ADVENTURE EXCURSIONS: TRADITIONAL EXCURSIONS: Trekking to Otto Meiling shelter and Mt. Tronador: this trip to the endless ice of Mt Tronador glacier begins in Pampa Linda which is 50 km away from the Hotel Mascardi. we are here at the foot of the tallest mountain the Nahuel Huapi National Park, its summit is the frontier line between Chile and Argentina. From here we take the trail that will lead us to the Castaño Overo river.Soon after crossing this river we will come across the trail that goes to Frías lake across Paso de Nubes. We keep on following our trail on steep windings until reach the edge crest that divides the valley of Castaño Overo river on our left and the Alerce valley on our right. we keep on walking on the edge to the vegetation's end line (about 1700 m above sea level) always slowly going up and through the rocky trail we reach the Otto Meiling shelter, at 2000 m height which was built by the Club Andino Bariloche and is the highest built shelter in the Patagonia. The sight from here is breath taking and marvelous:to the east we have the Mt. Bonete and on the horizon line the Caterdal towers, Mt. López and Mt. Capilla (almost on the NE); the Vuriloches valley or pasoi on the west, to the south International peak (3554 m) and Argentine peak (3200 m). In the shelter´s surroundings are the glaciers Alerce and Castaño Overo. In the shelter you can have dinner and sleep. In the morning if the weather conditions are good, after breakfast you can snow - walk to the Motte peak (2550 m). This trail goes between the two glaciers, from the Motte peak you can see the Frías lake, volcano Lanín and parts of the Andes. From this point we go back to the shelter and in the afternoon we go downhill to Pampa Linda starting our way back to the hotel Mascardi by car or bus. Back to top Trekking to the Mt. López: after driving to the foot of Mt. López where begins the trekking trail just by the López drain.At first we just keep walking by the drain then slowly going away, the trail steadily goes uphill through coihue forests and then through lower bushes vegetation. At the middle of our way up we cross a lenga forest until 3 hours walk we get to the López shelter, (1.600 a.s.l.), which was built by the Club Andino Bariloche. From here we have a great view to the towers and rock wall combined with the lake view to the Moreno and Nahuel Huapi lakes, also El Trébol lagoon, Victoria island and the beautiful Neuquen coast line of Cuyin Manzano. We can keep on walking to the La Hoya and Turista peak, where we could find snow even in summer.This part of our trekking is just on rocky trail because we are already above the vegetation line. From here we can start our way back by the same trail downhill to the route from where we will drive back to the Hotel Mascardi. This same trail is also allowed for mountain biking. Back to top Trekking to lagoon Jakob: The San Martín shelter is located by the Jakob lagoon,it is a two day hike. You start using the lifts of Catedral skiing center (Robles or cable Carril) right to the top of the mountain from there we follow the trail on the edge of the Catedral which will lead us to a wider area called Cancha de Fútbol, from there we will descent to the Rucaco valley, from there uphill by the Brecha Negra river, from where we will see the lagoon and the shelter we will walk to the shelter where we can have dinner and stay overnight. Then, next morning after breakfast, we can trek to the Los Témpanos lagoon surrounded by the mountains: Schweitzer, Cerra and Cuernos del Diablo. In the afternoon we can descent by the Casa de Piedra valley, a lenga forest and cross the river over a hanging bridge. The trekking finishes at the baez post where is the car road. Back to top Trekking to Emilio Frey shelter: this is a one or two days trekking and begins at the Catedral skiing center from where we take the three lifts (Robles) to Punta Princesas. From there we will walk on the edge of the Catedral to the wider area called Cancha de Fútbol (football court) and Schmoll lagoon.From there we descent to the Toncek lagoon, on its coast line is the shelter Emilio Frey where you can have dinner and stay over night or just go on descending through the Slovenian trail to Villa Catedral, our starting point. If you decide to stay over night in the shelter, the next day after breakfast you can go to the Bara peak,at the west of Catedral mountain chain. Afterwards we can start our way back through the forest trail to the Van Titter valley, passing by the bivouac Piedritas. Finally we are back to Villa Catedral where will be the car waiting for as to take us back to Hotel Mascardi. Back to top Trekking through the lakes trail to Chile: (from September to April) This trip will take us across the