Patagonia self-drive tour: from Puerto Madryn to Bariloche

Private transfer to the airport, and flight to Trelew. Upon arrival, pick up of the rental vehicle, which can be either an economic car or a 4×4. There are different kinds of insurances you can get.
Now, the Patagonia self-drive tour begins: drive north to Puerto Madryn, which is 40 minutes from Trelew’s airport. You can take advantage to visit Reserva Punta Loma or the surroundings.
Overnight in Puerto Madryn, in the type of accommodation that adapts the most to your preferences.

During your days in the area, you can visit Punta Tombo, San Lorenzo or El Pedral to spot Penguins and the Wildlife Reserve Peninsula Valdes, UNESCO World Heritage Site. Depending on the time of your visit, you can see Southern Right Whales (navigate from Puerto Pirámides is a beautiful experience!), walk among penguins, Elephant Seals, Foxes, Rheas, guanacos, cavies, armadillos and skunks, petrels, among other species. VERY IMPORTANT: check the fauna calendar (click here) because some animals stay in the region for certain periods of the year. The time of the year where most of the animals are together is between half of September and the end of November. Nevertheless, you can also go until April, but without southern right whales. Or you can go before September but without penguins. Overnights in Puerto Madryn, in the type of accommodation that adapts the most to your preferences

.

Start your drive to Gaiman (about 2 hours), near Trelew, home to a big welsh heritage. We suggest you stay in one of the guesthouses run by families with welsh roots, so you can try their cakes, teas, and learn about their history in Patagonia! Overnight in Gaiman, in the type of accommodation that adapts the most to your preferences

.

Today, you’ll cross Patagonia through the legendary steppe. After breakfast, continue driving along the valley of the Chubut River, until you get into the Patagonian steppe. If you can and have the time, visit the petrified forests (it’s a small area, not the famous one) near Florentino Ameghino, and the dam of Florentino Ameghino as well. The dam is quite impressive since you reach an area -in the middle of the steppe- which is surrounded by rock walls and the lake in the middle. This lake is made by the dam, which controls the flow of the Chubut River. Continue driving to the west, passing by places such as Los Altares, until reaching Esquel where you will spend the night in the type of accommodation that adapts the most to your preferences. If you still have time on this day, we invite you to visit Trevelin, another Welsh village at the feet of the Andes, otherwise it can be visited tomorrow. 

If you happen to be in October, you can visit the stunning Tulip fields! If you’re in a different month of the year, you can go to Sierra Colorada for outdoor activities that involve getting in touch with the local Mapuche community (this is one of the best places to taste the local gastronomy), Lago Rosario to discover the local heritage, Nant & Fall falls, Nant Fach Flour Mill, Bagillt Trekking, a journey through the historic La Trochita train and its cars dating back to 1922,visit to vineyards, getting in touch with rural communities, museums and chappels. And of course, taking time for the Welsh Tea. Or you can head, early in the morning, and visit Los Alerces National Park, this fantastic National Park, which was declared as UNESCO heritage a few years ago. This National Park is home to ancient larches, beautiful mountains, rivers, colorful lakes, etc. Overnight inside Los Alerces National Park, in the type of accommodation that adapts the most to your preferences (our favourite place to stay is Villa Futalaufquen)

.

Keep exploring the park, make a stopover in the hanging bridges and do the short trek that leads you around the small island in between its two lakes. The park offers a lot of outdoor activities to do! Overnight inside Los Alerces National Park, in the type of accommodation that adapts the most to your preferences.

Continue driving ahead to El Bolsón, a new town known as a hippy town. An eco-friendly imprint as well as a bohemian spirit, marks the identity of this Patagonian city. Lago Puelo, located 16 kilometers south, it’s a great option during the entire year. Native Mapuche tribes still live in this picturesque town. There is also another destination between Los Alerces and El Bolson, called Epuyen, which you could visit. Overnight in El Bolsón, in the type of accommodation that adapts the most to your preferences./

Take advantage of these days to do some hikes and to visit Lago Puelo National Park! Overnight in El Bolsón, in the type of accommodation that adapts the most to your preferences.

Continue driving along the legendary Ruta 40, surrounded by beautiful landscapes, until reaching Bariloche, the most important and popular city in the lake district. Today you can discover the Circuito Chico (Short Circuit) area of the outskirts of Bariloche, a 60-kilometer journey that leads you to the main highlights of Bariloche’s surroundings. Also visit the Cerro Campanario for some amazing views of lake Nahuel Huapi. You can also spend some time visiting Bariloche town and buy some chocolates, Bariloche is well known for its chocolate production. Overnight in Bariloche, in the type of accommodation that adapts the most to your preferences.

There are several hikes that you can do on your own! Also, you can enjoy the local food and explore the chocolate factories and breweries. Although we only have three days here, we can extend it if your itinerary is flexible, to sail on the beautiful lakes of Bariloche, visiting Villa La Angostura, a very picturesque town located 85 km from Bariloche, or follow the famous Seven Lakes route, which connects Villa La Angostura with San Martin de los Andes (a scenic drive). And the list continues with other attractions such as the Tronador Mount, Cerro Catedral, and so on – get in touch and we’ll work together to find the right itinerary for you, so you can make the most of your Patagonia self-drive tour! Overnight in Bariloche, in the type of accommodation that adapts the most to your preferences.

Today, you’ll drop off your car at the airport and board your flight back to Buenos Aires (to make the most of your day in Bariloche, we suggest taking the latest flight). Arrival in Buenos Aires and transfer to your accommodation in the city. Overnight in Buenos Aires in the type of accommodation that adapts the most to your preferences.

End of your trip. Take your transfer to the international airport to board your flight back home.

If you liked this trip, you might also be interested in our Ruta 40 Argentina road trip.

If you are interested in Patagonia, we invite you to check out our other Patagonia Tours.

We invite you to see our Argentina Tours, where you can experience the true Argentine culture.