The excursion to Victoria Island and the Arrayanes Forest is one of the most magical experiences Bariloche has to offer. The trip begins with an approximately 30-minute sail across Lake Nahuel Huapi from Puerto Panuelo to Victoria Island, the lake's largest island at 31 km². This excursion combines the beauty of lake navigation with trails through unique forests and the surreal charm of the Arrayanes Forest, a place that feels like stepping into a fairy tale.
Sailing across Lake Nahuel Huapi
The journey departs from Puerto Panuelo, at kilometre 25.5 of Avenida Bustillo on the Circuito Chico. Modern catamarans cross the widest arm of Lake Nahuel Huapi, offering panoramic views of the cordillera, the Llao Llao Peninsula and the islands scattered across this immense glacial lake of 557 km².
Lake Nahuel Huapi is a deep lake (up to 464 metres at its deepest point) with intense blue waters that shift in tone with the light and weather. During the sailing, it is common to spot condors soaring over the peaks, cormorants on the coastal rocks and, with luck, huemul deer (the endangered Patagonian deer featured on Argentina's national coat of arms).
Victoria Island: the forestry laboratory
Victoria Island has a fascinating history. In the 1930s, Argentine botanist Adrian Ruiz Moreno launched an ambitious forestry experiment planting trees from around the world to evaluate which grew best in the Patagonian climate. The result is a unique forest where Californian sequoias, Lebanese cedars, Mediterranean pines, European oaks and native Patagonian species such as coihue, lenga and cypress coexist.
Island trails wind through these exotic forests with information panels explaining each species. You can also see remnants of rock art left by the indigenous peoples who inhabited the island thousands of years ago. The island walk takes approximately 1.5 hours and is easy, suitable for the whole family.
The magical Arrayanes Forest
The highlight of the excursion is the Arrayanes Forest, located on the tip of the Quetrihue Peninsula. The arrayan (Luma apiculata) is a tree with orange-cinnamon bark, smooth to the touch and cool even on warm days, that grows in pure formations only in this part of the world. Walking among these twisted-trunked trees with their cinnamon-coloured bark feels like entering a fairy tale.
Legend has it that this enchanted forest inspired Walt Disney when creating the settings for Bambi. While historians debate this claim, the surreal beauty of the place is beyond dispute. The forest contains specimens up to 600 years old and is the only pure arrayan forest in the world.
Inside the forest there is a small cafe where you can enjoy a hot chocolate or tea surrounded by these ancient trees — a gastronomic experience unique on the planet.
Practical information
The full excursion lasts approximately 6-7 hours and costs from USD 101 including sailing and guide. Book in advance during high season as boat capacity is limited. Departures are generally at 10:00 AM with return around 16:30.
What to bring: warm clothing (it is colder on the lake than on land), sunscreen, water and comfortable footwear for the trails. Lunch is not included, so bring snacks or eat at the island cafe.
