Andean Lakes Crossing: Three-Lake Journey Tour

Three lakes, two countries, one day crossing the Andes by coach and boat

An 11-hour guided tour from Puerto Varas, Chile to Bariloche, Argentina crossing Todos los Santos, Frías and Nahuel Huapi lakes by boat, with stops at Petrohué Waterfalls and the border crossing at Peulla. A professional guide in English or Spanish narrates the route. Transport by shared air-conditioned coach and three separate cruises are included. Passengers must carry a valid passport and provide passport details at booking, at least 30 hours before departure.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Petrohué Waterfalls2h · entry included
2. Lake Todos los Santos2h · entry included

Travel from Puerto Varas to Bariloche

• Depart Puerto Varas by bus to Petrohué
• Visit Petrohué Waterfalls and volcano views
• Sail across Lake Todos los Santos to Peulla
• Arrive in Peulla and free time for lunch
• Bus to Puerto Frías and border crossing
• Sail Lake Frías to Puerto Alegre
• Bus from Puerto Alegre to Puerto Blest
• Bus from Puerto Pañuelo to Bariloche

The experience

The day starts before dawn in Puerto Varas with a coach ride south toward Petrohué, skirting Lake Llanquihue and passing the slopes of Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes. At Petrohué, you walk to the Saltos del Petrohué (a cascade of emerald waterfalls tumbling over volcanic rock formations) before boarding the first boat for Lake Todos los Santos. The crossing takes you toward Peulla, a settlement on the Chilean side where an ecological lodge sits surrounded by forest. This is where you stop for lunch (not included in the tour price). The landscape shifts as you move between water and land: each leg of the journey trades one transport for another, and the guide provides live commentary throughout.

After lunch, a bus carries you to Puerto Frías near the Chilean customs post, where you complete the border formalities. A 20-minute cruise across Lake Frías follows, landing at Puerto Alegre on the Argentine side. From there, a third bus takes you to Puerto Blest, then onward to Puerto Pañuelo on Nahuel Huapi Lake. The final leg is a boat crossing of Nahuel Huapi toward Bariloche, the Argentine mountain town where the tour ends. The entire sequence (three boats, three buses, one border) takes 11 hours from start to finish.

Pack a valid passport. The operator requires passport details (name, number, expiration, occupation, country of residence) at booking, submitted at least 30 hours before the trip. You can bring up to two suitcases of 20 kilograms each. The guide speaks English or Spanish, and the coach is air-conditioned. This tour does not operate for cruise ship passengers on a separate rate structure.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English or Spanish.
• live commentary during all boat and coach segments.
• transport by shared air-conditioned coach for the land portions.
• three separate boat cruises across Todos los Santos, Frías and Nahuel Huapi lakes.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 28 Jun 2027

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (2 to 11 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Tangol

Is this one for you?Choose this if you're crossing from Chile to Argentina in one day via three lake cruises. You'll spend 11 hours moving between boats and coaches, so book only if you can commit to a full day of travel with multiple transfers.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2): free.

Do I need a passport to cross from Chile into Argentina on this tour?

Yes, a current valid passport is required on the day of travel. You must provide your passport details (name, number, expiration date, occupation and country of residence) when you book, and this information must be submitted at least 30 hours before departure.

Is lunch included in the 11-hour journey?

Lunch is not included. The tour stops in Peulla, where an ecological lodge offers meals, but you pay for food separately.

How many times do you board a boat, and what are the lakes you cross?

You board three boats during the day. The first crosses Lake Todos los Santos from Petrohué to Peulla; the second sails Lake Frías for 20 minutes from Puerto Frías to Puerto Alegre; the third crosses Nahuel Huapi Lake toward Bariloche.

What volcanoes can you see from the lakes on this route?

Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes are visible from Lake Llanquihue during the opening coach ride and from Lake Todos los Santos if weather permits. Cerro Tronador and Puntiagudo volcano may also be seen from the water crossings depending on conditions.

What should I pack for this full-day tour?

Bring your valid passport and passport details. You can pack up to two suitcases of 20 kilograms each. Layers and a waterproof jacket are practical for a day on the water in Patagonia, and comfortable walking shoes for the Petrohué stop.