Two Week Northern Patagonia Highlights Itinerary: Bariloche to Pucon

So, you’re planning your northern Patagonia itinerary! Good choice – not as many people make it up this way, and the scenes are absolutely unforgettable around the amazing towns of El Bolson, Bariloche, Villa la Angostura, San Martín de Los Andes, and Pucon.

You can do this two week northern Patagonia Itinerary from Bariloche to Pucon by itself, or you can also do it as a continuation of my classic Patagonia Itinerary. The classic itinerary takes place in the southern part of Patagonia, between Torres del Paine, El Chalten, and El Calafate. Take your pick, or combine them together to make one incredible month in Patagonia, one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Keep in mind, I make very active and adventurous itineraries for people who like to see as much as possible within the time frame they have. Feel free to tweak it as much as you want, but this 2-week northern Patagonia itinerary is jam-packed for you to make the most of your time there.

For the sake of continuation from my southern Patagonia itinerary (where I also list the best times to go to Patagonia and a breakdown of each season), I’m going to begin this route in the south, in El Bolson. You can take a bus from El Chalten to El Bolson/Bariloche, although it is a long one.

If you are in Patagonia in high season, you could travel from El Chalten, back into Chile, up the Carretera Austral to Puerto Montt, and then over to El Bolson/Bariloche. However, I was there in low season, so I went straight to Bariloche area from El Chalten.

If you are doing this northern Patagonia itinerary on its own, I would suggest doing it in the opposite direction by flying into Santiago de Chile. From there you can get an easy overnight bus to Pucon to begin this route the other way. Make sure to check out a Patagonia packing list so you’re well prepared.

Without further ado, here are my best recommendations for what to do and where to stay for a two-week northern Patagonian itinerary!

But First – Why Not Check Out Some More Argentina Content? (These Open in a New Tab!)

• A complete guide to Buenos Aires
• An Itinerary to Iguazu Falls
• Argentina Destinations You Didn’t Know Existed
• Things to Do in Argentina: A Complete Argentina Bucket List

Northern Patagonia Days 1-3: El Bolson

El Bolson is an awesome, boho-hippie-esque Patagonian town on the outskirts of some pretty awesome mountains (I mean, we’re in Patagonia…what’s new, I guess).

How to get to El Bolson:

If you are coming from the south, you can:

• Get a direct bus to El Bolson from El Calafate or El Chalten. It will be around 24 hours.
• Come back into Argentinian Patagonia from Chile, after visiting various points of interest along the Carretera Austral, Isla Chiloe, and/or Puerto Montt.

If you are coming from the North, you can:

• Fly into Bariloche and take a bus south (less than 2 hours).
• Do this itinerary the opposite way and end in El Bolson.

Where to Stay in El Bolson:

Since this is kind of a communal style- hippie type town, you won’t find many (read: any) 5-star resorts. Most of the hostels also double as well-rated hotels if they have private rooms, and the ones below do. The hotels listed are by no means fancy (and I usually list at least one splurge) but try to immerse yourself in the communal vibe of the town. It’s addicting!

Budget Accommodation in El Bolson:

• Earthship Patagonia Eco Accommodation: So this place is basically what you might picture when you hear the name 😛 It has a garden, vegan meals, a strong community vibe, and yurts to sleep in. It has a remote feel with a mountain view, but is actually super close to the city.
• Hostel El Mirador: Like its name suggests, this hostel is it’s own viewpoint. It looks out over the town, and has a lovely foresty feel, as if you just did a hike and are looking out at the view… but you sleep there.

Comfort Accommodation in El Bolson:

• Hostel El Mirador also has private rooms and is a pretty popular place to stay.
• Cabanas de la Comarca One of the few hotels in the town which is well-rated
• Hotel Cordillera: one of the nicer and more central El Bolson hotels

Northern Patagonia Itinerary Day 1: Getting to El Bolson

Depending on where you are coming from, today will be a chilled out (and most likely transportation) day. For that reason, today would be a great day to explore the city, smaller hikes, shops, and markets. You should also check out the city’s artisan market, Feria Artesenal, and make sure to have some local craft beer.

Northern Patagonia Itinerary Day 2: Hiking in El Bolson

So, as you will find out when you keep reading, each of these amazingly adventurous Northern Patagonia towns have too many adventures in close proximity to count! But I’ll give you my best recommendations, of course. For day hiking in El Bolson (there are also a number of multi-day hikes), you can:

• Rio de Azul: The classic hike to do in El Bolson is the Rio de Azul/Cajon de Azul. This goes along a river/canyon with amazing views.
• Make your way to the Cascada Escondida waterfalls for a half-day adventure
• Hike up the hill to El Bosque Tallado – an actual hillside sculpture forest! You can also make a full day of this one and summit Cerro Piltriquitrón.

