Day Itinerary
14 Activities
Day 3
53 mi1 mi
Through San Martin and Junin de Los Andes Plus a Indigenous Legacy
The third day begins with an exploration of the shores of Lake Lacar, one of the most beautiful lakes in the region. Viewpoints and beaches with crystal clear water are its attractions.
The route continues to explore the city of San Martín de los Andes, located on the shores of the same lake. Its architecture and location make it one of the most visited cities in Patagonia Argentina, and there will even be time to enjoy a cup of tea in one of the oldest tea shops in the region with a view!
Afterwards, the first approach to the Lanin volcano from the viewpoint on the road. In Junín de los Andes, take the time to get to know two places that mix the aboriginal culture, represented by the Mapuches, with the catholic one.
The route continues to explore the city of San Martín de los Andes, located on the shores of the same lake. Its architecture and location make it one of the most visited cities in Patagonia Argentina, and there will even be time to enjoy a cup of tea in one of the oldest tea shops in the region with a view!
Afterwards, the first approach to the Lanin volcano from the viewpoint on the road. In Junín de los Andes, take the time to get to know two places that mix the aboriginal culture, represented by the Mapuches, with the catholic one.
8.9 mi
30 min
09:3030 min
Mirador Quila Quina
On a natural elevation, the Quila Quina viewpoint offers a wide view of Lake Lacar, a different perspective from what you can see from the viewpoint of the 7 Lakes Route.
To get to the Quila Quina area, you have to drive for a few kilometres on a gravel road in good condition.
To go up you have to leave your car at the side of the road and walk for about five minutes, but be careful because the viewpoint has no handrails!
To get to the Quila Quina area, you have to drive for a few kilometres on a gravel road in good condition.
To go up you have to leave your car at the side of the road and walk for about five minutes, but be careful because the viewpoint has no handrails!
1.6 mi
10 min
10:1530 min
Playa Quila Quina
One of the most relaxing beaches in the surroundings of San Martín de los Andes, both for spending the day in summer and for visiting at any time of the year.
During summer, there is a restaurant service if you want to eat on site or have a drink while enjoying the tranquillity of nature, interrupted only by the sound of the lake water and the birds that roam the area.
To get there, you have to drive along a gravel road in good condition. Drive at a prudent speed. There is parking before accessing the beach.
Due to the fact that it is a Mapuche territory, indigenous people who have inhabited the place for many years, you have to pay to access, although the price is low.
During summer, there is a restaurant service if you want to eat on site or have a drink while enjoying the tranquillity of nature, interrupted only by the sound of the lake water and the birds that roam the area.
To get there, you have to drive along a gravel road in good condition. Drive at a prudent speed. There is parking before accessing the beach.
Due to the fact that it is a Mapuche territory, indigenous people who have inhabited the place for many years, you have to pay to access, although the price is low.
10.7 mi
40 min
11:3030 min
Lake Lacar Waterfront
On the way back to San Martín de los Andes, you should take a short walk along the waterfront overlooking Lake Lacar. It is one of the most frequented places by tourists, offering beautiful postcards.
There are food trucks scattered along the waterfront in case you want to have a snack or a coffee or drink.
One of the things that catches the eye on the promenade is the monument to the deer, one of the symbols of the Patagonian fauna.
You can leave your car in the public car park next to the waterfront or in the adjacent streets.
There are food trucks scattered along the waterfront in case you want to have a snack or a coffee or drink.
One of the things that catches the eye on the promenade is the monument to the deer, one of the symbols of the Patagonian fauna.
You can leave your car in the public car park next to the waterfront or in the adjacent streets.
0.7 mi
15 min
12:1515 min
Parroquia San José
Although it is a simple church on the outside with a large central tower, one of the highest points in the city, inside it has a wooden ceiling and walls that give it a special charm.
The altar has a carved Christ resting on a base of rocks, something different from what is traditionally found in any church.
Open Hours: Every day: 10:00 – 20:00.
The altar has a carved Christ resting on a base of rocks, something different from what is traditionally found in any church.
Open Hours: Every day: 10:00 – 20:00.
