After hotel pickup in Bariloche, your trekking tour starts with the 20-minute drive west of town to the Cerro Bella Vista trailhead, where you’ll begin your hike with your guide.
Trek along the trail to El Tambo, where the path begins to climb up the southeast ridge of Bella Vista through an old-growth forest of coihue trees; look for wildflowers and native birds in the dense undergrowth. Keep ascending, spotting wild orchids and switching into a forest of lenga trees (watch for woodpeckers!). As you climb, you'll start to see Lake Moreno (Lago Moreno), and you can listen to your guide’s commentary about the native plants and animals that live in this part of the Patagonian Andes.
Eventually, reach the top! The summit of Bella Vista stands at an elevation of 5,577 feet (1,700 meters), providing an excellent reward of 360-degree views for your hard work. When you get there, take a break to rest your legs and replenish your energy with lunch provided by your guide. Lunch typically includes beef sandwiches with Gouda cheese, tomatoes and arugula; smoked trout sandwiches; or zucchini quiche with eggplant and Gorgonzola. Then, soak up the marvelous views of Lake Moreno, as well as views of Nahuel Huapi Lake (Lago Nahuel Huapi) and surrounding Nahuel Huapi National Park (Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi).
Depending on the pace of your group and how often you pause to rest or snap photos, the trek to the summit will take three to four hours; the trail is steep with a medium level of difficulty and a vertical rise of 2,300 feet (700 meters); bottled water and snacks such as fresh fruit or cereal bars are provided so you can stay hydrated and energized during the trek. The walk back down the same path lasts two to three hours. Then return to the vehicle for the drive back to Bariloche.