Andino Crossing: Bike and boat in one day

Crossing The Andes by bike is a classic adventure. And do you know how many mountain crossings there are from Chile to Argentina or vice versa? 43. Yes, it’s that many! Having said that, there’s only one that also allows you to experience what it’s like to sail through The Andes, traveling across three lakes that connect  to four cycle routes in one day or more, leaving from Bariloche or Puerto Varas.

Crossing The Andes along the lakes that connect Bariloche with Puerto Varas is like something out of a film.

Here are four reasons why you should give yourself the opportunity to make the crossing at least once in your life:

1. Bariloche in Argentina and Puerto Varas in Chile, two of the Patagonia’s prettiest cities

In Puerto Varas, a city colonized by Germans, you can find examples of the colonists’ architecture and gastronomy, always accompanied by a backdrop of tall mountains and volcanoes, including the Tronador, Puntiagudo and Osorno. It’s one of Chile’s prettiest volcanic regions. On the other side, Bariloche boasts forests, city landscapes, mountains, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, steppes and valleys. During your trip, take the time to explore both cities, visit the chocolatiers and artisanal breweries, enjoy the excursions and all that these incredible destinations have to offer.

2. Sail across three lakes: Nahuel Huapi, Frías y Todos los Santos

This is the only crossing of The Andes that allows you to sail across three lakes. From Lake Nahuel Huapi (the fourth largest lake in Argentina) you arrive to Port Frías, where you say goodbye to Argentina and welcome Chile. You sail along Lake Frías at the foot of The Andes Mountain Range and then, having crossed the mountains, you arrive to the third sailing trip along Lake Todos los Santos.

3. Explore some of Argentina and Chile’s most untouched national parks

National parks always add that special something to a trip and, on many occasions, they are the difficult feature when we want to explore by bike. Therefore, when we find out which is explorable by bike, we really mustn’t waste the opportunity. Both Nahuel Huapi and Vicente Pérez Rosales are the oldest of all national parks located in Chile and Argentina. Explore their uninhabited and untouched routes, surrounded by coihues, ulmos, myrtle and olive trees.

4. Once in Bariloche or Puerto Varas, you can plan your route just as you’d like it

Upon arrival to Puerto Varas you can continue towards:

- The south: The Southern Highway (Carretera Austral)

- The north: returning to Bariloche via the international border at Cardenal Samoré

Upon arrival to Bariloche you can continue towards:

- The south: on route to the Argentine Patagonia

- The north: Villa La Angostura, traveling along the edge of Lake Nahuel Huapi, continuing towards San Martín de los Andes and then crossing the international border at Cardenal Samoré to enter Chile via Puyehue.