Argentina’s picturesque landscapes feature vast glaciers, historic lakes and snow-capped mountaintops – among many other natural wonders – but there are also curious Welsh settlements, colonies of animals and sun-kissed vineyards producing world-class wines that add further fascination.
At the center of Argentine Lakes Region is Bariloche (or San Carlos de Bariloche). With its lakeside gravel paths and mountain-dappled scenery, Bariloche makes for ideal hiking during its popular hiking season in summer months when crowds increase significantly.
1. El Chalten
El Chalten is one of Argentina’s newest travel towns and a hiking paradise at the base of Cerro Fitz Roy. Since it opened its doors to visitors in the 1980s, El Chalten has quickly grown into an international hiking hub. From great restaurants and hotels to coffee shops and ice cream parlours – even beer and wine houses and travel agencies! – all within just a few streets; visitors will not feel like tourists here!
Day hikes begin directly from your hotel and multi-day treks with overnight stays are also possible here. Although there’s plenty to do here, weather can sometimes be unpredictable so planning in some extra days gives you some wiggle room so you can cross off some of your top trails on your list.
One of the first hikes most people take when arriving in town is Miradores Los Condores Trail, an easy and short trail which provides stunning views of Cerro Fitz Roy and surrounding cities. For something more challenging try Glacier Huemul; an exceptional trail that leads you through stunning glacial lakes while providing breathtaking panoramas.
El Chalten’s trails make getting around easy; no rental car necessary! Most hiking companies in town provide shuttle services directly to some of the more popular hikes; alternatively, numerous bus lines run between El Chalten’s center and its trails for convenient in/out access if no rental vehicle available.
2. Cordoba
Cordoba, Argentina’s vibrant university city is an ideal location for anyone hoping to experience Argentina’s unique culture and traditions. Though bustling, Cordoba remains refreshingly untouristy allowing visitors to truly gain a feel for traditional Argentine city life.
Cordoba offers many highlights, among them is the Jesuit Block – a UNESCO World Heritage site housing Argentina’s oldest university as well as many churches and other structures built by Jesuits – making for an enjoyable one-hour guided tour through this historical area.
Nature enthusiasts will discover an exciting array of outdoor activities in Sierras de Cordoba mountain range. Hikers may enjoy exploring its scenic trails while wildlife abounds along them. Additionally, watersport activities like kayaking, canoeing and rafting provide thrill-seekers with something more thrilling to explore.
Cordoba offers an abundance of restaurants and stalls catering to food lovers of all kinds, with offerings influenced by Italian, Spanish and indigenous cuisine. Here you will find delicious flavors sure to please even the pickiest palates!
Cordoba offers many must-see attractions, with the Mercado de la Virgen being one of them – an outdoor market featuring everything from fresh produce, handcrafted items and local meats. Additionally, visit Universidad Nacional de Cordoba for another stunning building, once home to Jesuits but now housing Argentina’s oldest library housing 17th-century books! Cordoba provides visitors with an interesting mix of cultural and natural attractions that will leave you wanting more!
3. San Lorenzo
San Lorenzo is an ideal location for an active vacation, offering many activities such as hiking, horseback riding and trekking – not to mention visiting numerous waterfalls! Additionally, this town hosts several restaurants serving delicious Argentine barbecue such as asado – making for an exciting trip that won’t break the bank.
Football is an integral part of Argentina culture, and San Lorenzo is one of the premier teams to watch play. Situated in Argentina’s Primera Division and widely considered one of the Big Five teams – alongside River Plate, Boca Juniors, Independiente and Racing Club – San Lorenzo recently achieved great success by becoming South American club football’s most coveted competition – Copa Libertadores – winning it for the first time ever in their 106 year history!
San Lorenzo are famed for their stadium, Estadio Pedro Bidegain (known by fans as Nuevo Gasometro), which opened in 1993 in Bajo Flores neighborhood in Buenos Aires. Although their previous ground, Viejo Gasometro, was demolished to make way for this facility, San Lorenzo fans still consider its former lot part of their own turf.
Homefans offers tickets to San Lorenzo matches and local hosts who can show you where the best places are to watch from, explaining Argentina’s passionate fan culture as you watch from different vantage points – an unforgettable experience! Whether you are an Argentine football enthusiast or curious to experience what makes their games unique. Homefans is here to help make this unforgettable matchday experience truly remarkable. Book one with Homefans and we will pair you with a local host who can assist in finding tickets and showing you where best places exist to watch from – as well as helping to understand Argentina’s vibrant fan culture! Homefans is here to assist with booking tickets and pairing you with local hosts who can show you around – along with understanding chants and songs of Argentina’s famous fan culture! Homefans has you covered when it comes to experiencing all aspects of Argentina football culture! Homefans has got your ticket needs covered when it comes to watching matches featuring San Lorenzo FC! Homefans has you covered when it comes to watching an upcoming match: we provide ticket assistance while pairing you with local hosts who know all the best locations from where to watch from where.
4. Nevado de Chani
Argentina’s majestic mountains offer visitors breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cultures, and world-class trekking opportunities. No matter your level or experience level, you are sure to find an enjoyable hike here, whether beginners or pros alike. And with numerous attractions like Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park (moving up to two meters per day!) as well as Valle de Uco–home of Argentina’s finest wine – keep you entertained for days on end.
Nevado de Chani lies in the northwest region of Argentina and comprises an immense mountain massif featuring multiple peaks above 5,000 meters. At its summit, its height reaches an astounding 5896 meter to form a physical boundary between Salta and Jujuy provinces; mountaineers must ascend its slopes in order to reach it and scale its summit peaks in order to climb Nevado de Chani’s challenging height and route in order to access this peak.
Argentina offers many activities for visitors to enjoy in its mountains, such as hiking, horseback riding and mountain climbing. You can also visit some cultural sites – Mendoza offers some of the finest wines while Quebrada de Humahuaca serves up breathtaking views of Andes Mountains as a UNESCO World Heritage Site – in addition to restaurants and cafes located throughout this region.
5. Tronador
Tronador (Spanish for Thunderer) towers above the border between Argentina and Chile near Bariloche and is a beloved mountain climbing destination, thanks to its famed glaciers – including Black Glacier. As climate change accelerates their retreat, this is an unparalleled chance for visitors to experience this pristine Andean landscape before it disappears completely.
One of the best ways to take in the spectacular scenery in this part of Argentina is with an excursion combining Nahuel Huapi National Park in its southernmost regions with Mount Tronador and Black Glacier nearby. Within this park there is forest, lakes, beaches, mountains and natural features like Los Alerces Waterfall (known worldwide) and Guillelmo Waterfall (20m high heart-shaped falls).
This particular excursion begins at the park’s main entrance where visitors pay a fee to enter, followed by gravel province road 82 leading towards glaciers in Tronador region. At ranger station of park you will be able to assess weather and sign up for Mount Tronador day trip if desired.
Refugio Otto Meiling is one of the region’s most beloved mountain huts, offering meals and comfortable accommodation between the Castano Overa and Alerce glaciers at 2000 meters above sea level. Originally founded by German mountaineer Otto Meiling during his climbing days between 1950-1959 he continued climbing until his passing away.
From the hut you can trek to either Alerce or Castano Overa glaciers before reaching Ventisquero Negro; its dark hue is due to sediment from icebergs that break off of Mount Tronador and are carried downriver into it. Witnessing such beauty while hearing its thunderous crashes of retreat makes for an incredible experience!
