wild areas of the Lanín, Nahuel Huapi national parks and also Los Arrayanes; the Vuliñanco waterfall, the Buque hill (black stone towers where condors nest), beaches with fireplaces, typical delicacies, history and much more. Live this journey and discover why it is one of the best excursions in San Martín de Los Andes!

•         LANÍN NATIONAL PARK WITH LAKE HUECHULAFQUEN AND LANÍN VOLCANO

The excursion to the Lanín National Park represents a true natural spectacle. It presents two of the jewels of Neuquén: Lake Huechulafquen and the Lanín volcano, among which you will be delighted with magnificent attractions. 

The adventure is super complete (it combines the ecological importance with the cultural and geological history of the region). After 30 minutes of leaving San Martín de Los Andes, a City Tour will be carried out through Junín de Los Andes, a city where we will visit the Church-monument to Laura Vicuna.

Of traditional Catholic architecture, this religious monument took on its own unique personality, maintaining the Mapuche culture among its thematic windows, matras that surround the walls of the church, the stone altar, windows with a special symbolism and a Christ -not crucified- with aboriginal features. Not surprisingly, it has received recognition from the Vatican.

Now, we begin to skirt the Chimehuin River until its source at Lake Huechulafquen, where we will stop for a short walk along the coasts considered the world meccas of fly fishing. So much so, that it attracts fishermen from all over the world and it has become famous for rafting in recent years, given the rapids it offers in its upper part.

Back in the vehicles, we enter the Lanín National Park and, among beautiful views, we skirt 30 km until we enter the Araucarias. It consists of a kind of tree that shared the earth with dinosaurs. You can already imagine their longevity! 

Continuing the tour, we arrive at Quinchos. These are country restaurants that are served by families of Araucano Cañicul origin and where you can taste some grilled meats and a variety of salads (the value of this lunch is not included in the excursion). Similarly, near this sector there are beaches of volcanic black sand where you can enjoy your lunch.

The tour continues by combi to a point that gives us the best view of the Lanín Volcano, imposing with 3776 mt. high and its glaciers of indescribable beauty. What makes this tour even better is that after all the stunning views, we will reach its southern base where no other means can access and where the walks begin to its summit.

As if that were not enough, the excursion continues to Lake Paimún to visit the Chapel that bears the same name, settled in a magical place at the foot of the volcano that has received donations from different cultures around the world and has also taken ancient settlers into account. Now, it is time to return and it is done along the banks of the RucuLeufu River, which gives us another incredible view of the Lanín Volcano. It is one of the excursions in San Martín de Los Andes that you cannot miss.

•         BALCONES LAGO LACAR – HUA HUM

We return to the Lanín National Park, but, this time, to learn more about the plant species of the place. This excursion takes us into the Valdivian jungl, one of the wettest places in all of Argentina.

This tour includes a tour of Provincial Route 48, passing through Trompul, a high place that gives us wonderful views of Lake Lacar, Cerro Chapelco and Cerro Abanico. Similarly, we visit Yuco beach, which is famous for its volcanic sand and its myrtle grove. 

Then, we arrive at Hua Hum. It is a place at the western end of the lake, just 2km from the border with Chile. In this magical place you will have access to a confectionery that is located right in front of the lake and the Van Dorsenn Museum. 

After there, we move to another site from where we will hike about 700mts. This activity is carried out along a jungle path. That is, among raulíes, mosses, fungi and ferns that will lead us to the majestic Chachín waterfall. 

•         CERRO CHAPELCO AND MIRADOR ARRAYAN EXCURSION 

Its name says it all. This excursion combines two majestic places in San Martín de Los Andes such as: the Arrayanes Patagónicos forests and the Chapelco hill, nothing more and nothing less than one of the most famous ski centers in Argentina.

The activity begins in San Martín de Los Andes towards the Arrayán viewpoint, which gives us wonderful views of the city and Lake Lácar, extending at its feet. But that’s not all, and that is because its name is due to the fascinating panoramic view of myrtle forests that is obtained from the place and dyes this entire Andean area with intense green.

After witnessing this natural spectacle, the route is resumed under the silhouette of the Lanín volcano to Cerro Chapelco, the ski center with wonderful landscapes (composed of forests, valleys and Andean peaks) and the largest elevations in South America that we will observe from its facilities, without neglecting its wonderful flora and fauna, which we invite you to discover on a tour of the place.

There, you will have 30 free minutes to have a snack in some of the cafeterias in this winter resort while you contemplate the mountains and all kinds of skiers (from beginners to experts). After such a pleasant experience, we return to our starting point. This activity lasts 3 hours and 30 minutes, which means that you can complement the day with another attraction in the city.

As you will see, all the excursions in San Martín de Los Andes contain charm and assure you a dreamy experience. Whichever you decide to hire will meet all your expectations. In the same way, we invite you to contact our travel specialists, who will help you combine several of these, based on your tastes, expectations and available time. In addition, they can put together the complete package: air tickets, transfers, accommodation, excursions and food.