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 Estimated reading time: 1 min. |
 Karina Jozami  Marcia Albornoz |
From the City of Villarrica, after reaching Pucón, travel 7km along the international road up to the Turbio River bridge. From this point, the detour to the right is to be taken, because the road continues up to the Huife hot springs and the Lake Caburgua shores, both of them excellent choices to enjoy in the summer.
The pavement stretch continues crossing beautiful natural sceneries, without taking the detour also to the right leading to the Palguín hot springs, 18km from the city. Then, the route borders the winding river and crosses the town of Currarehue. This is a good site to make a stop and have a rest or drive until Catripulli, where the pavement stretch ends. Depending on the weather and the time of the year, a tempting option to relax from the journey is passing by the San Luis or the Menetúe hot springs, which have a large infrastructure to have a thermal bath or a drink. |
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After 35km, a sign post indicates the entrance to the Panqui hot springs, which offer accommodation in amusing tepees –the dwellings of the Sioux Indians- in the core of a native forest.
Another site to stop driving and enjoy the natural surroundings is the Lorenzo café restaurant, with a beautiful garden located by the river. |
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Farther on, to the left, the vantage point of a cascade is reached, where the river running between steep walls is heard and the summit of the Lanín is appreciated. Once at the Quillelhue Lagoon and after passing by a monkey-puzzle forest, a close-up view of the volcano may be caught. The Customs office are located there: the Puesco Customs office, in Chile, and the Argentinian Customs office, 500 meters ahead.
After complying with all the migratory proceedings and crossing the entrance gate into the country, only 60km are left up to the City of Junín de los Andes, across a more arid and wild region. Apart from Junín, 40km away lies the City of San Martín de los Andes. Both of them are attractive tourist destinations in Northern Argentinian Patagonia. |
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at the Puesco post in the summer (from the 2nd week of October till the 2nd week of March) the entrance hours are from 8am to 9pm and to leave the country, the office is open from 8am to 8pm. In the winter (rest of the year), entrance hours go from 8am to 8pm and exits from 8am to 7pm. The pass may be closed ocassionally.
The Argentinian pass works from 8am to 8pm. Opening and closing is coordinated with the Chilean post. During the winter, tire chains must be used to cross the pass. |
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Remember no vegetables or fresh food may be carried through the pass. |
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Aduana
(4920000) Pucón - IX Región - Chile
Tel: +56 45 44-1265
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