Chairlifts, chapels, and big lake views. The Chico Circuit and Cerro Campanario is one of the most traditional ways to see Bariloche’s must-sees without turning your day into a logistics puzzle. You ride along Avenida Bustillo, get famous panoramas over Lake Nahuel Huapi, and end up higher at Cerro Campanario for serious scenery.

I love how the route stays grounded in real Bariloche geography: Lake Nahuel Huapi on one side and Avenida Bustillo on the other, with classic pull-offs like the Huemul Island view. I also love that you don’t just “drive past” highlights—you get set photo stops, including a chairlift ride up to Cerro Campanario.

One consideration: this is a fast, stop-and-go format. If you want long hangs in cafés or slow wandering time, you may feel a bit rushed during the 4 hours.

Key highlights you’ll care about

• Avenida Bustillo route: you travel the south shore of Lake Nahuel Huapi and hit key viewpoints along the way
• Huemul Island panoramic view: you pause for a lakeside look toward Huemul Island
• Cerro Campanario photo time + chairlift: optional-feeling but actually listed as included, with a dedicated 45-minute stop
• Llao Llao landmarks: Llao Llao Hotel, San Eduardo Chapel, and Puerto Pañuelo are all part of the sweep
• Moreno Lakes viewpoint (645m): you get a high-altitude perspective over the eastern and western Moreno Lakes and the Llao Llao Peninsula

The Chico Circuit is your classic Bariloche starter kit

If it’s your first time in Bariloche, you usually want two things: the big scenery fast, and the sense of place. This tour delivers both. The Chico Circuit is traditional for a reason—it’s built around the shoreline drive and the viewpoints people actually remember long after they leave.

You start in the city center and head west along Avenida Bustillo, which runs right along the southern bank of Lake Nahuel Huapi. That matters because it turns “getting around” into sightseeing. Instead of wasting time searching for parking or arranging rides between scattered attractions, you’re moving through a connected scenic corridor.

And because there’s a live tour guide in Spanish, you’re not just collecting photos. The guide’s explanations help you connect what you see—lakes, islands, peninsulas, and mountain backdrops—to the way the area is laid out.

Avenida Bustillo: where the lake views start before you even reach the mountain

Right away, you’ll feel the tour’s rhythm: drive, pause, look, repeat. The tour starts in the city and moves west toward Llao Llao, hugging Avenida Bustillo. This avenue follows the lake for almost its entire length, so you get a constant visual thread.

At km 8, there’s a panoramic look toward the central part of Lake Nahuel Huapi with Huemul Island in front of you. That’s a smart early stop because you’re still low enough for an easy “read” of the landscape. You can spot the island and get your bearings on the lake before the day climbs.

One practical note: you’ll likely have your best photo light for that kind of wide, reflective water view when you’re positioned during the pause—not while you’re driving. So when the group stops, don’t be the person still digging out a jacket. Use the pause time.

Cerro Campanario: chairlift views and how to make the 45 minutes count

Then comes the main visual event: the Cerro Campanario Complex. At km 17, you reach the base, and you can take the ascent by chairlift (listed as Aerosilla, and included in the tour).

This is the piece you’ll remember. From above, you get a broad spread of mountains and lakes, which is exactly what you want in Bariloche: depth, layers, and horizon-long scenery instead of one single angle.

The tour schedule gives you 45 minutes for the Cerro Campanario photo stop. That sounds like a lot until you’re standing in wind and trying to frame everything. I suggest using your time in two passes:

• First pass: wide shots and orientation. Look for the lake geometry and mountain silhouettes.
• Second pass: details. After you’ve “mapped” the view in your mind, you can pick tighter angles that look more dramatic.

Because the chairlift ride is included, you’re not paying extra to get the best vantage. That boosts the value a lot compared with tours that only offer a quick viewpoint from ground level.

Llao Llao: the classy stop that connects architecture and lake life

After the mountain viewpoint, the itinerary flows into the Llao Llao area, which is where the tour balances raw nature with iconic local landmarks.

You’ll pass and stop for:

• Llao Llao Hotel
• San Eduardo Chapel
• Puerto Pañuelo, where departures on Lake Nahuel Huapi take place

This combination is more than “pretty scenery.” Llao Llao works because it shows Bariloche’s relationship with the water from two sides: the dramatic outdoors and the structured, human-made places that take advantage of the lake views.

You’ll have a 10-minute photo stop at Puerto Pañuelo. That’s short, but it’s enough for the essentials: a quick sense of where boats depart and a look at the lake from the lakeside atmosphere. Don’t expect a long wandering session here. Treat it as a framing stop.

Also, keep your expectations aligned: the point is to connect the view with the real activity of the area—Lake Nahuel Huapi isn’t just scenery. It’s also the route for navigation and day trips.

