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!!CH-Cruce-Santos-Osorno2-s.jpg (20024 bytes) THE LAKE DISTRICT
"CROSSING"
Chile to Argentina

Click here for Argentina to Chile schedule
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The Lake District of Chile stretches from Temuco south to Puerto Montt and from the Pacific east to the Andes. Where the Lake District ends, Patagonia begins.

Without a doubt the "Lake District Crossing" is one of South America's most popular surface crossings via a series of motorlaunches and motorcoaches through spectacular scenery - snow-capped mountian peaks, gloriously green forests and azul blue lakes.


LAKE CROSSING SCHEDULES - CHILE TO ARGENTINA
Schedule subject to change without notice.
Days Valid Trip Pto Montt Pto Varas Petrohue Peulla Pto Panuelo Bariloche
Every day
Spring &
Summer
01 Sep
to
30 Apr
1 or 2* day
crossing

Dep 0745
Dep 0830 Dep 1030 Arr 1230
lunch
(or overnight)
Dep 1400
Arr 2000 Arr 2130
Every day
Fall &
Winter
01 May
to
Aug 31
2 days only Dep 0745 Dep 0830 Dep 1030 Arr 1230
overnight
Dep 1000
Arr 1730 Arr 1900
*Same schedule Fall and Winter Season.  IMPORTANT: Cruce Andino is a tourist circuit, timetable is referential and can change due to weather conditions or number of passengers.
Click here to see description of the crossing

PUERTO MONTT, CHILE:
Located 620 miles south of Santiago, founded in 1853 on the site of a Mapuche community as part of the German colonization of the area. With a population of 110,000 it is a small but bustling lake-side town. The port of Angelmo with seafood market and handicraft market are interesting.

PUERTO VARAS, CHILE:
Just 20 minutes north of Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas is located on Lake Llanquihue with spectacular views to Osorno Volcano. A bit more sleepy than Puerto Montt, it is a more relaxed alternative for overnighting or as a base to exploring the area. Fishing, river-rafting, hiking, horseback riding can all be arranaed in the area. Besides accommodations in Puerto Varas, YanKee Way Lodge just 30 minutes outside of town en route from Petrohue, offers lake side accommodations and many activities.

PEULLA, CHILE:
Hotel Peulla: Wonderful, old, rambling, spacious hotel and next door Hotel Natura, both in tiny village setting as mid-way stop through the lake district crossing, either for lunch only or for overnight. Hikes, waterfalls, plenty of flora and scenery provide the activities of the area. Click here to see some of the excursions.

BARILOCHE, ARGENTINA:
With a population under 100,000, Bariloche is a summer and winter resort in the National Park of Nahuel Huapi and facing the lake of the same name. Situated at the foot of Cerro Otto, in view of Cerro Colorado (main ski area) and surrounded by forests, Bariloche is a charming Alpine style town overflowing the shops, boutiques, restaraunts, pubs and tea-houses. It is reknowned for its chocolate industry.

From Bariloche you can head south along Ruta 40 to Esquel via bus, or fly to Buenos Aires. You can also begin The Ultimate Estancia Explorer in Bariloche.