Along the Pan-American Highway in southern Chile is the port city of Puerto Mont (630 miles south of Santiago). It’s a great spot to regroup and spend a few days before the two-day trip by Buses & Boats crossing The Andes into the Patagonia region in Argentina.

The first bus leaves early, so for your overnight my recommendation is the Hotel Viento Sur … great views of the bay, and a highly regarded restaurant (ok, since you are staring at the water, go for some Fresh Fish). If you don’t want to bother doing it yourself, the staff will arrange tickets for the crossing to Argentina.

On the way to the first lake there is a stop at the Parque Nacional Vicente Perez Rosales. Two trips across amazing blue and clear lakes; one short bus ride and the day ends at the Hotel Peulla on Lago Todos Los Santos.

The Peulla is a mountain lodge in the manner of the grand U.S. National Park hotels, huge fireplaces, lots of rock and wood, charming.

I took advantage of the overnight stop to take a long afternoon ride through the wilderness on what the horse wrangler promised was a gentle ride, having left my spurs, of course, in Atlanta. Diablo (the horse, not the wrangler) knew his way across some beautiful land and shallow streams and gave me a chance to take in some clear, crisp air of The Andes.

The morning bus crosses the border into Argentina through another national park, but it’s impossible to be blasé about the surroundings…even though it’s, of course, another volcano.

After an easy customs stop, a chance to change pesos, another short boat ride arrives just in time for lunch in Patagonia at the Hotel Puerto Blest. This hotel is another option for an overnight, smaller than the hotel in Chile, but equally charming, with the same western lodge feeling.

The last boat goes further into the Argentine Lake District is the most breathtaking of the two days. The Andes Mountain range as you have always imaged, perfection.

The final bus into the Aspen-like town of Bariloche … there you will find great shopping (where else would you want to buy Patagonia clothes than actually In Patagonia?), restaurants for any taste, and hotels of every price range. A wonderful final stop. Buses and Boats Across The Andes.

See you next time! Dan.

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