Following the press release sent by Aeropuertos Argentina 2000 (company in charge of the operation of Bariloche Airport), Bariloche’s Airport will be closed from October 24th to December 20th, 2011, due to the renovation works on the runway and taking advantage of the suspension of its operation since the eruption of Puyehue Volcano in Chile on June 4th.
The company has announced that work will be done on the runway and also the airport’s building will be updated. They plan to add an innovative irrigation system on both sides of the runway (the first of its kind in Argentina), which will also help to mitigate the effects of the ash or the dust from the Patagonian steppe. Access to the airport and other surrounding roads will also be upgraded. Besides the renovation of the runway, work will also include platforms, new signposting and markers among other upgrades.

During this period, airlines will continue offering the service to Bariloche, operating through alternative airports. Aerolineas Argentinas operates through Esquel (EQS) and LAN operates through Neuquen (NQN). From these airports, they provide ground transportation to Bariloche’s bus terminal. Please take into account that these transfers are only included in the airfare of any ticket booked to BRC (Bariloche). Airlines have informed us that they will extend this service up to December 20th, but we suggest that you check the status of this service with each airline at the time of booking. Frequencies and itineraries along with rates are available on each airline’s web page as well as on the GDS (Reservations System).

An interesting option for guests is booking flights directly to alternative airports disregarding the transfers offered by the airlines, and having Latin Excursions arange  private transfers from these alternative airports directly to  your hotel, taking advantage of the scenic roads and some interesting visits that can be done along the way; this will also save time. In this way, transfer from Esquel takes 3 hours and from Neuquén, 5. In case you need assistance with this arrangement, we will be very happy to help you. We highly recommend this alternative.

Another reccommendation is, instead of a private transfer, renting a car at the rent-a-car offices located in Esquel or Neuquen (Hertz, for instance, has offices at both airports as well as a desk at the Hotel). Guests may book this service for very convenient prices with unlimited mileage and full insurance. Then you can keep the car for sightseeing on their own while staying in the Lake District.
Also, Lake Crossing Tour from and to Chile (Puerto Varas) is operating normally and was not affected by the eruption of the Volcano.

Regarding the Llao Llao, the hotel is keeping its normal operation except for the fact that the Los Césares Restaurant and Lobby Moreno Bar are currently closed. Meals are being offered at the Patagonia Restaurant and Winter Garden.
The 18 hole Golf Course is open, as well as the Spa, Nahuelito´s Kids Club, and the swimming pools, and the recreational program is also being offered.

Bariloche has returned to normality, regarding hotels, restaurants, schools, shopping, tours, excursions, lake tours, etc. To sum up, the airport operation is expected to be normal again by Dec. 20th, just in time for the Summer Season. Nevertheless, please consider that as long as the Puyehue volcano continues its activity, the operation of this airport will be subject to atmospheric conditions.
For further planning questions, please contact one of our travel professionals at Latin Excursions.

On July 11, large areas of Patagonia will be cast into darkness just before sunset due to a solar eclipse starting in French Polynesia and passing over Easter Island before dropping through the southern reaches of the South American Continent. Most, if not all hotels on Chile’s remote Easter Island long since full for the key date, but we do have space in both the Chilean and Argentina Patagonia, which would serve as an ideal alternative for the solar eclipse event.

For lodging, tour, and hotel arrangements visit the Latin Excursions South America Tours page.