virgin region of the Patagonic Andes, unite the landscapes divided by the cordillera going through the river Puelo valley, San Carlos de bariloche, river Puelo, river Manso, Cochamó valley and Puerto Montt in Chile.This trip is a four days trekking including also panoramic flights and sailing over unpolluted, wild and clean untouched areas. Starting at the hotel mascardi we will drive to El Bolsón from there to Puelo over the International border "lake crossing" over Puelo lake, there we will pass the customs and continue through lake Las Rocas to the bandurrias Island where we will stay over night.The next day there are several options. trek to the Azul lake, going to Campo La Colina, or to the river Puelo passing by. In the afternoon we go back to the Las Bandurrias island where we stay over night. The last day of our trip we will sail back on lake Las Rocas to Puelo, crossing the customs. from there we will drive back to the Hotel Mascardi over the "Cañadón de la Mosca" and driving on the Guillelmo lake coast line.if you would like more information please click here. (Open Travel) Back to top Patagonic expedition to Chile: (from September to April) In this researching trip that goes from Puerto Montt (Chile), Cochamó valley, Puelo river, International border of Puelo lake, to El Bolsón and Bariloche. It is possible to go back to our starting point or just go to the neighboring country flying over volcanoes and glaciers, navigating over patagonian lakes and crossing the Andes just like the first explorers did a century ago. The lake region is a place of thick, natural forest and just a few colons. This will let us enjoy the cultural tradition of this places and observe the wild animals and autoctone flora. As we penetrate this area it will give us the chance to appreciate the value of clean, unpolluted air while we trek across and ride on horseback through this beautiful region.We start our trip early in the morning from the Hotel Mascardi driving towards El Bolsón to Puelo, there crossing the international border across the Puelo lake and Las Rocas lake until we reach the Las Bandurrias island from where we walk to the base camp Campo la Colina where we have dinner and we stay over night. the second day we trek to the Azul lake where we have lunch returning in the afternoon to the base camp where we have dinner. the third day we trek to the puelo passing by, an area of waterfalls and thick leafy forest, after lunch we start our way back to the base camp.The fourth day we start on lake Las Rocas from Las bandurrias island to El Mosquito lake, then to Retén de Carabineros until we get to lake Interior where a Creole barbecue "asado criollo" will be waiting for us. We stay there over night.The last day we start our way back from Interior lake to the springs of Puelo river navigating on Ferry to the international border crossing Puelo Interior lake to Puelo lake from where we will drive our way back through "Cañadón de la Mosca" on route 258 to the Hotel Mascardi. If you would like any other information on this trip please click here. (Open Travel) Back to top RAFTING on LIMAY river: The limay river is a glacier origin river and it is located at the patagonic steep. Its a fairly easy stream and small rapids river so it is recommended for families with children. you start in Bariloche from where the professional guides will drive you in vans to the starting point where they will provide you all the necessary gear and a short lesson about rowing and safety rules.This adventure trip you can hire it directly from the hotel. RAFTING on lower MANSO river: starting from the Hotel Mascardi driving on Route 258 towards El Bolsón then taking the road to Steffen lake where the lower Manso river begins. From here we start rowing with the rafts for about 15 kilometers on easy stream with rapids class II + . during the rafting there will be a stop for lunch and at the end of the rafting a snack is provided before starting the way back with the van. Back to top Mountain Biking from Catedral mountain through Gutiérrez trail: We start right from the hotel heading to Bariloche on Route 258. On kilometer 12 we take a road to our left heading to villa Arelauquen on the Gutierrez lake coast and to Catedral reaching the skiing center base station where starts the trail to Frey shelter. This is a nice trail through the forest being easy enough that kids from 9 years and older can take it. Our guides can teach you the use of the gears, brakes and how to cross streams and different slopes. The hotel Mascardi provides the bikes and all the gear that you will need for this trip. Back to top Mountain Biking to Llum: We start from the hotel on route 258 toward Bariloche then at the beginning of lake Mascardi we take a path