4 Best Sights in Bariloche, The Lake District

Traversing both land and lakes, this popular excursion allows you to see Chile and Argentina at their most pristine and can be done in either direction in one or two days. Travelers board a boat at Puerto Pañuelo, west of Bariloche, and cross to Puerto Blest, at the western extreme of Lago Nahuel Huapi. From there, a short bus ride takes you to Laguna Frías, a cold glacial lake that ices over in winter. After crossing to Puerto Frías on the opposite shore, you pass through Argentine customs, then board another bus that climbs through lush rainforest before descending to the lakeside stopover of Peulla. You'll clear Chilean customs just before reaching a lodge alongside Lago Todos los Santos, where you'll have time for lunch. You may then spend the night at the lodge (recommended) or head straight to Chile by catamaran from Peulla, enjoying volcano views along the way. (An overnight stay is mandatory in winter.) The boat trip ends at the port of Petrohué. From there, your final bus ride skirts Lago Llanquihue, stopping at the Petrohué waterfalls and arriving at last in the the town of Puerto Varas. Guides usually speak English, but to be on the safe side, do this trip with a tour group such as Cruce Andino.

For an aerial view of Bariloche and its environs, hoist yourself up the 1,405 meters (4,608 feet) to the top of Cerro Otto. A little red cable car owned by Teleférico Cerro Otto will carry you there in about 12 minutes, and all ticket proceeds go to local hospitals.  A free shuttle bus leaves every hour on the half-hour from the corner of Cls. Mitre and Villegas. You can also hike or bike to the top, or drive from Bariloche on a gravel road. In winter, cross-country skis and sleds are available for rent; in summer, hiking and mountain biking are the main activities. There's also a revolving restaurant serving goulash and charcuterie boards, the Confitería Giratoria, on the summit. For a real thrill, try soaring out over the lake in a paraglider.

Founded in the 1880s by Swiss immigrants, this small settlement on the shores of Lago Perito Moreno is a popular detour for those doing the Circuito Chico. The village is plenty touristy, with its food stands, artisanal-beer trucks, and shops selling tchotchkes, but it's worth a visit on Wednesdays and Sundays for a lunch of curanto, a traditional Patagonian preparation in which beef, lamb, sausage, and vegetables are cooked over hot stones in an earthen hole. There's also frequently live music, and strolling in the surrounding woods is lovely.

This small museum highlights the social and geological history of northern Patagonia through displays of Indian and gaucho artifacts and exhibits on regional flora and fauna. The stories of the Mapuche and the Conquista del Desierto (Conquest of the Desert) are told in detail.