OneWay Journey: from Bariloche, Argentina to Puerto Varas, Chile
Description
It is a scenic and tourist route that connects the cities of Puerto Varas in Chile and San Carlos de Bariloche in Argentina through the Andes, a mountain range that runs through South America. This trip allows travelers to explore the lakes and mountains of Patagonia while crossing the border between Chile and Argentina. Highlights: 1- Navigation by boat: Travelers cross 3 lakes; 2 Argentinean lakes and 1 Chilean lake. Nahuel Huapi Lake, Frias Lake and Todos los Santos Lake. 2- Bus ride: Each lake is connected by 4 overland routes, scenic routes that pass through places of natural interest such as forests and waterfalls. The following points are connected by bus: Bariloche-Puerto Pañuelo, Puerto Blest-Puerto Alegre, Puerto Frías-Peulla and Petrohué-Puerto Varas. Throughout the trip you will enjoy panoramic views, rainforest and the chance to explore the wildlife, gastronomy and local culture on both sides of the border. Come and live the experience, we are waiting for you!
Tour Options
Itinerary
Bariloche is the starting point of this adventure. The city is located within the Nahuel Huapi National Park. Its civic center holds traditional chocolate houses, hotels and restaurants. Bariloche has great attractions, both in winter and in summer.
It is a lakeside port for passengers, located in the middle of the route between Puerto Blest and the city of Bariloche. It is exactly 25 kilometers far from Bariloche.
The area around the lake is home to a variety of landscapes, sunsets, birds and wildlife, including condors, eagles, deer and more. Bring binoculars and a camera to capture the natural beauty.
This landscape is a magnificent mixture of native forests and Patagonian canals. At this point, the green waters of the Frías River join the blue waters of Lake Nahuel Huapi. Travellers may see a dense forest, the Valdivian Forest (few locations holding a cold forest worldwide).
Lago Frias, the smallest of the three lakes on the route. Procedures for crossing the border Chile-Argentina are made at this point. Of glacial origin, bringing meltwater that gives it its green-turquoise tones.
In Peulla is a place for lunch, during the trip, the price is not included (US$25 per person.) Villa Peulla, It is a small ecological village, which was recognized as the most sustainable location in Chile.
The large hills with their evergreen forests surround the landscape for about two hours of sailing in beautiful emerald waters. From the deck of the catamaran, travelers can see some waterfalls and three snowy peaks: Mount Tronador and the volcanoes Osorno and Puntiagudo.
The final destination is the wonderful Puerto Varas City in Chile, near Puerto Montt. You will find Frutillar nearby; a city of German pioneers who have replicate their particular lifestyle, their customs and their cultural baggage in these lands; and volcanoes showing their dramatic beauty such as the Osorno and Calbuco. Enjoy the international gastronomy, the famous Chilean wine, and the starry nights that are spectacle worth admiring.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Av. Bustillo km. 2,5 *Ref. Hotel Design – Villa Huinid Av. Bustillo Km. 7 *Ref: Hotel Nido del Cóndor – Rochester – Lirolay *Ref: There is a Stop at the nearest roadway to the above-mentioned hotels.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants
- Recommended to bring sunblock, sunglasses
- Recommended to wear comfortable shoes and waterproof clothing
Reviews(52)
An amazing experience, we did the lake crossing. The panorama postcards on the trip are speechless. Feeling of greatness God for his wonders, which gives us the opportunity to see.
Crossing can be done in two directions: From Argentina to Chile or from Chile to Argentina. Upon arrival you decide how your trip continues or you can return, free of charge, if you are an Argentine or Chilean resident, when you choose. The crossing lasts approximately 12 hours so if you wish to return by this same means it must be done in at least two days, overnight in a hotel of the arrival head of the Crossing. However, we recommend, if time is available, to do so in more days. We traveling in the direction of Argentina - Chile stayed one day at the fantastic Hotel Narura in Peulla, Chile two, nights in Puerto Varas, Chile and back one day at the charming Hotel Puerto Blest in Puerto Blest, Argentina. Accommodation and meal costs are fully in line with what is offered at both hotels. The crossing is excellently coordinated by two tourism agencies: TURISUR, from Bariloche, Argentina and TURISTOUR from Puerto Varas Chile. It combines four land and three lake routes along Nahuel Huapi, Frias and De Todos Los Santos lakes, all different in colors and landscapes. The catamarans are all very good, the guides, extremely friendly, provide all the necessary information in Spanish and English so that no one is left in doubt. It is important to carry a good device to take quality images.
