Chile - Argentina Lakes
Pucon - San Martin de los Andes - Bariloche - Puerto Varas (7 days / 6 nts)
From $980
How it works: You receive a rental car with unlimited mileage, a road map and detailed itinerary, and hotels booked en route.
Day 1: Arrive in Temuco - Pucón (112 km / 70 mi)
Pick up your car at the airport or city rental office. Your destination for today will be the town of Pucón, located beautifully below the peak of the volcano Villarrica. At the eastern end of the Villarrica Lake and surrounded by extensive areas of native forests, this town will be a good base for visits to the nearby national parks, hot springs, waterfalls and lakes. Overnight in or close to Pucón.
Day 2: Pucón (Huerquehue National Park)
For this day, we reco mmend a combination of hiking (5-6 hrs.) in the Huerquehue National Park, which will offer you the experience to see the famous Araucaria trees from close by, with a visit to one of the many relaxing thermal springs. Overnight in or near Pucón.
(Included meals: breakfast)
Day 3: Pucón - San Martín de los Andes (192 km / 120 mi)
For today’s border crossing to Argentina you will be able to choose from two very interesting options: You can cross the Andes by taking the Mamuil Malal Pass at 1200 m / 3937 ft above sea level, where the scenery changes surprisingly from farmland to the lush vegetation of native coigüe and araucaria forests to the dry Argentinean Pampa. A second optional ride to San Martín will lead you to the Huahum Pass. Follow the road south of Pucón to Panguipulli and then board the small ferry on Lake Piriheuico for a 2 hour crossing of the quiet and peaceful lake. Upon arrival continue your trip to Argentina border and nearby San Martín (prior reservations are recommended to guarantee space on the ferry and can be done by phone). Overnight in San Martin de los Andes.
(Included meals: breakfast)
Day 4: San Martin de los Andes - San Carlos de Bariloche (163 km / 101 mi)
Explore the 7 beautiful lakes on the route to San Carlos de Bariloche and pass through 2 national parks, first Lanin and then Nahuel Huapi. The (unpaved) Seven Lake Route will take you to the tranquil village Villa Angostura; from there you will drive along Nahuel Huapi Lake to Bariloche. An excellent option to get to Bariloche is to use the highway 23/237 via Junín de los Andes. Here, a stunning and totally different scenery can be observed, especially passing through, Valle Encantado“, a vast area with rocks in unique shapes formed by erosion. Condors are frequently spotted along this route. Overnight in or close to Bariloche.
(Included meals: breakfast)
Day 5: Bariloche - Puerto Varas (310 km / 194 mi)
Today you will drive back to Chileon the Cardenal Antonio Samoré Pass at an altitude of 1,308 m / 4,291 ft above sea level. Here you will cross from Nahuel Huapi National Park into the Chilean Puyehue National Park. At the Hotel & Hot Springs Puyehue you can rest, have lunch or enjoy a soothing bath in the thermal pools. Continue southbound on the Panamerican Highway to Puerto Varas, located on the shores of the enormous Llanquihue Lake. Overnight in Puerto Varas.
(Included meals: breakfast)
Day 6: Puerto Varas
Puerto Varas is a good starting point for excursions to the nearby national parks like Alerce Andino or Vicente Pérez Rosales. Both offer interesting hiking trails.Choose from a wide variety of activities, including the crossing of the Lake Todos los Santos to Peulla in a catamaran. Overnight in Puerto Varas.
(Included meals: breakfast)
Day 7: Puerto Varas - Fly out from Puerto Montt (20 km / 12 mi)
Return your car at Puerto Montt Airport or the downtown rental office.
(Included meals: breakfast)
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