OneWay Journey: Puerto Varas, Chile to Bariloche, Argentina
Overview
Available languages
12 hours
Mobile ticket
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!
Additional Info
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Puerto Varas
It is the touristic capital of southern Chile. This city holds an unmistakable German influence, with its maximum exponent in the traditional architecture of wooden houses built with larch tiles. It is located on the shores of Lake Llanquihue, the second largest lake in the country.
Saltos del Petrohue
The Petrohué Waterfalls are a series of waterfalls and rapids located in the Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, in the Los Lagos region of Chile. They are one of the most popular natural attractions in the area and offer a visually stunning experience surrounded by lush nature.
What‘s Included
1 suitcase up to 23kg
All land and lake transfers
Driver/guide
Food and drinks
Tours in Peulla
The rate does not include port, migratory and/or National Parks fees
Admission to the Falls of Petrohué USD$9
These values can be modified upon determination of each country's authorities
Everything not mentioned in this program
Stay in Bariloche, Argentina
Stay in Puerto Varas, Chile
Falls of Petrohué
Meeting points
Puerto Varas
Puerto Varas Chile
Options
OneWay Journey: Puerto Varas, Chile to Bariloche, Argentina
Reviews
35 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A dissster
459mauriciom,,Dec 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00Uf you can not say it was an robbery., it was cery close. The Journey lasted 12 hours. Ove hours and a Half to get to the first Catamaran, one hour and a half to get to customs, then three hours to wait for another bost ( and another Group, saying falsely that our boat was damaged). In summary Only 4 hours iof lakes at an astronomical cost
Don't drink the Water
Mehri K,,Nov 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00It was a wonderful trip. We went from Bariloche to Puerto Varas on November 13, 2025. 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 and started to fill it up I noticed that it was not as glacial cold as I expected. 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 hear every summer.
A rainy day will ruin your experience!
globetraveler30,,Mar 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00Unfortunately, on the day of our crossing, it rained all day with a low cloud cover. The weather ruined the entire trip. We did not see anything! No volcanos. No mountains. No beautiful emerald lakes. We strongly recommend that you not take this trip when rain is predicted. We booked directly with Cruce Andino. They have a strict cancellation policy and will not issue a full refund if you cancel 16 days or less before the trip. That makes it extremely difficult to cancel an advance reservation. Perhaps you should consider NOT making an advance reservation until you are certain of a good weather forecast for your planned day of travel. I provided feedback to Cruce Andino, admitting that they had no control over the weather, however, at a cost of almost $600 USD for the two of us, I felt like it was a waste of money. Cruce Andino did not respond nor offer any compensation. Otherwise, the logistics of the tour were without incident, apart from the unexpected fees incurred during the crossing for such things as National Park Entrance and border crossing fees.
Worst suitcase haul
Sylvia H,,Nov 7, 2024
- Review from Viator
1.00The company told us to walk from hotel to their office and had we known that the office was 1 km away from the hotel and each of us had to drag two suitcases at 60 years of age? Sorry but for us is unacceptable we could have gotten a heart attack
Expensive for what it is, but not terrible. Poorly organised.
DaveCSWLon,,Oct 31, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00Currently on this trip and it’s ok. Lots of hanging around, which is fine, but communication isn’t strong point. Amazing weather and scenery but the organisation isn’t great. The itinerary said we were due to depart for the final sailing to Bariloche at 17.00, it’s now 18.00 and no boat. Not impressed as feel like a captive tourist waiting around for three hours doing nothing.
Amazing experience with great company
Carlos F,,Apr 25, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Beautiful trip, didn't feel that long. Good buses, boats and friendly staff. Definitely would recommend it.
excellent travel experience
ronaldo r,,Mar 15, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00don't miss it, it is a great tour, you will see lakes, water falls, wild life, in a full day tour. Be prepared for a nice lunch at a place that has just one building, the hotel and restaurant!
This is just so lovely, you have to do this.
Douwe S,,Jan 15, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Organization was excellent. Really don’t have anything negative to say. We had some bad luck with the weather but otherwise we had an amazing time.
Worth every dollar, beautiful experience
pablucho35,,Jan 9, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent experience. It's a very long day, but the views are spectacular and the guides are very professional. You don't worry about a thing, just follow the instructions. For the cost, it beats just taking a bus from Puerto Varas to Bariloche. The stop in Peulla was a very pleasant addition, we did the 4X4 excursion which was well worth it, even though lunch had to be quick. Our initial guide Guillermo was top notch. I would recommend it without a doubt.
Enterprise disappeared
colecaodeaouvenirs,,Nov 30, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00I closed the tour with this Enterprise for my clients. The tour was with free cancellation, then came the pandemic, the trip had to be cancelled, but they did not want to honor the rules of cancellation. As the customer wanted to resume the trip we thought it was okay to leave the ticket open. Now with the reopening I tried contact by email without reply and the whats app of the site does not work! However, the site is there active for those who want to buy the tours!! Don't close with this Enterprise, only tip I leave!
From US$364.00
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Operated by Cruce Andino