From Puerto Montt, Chile to Bariloche, Argentina you have a choice of minimum 3 buses per day. I was travelling with Bus Norte, paying 18000 CLP (25 USD) for 7- hours trip. There is also much more interesting transfer by bus-boat-bus-boat-bus with the extra views on sunny day, but it costs 150 USD. I did it 30 yaars ago when it was cheaper… Bus goes via Osorno, there are nice lakes on the way but trees reduce visibility. We reached Chilean immigration post at 12. There was a line of buses but it goes fast on this side. Then we were climbing to the mou tain pass through the dead forest – sad view. Argentine post was 17 kms down from the pass and I must say that theviews on this side were great. Argentine customs were not so sweet – they took selected bagages from the bus and screened them. This takes longer.
After control we started a descend to the famous Lake Nahuel Huapi. Regular bus doesn’t on view points but sitting at the right window you still have opportunity to enjoy the great views. At 4 pm I was at the Bariloche bus terminal it is 3 kms before thd center of this big and fancy resort town. 30 years ago it was more quiet… It still has great location but I do not like crowds of tourists, school excursions, and homeless people…
Apart from the lake and mountains Bariloche is famous for the chocolates produced here. In the town, especially around Civic Center (read: city hall square) you will find many samples of Alpine architecture. Bariloche has ambition to be the Switzerland of Argentina. Also so expensive…
