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San Francisco to Argentina: Mendoza and Bariloche

San Francisco → Mendoza → Bariloche

Bariloche
"Catedral_desde_el_Lago_Nahuel_Huapi_-_panoramio.jpg" by enzofloyd, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence
Catedral desde el Lago Nahuel Huapi - panoramio (San Carlos de Bariloche)
Photo: enzofloyd, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Malbec vineyards & Patagonian lakes Best season (general guide): Nov–Apr

Argentina's Andes are home to two very different regions: the dry vineyards of Mendoza and the lakes and forests of northern Patagonia. This route spends three nights in Mendoza and four in Bariloche. From San Francisco you'll connect through a US hub and Buenos Aires or Santiago.

How to pace it: Spend days one to three in Mendoza: day one, Plaza Independencia; day two, Luján de Cuyo wineries; day three, Uco Valley or Aconcagua viewpoint. Then spend days four to seven in Bariloche: day four, fly to Bariloche; day five, Circuito Chico and Cerro Campanario; day six, lake boat trip; day seven, hike in Nahuel Huapi.

Mendoza is the heart of Argentine wine, and Malbec is its signature grape. Wineries in Luján de Cuyo and the higher Uco Valley offer tours and tastings with the Andes behind the vines. A drive west towards the border passes viewpoints for Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside Asia.

A flight takes you south to Bariloche, on the shore of Nahuel Huapi Lake. The town is known for its chalet-style buildings and its chocolate shops.

Nahuel Huapi National Park surrounds the town. The Circuito Chico is a short scenic loop around lakes and forests, and a chairlift up Cerro Campanario gives one of the best views of the region. Boat trips cross the lake to islands and forests, and many trails lead into the mountains.

November to April is the best time for both regions. The grape harvest in Mendoza runs in late summer and early autumn.

In Mendoza, tree-lined streets have irrigation channels running beside them, and plazas fill with families in the evening. In Bariloche, trout and lamb are local specialities, and chocolate shops line the main street. Both towns are good bases for cycling, and bikes can be hired easily.

Good to know: In Mendoza, book winery tours ahead and consider a driver rather than driving yourself. Bariloche is busy in January, so book accommodation early.

Pack layers for cool lake evenings.

Suggested outline

  1. San Francisco

    Start

  2. Mendoza

    By air · 3 nights suggested

    Wineries in Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley, with the Andes and Aconcagua nearby.

    Mendoza vineyards Andes
    "Vineyards below the Andes.jpg" by Beatrice Murch, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

  3. Bariloche

    By air · 4 nights suggested

    Lakes and forests of Nahuel Huapi, the Circuito Chico and chocolate shops.

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Mendoza — Arrive; Plaza Independencia· San Francisco → Mendoza (by air) — long-haul; may arrive the next calendar day
  2. Day 2 · Mendoza — Luján de Cuyo wineries
  3. Day 3 · Mendoza — Uco Valley or Aconcagua viewpoint
  4. Day 4 · Bariloche — Fly to Bariloche· Mendoza → Bariloche (by air)
  5. Day 5 · Bariloche — Circuito Chico and Cerro Campanario
  6. Day 6 · Bariloche — Lake boat trip
  7. Day 7 · Bariloche — Hike in Nahuel Huapi
  8. Day 8 · Bariloche — Travel home from Bariloche· Bariloche → San Francisco (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

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Mendoza

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Bariloche

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