Patagonia School -Spanish Courses-

Patagonia School -Spanish Courses-

Bariloche

Bathed by the clear waters of Lake Nahuel Huapi, Bariloche is located on the West of the Province of Río Negro, 1,640 km from Buenos Aires City.
Founded in 1902, San Carlos de Bariloche owes its name to Carlos Wiederhold, who set the first grocery in the area, and to the deformation of the term Vuriloche ("people from behind the mountains"), used to name the natives from the valleys located to the west of the Andes mountain range, before the arrival of the mapuche people (Originally, the term was Furilofche).
The scope of activities seducing the tourists that visit Bariloche is in force all through the year. During the summer, adventure tours are protagonists: rafting, hiking, mountain biking, horse-riding and fly fishing excursions. In winter, snow sports enter the scene.
Likewise, lake excursions across the Nahuel Huapi provide access to spots that are unique in the world, such as the Myrtle Forest and Victoria Island.
The various tourist circuits in Bariloche include sites like Mount Tronador, Puerto Pañuelo, Puerto Blest, Los Alerces Cascade and Small Circuit.
Bariloche is a pioneer among the lands that man has chosen as a destination to meet their need of traveling for pleasure.

Cerro Catedral

Its peaks resemble the towers of a Gothic style medieval temple. That is the reason for its name. Mount Catedral (cathedral), located 19 kilometers from the City of San Carlos de Bariloche, opens its doors to the inhabitants of the world who wish to experiment the adventure promised by winter sports. At 1030 meters over sea level, Catedral seems to try to join the ground and the sky. A pioneer among South American ski resorts, at present, it is the most complete and it continues updating its facilities in order to offer visitors the most advanced infrastructure. From this season on, the unification of its sectors will offer 600 hectares of skiable surface divided into 53 well-signaled runs of various difficulties, which reach 2.000 meters over sea level.
All skiing disciplines, including off-piste, are available. Those who practice freestyle and snowboarding will also enjoy an area specially designed with bumps and rails to show their abilities. Catedral is also the stage for the most important international competitions.
The updating program, applied to its 39 lifts, will allow the total lift capacity of the mountain to be increased by 70%. Likewise, access will be controlled by a system of hands-free passes which works through radio frequency. Therefore, it will not be necessary to show the pass in order to get on the lifts, as it may be detected even if it is inside a pocket or a backpack.
Furthermore, Catedral has a modern snow-making system which creates real flakes that cover a skiable surface of about 10 hectares.

Cerro Otto

Cerro Otto (4,608 ft) is a ski resort outside of Bariloche. Great for mountain biking, hiking and skiing. Hiking to the top takes you through a forest of lenga trees. You can also drive to the summit of this mountain. From the top you get a 360 degree view of fabulous lakes and mountains!

The Circuito Chico

This is one of the most popular excursions to in Bariloche. A half day circuit beginning in the city, skirting the lake until you can see the spectacular views over the water in the direction of Chile. There are scarce few buildings that have a landscape as marvelous as this, but the Llao Llao hotel, at the base of the Llao Llao peninsula has the best of these locations. From the enormous alpine style hotel, to Bahía López, a small inlet where condors can often be seen flying around the immense mass of López hill, giving shade to the bay. On the way back we´ll pass by the Cerro Companario chairlift. Though this hill is much lower than Cerro Otto, it has incomparable views that make the trip worth it.

Isla Victoria

The tour begins at Puerto Pañuelo, on the shores of the picturesque Llao Llao Peninsula. Catamarans leave from this pier towards Victoria Island.
After 30 minutes of a quiet lake ride that crosses 11 kilometers, Puerto Anchorena is reached on the island. Its beautiful natural scenery spreads across 3,710 hectares and encloses various attractions. Victoria Island is divided into three areas: access to the public in general is not allowed in two of them, whereas the central area that may be visited by tourists. In a remote past, it would be dwelled by Indian communities that left their marks in the form of cave paintings in some areas of the island. After touring around the island, it is possible to sail to Puerto Quetrihue, located in the South of the peninsula bearing the same name, in order to visit the Arrayanes National Park. This reserve protects a myrtle forest unique in the world, with specimens of 15 meters of height, which are between 500 and 650 years old.