Northern Patagonia Itinerary Day 3: El Bolson Adventures

There are also quite a few adventures to do in El Bolson, consisting of kayaking, white water rafting, and paragliding. Choose what fits your adventure style, and book it in! The views will be unreal either way.

Northern Patagonia Days 4-6: Bariloche

Bariloche was one of my favorite places in Patagonia. While being yet another super adventurous destination with TONS of adventures to tick off, mountains to hike, lakes to explore, and views to climb to, it’s also so much more than that.

It’s a stunning city with rich history and even richer chocolate (it’s the chocolate capital of Argentina), and it caters very well to both the luxury and budget audiences. There’s amazing food, beautiful hotels and restaurants, and just so much to do for everyone.

How to get to Bariloche from El Bolson:

There are tons of buses between Bariloche and El Bolson, taking around 2 hours. El Bolson’s bus station is right in the middle of town, and Bariloche’s is a short taxi/bus ride out of the city.

Getting Around Bariloche

You’ll have to get a little bus card from one of the kioskos (any accommodation should be able to point you in the right direction) and load it with some money to use the busses. You can tap in for multiple people with one card, so only one is necessary. Buses do not take cash (I found that out the hard way!).

Buses run in kilometers – so bus stops might be km 18.2 or 12.3, depending on where you are going. This makes it easier to pick out on the map.

Where to Stay in Bariloche:

Bariloche is very well suited to the luxury traveler…. like… VERY. A few minutes driving anywhere around the city (and especially close to the lake) will tell you that. There are luxury hotels literally everywhere, so it’s hard to pick just a few to recommend, but I’ve done my best based on what I know.

Budget Accommodation in Bariloche:

• Hospedaje Penthouse: To be honest, this is kinda the place to stay in Bariloche. It’s located on the top floor of a business building, and the views are totally unreal. Great space, staff, social scene etc.

Comfort Accommodation in Bariloche:

• Design Suites Bariloche: As its name suggests, a lovely modern property with beautiful architecure. Right on the water, not too far from town.
• El Casco Art Hotel: Another splurge, this one is directly on the water and surrounded by beautiful art. Nice restaurant too.
• Llao Llao Hotel Resort and Golf Spa: I always list a splurge, and this is it. This is not actually in the town, but is located smack-dab in the middle of the National Park that I have suggested you bike through. It has thousands of amaing reviews on every platform, and the views are totally unreal.

Northern Patagonia Itinerary Day 4: Bariloche Town 

Today, as your transit day, it’s best to enjoy your drive to Bariloche, get settled into your accommodation, and use the day to get to know the city or do a more local tour.

Once you are ready for an afternoon walking around Bariloche, head to the main town square, Plaza Ciudades Hermanas, which looks like it was taken right from Medieval times and transplanted to the middle of Argentina. The main square gives way to the main parts of town, specifically, Moreno and Mitre St.

Along these streets and in surrounding alleyways and parks, you will find the city center, complete with markets, beautiful restaurants, LOTS of chocolate shops, almost equally as many outdoor/mountain apparel shops, and more.

Find some markets where you can buy artisan jewelry and handmade mate gourds (the traditional Argentinian tea), and make sure you head to Rapa Nui for everything you can possibly think of in chocolate form. I’m talking: ice cream, chocolate beer, chocolate waffles, the best alfajores in the country, chocolate-covered raspberries, an entire chocolate restaurant, and many rooms full of everything chocolate. It’s definitely a spectacle to see!

Take a walk around the lake, and check out the views of the mountains you’ll be hiking in the next few days. There are also some great views of the city and lake from higher up in the hills above the town. Tonight would be great to find a nice restaurant in town and relax to get ready for more adventures.

Tours to Take in Bariloche Town:

If you’re a tour person, I got you covered. Check out some cool Northern Patagonia tour options to get even more into the culture and gastronomy of Bariloche:

• Museum of Patagonia and Cathedral 2 Hour Tour
• Free Walking Tour of Bariloche City Center (20 min intro to city)

Northern Patagonia Itinerary Day 5: Bariloche Hike

Today is Bariloche hiking day! I did the hike up to Refugio Frey, which I highly recommend, but there are also quite a few other hikes you can do in the area. Besides Refugio Frey, you can also check out Refugio Laguna Negra, and Cerro Bella Vista Hikes.

This also depends on the time of year – some of these hikes may not be doable in winter, but you have tons of ski resorts that are open in the winter, so you may be able to substitute a day of skiing.

