Tours and Activities:
Lake Crossing in the Andes
Puerto Varas and Bariloche are the endpoints of this itinerary; they share breathtaking landscapes along with warm and excellent services for their visitors.
The Andean Lakes route has always joined Chile with Argentina. Today, it is considered an incredible adventure that can be undertaken from Puerto Varas, one of the most beautiful towns in southern Chile, situated on the shores of Lake Llanquihue in the Los Lagos Region.
We left behind the German-inspired architecture of this summer town and headed toward Petrohué, in Vicente Perez Rosales National Park. To get there, we followed the shores of the powerful cascades of water tumbling down. Several trails allow visitors to venture into the forest and discover, through a clearing, the silhouette of Osorno Volcano and the Andes mountain range
Upon reaching the shore of Lake Todos los Santos, we walked barefoot along the fine sandy beach before boarding the first catamaran. Once on board, with its warm interior and large windows, we delighted in panoramic views of the lake and surrounding volcanoes. In just over an hour, we arrived in Peulla, a village surrounded by lush vegetation and abundant outdoor activities, ideal for staying a few days. While having lunch, we listened to stories about the Huilliche natives and the Jesuits who left their mark on the area centuries ago. After exploring the surroundings, we continued by bus towards the Chilena border at Peulla.
After completing the border formalities, we made a stop to admire Mount Tronador and its summit glaciers, such as the Ventisquero Negro, now on Argentine territory. Along the way, the Valdivian rainforest gradually gave way to Patagonian Andean forest until we reached Puerto Frías, where the light blue and white flag was flying, and completed the entry procedures into Argentina. A second catamaran awaited us to navigate the calm, green waters of Lake Frías toward Puerto Alegre. Mount Tronador continued to accompany us majestically until we disembarked and continued by bus toward Puerto Blest.
The route meandered along the Frias River, flanked by towering coihue and ancient alerce trees, until the majestic Lake Nahuel Huapi finally appeared, beside which a small and charming inn is located. On another catamaran, we continued toward Puerto Pañuelo, getting closer to the city of San Carlos de Bariloche, right in the heart of Nahuel Huapi National Park. Puerto Pañuelo welcomed us with the last lights of the sunset, while other excursions that had visited Victoria Island and the Myrtle-tree Forest arrived simultaneously.
By bus, the civic center of Bariloche was drawing near, and we left behind trees and natural scenery to merge with the lights of a city with great tourist appeal. We admired the beautiful Alpine-style architecture of the city while imagining the gastronomical delights and famous chocolates that would soon delight us. The lakeside capital of southern Argentina presented itself in all its movement and elegance as we followed the Nahuel Huapi Lake along its scenic coastal avenue.
This journey touches solitary and unique places; it connects two countries that share nearly pristine nature along their border and are united by the crystal-clear waters of their lakes. This route combines spectacular landscapes, history, and outdoor adventures, offering an experience that integrates the natural and cultural wealth of the Andean Patagonia.
Contact
Cruce Andino
Cel: +56 934062885
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