Lake Perito Moreno

This is a medium-sized lake with a neck dividing it into two separate sectors: the Eastern Lake and the Western Lake.
Although it is not spectacular fishing ground, the Eastern Lake has a couple of places helping to break the monotony of waiting for the bite.
One of them is on the section of shore at the mouth of the Casa de Piedra stream, that flows down from Jacob lagoon. The rainbow trout is one of the several species that can be caught here, although the most attractive one is the "fontinalis", which is also frequently fished. All the length of this shoreline can be easily transited, although its front end is swept by the full strength of the dominant western winds, this being somewhat inconvenient. This is the reason why it is preferable for fly fishermen to visit it only on calm days or days with a gentle breeze from the east. Another recommended fishing place is the mouth of Goye stream, born in Negra lagoon. The most advisable way to reach this sector is by leaving Colonia Suiza, and traveling down Provincial Route N° 79.
West Lake Perito Moreno is characterized by being almost completely inaccessible from the coast. The sector belonging to Angostura stream, joining it to Lake Nahuel Huapi, near López Bay, is really outstanding for fishing.

Llao Llao Municipal Park

Llao Llao Municipal Park is a protected nature reserve that includes a recreational conservation area of wilderness woodland. It is located between kilometers 26 and 31, in Circuito Chico. It has a surface area of 1,200 hectares. Within it one can clearly distinguish Llao Llao peninsula and Conejos Island, with its high canopy mixed wood including coihues, cordilleran cypresses, bushes, canes, climbing plants, mosses and ferns, the habitat of diverse species of birds, reptiles and small mammals. On the lakeside areas, the vegetation mass consists of myrtles, pataguas, chilcos, pañiles, marsh grasses such as nalcas and ferns. The latter are found on riverbanks inside the wood as well as at river mouths.

Cerro Tronador

For thousands of years a thick icecap has covered the summit of Cerro Tronador. From its three peaks, eight descending tongues of ice model the landscape. With incessant movement, they dig down and push everything out of their way, rolling away the stones, gravel and earth. This slow yet steady task can be seen on visiting the Black Snowfield. This giant, called Anon by the aboriginal population, is 3,478 meters high and is the highest peak in Nahuel Huapi National Park. Its present name, Tronador, refers to the roaring sound produced by the constant breaking off of enormous blocks of ice. The three peaks of the mountain are known as the Argentine (3,410 meters above sea level), the Chilean (3430 meters above sea level) and the International (3478 meters above sea level) All of them are excellent challenges to mountain climbers who usually come to Bariloche during the summer. This is a show that cannot be missed. The road to Tronador starts in Bariloche on Onelli street, which leads you to National Route Nº258. Pampa de Huemuleo is crossed in order to get to Lake Guitierrez, after crossing the Pilmayen and Melgarejo streams. At km18, on the shore of the lake, there is an inn with a uniquely lovely beach, two piers and a boat ramp. In this place, you can go for a guided ride around the area. As you leave this lake behind, you begin skirting the eastern tip of Lake Mascardi.
If you continue along this way you will get to a fork in the road. To the left you will see the start of National Route Nº254 and the road to Tronador (gravel). This is the road you should take, crossing the bridge over Manso Superior River up to Pampa Linda.
Almost at the end of this road, you will get to Manso River Glacier, better known as "Ventisquero Negro" (Black Snowfield), since it is covered with earth, sand and stones. Your trip ends a little further ahead, at the base of Cerro Tronador. A track leads to a huge natural rocky amphitheater called "Garganta del Diablo" (Devil's Throat) where there is a spectacularly high meltwater fall.

Villa Traful

In the midst of a beautiful valley, Traful is an excellent alternative for those who wish to enjoy the beauty of the mountains and coihue woods. It is located at the heart of Nahuel Huapi National Park, by the shores of Lake Traful, and it is serenely peaceful and silent. Traful is a unique place, where nature regales you with all its colors and beauty. Here, the world is a pure delight to your senses.
The landscape, seen from the different levels of the road, shows how diverse the beauty of a single place can be. The ubiquitous perfume of flowers and bushes, not normally found in other areas, will make the tourist ponder on how much attention and care nature deserves.
Good road maintenance enables tourists to visit Traful in any season of the year. The town offers an infrastructure including hostels, cabins, restaurants and tearooms, where tourists are sure to enjoy the warm cordiality of the locals.
From San Carlos de Bariloche you take the road towards Confluencia, where, before crossing the river on your left, you will find the small gravel road, which, 35 kilometres later will take you, to Villa Traful, located at the south-western tip of the Province of Neuquén.