Argentina / Chile / The Lakes & Volcanoes District

VURILOCHE CROSSING: ACROSS THE ANDES FROM BARILOCHE TO PUERTO VARAS

Bariloche and Puerto Varas

5 days and 4 nights.

The Vuriloche Crossing Trek takes you across the Andes on foot from Bariloche to Puerto Varas through the historic Vuriloche Pass, an ancient corridor shaped by migration, exploration, and the dramatic landscapes of Patagonia.

This spectacular 5-day trekking circuit skirts Mount Tronador, crosses from Argentina into Chile, and reveals a distinctive side of Patagonia through mountain shelters, natural hot springs, the lush landscapes of Pérez Rosales National Park, the Blanco River, and the scenic navigation across Lake Todos los Santos.

Along the way, travellers encounter remote valleys, local culture, and extraordinary views of mountains and volcanoes, ending in Puerto Varas after an unforgettable cross-border journey through the Andes.

Group size: minimum 2, maximum 12 people
Season: November to March
Departures: private departures and regular departures with fixed dates.

Technical Information for the Vuriloche Crossing Trek

This Vuriloche Crossing Trek combines long hiking days, remote mountain terrain and simple shelter-based accommodation in the Lakes & Volcanoes District.

This cross-border trek combines long hiking days, remote mountain terrain, and basic shelter-based accommodation. The following information will help you assess the physical demands, technical level, and practical requirements of the program before departure.

Start: Bariloche (Argentina)
End: Puerto Varas (Chile)
Previous experience: Intermediate
Physical demands: Intermediate. You must be in very good physical condition, train beforehand, and be accustomed to full-day hikes.
Technical difficulty: Medium
Backpack weight: You will need to carry your clothes for the trip, your trail food or lunch, and your water. Your backpack will weigh approximately 7–8 kg. The rest of the camping equipment, cooking equipment, and food will be carried by our staff or provided by the shelters.
Minimum age: 15 years old
Total distance (approx.): 55 kilometres / 31 miles
Starting altitude (approx.): 1,075 metres / 3,530 feet
Maximum altitude (approx.): 1,520 metres / 4,987 feet
Maximum elevation gain in 1 day (approx.): 500 metres / 1,640 feet
Important recommendation: Purchase cancellation and rescue insurance for remote areas.

Day 1: Bariloche – Pampa Linda

On this first day, we meet at your accommodation in Bariloche at around 6:00 PM, check the equipment, and transfer to Pampa Linda. This first evening is ideal for settling in and preparing for the crossing ahead.

Overnight at Pampa Linda Inn. Dinner included.

Note: You must arrive in Bariloche no later than 4:00 PM on this day, or stay overnight the previous night (not included).

Included: dinner, entrance fees, bilingual local guide, overnight in hut with bunk bed, and transport.

Day 2: Mount Tronador South Face

We set out early from Pampa Linda, where the trek begins. This is the main ascent day toward Vuriloche Pass, so we walk at a steady pace without rushing. We skirt a large marsh, reach the border landmark, pass the Chilean ranger post, and continue to Baguales Shelter, with beautiful views of the south face of Mount Tronador.

Approx. 10–11 hours of walking / 22 km / 550 metres of ascent / 650 metres of descent.

Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner included.

Included: entrance fees, full board, bilingual local guide, overnight in hut with bunk bed.

Day 3: Baguales Shelter – Nana Roth Shelter

On this third day, we descend into the Chilean side of the crossing, gradually entering the lush Valdivian Forest. We continue toward the confluence of the Esperanza River and Blanco River, where the Vuriloche Hot Springs await. We spend the night in a beautiful shelter beside the springs, with time to enjoy this remarkable setting in the heart of Pérez Rosales National Park.

Approx. 4 hours of trekking / 10 km.

Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner included.

Included: entrance fees, full board, bilingual local guide, overnight in hut with bunk bed.

Day 4: Rest Day

A more relaxed day to enjoy the Vuriloche Hot Springs and the surroundings of the Esperanza River. We also visit the cave paintings and may do a short optional walk in the area. This is a welcome pause before the final day of trekking.

Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner included.

Included: entrance fees, full board, bilingual local guide, overnight in hut with bunk bed

Day 5: Blanco River – Lake Todos los Santos – Puerto Varas

On the final day, we follow the Blanco River to its mouth at Lake Todos los Santos. This is an adventurous day, with some river crossings and magnificent views through the valley. We then cross Lake Todos los Santos by boat to Petrohué and continue by vehicle to Puerto Varas, where the program ends.

Approx. 8 hours / 20 km.

Breakfast and box lunch included.

Included: boat ticket, box lunch, transport.

Pampa Linda Hostería Inn

Rated 3 out of 5

This program includes

All meals from dinner on day 1 to the box lunch on day 5.
Accommodation: 1 night at a hotel in Pampa Linda and 3 nights in mountain shelters (shared room with bunk beds, including sleeping bag and sleeping bag liner, with shared facilities).
Transport from Bariloche to Pampa Linda and from the end of the trail to your hotel in Puerto Varas.
Certified Mountain Guide by AAGM (Argentine Mountain Guides Association) and National Parks, with First Aid certification in rugged environments and extensive field experience.
Navigation across Lake Todos los Santos.
Entry to National Parks.
Permits and accident insurance.
Luggage transportation from Bariloche to Puerto Varas.

Not included: clothing, trekking poles, gratuities, additional insurance, and anything not mentioned as included.

Commercial Notes

Prices are NET per person in USD. Any modification on the number of passengers, the program must be quoted again.
Prices and services are subject to availability at the moment of confirmation.
KMS Travel acts as an intermediary for the customer for these services.
KMS Travel has no liability for delays or date changes produced by weather conditions, negligence, mechanical problems or other forcé majeur. circumstances derivate from third parties.
Services don’t include anything not mentioned as included on the program like early check-in, late checkout, gratuities, personal expenses, etc.

Payment and Cancelation Policies

A deposit will be required to confirm the services. The balance of payment date can vary between 75 and 30 days before the arrival (depending on the supplier’s conditions of each program).
Cancelations policies will be confirmed at the moment of quoting the tour.

Payment methods: Bank transfer, credit card.

In case of payment with a credit card issued outside Chile, applies an extra 3.9% over the total amount.
In case of payment with an international bank transfer, all costs, and charges must be paid by the customer (OUR transfer code).