Mount Tronador & Ventisquero Negro tour: Glaciers, waterfalls

Dark ice and thunder: where volcanic ash meets falling water on Patagonia's highest peak

This eight-hour tour from San Carlos de Bariloche travels through native forests and along Lakes Gutiérrez and Mascardí to reach Ventisquero Negro, a glacier darkened by volcanic ash, and Mount Tronador, the region's highest peak at 3,478 meters, where detaching ice blocks create sounds like thunder. A local guide leads the route and explains the geology and history. The tour includes vehicle transport, lake entrances and stops at Cántaros Waterfall and Pampa Linda valley. You can book with a Spanish-only guide or a bilingual English guide. National park entrance is included with some options.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Cántaros Waterfall3h
2. Mount Tronador4h

Explore Cerro Tronador and Ventisquero Negro

• Travel from Bariloche along lakes
• Stop at Mirador de la Isla Corazón
• Visit Pampa Linda valley
• Admire Ventisquero Negro glacier
• Explore Cerro Tronador peak area

The experience

Eight hours takes you from Bariloche south into the national park, skirting Lakes Gutiérrez and Mascardí before the road turns toward the Manso River and climbs into high valleys. The route passes through forests of native lenga and coihue trees, stopping first at Mirador de la Isla Corazón and then at Pampa Linda, a valley ringed by peaks where the landscape opens up. This is the approach to Ventisquero Negro, one of Patagonia's most unusual glaciers: its ice is dark, almost black, because volcanic ash has accumulated on its surface over time. Standing in front of it, you see the contrast between that dark ice and the white waterfalls roaring down from the peaks above.

Mount Tronador dominates the second half of the day. At 3,478 meters, it is the highest peak in the region and sits on the Argentina-Chile border. The name comes from the sound the mountain makes: when blocks of ice break away from its glaciers, they fall and crash with a noise like thunder. Your guide will explain the geology that created these glaciers, the volcanic history that darkened Ventisquero Negro, and the significance of the peak to the indigenous peoples and early explorers who crossed this landscape. The route also includes Cántaros Waterfall, where you can see the power of snowmelt and glacial runoff in action.

An air-conditioned vehicle carries the group throughout the day, and entrance to both lakes is included. You choose between a Spanish-only guide or a bilingual English guide at checkout. The national park entrance fee is included with some options. Infants can ride in a stroller, and service animals are welcome. The tour suits families, couples, solo travelers and friends: anyone who wants to see high Patagonian peaks and glaciers without arranging transport or navigation on their own.

What’s included

• The tour includes air-conditioned vehicle transport throughout the day.
• entrance to Lakes Gutiérrez and Mascardí.
• a local guide who explains the geology, history and natural features of the region.
• and stops at Cántaros Waterfall, Pampa Linda valley, Ventisquero Negro and Mount Tronador.

Options for this experience

2 options

Spanish Only Guide09:00Lasts 10 hours. The entrance fee to the National Park is not included. Pickup is included.

Bilingual English Guide09:00Guide available in English and Spanish. Lasts 10 hours. Food and drinks are not included. The entrance fee to the National Park is not included. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (3 to 9 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomeNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Ni Lo Pienses Tour

Is this one for you?Pick the bilingual English guide for geological and historical context throughout the day, or the Spanish-only option if you're fluent or traveling with Spanish speakers who can translate.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 9 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What is Ventisquero Negro and why is it dark?

Ventisquero Negro is a glacier in the Argentine Patagonia whose ice appears dark, almost black, because volcanic ash has accumulated on its surface over time. It is one of the most unusual natural wonders in the region, and the tour stops there so you can see the contrast between the dark ice and the white waterfalls cascading down from the peaks above.

Why is Mount Tronador called that?

Mount Tronador, at 3,478 meters, is the highest peak in the region and sits on the Argentina-Chile border. Its name comes from the sound it makes: when blocks of ice detach from its glaciers, they fall and crash with a noise similar to thunder, which is what "tronador" means in Spanish.

How long is the tour and what does it include?

The tour runs eight hours and includes transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, entrance to Lakes Gutiérrez and Mascardí, a local guide, and stops at Cántaros Waterfall, Pampa Linda valley, Ventisquero Negro and Mount Tronador. You choose a Spanish-only guide or a bilingual English guide. National park entrance is included with some options.