0.2 mi
5 min
12:4030 min
Mamuschka
On any visit to Patagonia Argentina you cannot miss an artisan chocolate shop. Mamuschka is one of the most traditional chocolate shops, with its characteristic Russian mamuschka as its main logo.
This particular shop is set up in a traditional house of the city with its stone front and wooden details. Inside, the red and white decoration of the chocolate brand is predominant.
Whether to take away as a gift or to eat on the spot, temptation is constant. Try the chocolate-filled hazelnut or the mint cream bonbon, two real delights.
As a gift, the small Mamuschka, which comes with a variety of chocolates and chocolates inside, is ideal.
Open Hours: Every day: 9:30 – 23:30.
This particular shop is set up in a traditional house of the city with its stone front and wooden details. Inside, the red and white decoration of the chocolate brand is predominant.
Whether to take away as a gift or to eat on the spot, temptation is constant. Try the chocolate-filled hazelnut or the mint cream bonbon, two real delights.
As a gift, the small Mamuschka, which comes with a variety of chocolates and chocolates inside, is ideal.
Open Hours: Every day: 9:30 – 23:30.
0.4 mi
10 min
13:201 hr 30 min
Parrilla Patagonia Piscis
The sight of so much chocolate already whets the appetite. This restaurant is one of the best in town when it comes to grilled meat.
They offer parrillada (different types of meat, chorizo and grilled offal), although two of their recommended dishes are the deer loin with sauce containing a touch of Malbec, a variety of Argentinean wine, and the lamb rolled in black beer with vegetables.
There is also a variety of pastas.
Open Hours: Every day: 12:00 – 15.30; 19.30 – 23:00.
After lunch, a short ten-minute walk back to the car and continue on your way.
They offer parrillada (different types of meat, chorizo and grilled offal), although two of their recommended dishes are the deer loin with sauce containing a touch of Malbec, a variety of Argentinean wine, and the lamb rolled in black beer with vegetables.
There is also a variety of pastas.
Open Hours: Every day: 12:00 – 15.30; 19.30 – 23:00.
After lunch, a short ten-minute walk back to the car and continue on your way.
2.7 mi
15 min
15:1515 min
Mirador Arrayanes
Before leaving the city of San Martín de los Andes heading north, there are two more places to visit.
The Arrayanes viewpoint offers fantastic views of the city from above, with the shore of Lake Lacar as the main point.
It can be easily reached by car by ascending a well-maintained gravel road. You can leave your car at the side of the gravel road, and walk up to the viewpoint in less than five minutes.
The Arrayanes viewpoint offers fantastic views of the city from above, with the shore of Lake Lacar as the main point.
It can be easily reached by car by ascending a well-maintained gravel road. You can leave your car at the side of the gravel road, and walk up to the viewpoint in less than five minutes.
0.4 mi
5 min
15:4030 min
Casa De Te Arrayan / Arrayan Lake View Mountain Lodge
A few metres further up the gravel road, you reach the iconic teahouse.
It was built in the 1930s on the orders of a young Englishwoman who was fascinated by the place. Completely covered in wood and with beautiful interior furnishings, it still retains its charm.
Being on top of the hill, the views of Lacar Lake are astonishing. Any time is a good time to visit it and have a cup of tea with delicious sweet cakes, although the best thing is to watch the sunset over the lake from the tea house.
Open Hours: Every day: 14:00 – 21:00.
It was built in the 1930s on the orders of a young Englishwoman who was fascinated by the place. Completely covered in wood and with beautiful interior furnishings, it still retains its charm.
Being on top of the hill, the views of Lacar Lake are astonishing. Any time is a good time to visit it and have a cup of tea with delicious sweet cakes, although the best thing is to watch the sunset over the lake from the tea house.
Open Hours: Every day: 14:00 – 21:00.
23.5 mi
50 min
17:0015 min
Mirador Volcán Lanín
First view of the Lanín volcano in the distance. From the side of Route 40 you can see the silhouette of the volcano standing out from the surrounding mountains.