For Refugio Frey, you take a bus to Cerro Cathedral (which is one of these winter ski resorts) and the trailhead is right there. It’s about 12km each way, and it stunning. You walk through all sorts of beautiful vegetation (changing every color of the spectrum if you visit Patagonia in Autumn) and up to a final ascent, where the mountains appear as if you actually just landed on Mars.

The actual refugio is just a small room and kitchen, so I would advise packing water and snacks/lunch to eat by the lake. You can sometimes find a better reflection if you walk to the right around the lake a bit. You can also keep hiking if you would like!

Prefer a Tour? Here are some organized hikes/nature tours from Bariloche you can do today.

• Full Day Tronador Mountain Excursion from Bariloche
• Victoria Island and Arrayanes Forest Tour from Bariloche
• Bella Vista Trek from Bariloche
• Bariloche Canopy Tour

Northern Patagonia Itinerary Day 6: Cerro Campanario, Bike Ride and Breweries

Today, it’s time to get a nice and early start for another massive day of adventuring. As early as you can, take a bus to Cerro Campanario, between miles 17 and 18 on the bus route. This small hill has a great view, and you can either take a cable car up to the top, or hike it.

Personally (of course) I hiked it, and it’s definitely not for the faint of heart. But after doing so much hiking, I thought, what’s one more hill?! It’s a pretty short hike (maybe 30 mins), but it’s pretty vertical. There’s a cafe and shops at the top.

When you get down from Cerro Campanario, walk less than half a kilometer to the bike rental stand at the beginning of the small circuit around the lake, the circuito chico. This is an activity that many visitors to Bariloche do to get a well-encompassed view of the beautiful lakes outside Bariloche, visit two different breweries on the way, see the famous Llao Llao hotel and National Park, and find TONS of photo ops.

The bike shop should give you the best directions, and most people do this circuit in a clockwise direction because it’s apparently easier. This bike ride is quite challenging, and you can decide for yourself whether stopping at two beautiful breweries will help or hurt your nature biking skills. 😛

You can also see these sights in a less physically demanding way. Here are some tours:

• Kayaking on the Lake at Llao Llao
• Scenic Small Circle Tour with Cerro Campanario

Northern Patagonia Day 7-8: Villa La Angostura

Villa La Angostura is one of Northern Patagonia’s hidden gems, perhaps overshadowed by Bariloche or overlooked because of its small size or affinity for resorts. Just over an hour north of Bariloche, many people may spend an afternoon here but not get to see the full extent of its beauty.

Villa La Angostura is a few kilometers from a beautiful isthmus with incredible mountain views and is home to Bahia Brava and Arrayanes National Park. This is the most beautiful part of the town and one of the best in this itinerary.

How to Get to Villa La Angostura from Bariloche:

There are lots of buses between the two each day, usually taking just over an hour and costing $8-$9 USD. The bus station in Villa La Angostura is just at the end of the town’s main street.

Where to Stay in Villa La Angostura:

So the little town of Villa La Angostura is actually 3km or so from the water (Puerto Angostura and Bahia Brava), and where all the hiking is. If you’re there at the proper time of year, I would go ahead and stay right near the water. You don’t need the town for much; there are food options in Puerto Angostura, and it’s the prettiest place anyway. This area is a continuation of Bariloche and very well suited to the luxury traveler if you want it.

Budget Accommodation in Villa La Angostura:

• Hostel La Angostura: I think there’s only one hostel, and this is it. It’s totally fine – nice space, solid breakfast. Walking distance to bus station.

Comfort Accommodation in Villa La Angostura:

• Ruma Andina: a little cabin village that is currently one of the closest accommodation options to the lakes/the best hikes in the area. Beautiful bungalows for great prices
• Sol Arrayan Hotel + Spa: Not near the hikes I’ll mention, but right on the lake. Stay here for amazaing views and to use the spa for your tired legs!

Northern Patagonia Itinerary Day 7: Getting to Villa La Angostura 

Since by now you will have just completed a 30km bike ride and 20+ km hike, take the morning to slowly arise from your Bariloche accommodation. Go and see a few last things you may not have seen in the town, get one last ice cream from Rapa Nui, and leisurely get your bus to Villa La Angostura. There’s no rush to get there because today is a super chilled day.

Once you get to Villa La Angostura, walk around town and check out the alpine-style buildings, gift shops, and restaurants. If you want to head down to the water/if you are staying there, watch the sun set over the lakes, and have a nice meal and relaxed evening to prepare for tomorrow’s hike.