It was a wonderful trip. The weather was perfect and the views were spectacular. The guide however advised us to drink the FRESH water from the waterfall. As I emptied my water bottle and started to fill it up with fresh water under the waterfall I noticed that it was not as glacial cold as I expected. AI: "That particular waterfall (usually at Vicente Pérez Rosales Pass or near one of the lakes) is a very common source of traveler’s diarrhea and Giardia in that exact crossing. Even though it looks pristine, it can have livestock or wildlife contamination higher up the mountain. Most people who drink from that waterfall are totally fine, but a surprising number are not — it’s literally one of the top “how I got sick in Patagonia” stories guides we hear every summer."
Dear Scotter and Mehri, Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We’re very happy to know that you enjoyed the trip and the beautiful scenery along the route. We’re truly sorry to hear that you felt unwell afterwards. Around those dates, a short-lived stomach virus affected some travelers in the region, which seems to match the timing you described. Thankfully, it passed quickly and no further cases were reported. Your comfort and safety are very important to us, and we continuously reinforce all hygiene and operational protocols with our local teams. We really appreciate your feedback. Warm regards, Karina Zambrano
Excellent excursion, recommended for those who tour Patagonia, its landscapes and natural beauty are admirable.
It is an excellent excursion, very well put together, the landscapes and the first navigation, the guides very willing and friendly.
The excursion is highly recommended, for the landscapes and I highlight the organization and service of the guides at all times.
Very good route, fantastic and very distracting. Contact with nature, change of landscape from time to time. Very pleasant...
We arrived 2 hours late. The boats were rammed so full there was barely enough room to move. The men’s toilet at the first stop was overflowing onto the floor. Passengers’ bags were meant to be delivered to hotels; because the trip was so late, bags were just emptied onto the dock in a passenger free for all. The positives: the journey was pretty; we arrived eventually.
Thank you for sharing your feedback and we’re sorry to hear that your experience wasn’t as smooth as expected. We truly appreciate your comments and will review these points with our team to improve our service. If there’s anything else you’d like to share, please feel free to reach out. Best regards! Karina Zambrano
A fantastic trip, although a long day. Great way to cross to Chile and thoroughly recommend on a nice day. The weather was bright sunshine and clear skies which made the day even better. Key things to note: We were told to meet at Mitre 150 at 8am but it was nearly an hour later before we left. Check in in advance - need 4300 pesos port tax paid at Puerto Panuelo - there were massive queues there to pay it. Also advised need 20,000 pesos National Park entry - this was incorrect as is not paid by Andes crossing passengers Lunch at Puerto blest Hotel - take a picnic, it was the worst meal we had in a month in Argentina! The boat was chocker to Puerto Blest with day trippers and only just got 2 seats together. Onwards boats/ bus more relaxed Views got better and better Bus stopped at Chile border and Cerro Tronador for photos The border posts out of Argentina and into Chile were easy as only Cruce Andino passengers so no long lines. Chile border was strict with no fruit etc and suitcase search The last boat on Lago Todos Los Santos had awesome views of the volcanoes The Chilean guides were way better than the Argentine one - she spoke for ages in Spanish and a short sentence in English whilst the Chilean ones Spanish/English was even amounts. We did it as one day - does not look like a lot to do in the stopover points a part from short hike. We were very glad we did this trip and pleased we ignored the negative views. It was an outstanding day and one of the highlights.
A long day. The 3 lakes are beautiful and the surrounding scenery was awesome. The bus to boat to bus to boat.. got a bit tiring in the end. Overall, a fun way to travel from Bariloche to Puerto Varas.
