Double Crossing of the Andes Trek - From Lago Puelo to Paso León - Argentina to Chile

  More than a natural border, the Andes mountain range unites cultures and landscapes. The Valdivian rainforest awakens the senses with its lushness, humidity and vibrant colors, while emerald lakes and mighty rivers cut through glacial valleys. A perfect setting for a unique experience.

  An expedition in “point-to-point” format (starting in one place and finishing in a different one). The expedition begins at Paso León on the banks of the lower Río Manso and ends at Lago Puelo, where we board the transport that takes us to Bariloche. Overnight stays in the mountains are in wild, unserviced areas, camping in tents, enjoying the solitude and silence of a wilderness setting.

Itinerary
What we present here is the planned route for the trip, but the exact route, layout and choice of alternative itineraries depend on different factors such as weather conditions and the guide's assessment of the group.

Day 1 (Sunday): Meeting in the city of Bariloche and drive to the lower Río Manso, an ideal spot for whitewater sports lovers. Arrival, relaxing and getting ready. Welcome dinner.

Day 2 Early breakfast and start of the hike. The trail takes us to the border marker and the Argentine Gendarmerie post, then the Chilean Carabineros post; after completing the relevant immigration procedures we continue our trek, down the valley, following the powerful waters of the Río Manso. The trail climbs and descends several times, leaving the river down in the valley floor. In the afternoon, arrival at Río Torrentoso and camp.  Hiking time: approx. 6 hs.

Day 3 An intense day. After breakfast, we continue along the trail which, after several ups and downs, leads us to the gravel road that connects the whole region with the Pacific Ocean. Here we board the transport that drops us a couple of hours' walk from the spectacular Lago Azul. The Gallardo family is the only one living in the area and offers us their warm hospitality and their delicious homemade bread, in a stunning natural setting. Hiking time approx. 8 hs.

Day 4 Over the course of the day we head deeper into the dense forest, passing old settler outposts of the most diverse origins until reaching the hidden Lago Las Rocas, a lake whose chemical composition gives it slightly warmer waters than the others. Camp and a dip in the lake. At night, dinner under a blanket of stars. Hiking time approx. 6 hs.

Day 5 Day of return to the homeland. A few minutes from Lago Las Rocas we find the Carabineros post where we announce our departure from the neighboring country; from here we have one more day of hiking with beautiful views of Lago Inferior, the border marker and Lago Puelo, now on the Argentine side. We reach the Gendarmerie post where we'll camp before returning to civilization. Hiking time approx. 7 hs.

Day 6 Once again we rise early to set off on our final hike. Little by little the vegetation changes, as we leave the Valdivian rainforest behind and enter the Patagonian Andean forest. The Río Azul marks how close we are to our destination; the last footbridge we cross leaves us at the campground. Transfer to El Bolsón and hostel. Farewell dinner. Hiking time approx. 7 hs.

• Internal transport (starting and ending in  Bariloche).
• 5 nights of tent accommodation, at wilderness campgrounds or local settlers' homes depending on the place and time.
• General camp logistics (pots, stoves, safety equipment, navigation, communications). 
• Guides, ongoing coordination and advice. Before and during the trek.
• Full board, set menu (not a-la-carte), from afternoon tea on Day 2 through breakfast on Day 8 (4 meals a day: breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner + snacks). 
• tents for 2/3 or 4 people. Subject to availability.
• Main first-aid kit and equipment.
• Emergency communication equipment: VHF, Satellite phone.)
• Personal accident insurance on the Argentine side

• Transfers to Bariloche on the way there and back from El Bolson.
• Expenses caused by dropping out of the program

• Trekking backpack (65 to 80 liters)
• Warm sleeping bag (0° comfort rating) (e.g. 800 g of down or equivalent synthetic fill)
• Insulating sleeping mat (10 to 15mm)
• A pair of trekking poles
• Waterproof plastic bags to store all clothing inside the backpack
• Plastic rain poncho

• Socks: several pairs of trekking socks
• Underwear
• 1 pair of trekking shoes-boots (in good condition)
• 1 light spare pair of footwear for wading (crossing rivers) and getting wet. Can be crocs or full sandals, though shoes are better
• Long trekking pants (NOT jeans)
• 1 pair of long underwear or leggings
• 2 short-sleeve synthetic dry-fit type shirts
• 1 long-sleeve shirt
• 2 warm layers (fleece jacket)
• Warm jacket (down or synthetic fill)
• 1 waterproof/breathable parka-type jacket (Gore-Tex or similar)
• 1 sun hat/cap (with brim)
• Warm gloves
• Warm hat 

• Passport or ID card. Mandatory for immigration procedures.
• Health insurance card.
• Travel assistance insurance. Mandatory. To be in Chile. Ask us. 

• Headlamp with batteries (with spare batteries)
• Sunglasses (Category III or IV)
• Sunscreen (SPF 45 or higher). Lip balm
• Toilet paper. Tissues. Wet wipes

• Water containers for at least 2 liters (can be a plastic bottle)
• Cutlery, plate or tupperware, and cup. (Not glass or metal)

• SILVER TAPE, for blisters and repairs.
• Camera or video equipment.
• Book, notebook, travel journal, pencil, pen.
• Games; cards, dice, etc
• Pocket knife
• Whistle and lighter.

For any mountain activity, prior physical preparation is needed, or at least being physically active.

Prior experience is required; we also recommend being in good physical condition and understanding that this is a trekking expedition, where you walk during the day with a backpack and spend the night in an unserviced campsite.  

We sleep in mountain campsites, in comfortable igloo-type tents for 2/3 or 4 people. 

Tents are included in the service. If you'd like to bring your own, ask us.

No. There are no bathrooms or chemical toilets. Everything is done out in nature, in designated areas. You need to keep the site clean, taking your paper waste with you.

Even though it's the best time of year for this trek, in mountain and/or wilderness areas temperatures usually drop at night.

Stops happen with a frequency and pacing that depends on the intensity. There are stops for lunch, afternoon tea, and rest.

From 16 years of age. Even so, we recommend you contact us before signing up, or signing up a minor.

For women, a range of 13 to 15 kilos; for men, 15 to 20 kilos.