Laguna Brava, Cuyo, Argentina

5Demian 5:00 PM Dec 23, 2018

How planning your trip?
Laguna Brava is absolutely stunning. All these different colours and at the end the lake with flamingos, as a very special highlight. Not to mention all the animals, who can be seen along the way. Following I want to share my experience in planning the trip. The trip was organised by a company called Runacay. Their office is in Villa Union. I first contacted them by email in English and I was delighted when I shortly after received an detailed answer, also in English, by a guy called Fabian. In Villa Union I went to their office to book a trip to Laguna Brava. The guide there also spoke English, which made it much easier. Regarding to their website, they offer different tours to Laguna Brava. However, the different tour options weren’t presented to me. I eneded up with a tour from Villa Union straight to Laguna Brava and return. Unfortunately, there was no other person, except of my travel companion, who wanted to do the trip to Laguna Brava on the same date. Therefore we had to pay for 3 traveler, as this is the minimum number in order that the tour takes place. At the next morning I got picked up at my hotel by my guide with his car. To my surprise, it wasn’t the same guy, who sold me the tour. The guide couldn’t speak one word English. This was certainly a huge disappointment, cause I would miss all his explanations. Furthermore I felt a bit screwed, as no one ever mentioned to me, that it would be an other non-English speaking guide. Having read reviews from other non-Spanish speaker, who claimed that even an non-English speaking guide is still preferable than no guide at all, I decided not to cancel the tour. The tour itself was very rewarding and I highly recommend to go there. The very rough landscape with different colours of stone is just beautiful. You will see plenty of wildlife during your trip, like lamas, falcons, jackrabbit, flamingos and others. After ~3 hours (including stops), I arrived at the lake. It was very windy and cold and I suggest to bring a windproof jacket with you. My guide (David) was absolutely kind and tried his very best in explaining the sights, so that I would at least understand a little bit. He also stopped everywhere I liked and never rushed me. If I had spoken Spanish then, I am absolutely sure, he would have been the perfect guide. Would I do the same tour again? No, I wouldn’t. Having done the tour and knowing everything I know now, I would still go, but without guide. First of all, despite other review I read, it is absolutely fine going by yourself. The road is in good condition and a 4x4 vehicle necessary. Along the way, we even met someone, who drove to Laguna Brava with his motorcycle. Up to the township, which I belive is called Villa San José de Vinchia, the road is paved. There you must pay a small fee (40 Arg. Pesos p.p.) in order to drive to Laguna Brava. As soon as you enter the mountainous area, the paved road becomes a graveled road. The condition of the graveled road was good (see the uploaded photos) and mostly broad enough for two cars. There was only one, although small, section where the road was a bit bumpy. Two times we had to cross a small stream, which ran across the road. Again, for every average skilled driver, the route to Laguna Brave is absolutely doable. It is only one road that leads to Laguna Brave and even as a tourist it is hardly possible to get lost, as long you follow that one road. The sights I visited with my guide, including the lake, are all easily accessible from the road. Also the sights are all well signed and you can’t miss them, with or without guide. What you should consider when going alone, in case of an accident or an emergency, help is far away and there is hardly any traffic (at least during off season, when I was there). Second, there is no cellphone coverage in that area. In terms of the cost, I paid for a party of three totally 4950 Arg. Pesos plus 40 Arg Pesos road commission p.p. (without guide). Joining a tour as solo traveler is definitely cheaper than going alone. For two traveler the costs are more or less the same. A part of a group of 3, it is cheaper to go alone. Alternatively, a guide can be hired in Villa San José de Vinchia for about 850 Arg. Pesos.

5wowneverstoptravel 5:00 PM May 3, 2012

Breathtaking
It's really a hidden gem of the Andes in northwest Agentina. This wetland listed on RAMSAR is the home to Andean and James' flamingos, vicuña, guanaco and other fauna. Amazing landscapes and colors of Andes along the winding road to Laguna Brava.