Northern Patagonia Itinerary Day 8: Villa La Angostura, Arrayanes National Park Hike 

The massive peninsula near Puerto Angostura is home to a stunning hike in the Arrayanes National Park – 12km each way from the beginning to the end of the peninsula. You will pass viewpoints, walk through amazing forests, see lakes within lakes, and get to view the amazing Patagonian mountains that surround the water on both sides.

You will find one of my favorite views in the world near the beginning of the hike – Mirador Bahia Mansa. Make sure to visit both viewpoints – Bahia Mansa and Brazo Norte – which are both very near the beginning of the hike (and also will do just fine if you are tired!)

Northern Patagonia Days 9-11: San Martin de Los Andes

San Martín de Los Andes is yet another beautiful lakeside Northern Patagonia town. Unlike Villa La Angostura, this one is actually right on the lake. This is quite a large town for Patagonia, or should I say city, and is complete with all the amenities and shops you would expect from one. The main strip of shops is beautiful and wooded, surrounded by leafy trees and buildings that are built for snow.

Like many of these towns/cities in Northern Patagonia, San Martin de Los Andes turns into a ski resort town in the winter, and a simply a beautiful nature-surrounded city at all other times of year. I was in Patagonia in Autumn, and I will never forget the incredible colors in San Martín in May.

This is another adventure hub of the area, and you will find many different adventurous day tours, which I will list below.

How to Get to San Martin de Los Andes from Villa La Angostura

There are a couple of buses each day – often no more than two – between these two destinations, so make sure to check timings. There will usually be an afternoon and an evening departure. I recommend the afternoon so you can view the beautiful Ruta de 7 Lagos (Route of 7 Lakes) between these two cities, which is a tourist attraction in itself (with many tours from Bariloche driving this route).

The bus these days seems to cost upwards of $50 from my research (it was cheaper when I went). The main bus station in San Martín is right at the edge of the lake and the beginning of the town.

Where to Stay in San Martín de Los Andes

Budget Accommodation in San Martin de Los Andes:

• Sherpa Hostel: a tiny walk from the center, Sherpa has free breakfast, free bikes, and a nice living space.
• Puma Hostel: a smaller hostel with fine amenities – cheaper but no free breakfast.

Comfort Accommodation in San Martin de Los Andes:

• Hotel & Spa La Cheminée – This hotel is a lovely 3-star, fairly affordable, and could not be any more centrally located.
• Loi Suites Chapelco Hotel: both the 5-star and the remote option, Loi Suites is a bit outside of town and has a lovely remote feel with a luxurious experience.

Northern Patagonia Itinerary Day 9: Ruta de 7 Lagos, San Martin de Los Andes Town 

Today is another chilled out transportation day. Make sure you get a window seat on the bus to San Martin -maybe even a seat on both sides to switch between for pictures – because it is stunning! You will pass lakes on both sides and lots of amazing forest.

Depending on the time you arrive to San Martin and to your accommodation, today will probably be just about checking out the town and the lakeside beach. Lots of people hang out and watch the sunset on the beach, and some walk up the hill just above town to get a bird’s eye view (I rode a bike up it and recommend it!) There are tons of amazing restaurants in town (and chocolate as we are still quite close to Bariloche) and supermarkets for those who may want to cook.

Northern Patagonia Itinerary Day 10: Hiking San Martín de Los Andes 

What, it’s hiking time, again?! 😛 San Martin has lots of amazing hikes, one of which begins right along the north side of the lake. You can find your way to it by heading to the upper left corner of town – locals should be able to help you because to be honest, it’s not too obvious at first.

This hike is basically as long as you want it to be. If you start super early you can even make your way up past the 48 highway to the north of the town, and ascend a pretty tall mountain. This would be a crazy long hike, however, so let’s start slow.

Once you find the trail, it kind of splits into a million little trails all the time, but you will end up in the same place! Just try to stay on the big trail if you can. On the way out, I got really worried I had lost the trail, but on the way back, I tried to take a different trail at each split and always found my way.

Anyway, I am getting sidetracked! The two main Miradores (viewpoints) of this hike are Mirador Bandurrias and La Islita. You can see them on Google Maps. Bandurrias has a lovely view of the entire little town and lake and is about 2-3km into the hike.

After walking through a beautiful forest and passing some tiny communities and restaurants, you will reach La Islita (6k into the hike). La Islita is exactly what its name describes – a little island – but at that, it’s probably the most picturesque one in the world! Here, there is a quite perfect reflection of the island and all surrounding mountains in crystal clear water.

If you keep going, you will pass an indigenous community called Trompul. If you continue, you can find your way up the mountain. Just remember you must come back again!

