The official travel guide to Chile

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Lake Crossing between Chile and Argentina

The route was first used by indigenous inhabitants and Jesuit missionaries and then established by the German colonists who settled the region in the mid-19th century.

The trip can be made from San Carlos de Bariloche in Argentina to Puerto Varas, on the shores of Lake Llanquihue in Chile, or vice-versa. If you depart from Puerto Varas, a charming German colonial town of around 30,000 people, don't miss the chance to visit Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park and the spectacular Petrohué Cascades.

Next, you'll cross the emerald green waters of Lago Todos los Santos, where you can take a boat to Peulla, a picturesque border town, and then journey on to the Argentinean border post in Puerto Frías. From there, you'll go from Lake Frías to Puerto Alegre – in Argentina's Nahuel Huapi National Park – and then Puerto Blest, where you can visit the Los Cántaros waterfall. The route's final boat trip crosses Lake Nahuel Huapi to Puerto Pañuelo, 25km from San Carlos de Bariloche.

Featured Destinations of Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt

Frutillar		Puerto Montt
Puerto Octay		Puerto Varas

Tours you can do

Getting There By Air Flights depart Santiago daily for El Tepual Airport in Puerto Montt (2 h). You can take a minibus transfer or taxi from the airport to Puerto Varas. By Bus Buses from Santiago to Puerto Varas leave daily (13 h). Local buses run frequently between Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas (25 min). By Car From Santiago, take Route 5 south to Puerto Varas (1,008 km).