Bariloche

We recently ventured down to Bariloche, a town in the Lakes Region of the Andes (about a two hour flight southwest of Bs.As.) with our good friends and expert travelers, Kristen and Zig, to spend a few days exploring the mountains and lakes in the area.

Welcome to Burrriloche!
We arrived and quickly realized that we'd left summer behind in Bs. As. as we were greeted by very chilly temperatures and harsh rain.

Putting our fitness to the test on several occasions we first hiked to the top of Cerro Otto which gave us amazing views of the city of Bariloche, Nahuel Huapi Lake and the surrounding snow covered mountain tops.

At the top of Cerro Otto

After enjoying coffee and hot chocolate and the slightly unnerving, revolving cafe at the top of Cerro Otto, we took the Teleférico--a gondola--down the mountain which gave us a bird's eye view of the area.

On the windiest, wettest and coldest day of our trip we hit the water taking a boat trip out to Isla Victoria --one of the many islands in Nahuel Huapi Lake and Los Arrayanes--another national park where walked through an amazing forest which is said to have inspired Disney animators in the creation of "Bambi's" forest.

In Los Arrayanes

On a day near the end of our trip that offered a temporary break from the driving rain and gale force winds, we picked up the city bus ridding it out to Villa los Cohiues, a tiny village on the edge of the picturesque Lake Gutierrez.

A two kilometer walk around the lake on a dirt road offered some spectacular views of the Patagonia's picturesque lakes and mountains. Our landscape became even more dramatic after we hiked up another two kilometers to the lookout point which offered a incredible views of the surrounding area.

On the shore of Lake Gutierrez

A mountain top overlooking Lake Gutierrez

While our days were spent exploring nearby lakes and mountains, our evenings were filled with culinary adventures. We sampled some of the regions specialties including some terrific Patagonian lamb, some memorably inedible baby goat, handcrafted local beer and of course, the indulgence in some of the best chocolate in the Southern Hemisphere.

We hope to head back to Bariloche when the snow arrives in a few months!