Circuito Chico turns Bariloche into a scenic circuit in just half a day, with lake views, viewpoints, and one optional ride that puts everything in perspective. I like how the route is built around big sight moments, not just driving time between stops.

Two things I really love: the optional Cerro Campanario chairlift for summit-level panoramas, and the Panorama Point finale over the Llao Llao peninsula. You’ll also get a real sense of how the Nahuel Huapi area strings together peninsulas, chapels, and lakefront outlooks.

One consideration: the Cerro Campanario chairlift is not included, so your final cost depends on whether you want that top view.

Key highlights to watch for

• A classic half-day loop that starts in the city and runs for about 4 hours
• Playa Bonita + Huemul Island views along Lake Nahuel Huapi
• Optional Cerro Campanario chairlift up to a summit at 1,050 meters
• St. Edward’s Chapel and the Llao Llao area with postcard-style lake viewpoints
• Panorama Point plus the Lake Moreno bridge for a strong final sequence
• Lake views all the way back around Laguna El Treboll before returning to Bariloche

How Circuito Chico fits into a Bariloche visit

This is a popular half-day circular route that uses Bariloche as a base and then links the best-known viewpoints around Lake Nahuel Huapi. The timing matters: at 4 hours, you get a full set of highlights without feeling like you’re burning your whole day on the road.

It’s also a good choice if you’re the kind of traveler who wants structure. The route moves in a logical loop: lake frontage, a mountain viewpoint option, then the Llao Llao peninsula sights, and finally the most “look at everything at once” angles.

Pricing-wise, it’s listed at $29 per person, which is solid for a guided route with hotel pickup and drop-off. The one clear variable is the chairlift, since that’s optional and costs extra.

Pickup, guide, and what kind of explanations to expect

Your tour includes pickup and drop-off at your accommodation in Bariloche. If your hotel isn’t in their pickup route, you’ll be assigned a meeting point as close to you as possible.

You’ll have a live tour guide (Spanish) during the experience. If you care about language beyond Spanish, it’s worth checking directly when you book, since at least one booking note references English. Also, some guidance on what you’re seeing seems to be part of the point of the tour—one guide named Celeste is specifically mentioned for being friendly, informed, and attentive.

This matters because Circuito Chico is more than “stop and take photos.” The guide’s role is to help you connect the dots: where you’re standing, what lake feature you’re looking at, and why the chapel and viewpoints sit where they do.

First lake stop: Lake Nahuel Huapi and Playa Bonita

The circuit leaves the city and heads toward Lake Nahuel Huapi, then to Playa Bonita. This is where the tour earns its early “wow” factor because you’re looking across open water toward recognizable features.

From Playa Bonita, you can see Huemul Island. That’s a small but meaningful detail: it gives you something specific to look for, not just a generic lake view. If you like photography, this early stretch tends to be the easiest one to frame, because the view is directed and the features are clear.

The trade-off is that you’re on a schedule. You won’t have an all-day stretch here—this tour is designed to hit multiple big points efficiently—so be ready to move when the group does.

Cerro Campanario: the optional chairlift to a 1,050 m viewpoint

At the foot of Cerro Campanario, you reach the decision point: take the optional chairlift or stay on the ground. The summit is listed at 1,050 meters, and the payoff is the panoramic perspective over the region.

I like that they’ve made this choice part of the tour. If you’re feeling energetic and want the height advantage, you can go up. If you’re short on time, not comfortable with the chairlift, or just not chasing elevation, you can skip it and still continue the circuit.

This also changes the pace. If you do take the ride, you’ll naturally spend extra minutes at the summit level, and your later stops may feel a bit tighter. The upside is that this is one of the strongest “single stop” upgrades you can make on the day.

San Pedro peninsula and the approach to Llao Llao

After the Cerro Campanario area, the route continues toward the San Pedro peninsula and then into the Llao Llao zone. This part of the circuit is where the scenery starts to feel more architectural and more layered: chapels, peninsulas, and viewpoints connected by narrow channels of water.

A key stop here is St. Edward’s Chapel, described as an architectural jewel. Even if you’re not a history buff, chapels like this are often most interesting when you understand placement—what it frames, what it sits above, and how it interacts with lake and hillside.

You’ll also reach Puerto Scarf on Lake Nahuel Huapi, where sailing excursions depart. That detail helps you understand this area as an activity hub, not just a scenic backdrop. It’s a place where people move from sightseeing to doing something on the water.

