Tour Bariloche
Argentina is a huge country and we knew that one region we absolutely had to make our way to was Patagonia. After a little research, Brandon discovered that we should tour Bariloche. The city is small, but large enough to where there are still plenty of lodging and food options, and it’s also very close to the Patagonia region, giving us easy access to tons of excursions and activities. He was set on fly fishing and we found a company that promised a “glamping” experience while fishing.
Tour Bariloche: The City
Before venturing on our fishing trip excursion, we had one day to fully explore the city of Bariloche. It’s known for chocolate and I made it my personal mission to find the best chocolate shops in the town center. We spent a day walking around, tasting chocolate, and admiring the distant view of the Andes mountains and the beautiful lake.
I personally think that one day is enough for town itself. It’s a beautiful German inspired city with interesting architecture and darling chocolate shops. Believe me when I say, they truly have endless options for chocolate! Out of all of the cities we visited on the trip, Bariloche felt the safest. It’s small, quaint, and very charming. Plus, the views are unbelievable!
Fishing In Patagonia
Tour Bariloche: The Surrounding Area
Brandon was in charge of the fishing trip and they picked us up on Sunday morning for two days of fly fishing on the river. Our drive was about an hour and a half from the town of Bariloche itself. We were told it was a “glamping” experience but to be perfectly honest, it was regular old camping. Despite having to “rough it” for a couple of days (like using the bathroom in the woods…), we couldn’t deny that it was some of the most beautiful scenery we’d ever seen and that overpowered the rough moments. None of these pictures were taken with our DSLR camera and I did minimal editing afterwords. That should tell you just how gorgeous it is!
We used Trout Bariloche for our tour and our guides spoke English. I think Brandon was a little disappointed in the size of the fish because their website made it seem like we’d be catching huge trout. We did catch and release the entire time and I thought the guides were very patient with someone like me, an inexperienced and novice fly fisher.
They provided all of our meals at the home base of “camp” and we absolutely loved eating under the stars. If you’re a fan of camping and outdoor adventure, no doubt this is a perfect tour and excursion for you. Even though there were some rough moments, I know we’ll look back on this as an unforgettable experience and memory.
Helpful Thing To Know:
The weather can be extreme, depending on the season. We looked ahead and saw that there would be chilly mornings and hot afternoons. Layers are key here! We started out with 50 degrees and ended up with 85 degrees in the afternoon. Bring sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, a hat, and waterproof layers if you’re going to be out on the river.
They provided waders and shoes for us during the trip. It was nice to not have to worry about all that! Also keep in mind that you should pack light if you are going to do a tour like this. We actually kept one hotel room at our previous Bariloche hotel (Design Suites) and put all the luggage in there. For fishing, we opted to bring a small bag or backpack with the essentials.
PS: Make sure to check out our guide to Mendoza, the wine region of Argentina!