Patagonia Lakes: Scenic Andes Crossing

Embark on a breathtaking Andes Scenic Journey from Puerto Varas, Chile to Bariloche, Argentina. Explore Patagonia’s lakes and mountains, cross borders, and immerse yourself in local culture.

Duration: 12 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Puerto Varas - Known as the tourist capital of southern Chile, this city showcases a distinct German influence, particularly evident in its traditional wooden houses adorned with larch tiles. It is beautifully situated on the shores of Lake Llanquihue, the country’s second-largest lake.
  • Saltos del Petrohue - The Petrohué Waterfalls, located…
What's Included
  • Land and lake transfers included
  • Experienced driver/guide provided
What's Not Included
  • 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
  • Admission fees
Additional Information

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…

Location
Puerto Varas
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.2
(39 Ratings)
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Bettina_p
Apr 13, 2026
You are in good hands on this trip - Good guides on the whole tour, telling about nature, history and how to cross the border. There is a shift between bus and boat all the time. Nature is fantastic (the sun shone, it helped).
Review provided by Viator
Lolly616
Apr 4, 2026
A MUST - Memorable experience. Just finished eighteen days in Chile and Argentina, visiting Santiago, Chiloe, Bariloche, Estancia Arroyo Verde and Tres Rios, and Buenos Aires. The crossing was one of our most memorable experience. It is a long day, 12 hours, not fancy but very comfortable. The visual experience is amazing. Highly recommend it. Try and schedule when weather is good
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Leo1946
Mar 21, 2026
Lakes and Puerto Varas - One of the best walks in the area. I recommend staying 2 or 3 nights in Puerto Varas. It is a beautiful village, temporary rentals are accessible, excellent food and the environment better. The catamarans are very comfortable and the guides well prepared.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
47mariay
Jan 4, 2026
Wonderful tour!!! - It is an excellent excursion, very well organized, taking care of all the details, the wonderful landscapes and the first navigation, the very efficient and friendly guides.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carlos_f
Apr 25, 2024
Amazing experience with great company - Beautiful trip, didn't feel that long. Good buses, boats and friendly staff. Definitely would recommend it.
Review provided by Viator
Davecswlon
Oct 31, 2024
Expensive for what it is, but not terrible. Poorly organised. - Currently 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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Globetraveler30
Mar 30, 2025
A rainy day will ruin your experience! - Unfortunately, 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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
459mauriciom
Dec 3, 2025
A dissster - Uf 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
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mehri
Nov 19, 2025
Don't drink the Water - It 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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sylvia_h
Nov 7, 2024
Worst suitcase haul - The 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
Review provided by Viator
From $379
up to 14 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).