With its snow-capped summit at any time of the year, summer is the best time to contemplate it from the viewpoint in its fullness, thanks to the good visibility. During the rest of the year it may not be fully visible due to the clouds that cover its summit or the presence of snow all over the mountain range.
To stop at the viewpoint, you can leave your car at the side of the road.
With its snow-capped summit at any time of the year, summer is the best time to contemplate it from the viewpoint in its fullness, thanks to the good visibility. During the rest of the year it may not be fully visible due to the clouds that cover its summit or the presence of snow all over the mountain range.
To stop at the viewpoint, you can leave your car at the side of the road.
3.6 mi
10 min
17:305 min
Estacionamiento Vía Christi
Arrival in Junín de los Andes to access some of the best places in the city. Leave the car in the parking and walk up a few metres.
0.1 mi
5 min
17:4045 min
Parque Via Christi
It is a via crucis different from the rest as it not only has a catholic imprint but also represents the indigenous beliefs and cultures that inhabited and currently reside in the area, mainly the Mapuche.
During the route you will ascend in a zigzagging way to visit the 12 stations, although if you don't want to go all the way to the top you just have to visit the first one, which serves as a viewpoint towards the city of Junín de los Andes.
Open Hours: Every day: 9:00 – 18:30.
During the route you will ascend in a zigzagging way to visit the 12 stations, although if you don't want to go all the way to the top you just have to visit the first one, which serves as a viewpoint towards the city of Junín de los Andes.
Open Hours: Every day: 9:00 – 18:30.
1.2 mi
10 min
19:0030 min
Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Las Nieves y Beata Laura Vicuña
An architectural relic of the city. From the outside, its white and yellow tonality mixed with blue crosses inserted in mosaics, and the great central tower that rises several metres above the sky of Junín de los Andes stand out.
It was originally intended for Catholic worship, but a few years ago indigenous symbols were inserted to acknowledge the legacy of the native peoples in the region.
Inside is a sculpture of Laura Vicuña, a young girl who lived in the city and died young fighting against family violence against her mother. In her honour, the Vatican named her blessed.
Open Hours: Every day: 9:00 – 20:00. Guided tours in Spanish at 11:00.
Park your car in the streets adjacent to the parish.
It was originally intended for Catholic worship, but a few years ago indigenous symbols were inserted to acknowledge the legacy of the native peoples in the region.
Inside is a sculpture of Laura Vicuña, a young girl who lived in the city and died young fighting against family violence against her mother. In her honour, the Vatican named her blessed.
Open Hours: Every day: 9:00 – 20:00. Guided tours in Spanish at 11:00.
Park your car in the streets adjacent to the parish.
0.2 mi
5 min
20:002 hrs
Restaurant Ruca Hueney
The restaurant of reference in Junín de los Andes with a great tradition in the elaboration of Patagonian dishes, especially when it comes to trout and deer.
As a recommendation, you can start with a portion of smoked deer ham, to continue with the trout in black butter, their star dish.
For dessert, there are many options among which the red fruit and ice cream crunchy cup, and the brownie with ice cream, raspberry and chocolate sauce stand out.
Open Hours: Thursday to Tuesday: 12:00 – 15:00, 20:00 – 0:00.
As a recommendation, you can start with a portion of smoked deer ham, to continue with the trout in black butter, their star dish.
For dessert, there are many options among which the red fruit and ice cream crunchy cup, and the brownie with ice cream, raspberry and chocolate sauce stand out.
Open Hours: Thursday to Tuesday: 12:00 – 15:00, 20:00 – 0:00.
0.6 mi
5 min
22:1010 hrs
Departamentos Lonquimay
Cabins and flats in front of the Chimehuin River with all the necessary comfort to relax completely.
Built with wood and stone, materials widely used in the Argentinean Patagonia, they have fully equipped kitchens and large windows to make out the surrounding nature.
It is run by its owners, a very helpful couple.
The complex has parking places.
Built with wood and stone, materials widely used in the Argentinean Patagonia, they have fully equipped kitchens and large windows to make out the surrounding nature.
It is run by its owners, a very helpful couple.
The complex has parking places.