Llao Llao Hotel views framed by Chapel Hill and Cerro López

The circuit then points you toward the famous combination of Llao Llao Hotel views, framed by Chapel Hill and Cerro López. This stop is all about angle. The region’s beauty here isn’t just in the water—it’s in the way hills and viewpoints create a natural “frame” around the built landmarks.

I like these kinds of viewpoints because they reward attentive looking. You’ll likely find yourself turning the same way more than once as the group positions for different sightlines. It’s also the part of the tour that makes the loop feel cohesive: you start seeing the map as a set of sight corridors rather than random towns and pull-offs.

Panorama Point: the payoff view over the Llao Llao peninsula

Next comes Panorama Point, which is one of the tour’s headline moments. Here you’ll enjoy views over the Llao Llao peninsula and the surrounding lakes.

This is a smart placement for a final-feeling viewpoint. After multiple stops, Panorama Point acts like the place you “reset” and get a broader understanding of the whole area. It turns the day from individual photo moments into a bigger picture.

If you’re deciding whether to take the Cerro Campanario chairlift, Panorama Point is a reminder that even without elevation, this loop still saves some serious sight energy for later.

Lake Moreno bridge and Laguna El Trebol: finishing the loop

After Panorama Point, you cross the bridge over Lake Moreno, which connects the lake with the Llao Llao peninsula. Bridges can sound like filler, but in this setting they’re useful. You get a new perspective on the water connections and the way the peninsula sits in relation to the lake.

Then the route follows around Laguna El Treboll before returning to the city of Bariloche. This final leg matters because it keeps the scenery going instead of ending abruptly. You’re finishing while the views are still “on,” not spending the last chunk sitting in transit.

Price, value, and what you’re really paying for

At $29 per person, this tour is priced like a good deal for a guided, half-day sightseeing loop with hotel pickup and drop-off. You’re paying for three things that are hard to replicate easily on your own in a tight schedule:

• A structured route that connects major viewpoints efficiently
• A live guide who helps you interpret what you’re seeing in real time
• Transport that reduces planning stress during a day with multiple stops

The only extra cost to plan for is the Cerro Campanario chairlift if you choose to go up. I’d treat that as part of your “value decision,” not a surprise. If you’re the type of traveler who loves height and wide-angle views, the chairlift can be worth building your budget around. If you’d rather keep costs down, you can still get a lot out of the rest of the loop.

Who should book Circuito Chico (and who might skip it)

This tour fits best if you want:

• A half-day plan that covers the “greatest hits” around Bariloche
• Guided context for places like St. Edward’s Chapel and key viewpoint stops
• A mix of lake and mountain perspective, with the chairlift as the optional add-on

It may be less ideal if you:

• Want a more relaxed, linger-at-each-stop pace (this is efficient by design)
• Have a strict budget and know you won’t pay for the chairlift upgrade

Because it’s listed as wheelchair accessible, it’s also a reasonable option to consider for travelers who need that kind of access support.

What I’d do before you go

Think about the chairlift decision early. If you’re on the fence, ask yourself what you care about more on this day: summit views or keeping the day lean and lower-cost.

Also, if Spanish isn’t your strongest language and you’re relying on explanations, it’s worth checking whether the guide can accommodate anything beyond Spanish. The tour is listed as Spanish, but at least one booking note suggests English came up, so it’s not a crazy question to ask when you reserve.

Finally, aim to arrive at pickup smoothly. One note praises punctual pickup and overall responsibility from the operator, which suggests the day runs as scheduled.

Should you book Circuito Chico?

I’d book it if you’re in Bariloche for a short time and want a guided, high-yield route that hits Lake Nahuel Huapi, Playa Bonita, the Cerro Campanario viewpoint option, and the Llao Llao/Panorama Point section in one clean circuit. At $29 with pickup and drop-off, it’s a practical way to spend a half day.

Skip it if you already have a vehicle and prefer to design your own stops with no schedule pressure. But for most people—especially first-timers—the built-in order of viewpoints and the optional chairlift choice make it a smart, flexible outing.

FAQ

How long is the Circuito Chico tour?

The duration is 4 hours.

Is the Cerro Campanario chairlift included?

No. The Cerro Campanario chairlift is optional and not included.

What does the tour include?

It includes pickup and drop-off at your accommodation and a tour guide.

What language is the guide?

The tour guide is listed as Spanish.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it is listed as wheelchair accessible.

What places will we see on the route?

You’ll pass through views around Lake Nahuel Huapi, stop at Playa Bonita (with Huemul Island visible), reach the area for Cerro Campanario, see St. Edward’s Chapel, Puerto Scarf, the Llao Llao Hotel area, Panorama Point, the Lake Moreno bridge, and Laguna El Trebol before returning to Bariloche.