Chile & Argentina: Andes To Patagonia Day 5

Day 05 - Friday, March 20, 2015 - Explore Bariloche; Campanario Hill Chairlift Ride; Hike Brazo Tristeza; Craft Brewery Visit & Lunch

What a fantastic beginning to our morning, two cara-caras, small hawks, landed outside a window as we were getting ready to go for breakfast. Breakfast was excellent with a fruit bar to die for.

At 8:30 we met our local guide Ezequiel who helped us explore the region around Bariloche. The first adventure was right outside of town when we rode the chairlift at Cerro Companario.

Remembering our days skiing in Colorado, the feeling was the same with gorgeous views, absolute stillness, and the smell of crisp mountain air. At the top we had another group photo taken and we went from lookout to lookout marveling at the views.

Of course, the weather was perfect, 45 degrees with bright sun, blue skies, and a slight breeze. Knowing we had left the big city skyscrapers and come to these mountains is the true reason for our returning to Patagonia.

Not wanting to come off of the mountain, we trusted Christian that more beauty was to come. Esse told us of the history of the formation of the National Park in Patagonia, the tragic annihilation of the Mapuche indigenous inhabitants of the area, and the political division of the region between Chile and Argentina.

Our first hike of the day was a relatively easy walk in the Llao Llao Park, near Lake Nahuel Huapi. We ended the hike with a mid-morning toast with Chocolate Liqueur and/or orange juice at Lago Escondido or Hidden Lake.

The trail took us through secondary forests of 100 foot Southern Beech trees, Patagonia Cypress, and a native bamboo that does not seem to take over the forest floor because of their 17 year life cycle.

The next hike was much more difficult along the Brazo Tristeza Trail. We climbed for two hours covering about 3 miles along rocky steep terrain. The views at the top were spectacular. The rock formations were mainly granite and for our Colorado friends it was similar to climbing the back trails of Mount Herman.

Back on the bus we drove to Colonia Suiza, a small mountain village where we visited the Gilbert Brewery. Our guide and brew master, Nano explained the process of the micro brews of this German/European area.

Of course, the final step in the brewing process is drinking the beer. We had lunch at the brewery and then thanked our hosts for all of their hospitality.

Back at the hotel, we had several minutes to change and then we went into the German section of Bariloche. We met Hans Schulz, an author and a professor in the university who is an Argentinian of German ancestry. His accounts of life with his family and the Nazi war criminals that relocated to Bariloche as well as other parts of Argentina were spellbinding.

We thanked Professor Schulz and then walked back to the city center. We stopped at a grocery store for fruit, cheese, and chips for our dinner.

By the time we finished the journal and organized the photos, we were ready for another good night’s sleep in this mountain air.

Accommodations: Villa Huinid Hotel - - - Meal: B & L

What a fabulous day! Have you been to this part of Patagonia before? It sounds like it is a place worth revisiting.

Day 9: Mediterranean Navigation

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Ramadan Sweets

Trash pickup in the Kasbah

Furniture Maker

Wedding Dresses

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Day 09 - Monday, March 10, 2025 – Day at Sea, Plan D

Our night was quite rough, so the Captain stayed relatively close to the safety of the shore making it possible to see lights of the shoreline cities during the night.

After breakfast,...

Continue Reading Day 9