Patagonia boat tour: Islote Centinela & Cántaros Waterfall

Navigate to a remote waterfall and walk past an ancient larch tree in the Valdivian jungle

This eight-hour boat tour from Puerto Pañuelo explores the Patagonian landscape of Lake Nahuel Huapi, stopping at Islote Centinela (where the remains of Argentina's National Parks pioneer rest), and Cascada de los Cántaros, where a hiking path leads through jungle to Lake Cántaros and a larch tree over 1,500 years old. The tour includes round-trip hotel pickup in Bariloche, a trilingual guide in Spanish, Portuguese and English, and navigation on the lake. Entrance fees to Nahuel Huapi National Park are paid separately upon arrival.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sail and explore Cántaros Waterfall

• Depart from Puerto Pañuelo
• Sail over Blest arm to Sentinel islet
• Visit remains of Perito Francisco Moreno
• Arrive at Cascada de los Cántaros waterfall
• Hike path through Valdivian jungle
• View Lake Cántaros and ancient larch tree

The experience

An hour of navigation across the Blest arm of Lake Nahuel Huapi takes you to Islote Centinela, a small island holding the remains of Perito Francisco Pascasio Moreno, the visionary who established Argentina's National Parks system. The boat passes close enough to see the site itself, and the guide explains its historical weight before the journey continues deeper into the Patagonian landscape.

The waterfall announces itself by sound before you see it. Cascada de los Cántaros drops into a valley where a hiking path winds upward through the Valdivian jungle. The walk leads to Lake Cántaros at the waterfall's source, a turquoise pool ringed by forest, where an ancient larch tree, more than 1,500 years old, stands as a silent marker of the place. The hike itself is moderate and suits all fitness levels, though the path does climb from the waterfall base to the lake above.

The tour departs from Puerto Pañuelo and includes round-trip transfers to and from Bariloche hotels on Avenida Bustillo. A trilingual guide leads the entire day in Spanish, Portuguese or English. Entrance to Nahuel Huapi National Park costs approximately 20,000 Argentine pesos, paid when you arrive at the park. This fee is separate from the tour price. Infants travel on an adult's lap.

What’s included

• Round-trip hotel pickup in Bariloche on Avenida Bustillo.
• navigation on Lake Nahuel Huapi.
• a trilingual guide in Spanish, Portuguese and English for the full eight hours.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Gray Line Argentina

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to combine boat travel with hiking: you'll navigate by water to remote sites, then walk uphill to reach the waterfall's source and ancient larch tree.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (under 5): free.

How long is the boat ride from Puerto Pañuelo to the waterfall?

The navigation across Lake Nahuel Huapi takes about an hour to reach Islote Centinela and Cascada de los Cántaros, with the full tour lasting eight hours including the hike and return journey.

What is Islote Centinela and why does the tour stop there?

Islote Centinela is a small island holding the remains of Perito Francisco Pascasio Moreno, the pioneering figure who established Argentina's National Parks system. The boat passes close to the site so the guide can explain its historical significance.

Is there a hike involved, and how difficult is it?

Yes, a path winds upward from Cascada de los Cántaros through the Valdivian jungle to Lake Cántaros at the waterfall's source. The hike is moderate and suitable for all fitness levels, though it does climb from the waterfall base to the lake.

Are meals included in the tour price?

Food and beverages are not included. You'll need to bring your own or arrange meals separately.

Do I need to pay the national park entrance fee in advance?

No, the entrance fee to Nahuel Huapi National Park (approximately 20,000 Argentine pesos) is paid upon arrival at the park, not when you book the tour.