that will lead us to a river where the trail to Llum starts. We cross the river and we go on on the trail by the coast line to a deep sandy bay. From there start the trail uphill to the Llum lagoon. It is a beautiful trail through leafy forest and has a medium scale difficulty. When we reach the lagoon we start our way back on the same trail. If you feel like you can swim in the lagoon because it is warmer than the lakes. Back to top Mt. Tronador and Los Alerces waterfall: Following the road to the Hotel we continue on route 254 to Mt. Tronador (macadam type of road). This road goes along Mascardi coast line to the bridge over Manso river, continuing the west coast line of Mascardi lake. we will pass along mountain Los Emparedados and the follow the Manso Superior river until we get to Pampa Linda. here it is worth to stop at Saltillo and do the 10 minutes walk to the waterfall. Then we go on through the Vuriloches valley and finally through a dark thick forest we get to the Negro glaciers. This circuit finishes a little bit further at the waterfall Garganta del Diablo (20 minutes walk) right at the foot of mount Tronador.The three peaks of the Tronador are called: Argentine (3.410m), International (3.554 m) and Chilean (3.430 m). During summer there are many climbers that get to the summit of this three peaks. The Alerces waterfall is a detour from Tronador road. Instead of crossing the bridge over Manso river, we just continue the road passing along the Los Moscos lake and Manso river; then we get to Hess lake and then we cross Roca river ending the road at Los Alerces waterfall. If we do the 300 meters walk we arrive to the balcony over the waterfall where we get a very nice view of the waterfall. In Pampa Linda you can rent horses to do the riding to the Otto Meilling shelter, the starting point for climbers attempting the tronador summit. This same trail we can trek it. It is a half day walk and it is not recommended for beginners. NB:Driving up to tronador it is a one way road from the Manso bridge, so you have to cross this bridge before 2 p.m. . From Pampa Linda you can start your way back after 4 p.m. The first part of this tour has the option to do it on board the Victoria boat navigating from port Mascardi on km 30 of route 258 to the end of Mascardi lake, to the Tronador Hotel. From here onwards is the same road. Back to top EL BOLSÓN, LAS CHACRAS & ESQUEL: (whole day tour). The first settler of this region were Chilean people until in 1902 this area is given to the Argentine republic funding the settlement of El Bolson in 1933, this name was given to the settlement because it is a valley enclosed by mountains just 300 m above sea level. The Quemquemtreu river runs on one side and the Piltriquitrón mountain (2.200 m) at the other side. From here starts the mountain area. It is the most southern settlement of Río Negro province, just at the border with Chubut province. Starting from the hotel Mascardi it is just 90 Km away passing along the coast line of Guillelmo lake on route 258 (pavement). The road goes by leafy old forests and small villages like Ñirihuau and Aspero; getting to the Pampa del Toro and Cañadón de la Mosca, from here you can see the Foyel river, just a few kilometers ahead you can see the whole valley. It is microclimate area good for growing strawberries and raspberries. There is a lot of local craft work in wood and knitting, also in leather and jams which gives to the region a special look. The Piltriquitrón mountain during winter works as a skiing center for alpine and Nordic skiing.during summer you can do nice treks or trips to the Mallín Ahogado and Catarata, Cabeza del Indio, Río Azul y Camping Las Golondrinas, Villa Turismo, Azcona, Lago Puelo, Lago Cholila, Lago Rivadavia, Lago Epuyen, Gruta de la Virgen, Catarata Escondida, Piltriquitrón, Cerrito Amigo and Radal mountain. If you have enough time you may choose between the trips to: Lindo hill and Tricolor lake, Hielo Azul mountain, Escondido lake or Pirque hill. Just going over the provincial border we get to Chubut where is Las Golondrinas, an area of small farms at the foot of Piltriquitrón mountain. Then we get to hoyo de Epuyén, where we can go to the farm Chacra del Monje, which has its own production of homemade jams and natural bee honey. we can also have a ride on an old cart pulled by oxen or just enjoy a delicious barbecue and have for dessert selfcollected raspberries. After lunch we can enjoy a rest at the Puelo lake with its emerald waters. Just following the route we get to Esquel, (this name comes from the mapuche word Esqguel which means thorn). During February there is much cultural life in Esquel and craft shows. Then we can start our way back to the Mascardi Hotel. Back to top VICTORIA