Day 11: Choose your own San Martin Adventure

As I said, San Martin is an adventure hub of Patagonia. There are quite a few days tours to do from here, so today is for choosing the one you like the best. Here are some of the best options:

• Volcan Lanin Excursion – Volcan Lanin is a Volcano not too far north from San Martin that you can climb!
• Cerro Colorado Trekking Tour
• Cerro Falkner Hiking Tour
• Hua Hum and Lanin National Park Day Trip
• White Water Rafting Adventure
• Go back and do a proper tour of the Route of 7 Lakes

There’s more, too! CLICK HERE to check out all possible excursions from San Martin.

Northern Patagonia Days 12-14: Pucon, Chile

Pucon is another lesser-known adventure capital city of South America. I was so surprised by how much there was to do there, and four days was not enough! But alas, I had to move on, so four days is what I spent and what I recommend to you, although you could easily spend weeks in this place.

The main thing to do in Pucon is to do the ascent of Volcan Villarrica, which is by far one of the most intense, incredible, daring, challenging, and downright wicked adventures I have done in my life. I won’t go too far into it here because I already wrote a post about it, which is linked above.

If the day is clear, you can see Volcan Villarrica from the city. There are also lots of national parks around, and many day tours to different points of interest. I’ll list them below.

The one thing about Pucon is that, unlike the previous Argentinian Patagonian towns, Pucon is on the other side of the Andes. This means it is closer to the Pacific Ocean and more prone to catching bad weather than its counterparts, which are often blocked by the mountains. Basically, I just need to warn you that bad weather can be common here and that sometimes, to do epic things like the Volcano, you’ll have to wait.

How to Get to Pucon from San Martin de Los Andes

There is one bus timing each day from San Martin to Pucon. It’s usually at 6am, but it’s at 2pm on Sundays. There are actually, for some reason, multiple bus companies leaving to do this journey at the same time, for around $40 USD for 6ish hours.

The bus station in Pucon is at the end of town, about 5 blocks from the lake.

Where to Stay in Pucon

Budget Accommodation in Pucon:

There are tons of hostels in Pucon for backpackers wanting to climb Volcan Villarrica or do any of the other awesome activities in the area. Check out:

• Chile Kiwi Lakefront: well-rated, nice space on the water, travel agency. A bit pricier, no free breakfast.
• French Andes Hostel – A bit more remote, community vibe, pod-type beds (my favorite), more affordable, no free breakfast.
• Hostel Rio Libre – Well rated and had to be included because it’s the only one with free breakfast! I couldn’t believe the amount of hostels in Pucon without it… free breakfast is a latin american/general hostel staple if you ask me.

Comfort Accommodation in Pucon

• Enjoy Pucon Gran Hotel Pucon – the classic hotel option in Pucon, this hotel is right in the city, beautiful, and comfortable.
• Hotel and Cabanas Monte Verde – a bit more remote, this hotel is right on the water outside the city with a great view.
• andBeyond Vira Vira – if you have the funds, this is truly the 5 star splurge experience of Pucon. Warning – you might not want to leave!

Northern Patagonia Itinerary Day 12: Arrive in Pucon

If you arrive early from the 6am bus, you’ll have a whole day in town! Luckily, there’s tons to do. Today, you can:

• Explore around town – try some restaurants and cafe’s
• Walk to a waterfall just outside town on the Rio Pucon O Minetue (walking distance from town)
• Kayak on the Lago Villarrica right from the shore!

Northern Patagonia Itinerary Day 13: Volcan Villarrica Ascent

Now, like I said, this one depends heavily on the weather. If the weather permits, you should do this one at the very first chance you get. Like I said about, this adventure was one of the most daring I have done, and soooo worthwhile.

Read All About The Volcan Villarrica Climb Here! 

Northern Patagonia Itinerary Day 14: Termas Geometricas or Other Hikes 

If you were able to Climb Villarrica yesterday, chances are that the geometric thermal pools will be the best move for you today. These amazing Japanese-style thermal pools are the perfect way to relax after a long day of hiking, and also perfect for a rainy day – whichever comes first!

You can also hike in Huerquehue National Park, or on any of a few other trails in this similarly adventurous Northern Patagonian gem. Check these tours here for a full list of options or to book your tour to Villarrica or the Geometricas (both are fairly pricey, but trust me – worth it).

Don’t forget to Pin these Northern Patagonia Highlights!

More on Argentina:

• Riding The Train to the Clouds in Salta
• A Guide to the Salta + Jujuy regions of Northern Argentina
• A Guide to Wine Tasting in Mendoza
• A Cafayate Itinerary with Adventures + Wine