Monday, February 18, 2008

Drive of the Seven Lakes

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If you ever visit the lake region of Argentina, we highly recommend you rent a car for two days and take the La Ruta de los Siete Logos or Drive of the Seven Lakes.

The route takes you through two picturesque towns north of Bariloche. And of course, past seven beautiful alpine lakes.

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Villa la Angostura is at the start of the route on the north Shore of lake Nahuel Haupi (Bariloche is on the south shore). Villa la Angostura is the place for Argentina's upper crust to stay in the region. It is a fairly new and quaint village with plenty of nice quite Inns and small hotels.

We recommend Las Balsas both to stay an to eat. Especially to eat. Some of the best cuisine of the region is prepared there.

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After your stay at Las Balsas, begin your trip up Route 234 through Lanín and Nahuel Huapi national parks. You'll pass seven magnificent lakes surrounded by mountains, natural forest and connected by numerous creeks and rivers.

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The road is only partially paved, but is decent in the dirt sections. But, if you head out in the next year, be warned that they are in the process of paving the rest of it. Unfortunately, the construction makes the dirt section even more dusty. All the construction dust can obstruct and ruin what is clearly one of the most scenic drives in the world.

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You end your drive in the town of San Martín de los Andes. San Martín de los Andes is a magical town squeezed between two mountains and the tip of a large lake. The drive into town is amazing with views of the marina and the town nestled below the road.

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San Martín is known for its fly fishing and is a good base for any Patagonian fishing trip.

For those that like to mix a little romance with their fishing, we highly recommend Hotel Río Hermoso just off Route 234 on Route 63 south of San Martín de Los Andes. This small hotel is situated right on Río Hermoso and is a perfect place to escape form the world.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've been enjoying your postings for some time now. I just want to say that your blog is one of the very best about Argentina. Your pictures are superb and your stories so very real. I felt the pain of your memorable crossing to Chile and shared the excitement about that magical place, the LLao-Llao. I'm an expat on reverse. I was born in Argentina and now live in Santa Cruz, CA. Thank you for sharing your unique vision of Argentina with us. I hope my fellow citizens treat you and your family well.

goulu said...

WONDERFUL !
love your pictures