The 645m panorama and the Colonia Switzerland flavor

Next you roll into another viewpoint: a panoramic point at 645 meters above sea level. From this height, you’ll get beautiful views of the eastern and western Moreno Lakes and the Llao Llao Peninsula.

This is a valuable stop because it widens your understanding of the region. Early in the day you focused on Lake Nahuel Huapi. Now you’re seeing how nearby water systems and peninsulas fit into the bigger picture. It turns the scenery from “one lake” into a layered network.

Then you pass the access to Colonia Switzerland, a town known for curanto production, crafts, and being a residence area for people of Swiss descent. Even though you’re not staying there long (the tour describes passing the access rather than a deep visit), it adds texture. Bariloche isn’t only about Andes-like mountains and water—it also has cultural threads you can spot if you’re paying attention.

Price and value: what $53 gets you in 4 hours

At $53 per person for a 4-hour tour, the value is driven by two included pieces:

• Air-conditioned van transfer
• Chairlift ascent to Cerro Campanario

That’s a big deal. In many places, once you factor in transport and a paid viewpoint ride, prices climb quickly. Here, the tour bundles both and keeps the day efficient. Since there’s no food included, you’re free to grab your own meal after the tour, which can actually be better if you have preferences.

Is it “cheap”? Not exactly bargain-bin, but it’s fair for what you get: a connected scenic route, set photo stops, and a real elevation payoff at Cerro Campanario. You’re also not doing the day with transfers you have to figure out yourself.

Based on the strong overall rating (4.6 across 48 reviews), the experience seems to land well for people who want clear explanations, smooth transport, and an effective hit list of sights.

What the itinerary feels like in real time

This tour is designed to keep your day moving without feeling chaotic. You’re picked up from one of five locations—Hotel Nevada, Design Suites Bariloche, Centro, La Cascada, or Hotel Nahuel Huapi—and then you drop off at five locations again after the circuit.

The structure is:

1) Scenic driving along Avenida Bustillo

2) Panoramic viewpoints (including the Huemul Island view)

3) Cerro Campanario complex with photo time and chairlift ascent

4) Llao Llao landmarks and a Puerto Pañuelo photo pause

5) The 645m viewpoint over Moreno Lakes and the Llao Llao Peninsula

6) Return via Avenida Bustillo back to town

One practical detail: the pickup search for passengers may take longer than expected. That’s normal for multi-stop pickups, so don’t plan anything too tight right before or right after the tour.

Also, the guide is live and in Spanish, so if you understand Spanish, you’ll get more from the stops. If you don’t, you can still enjoy the scenery, but you’ll miss some of the context the guide is providing.

Who should book this tour (and who might skip it)

This tour makes the most sense if you want a straightforward, traditional introduction to Bariloche sights. You’ll enjoy it if you:

• want panoramic viewpoints without arranging multiple tickets and rides
• have limited time and want the classic circuit route
• like a mix of nature views and recognizable landmarks like San Eduardo Chapel and Puerto Pañuelo

You might skip it if you crave slow travel. The stops are short by design, and Cerro Campanario is the main “time investment.” Everything else is more like smart sightseeing beats than a long exploration session.

Should you book Chico Circuit and Cerro Campanario?

If you’re doing Bariloche for the first time, I’d say yes. The Cerro Campanario chairlift plus the sweep along Avenida Bustillo is a strong combo for getting the best angles in a single half-day. You’re also not paying extra for the chairlift experience, and the tour duration is tight enough that it leaves room for dinner plans afterward.

Book it if your priority is photos with context and you like getting your bearings fast. Consider another option if you want long stays, museum-style pacing, or lots of free wandering time.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Chico Circuit and Cerro Campanario tour?

The tour lasts about 4 hours.

Where does pickup happen?

Pickup is available from five locations: Hotel Nevada, Design Suites Bariloche, Centro, La Cascada, and Hotel Nahuel Huapi.

Where do you get dropped off at the end?

Drop-off is at five locations: Design Suites Bariloche, La Cascada, Hotel Nahuel Huapi, Centro, and Hotel Nevada.

What does the price include?

The price includes transfer by air-conditioned vehicle and ascent to Cerro Campanario by chairlift.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included.

How long is the Cerro Campanario stop?

There is a photo stop at Cerro Campanario for 45 minutes.

How long is the Puerto Pañuelo stop?

Puerto Pañuelo includes a 10-minute photo stop.

What language is the tour guide?

The tour guide speaks Spanish.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can I reserve and pay later?

Yes. There is a reserve now & pay later option listed for keeping plans flexible.

If you want, tell me when you’re visiting Bariloche and what else you’re doing that day, and I’ll suggest the best way to pair this with another activity.