The popular Lake Crossing Andes in Bariloche is one of the highlights in the Argentine Patagonia. It's a perfect way to see some of the most breath-taking places in the Southernmost part of South America, all in one tour!  Travelling by land and water from Argentina to Chile (or vice versa, depending on your travel itinerary) through the breathtaking Patagonian Lake District, a brim with spectacular scenery of snow-capped Andean peaks, vibrant green forests, volcanoes and deep blue lakes. This excursion is on many a tourist’s to do list when they visit Argentina. It is a spectacular tour, through unique and breath-taking landscapes! However when it comes to planning this trip ahead and trying to make sense of its itinerary it can be a bit overwhelming due to the region’s geographic layout and its route that entails travelling on 4 buses, 3 boats and of course passing the border, moving from Chile to Argentina or vice versa.  However far from being as tedious as it sounds, this tour is incredibly fascinating and a relaxing venture through unforgettable landscapes of Patagonia.  
Crossing the Andes is on the to-do list for many tourists visiting Argentina / Photo: Canva Pro
 

Tips to prepare your Lakes Crossing Andes

The first thing you should know about the lakes crossing Andes is that it can be booked from Bariloche to Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas or vice versa, just make sure you´re booking with a responsible travel agency.  Moreover, the tour has a different itinerary in summer and in winter. In summer (August to April) the tour arrives at its final destination in Chile – Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas – on the same day.  In winter (May to August) the trip takes two days with an overnight stay in Puella, a town close to the Argentine/Chilean border – because there aren’t enough daylight hours to do the whole itinerary in one day.  

Lakes Crossing Andes from Bariloche

 

1- Lac Nahuel Huapi

The first lakes crossing boat sets off early in the morning from Puerto Pañuelo. A harbour located 25km from Bariloche city, which at the crack of dawn isn’t as close as it may seem,  reason why it’s important to make sure transfer to the port from the center of Bariloche is included – if not make sure you organize it in advance. From Puerto Pañuelo you set off on a catamaran, with spectacular panoramic windows, along the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi. Most boats leaving from Puerto Pañuelo normally head for Victoria Island and the Myrtle Forrest, up towards Villa la Angostura this tour however takes you into the Blest Arm of the lake – a far less travelled part of Lake Nahuel Huapi.   Travel tips: discover with Daytours4u the panoramic views and unique mountain ranges of Nahuel Huapi Lake with the Bariloche Short Circuit Tour!   
The Nahuel Huapi is a glacial lake which explains why it has such crystal-clear blue waters. / Photo: Canva Pro
 

2- Lagos Frias

Arriving at Puerto Blest (Blest Harbour) you then ‘hop over’ to Lago Frías, a lake that was formed by the immense glaciers in the region; With its turquoise colour, surrounded by spectacular natural landmarks like the Mount Tronador, Lago Frias provides you with spectacular views! As the boat docks at Puerto Frias, this is where the tour leaves Argentina, crossing into Chile.  Here you hop on another bus to cross the Patagonian frontier territory, travelling along the oldest track in the region that connects the Argentine and Chilean Patagonia.   On this ride you will approach the shores of the next lake on the itinerary, Lago de Todos los Santos, where the beautiful village of Peulla lies, but before that, you pass border control, presenting your passport to enter into Chile.   Travel tips: Are you traveling to Bariloche during the southern winter? Here are the 5 best activies for non-skiers!  
Lago Frías is a mirror of water of glacial origin located in the Nahuel Huapi National Park / Photo: Canva Pro
 

3- Lago de todos los Santos 

Peulla is a tranquil, incredibly scenic lake-side village on the foothills of the Andes, with just over a 100 inhabitants. In winter this Lake District crossing Andes tour stops off for the night in Peulla.  In summer you get the chance to sit back and enjoy lunch in the beautiful landscape, before heading onward across Lago de Todos los Santos to Petrohue, a village that lies at the other extreme of the lake which can be reached only by boat, so just imagine the untouched nature at its shores! The Andean Lakes Crossing continues for an hour and a half across the stunning All Saints Lake. Once in Petrohue, the last bus of this lakes crossing day excursion takes you to Puerto Montt (with an option to get off before at Puerto Varas if you prefer) where this incredible day of stunning Patagonian sightseeing comes to an end.  
The present form of the All Saints Lake is the result of glacial and volcanic processes / Photo: Canva Pro
  If you wish to travel back to Argentina (or vice versa) after a few nights stay in Puerto Montt, you can do it taking the Trans Andean Crossing, travelling only by land – by bus – literally traversing the Andes along the Pan-American highway, giving you completely different views of the Patagonia and the Andes Mountains. The Trans Andean crossing will offer you an ideal complementary experience to the lakes crossing.   Travel tips: Don't miss this Lakes Crossing Andes excursion between Chile and Argentina and live your Patagonia experience to the fullest!  
Puerto Montt is a charming small port city to discover in Chilean Patagonia / Photo: Canva Pro
  So whichever way you plan out your itinerary traveling from Argentina to Chile, or the other way round, in winter or in summer, this tour without a doubt should be on your list of things to do in Patagonia. It’s the perfect all-inclusive circuit, taking you through the area’s most awe-inspiring nature!  
By: Daytours4u content writing Team