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 Estimated reading time: 2 min. |
 Karina Jozami  Mario Ptasik |
Leaving from Bariloche or Puerto Montt, this is an excursion not to be missed and the best part is that it may be done in any season. This tour visits one of the most important ecologic reserves in South America.
From the Argentinian side, the starting point is Puerto Frías, which is located at one of the ends of the lake bearing the same name. All customs proceedings are carried out there in order to cross to the neighboring country. The vegetation becomes lush, typical of the Valdivian rainforest. This environment, very similar to the subtropical sceneries, has a high rainfall regime (3,500 annual millimiters), which encourages the development of great tree groves containing alerces, ciprés de las guaitecas, roble pellín and cinnamon trees, to mention some species.
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After sailing for nearly 4 kilometers, we reached the border through the Pérez Rosales Pass.
The first Chilean district is Peulla, located 28 kilometers from this pass.
The road opens up amid the leafy evergreen vegetation teeming with eye-catching wild flowers. Peulla is a small settlement with a little more than 800 inhabitants which, as well as a customs post, offers hotel and restaurant services.
Very close to this district lies the Peulla harbor, where the lake circuit is resumed, this time towards Lake Todos los Santos or Lake Esmeralda. |
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A quiet 2-hour voyage brings another admirable scenery. This area, which has a singular ecological purity, stands out for its thick vegetation, the emerald green shade of its waters and the presence of the Puntiagudo Volcano, which is 2,493 meters high, with its snow-capped summit. At the end of the tour, 2,652-meter-high Osorno Vocano may also be made out.
Petrohué is the port of arrival for the excursion and the seat for the administrative venue of the Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park. It is there that visitors start their tour around the Petrohué River falls. This plentiful river has a steep slope that gives shape to seven waterfalls before emptying into Lake Todos Los Santos. |
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Thousands of years ago, this area was covered by glaciers that left their mark on the high walls near the river.
A few kilometers away from the Petrohué falls, stands Ensenada, a small district resting on the slopes of the Osorno Volcano which offers cabins, gastronomy and several sport activities.
If the tour is continued along the paved road, Lake Llanquihuey is reached and, 64 kilometers ahead, Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt can also be accessed.
The beaches surrounded by olivillos, ulmos and tiacas complete the beautiful panoramic sight on the other side of the mountain range. |
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ask about rates and timetables at the operating agencies. |
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it is advisable to have at least three days available to tour and enjoy the various stop of the circuit. |
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2050 Travel.com
Rolando 263 (8400) San Carlos de Bariloche - Río Negro - Argentina
Tel: +54 2944 43-7527 / 43-3899
 
Limay Travel
V.A. O´Connor 710 (8400) San Carlos de Bariloche - Río Negro - Argentina
Tel/Fax: +54 2944 42-8430 / 42-0268
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