Breakfast here in the Hosteria Las Marianas was very nice — a variety of dried grains, raisins and either mik or yogurt, various pastries, breads for toast, and spreads. Although this is a very small hotel (bed and breakfast) the tables were nicely set with cloth napkins.
Views from Cerro Campagnario
At 9 we were picked up for our history and nature tour. We stopped at a few places along the lake for photographs, while our Kawen guide (Federico) explained the history of the area, beginning with the nuclear program run from one of the small islands in the lake by a German scientist (ex-Nazi) who came here after the second world war. He also described how the area originated with immigration across the Chilean border in the late 19th and early 20th century, other waves of immigrants including the Germans after WWII, and how tourism became the major employer with over 80% of the residents involved directly.
The view from Cerro Campanario
Our first major stop of the day was at the chair lift to the top of Cerro Campanario. You get a great panoramic view out over Lago Nahuel Huapi surrounded by the Andes mountains, and many of the smaller lakes down below.
From there we went to a view of the Llao Llao hotel, before heading on a short hike for a couple of kilometers beside Lago Moreno Oeste. Along the way Frederico did an excellent job of pointing out some of the flora and fauna native to this area. We heard and saw many small birds, and also a large woodpecker and black vulture.
Lago Moreno Oeste
We stopped for a very nice lunch at a scenic rocky point looking out over the lake. A couple of fisherrmen were fly-fishing, though I never saw anything caught.
Lago Nahuel Huapi
After lunch we finished the hike, then continued on in the van, crossing the bridge between the two lakes. Our last stop was at a high overlook over the lakes. From there we headed back into town.