Rolling Stone : Southern Lakes Crossing

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Southern Lakes Crossing - Chile to Argentina

The southern lakes crossing takes you from Chile to Argentina, or vice versa, through the Andean mountain chain at one of its most spectacular scenic regions. The route taken by bus and catamaran cruiser on the lakes is a great tourist attraction that takes a day in summer or two days in a snowy winter, but there is an optional stay-over at the Peulla or Natura Hotels at the head of the lake. The trip is between Puerto Varas, near the sea coast of Chile, inland to cross the Andes to San Carlos de Bariloche (Bariloche for short) which is the tourist center for the Argentine Lake District. The total distance is roughly 180 kms, and the road goes through the forested mountain pass of Perez Rozales at an altitude of 1022 meters, which is close by to snowy Cerro Tronador reaching 3460 meters.

The start on the Chilean side with the catamaran waiting at the jetty at Petrohue on Lago Todos Los Santos.

The eroded volcanic cone of Puntiagudo (2190 meters) on the skyline in Chile.

The details of the trip, schedules and prices are given by the operators Cruce de Lagos.
The traveller to this part of Chile may have reason to cross the Andes to Argentina in other regions which are listed in my Bootsnall travel article Southern Lakes Crossing

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Accommodation in Managua and Granada

Accommodation in Puerto Varas

Puerto Varas is a tourist town with a wide spectrum of accommodation, ranging from five star hotels (5), to large backpackers (2) to numerous small family guest houses, or hospedajes. Hostels can be found from the website Hostel World and provide private rooms for US $20 to $45. Large backpackers, Casa Azul and Compass del Sur are listed with Backpackers Chileand offer economical accommodation ranging from $10 to $20 dorms to shared rooms with a buffet breakfast for $3.50. They are similar to a large South African backpackers and offer tours, excursions, Spanish classes, you name it and they'll provide it.

Most economical are the family guest houses or hospedajes costing $10 to $15 per person, and listed in guide books like Lonely Planet. A family may rent out to travelers a couple of rooms in a large family house. If you are lucky you may get to share their kitchen to cook meals and learn some Spanish for free at the same time. So you learn how a Chilean family operates. In Puerto Varas I have gone back and stayed at the same hospedaje three years in a row. (and with a different companera each time, which confused mama)

Cape Town for backpackers

Backpackers are very well accommodated in Cape Town. There are dozens of exciting backpackers to choose from. A little booklet called "Coast to Coast" lists them all, with details for booking. The same information is on the Internet for Southern Africa, just put in "Cape Town" for the region.

I shall not recommend any backpackers because that would be unfair and half the fun is finding a good one that suits you. Important factors in your choice are that the backpackers should have good Internet facilities, a good kitchen and dining area, a travel bureau office, a swimming pool, and be close to a popular restaurant, plus any more factors? Many backpackers have ALL these facilities and are converted mansions of old. Lucky you!