The organization of the time in Puerto Blest is not the best, but the landscapes are totally worth it!
We had a wonderful experience and having been nervous to do the whole crossing to Chile because of reviews, I would now definately do the crossing if we went again. Very well organised, although it may get a bit slow at the border, but such helpful people on the boat even though we had no spanish. Views amazing although best to book once you know the weather forecast. Thanks to Edwardo on the boat. Bariloche a definate must if you ever go to Argentina, so much to do.
There are several boat rides in Bariloche readily available. But in my opinion, this is the best one. You ride about an hour in the waters of Nahuel Lake until you arrive at Puerto Blest. A small and very peaceful harbor. There you can go WAY UP to a waterfall which is really amazing. (not Iguazu falls, but falls at last!) What is amazing about it is that is up on mountain. After that, you can either have a picnic lunch or eat in the restaurant which has accesible prices.The return trip is fantastic and the catamaran is followed all the way back by albatrosses which eat out of your hand if you wish to feed them.After this boat ride, I would consider some of the other ones.
As part of the crossing the lakes package from Petrohue to Bariloche, we crossed the Andes and arrived at customs/border control at Puerto Frias before continuing on to Puerto Blest. Views of mountains and lakes along the way were stunning... though I think we were lucky with the blue sky weather! Regardless, it was a sensational day and we'd highly recommend it.
Some pretty decent scenery on the way, although it was tough to see it past all the people standing up trying to feed the seagulls. Too much time at the end with only a couple places to wander (waterfalls, Lago Frio). We walked the 3km to Lago Frio and were pretty disappointed - no good place to see the lake and when we tried to get a photo from the top of the Turisur boat (the company we paid to get there with) a guy came out and was a real dick about it, walking us all the way off the dock (that isn't public either?) then putting a chain across behind us (maybe that should have been there in the first place?). All in all, a long time and lot of money for a couple good views. Better to be had on day hikes around town.
This full day excursion by boat along Lake Nahuel Huapi is beautiful. You have an hour's boat ride followed by an opportunity to continue on to Lake Frias(?) or to walk on the road along the Rio Frias(?) through the Valdivian rain forest. I would recommend the walk as a change of pace. After another short boat ride there is the opportunity to climb about 700 stairs along a waterfall taking you to its source which is a lake. The lake is surrounded by the snow capped peaks of the Andes along with glaciers and numerous small waterfalls. If the weather is clear, it's a great way to spend a day.
This was the tour i enjoyed the most in bariloche... Followed by el bosque de Los arrayanes and el tronador. The colors of the water and the landscape are breath taking. This is indeed only a boat trip with no much to do as other reviewers said, but you will never forget how beautiful it is.
The boat ride had some beautiful views of the lake and mountains. The walk up to the waterfalls was not overly strenuous and had some great forest landscapes. At the end Lago Cantaros was small, serene and gorgeous. You can take about a one hour walk from the waterfall path to Puerto Blest or a very, very short boat ride. We took the boat ride because I was very hungry and wanted to get something to eat at the Puerto Blest restaurant. There is some major construction going on there. Appeared to be close to finished but who knows when? Currently, Puerto Blest consists of a small snack shop, not a restaurant, with very limited way overpriced food, bathrooms, and a nice picnic area. The tour gives you about 2 hours there - or you can pay extra and take a different boat tour of Lago Frio which I heard wasn't much. Best idea. Bring your own food and drinks and spend much of that extra time walking from the waterfall path to Puerto Blest.
Puerto Blest is currently a work-in-progress, with lots of building work at the ferry landing stage. There is a cafe about 100 metres up the hill behind, where you can get coffee etc, but better to bring your own. But I doubt if anyone goes to Puerto Blest for itself: most will go for the waterfalls and lake nearby, which, on a good day, are glorious. But spend your time by the waterfalls and on the forest trails, not at Puerto Blest
was lucky half of the way and enjoyed the hike to the waterfall and the ride on the boat - but most of the time it is raining there and half of the trip could not see a squat. Also there is a nice hike of 3 km between the restaurant and stairs to the waterfall. Good luck with weather!