Across the Andes

Who it is for

For anyone who wants to cross the Andes and see both capitals in ten days.

Not for anyone with little time, since Bariloche is far from both capitals.

The strategy

Santiago comes first, followed by Bariloche, with Buenos Aires at the end. If choosing the Andean lake crossing, arrange the journey to southern Chile first: it departs from Puerto Varas, not Santiago. Allow time for this intermediate stage and check transport, border formalities and connections before booking accommodation.

What you will see

• Cerro Santa Lucía, Santiago. The former Huelén, a 69 m rock outcrop over the city, landscaped by Vicuña Mackenna in 1872 with terraces, staircases, and the Terraza Neptuno.
• Cerro Campanario, Bariloche. A 1,049 m viewpoint at km 17.5 of Bustillo, reached by a seven-minute chairlift or a 30-minute trail.
• Teatro Colón, Buenos Aires. Opera house opened on May 25, 1908, with Aida, a horseshoe-shaped hall for about 2,480 people and acoustics ranked among the world's best.

Day by day

Santiago

1. 1
   Day 1: The founding grid and the 20th century

   1. 4Plaza de Armas and Catedral MetropolitanaWorth a visit
   2. 2Museo Chileno de Arte PrecolombinoEssential
   3. 8Mercado Central and La VegaWorth a visit
   4. 1Cerro Santa LucíaEssential
2. 2
   Day 2: Museo de la Memoria, La Chascona, and San Cristóbal

   1. 3Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos HumanosOne to two hoursEssential
   2. 7La ChasconaUp to half an hourWorth a visit
3. 3
   Day 3: The high city, the market, and the mountains · if you have more time

   1. Sky Costanera and Gran Torre SantiagoIf there is time

Bariloche

1. 4
   Day 4: The center built in the 1930s

   1. 4Centro CívicoUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   2. 9Catedral Nuestra Señora del Nahuel HuapiUp to half an hourIf there is time
   3. Cerro OttoOne to two hoursIf there is time
2. 5
   Day 5: Circuito Chico, Llao Llao, and Colonia Suiza

   1. 1Cerro CampanarioEssential
   2. 2Llao LlaoEssential
   3. 3Circuito ChicoHalf a day or moreEssential
3. 6
   Day 6: A full day out of town

   1. 6Cerro CatedralWorth a visit
   2. 8Refugio Frey and Laguna ToncekOne to two hoursWorth a visit
   3. 7Puerto Blest and Cascada Los CántarosHalf a day or moreWorth a visit
4. 7
   Day 7: Cerro Tronador and Pampa Linda (day trip)

   

Buenos Aires

1. 8
   Day 8: Historic center and the south

   1. 2Plaza de Mayo and Casa RosadaEssential
   2. 5Palacio BaroloWorth a visit
   3. Caminito and La BomboneraUp to half an hourIf there is time
2. 9
   Day 9: North, museums and a milonga

   1. 6MALBAWorth a visit
   2. 4El Ateneo Grand SplendidUp to half an hourWorth a visit
3. 10
   Day 10: Colón, Corrientes and the river

   1. 1Teatro ColónEssential
   2. 9Obelisco and Avenida 9 de JulioUp to half an hourIf there is time
   3. 8Reserva Ecológica Costanera SurWorth a visit
4. 11
   Day 11: Tigre and the Paraná Delta (day trip) · if you have more time