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Have you ever heard of the magical forests of Patagonia? Well, one of them is right outside Bariloche. Los Arrayanes National Park will make you feel as if you've just teleported into a fairytale, and it can be visited on a day trip from Circuito Chico.

We took the excursion to experience a full day of beauty, exploring the stunning area of Los Arrayanes Forest, as well as some other outstanding landscape around it.

In this guide we're going to outline everything you need to know for visiting, so that you can perfectly plan your stay in Bariloche, and experience Los Arrayanes National Park, Let's dive right in!

Where is Los Arrayanes National Park?

Los Arrayanes National park is part of the Quetrihué Peninsula, along the shore of the Nahuel Huapi Lake. Situated north of Bariloche, it sits just 3 km outside of Villa La Angostura in Neuquen.

The Excursion to Los Arrayanes

Now that you know about how to get your excursion, let's dive into what to expect during the excursion!

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Once you board, the ride to Los Arrayanes Forest is about an hour. There is both indoor and outdoor seating, but being as it was very cold and windy when we went, we opted to sit inside.

The views are absolutely stunning along the way, so make sure that you do look out the windows, or take a a moment to walk outside to experience the beauty of Lake Nahuel Huapi.

Los Arrayanes Forest

The first stop is Los Arrayanes Forest, which is exactly where you will see those stunning trees that you are imagining. The part that is accessible for the excursion is a looped trail, which the Arrayanes trees surrounding. You will have 45 minutes to complete the loop, which is along a boarded path with handrails, and is very easy for all types of travelers.

Walking the loop straight through, you can easily do it in just 15-20 minutes, If you walk with a good pace, you can also have time to grab a drink or a bite to eat at the cafe right in front of the pier.

As there are a lot of people onboard, we decided to go counter clockwise, and do the loop the opposite way as everyone else.

This ensured that we would be able to get pictures without anyone else in them. Keep in mind other groups also may be visiting around the same time, so there will be quite a number of people you will share the trail with.

Victoria Island

The next stop after Los Arrayanes forest, is Victoria Island, which is about 45 minutes away.

Victoria Island is much bigger than Los Arrayanes Forest, and there is plenty to explore. You could actually spend hours there, so you will have to choose what you do with your time wisely.

We decided to walk right to the beach area, and then climbed up a trail nearby. The views were beautiful, and we came across what seemed to be an old hotel or residence.

We had time to walk through the main tunnel of trees near the front, as well as go through gardens and see the back end of giant trees. You'll be able to explore for an hour and a half, before having to go back to the boat.

Heading Back to Bariloche

After getting back on the boat, you'll have around an hour ride back, until getting back to the pier in the late afternoon. We did the excursion in the fall, so were able to have beautiful lighting on our way back.

Other Things to Keep in Mind When Visiting Los Arrayanes National Park in Bariloche

Now you are almost ready for your excursion to Los Arrayanes National Park in Bariloche! Here are just a few things to keep in mind while visiting.

Weather in Bariloche

Bariloche is one of the most northern parts of Patagonia. While it may not get as frigid as the southern tip of Argentina, it is definitely a colder part of the country than areas such as Buenos Aires, Mendoza, or Iguazu Falls.

Bariloche experiences all four seasons, with a lot of snow in the winter, mild and sunny days in the summer, and beautiful falls colors in the fall. Come May (fall time), the leaves start to change, and the area is so beautiful.

However, it's important to know that at this time of year there is more rain than other times of the year. It can also get very chilly in the late afternoon, and while the boat is moving, so we suggest being prepared for the change of weather.

What to Bring on the Excursion to Los Arrayanes National Park

Like we said, it's important to be prepared for all different types of weather. Here are some of our recommendations for things to bring on your excursion:

• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Umbrella or poncho
• Comfortable shoes
• Reusable Water Bottle (we use this water bottle from Cafago because it holds the temperature)
• Snacks
• Zippered Bag or Backpack - take a look at these backpacks for travelers!
• Power Bank (we use Anker power banks, as they are super long lasting and sturdy)
• Cash for snacks on the boat or in the kiosks

So are you ready to experience Los Arrayanes National Park in Argentina? We definitely think this is one of the best things to do while in Bariloche, and is a great way to experience the beautiful landscapes of this area. Stay tuned for our full travel guide for Bariloche coming up! You can also get the latest article updates by subscribing to our newsletter (plus you'll get exclusive discounts on our shop!).

Want to discover more gorgeous places in Patagonia and the rest of Argentina? Check out the other Argentina travel guides that we have to offer, and let us know if you'd like us to share any other areas!

Looking to experience the best of Argentina and Patagonia? Well, as locals, we can build you the most epic itinerary. Alongside our customized travel planning services, we guarantee to save you both time and money, so that you can have the most incredible trip of your life. Have questions? Just shoot us an email, and we'd be happy to get you off on the right foot!

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