El Claro Turismo

With over three decades of continuous presence in the heart of San Martín de los Andes, El Claro Turismo has established itself as one of the most traditional and reliable receptive service operators in the region. Founded in 1993 as a family-run business, the agency has evolved alongside the destination, maintaining a constant commitment to quality and a deep knowledge of the Neuquén territory. Its headquarters, located at Coronel Díaz 751, serves not only as a sales point but as an operations center where the owners themselves oversee every detail of the traveler’s experience.

El Claro Turismo’s value proposition is supported by a solid infrastructure that includes its own fleet of vehicles authorized for tourist transport, ensuring autonomy and punctuality in its itineraries. This logistical capacity is complemented by a team of professional guides specialized in various areas, from local history to the interpretation of the natural environment of the Lanín National Park. The agency operates year-round, tailoring its offerings to Patagonia’s distinct seasons: from summer boat trips to comprehensive logistics for the ski season at Cerro Chapelco.

Among its most iconic excursions is the Seven Lakes Route, a fundamental journey connecting San Martín de los Andes with Villa La Angostura. The agency offers different variations of this route, allowing visitors to explore not only the conventional path but also extensions to Villa Traful or even the city of San Carlos de Bariloche. These tours focus on contemplating the water bodies—such as Lácar, Machónico, Falkner, and Correntoso—and strategic stops at viewpoints that offer some of the most iconic panoramas of the Andes Mountains.

Another pillar of its offering is the excursion to the Hua Hum area, a journey that ventures into the Valdivian rainforest. This tour is particularly valued for the visit to the Yuco beaches, known for their turquoise waters and white sand, and the hike to the Chachín waterfall, an imposing cascade surrounded by lush vegetation. Similarly, the visit to the foot of the Lanín Volcano and Lakes Huechulafquen and Paimún allows travelers to get close to the southern face of the stone giant and visit the picturesque chapel located on the lakeshore, blending wild nature with the region’s cultural landmarks.

For those seeking more localized experiences, the agency organizes the City Tour of San Martín de los Andes, ideal for understanding the architectural and social evolution of the mountain village, and visits to Villa Quila Quina, which can be reached both by land and via lake transfers. In addition to scenic excursions, El Claro Turismo offers specialized full-day fishing services and private boat trips, providing options for a public seeking a more exclusive contact with the environment.

The comprehensiveness of its services is also evident in its management of transfers to and from the airports of San Martín de los Andes (Chapelco) and Bariloche, ensuring a smooth connection for tourists arriving in the area. During the winter, the agency takes on a leading role in the logistics of Cerro Chapelco, facilitating the booking of ski lessons, lift passes, and daily transfers. This 360-degree vision of tourism is completed by its link to Hotel Antiguos, opened by the same family in 2008, allowing them to offer packages that integrate accommodation and activities with a hallmark of personalized attention and family warmth.