Arroyo Callvuco

This is a very special place here at Hotel Tronador, nestled at the end of Lake Mascardi among mountains and small rivers.

The hotel has been continuously operated since 1931 by the descendants of a Belgian doctor who came in 1907 as the first doctor in Bariloche. Not long after, his son became the first settler in this valley of Mount Tronador, while in search of grazing pastures. The family began welcoming visitors so often, they eventually opened a hotel. Once the National Park was established in 1934, the Vereertbrugghen family was allowed to keep their land and lodgings.

This is a family-friendly destination, and there are several families here with young children (as it is still the holiday time). All seem to be Spanish-speaking. Visitors can enjoy kayaking and other lake activities, hiking, rafting, horseback riding, fishing and “rural tourism” (ranch life); not to mention just sitting on your balcony relaxing and enjoying the peace and quiet and breathtaking scenery.

After a full breakfast served on the porch by the lake, we borrowed kayaks and explored the lake and river running into it — milky green/blue glacial water coming from Tronador.

We forgot to mention that on this trip we’ve seen several Andean condors—one particularly close to us up at Cerro Cathedral (the tough ridge hike 2 days ago). While out on the lake today we saw a few condors soaring high above us.

We take all our meals here at the hotel because there is nothing else around. That’s fine with us, as we are on our own, having left the excellent care of AndesTrack. Plus, the food is excellent.

After lunch and a siesta, some of us walked to a nearby waterfall viewpoint looking out over the valley to the snowy mountains.

After dinner (which is quite late here), we went out to check out the stars (with sundown at nearly 9:30, stargazing is a late-night activity), and Erin spotted first a chain of satellites known as the Starlink Train. It is eerie to see and moves really fast.Read more