Blest Port and Cantaros Waterfall
If you haven’t yet experienced sailing the Lago Nahuel Huapi (Nahuel Huapi Lake) through its most important branch, the Blest branch, then get ready to enjoy a unique and incomparable moment.
Location highlights
- Puerto Blest (Blest Port)
- Río Frías (Frías River)
- Lago Frías (Frías Lake)
- Cascada de los Cántaros (Cántaros Waterfall)
- Selva Valdiviana (Valdivian Rainforest)
- Cordillera de los Andes (Andes Mountain Range)
- Cerro Tronador (Tronador Mount)
Included
- Sailing
- Spanish – English audio guide.
Not included
- Embarking Fee
- National Park entry fee
- Meals
- Transfer to Port
- Frías Lake
Description
Sailing from Puerto Pañuelo (Pañuelo Port,) on the Llao Llao peninsula, we will navigate for about one hour along the Blest arm on Nahuel Huapi Lake, passing by iconic places as the Centinela Island where the Perito Francisco Pascasio Moreno, father of National Parks in Argentina, rest in peace. We will arrive to Blest Bay and during the tour we will visit Cascada de los Cántaros (Cántaros Waterfall.) Later on, after a walk through the lush vegetation of the Valdivian rainforest, we will be arriving at Lago Cántaros (Cántaros Lake,) the mouth of the waterfall, where you can witness the overwhelming sight of a 1,500-year-old larch tree. A short 5 minute sail later, you will finally arrive at Puerto Blest, a place that has amazed tourists from all over the world. From there, you’ll be able to tour the bay and the shores of Lago Frías and its peculiar green waters, which originate at one of the glaciers on Cerro Tronador, the natural border between Argentina and Chile.
Lago Frías Extension
This extended tour departs by bus from Puerto Blest for a 3 km ride to Puerto Alegre (Alegre Port.) The tour continues on a modern boat ride through Lago Frías (Frías Lake.) The peculiar green waters are the result of minuscule particles of pulverized rock, caused by the glacier grinding against the rocky walls of Cerro Tronador, whose striking white summit stands out over the wooded landscape, a sight only available from a boat. After another 20 minutes, you arrive at Puerto Frías (Frías Port,) next to the Chilean border, for a short stop before taking the tour back to Pañuelo Port.
Hotel Puerto Blest
Our passengers can extend their stay at Blest Port and spend the night on the recently inaugurated hotel by the bay.
Puerto Blest Hotel is set amid the dense vegetation of the Selva Valdiviana, surrounded by the imposing Cordillera de los Andes, the Cerro Tronador, the Cerro Tres Hermanos (Tres HermanosMount) and Lago Frías, with its peculiar emerald green waters, product of the green mineral particles provided by the glacier.
The hotel is located 25 km away from Puerto Pañuelo, on the city of San Carlos de Bariloche. The only access ways are either sailing through Lago Nahuel Huapi or coming from the Chilean border through the Paso Pérez Rosales (Pérez Rosales Pass.)
This particular location and the surrounding jungle environment make Puerto Blest Hotel a unique place where nature, history and modernity converge and complement each other to provide its visitors with an unforgettable experience during their stay.
The hotel is the only inhabitable location in tens of kilometers, making it an ideal spot for travelers looking to relax, connecting with nature, breaking their routine and also for those looking for activities like trekking through trails in an ecosystem that exists only in this part of Argentina.
For more information, visit the hotel’s website.
Additional information
Extending the sailing trip through Lago Frías is optional yet recommended due to the wonderful scenery.
This service can be booked with or without transfer from and to port. For those without their own means of transportation, we recommend to book WITH TRANSFER, since the port is 25 km outside of town. Our transfer service goes through several specific hotels. If your hotel is not on our list, you can look for the closest location or you can go directly to our downtown office.
Possible Departure Points:
- HOTEL PANAMERICANO (San Martin 536)
- HOTEL NH EDELWEISS (San Martin 202)
- HOTEL TRES REYES (12 de octubre 135)
- OFICINA TURISUR (Mitre 150)
- KM 1 (Puerta Hotel PATAGONIA)
- KM 2,5 (Puerta Hoteles DESIGN SUITES-VILLA HUINID)
- KM 4,8 (Puerta hotel Aguila Mora)
- KM 6 (Puerta Hotel LA CASCADA)
- KM 7 (Puerta Hoteles NIDO DEL CONDOR –ROCHESTER-LIROLAY)
- KM 7,5 (Puerta Hotel CHARMING)
- KM 11,5 (Puerta Hotel EL CASCO)
Frequently asked questions
Why are there prices with and without transfer to Pañuelo port?
Boats depart from Puerto Pañuelo, which lies 25 km outside of town. If you do not have transportation of your own, we recommend you book A TICKET INCLUDING NAVIGATION AND TRANSFER TO PORT. There’s also a city bus that goes to the port.
What is the cost of admittance to the National Parks and the embarking fees and where do I pay for them?
National Park entrance fee: $ 6500 (foreigners) – $ 1500 (national residents.) Minors 6-12: $1000 . Minors 5 and under and argentine senior citizens pay no fee. Embarking Fee: $1400. Park admittance and embarking fee are paid at the port on the day of the trip, cash only.
Is the fee for retired people only applicable to Argentine residents?
Yes, the fee is only available for Argentine residents. It does NOT apply for people who reside in other countries that are retired. You may be asked for documentation to prove your status at the time of embarking.
Why are there two schedules during certain times of the year and what’s the difference between them?
The tour is exactly the same in both cases.
Is there a chance of buying food or bringing a meal of your own?
Yes, there are some basic options aboard, and it’s possible to lunch at the Puerto Blest’ restaurant. You can also bring your own meal.
What’s the difficulty and duration of the treks?
The tour is apt for everyone. Puerto Blest has several trails of varied difficulty that allows you to chose how much you want to walk. During the visit to Cascada de los Cántaros, there’s a walk through a tiered trail, made out of wood, easy to traverse. Although the route involves 700 steps, there’s 4 lookout points where you can rest plus several roofed stopes where you can sit down and rest before continuing forward. You decide how far you want to go.
Does it get cancelled in case of rain/snow?
The trip takes place in all types of climates. Rain, snow and intense winds are very common in Patagonia. The excursion can suffer changes in the schedules either by closing trails or by disposition of the company.
Is there a discount for people with a disability certificate?
Yes, if you have a certificate of disability, you pay only 25% of the value of the senior fare on lake excursions. You have to do the procedure personally in our central offices presenting the card. If the certificate indicates that it is with a companion, the same pays 50% of the higher rate. Not combinable with other discounts and/or promotions. Valid for Argentine residents.
Should I bring any special clothes?
It is not necessary to rent snow clothes, but we do recommend wearing comfortable shoes and the most waterproof clothing you have. Puerto Blest is one of the places with the most rainfall in Argentina.