island & ARRAYANES forest (whole day trip) We start the excursion at San Carlos port and/or Pañuelo port in Llao Llao. You can go to Pañuelo port on your own or by bus that the authorized companies provide. After navigating 11 kilometers (half an hour) we get to Anchorena port on Victoria island. Here you can do a walk to the pine tree park but you can also take the lift to the Bella Vista hill (900 meters above sea level). From this hill you can walk back through blue pine forest and old cypress with great sightseer points. Then we get back on the boat to continue navigating to the Quetrihue port, on the same name peninsula, where is the worldly famous arrayan forest. It is a unique forest with trees that have smooth cold bark a cinnamon color bark. The arrayan has white flowers and dark blue fruits with pleasant flavor. This forest was declared world asset and must remain untouched for the future generations. Back to top PUERTO BLEST, LOS CÁNTAROS waterfall & FRÍAS lagoon: (whole day trip) From MASCARDI HOTEL we have to take the Route 258 to Bariloche and in the downtown area to San Carlos port. From here the hoverboat will take as to Blest port. During this navigation we pass along the Centinela island where was buried Perito Moreno , an explorer that worked for the Border commission and created the first National park in Argentina. Along our journey the landscape is similar to the Norwegian fiords or the Tierra de Fuego channel.The Blest port area is a very wet region so it was a thick leafy forest. from Blest port we may continue our trip by bus to Frías lagoon. You can navigate the lagoon from one end to the other with the boat arriving at Frías port.It is a very nice lagoon with emerald color waters. Going back to port Blest we aboard again the hoverboat to cross the lake to the Los Cántaros waterfall. Here you walk on a wooden staircase for about 600 metros, from here you can see the different beautiful waterfalls. Then you go back to the hoverboat which will take as back to san carlos port. Back to top SMALL CIRCUIT: From Mascardi Hotel we take the route 258 to Bariloche. on km 10 we take the detour to the left to villa Arrelauquen and Virgen de las Nieves driving on the coast line of Gutierrez lake.Then we continue our way to th Route 237 on km 8 called Playa Bonita from where we can see the Huemul island. driving on route 237 to LLao Llao, on km 17 we get to Campanario hill where we can stop and take the lift to its summit from where we will have one of the best panoramic views of the whole region. from there you can see the Nahuel Huapi and Perito Moreno lakes, El Trébol lagoon, San Pedro and Llao Llao peninsulas, Victoria island, Otto, López, Goye and Catedral mountains, and Bariloche town. driving on route 237 we get to the llao llao peninsula. There we can appreciate the best local architecture: hotel llao llao and San Eduardo chapel. Continuing on this road we pass along the golf court, the Angostura bridge over the same name river which connects the Moreno and Nahuel Huapi lake. Then we get to the bridge that divides Moreno lake into two parts, afterwards we begin our way back on the coast line of Trebol lagoon that will take as back to our starting point at the foot of Campanario hill. Back to top Big Circuit: (San Martín de los Andes and Villa Angostura) Going from Bariloche on Route 237 to Neuquen, after 21 km we got to options to do this excursion. either we take the road through Confluencia and Collon Cura to Junín de los Andes going just straight ahead; or we take first the road to Villa la Angostura (66 km) and then the macadam road to San Martin de los andes (178 km). The latter has more beautiful landscape. we get through the Huemul peninsula; by the coast line of Nahuel huapi passing along Puerto Manzano and finally getting to Villa La Angostura. After we pass through this small town we take the National Route 234 also called the 7 lakes' road. The road goes through mountains and thick leafy forests of coihues (nothofagus). The road follows the coast line of Correntoso lake, crossing the river Correntoso, passing along the village Ruca Malén, and El Portezuelo. Then the road continuos along the Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso and Meliquina lakes, finally arriving to the beautiful town of San Martín de los Andes, at the Lácar shore. If you want you can take the panoramic road through Paso Cordoba with great mountain landscapes or go to Junin de los Andes town and take the pavement road back to Bariloche. The macadam road through Paso Cordoba goes along Meliquina lake, Caleufu and Piedra del Viento river, finishing on the river bank of Traful river flowing into Limay river. From this turnpike we take back the route 237 to San Carlos de Bariloche. |
