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Chile · Argentina

Chile · Argentina

Travel Patagonia, on both sides of the Andes

PatagoniaWOW! is an independent outlet about tourism, events and things to do in Patagonia, Chile and Argentina. Every fact that changes carries a source and a verification date.

Crossing guideExplore PatagoniaAdventure
05 — Crossing the Andes

Chile ↔ Argentina

One Patagonia, two sides of the Andes

Border crossing guide
Binational

Crossing guide

Documents, your own or a rented car, and checkpoints on each side of the mountains.

With source and verification date → Chile · Argentina

Getting around

Where to stay, where to eat, transport, trekking and fishing to plan your trip.

See Explore →

Border crossings

Cardenal Samoré

Villa La AngosturaOsorno

8:00–19:00 since 6 Sep · ANBariloche

Mamuil Malal

Junín de los AndesPucón

8:00–20:00 Argentine side · usual hours (NQN, 2025)

Pino Hachado

Las LajasLonquimay

9:00–18:00 Argentine side · Migraciones, 9 Oct 2026
See the other 3 crossings

Futaleufú

TrevelinFutaleufú

8:00–18:00 Argentine side · Migraciones, 9 Oct 2026

Dorotea

Río TurbioPuerto Natales

8:00–17:00 Argentine side · Migraciones, 9 Oct 2026

Integración Austral

Río GallegosPunta Arenas

8:00–22:00 the crossing · 8:00–17:00 country-to-country · Migraciones, 9 Oct 2026

Argentine-side hours according to the National Directorate of Migration (checked 9 Oct 2026); Cardenal Samoré according to ANBariloche. Hours can change because of weather or an authority's decision: before you leave, check that the pass is open at Migraciones (Argentina) and at pasosfronterizos.gov.cl (Chile).

06 — Explore Patagonia

Fishing, trekking, where to stay and where to eat

Each card shows the country, town, source and verification date. If a fact comes from a commercial or old source, we say so.

Angler with a rainbow trout at the Alicurá Reservoir
Sport fishing

Alicurá Reservoir, Las Trampas area

Las Trampas is an area of the Alicurá Reservoir, on the Limay River. We fished here in October 2025 with spinning gear and artificial lures, with a Neuquén fishing permit.

Country
Argentina
Area
Border between Neuquén and Río Negro
Getting there
112 km from Bariloche, on the road to Neuquén
Permit
Neuquén, at cazaypesca.neuquen.gob.ar
Read the guide
Source: fishing reported by Publimark · Photo: Francisco BarríaVisit: Oct 2025 · Check the current season
Chimehuín River with a bridge and steppe hills
Sport fishing

Chimehuín and Collón Curá rivers, Junín de los Andes

The Chimehuín is highly valued by fly anglers. The river mouth is a preferential zone and requires a special permit.

Country
Argentina
Area
Neuquén, Limay basin
Season
1 November to 1 May (Neuquén)
Permit
Online, at cazaypesca.neuquen.gob.ar
Read the guide
Photo: Pablo Barría · Source: Neuquén Ministry of Tourism, 2026 brochure · Canal 26, 12 Jan 2026Verified: 10 Oct 2026
Angler casting a rod in a clear river, with steppe hills behind
Sport fishing

Limay and Neuquén rivers

Rivers known for trout. Permits for Neuquén, Río Negro and Chubut are sold online.

Country
Argentina
Area
Neuquén and Río Negro
Rules
Mandatory release of several native species
Read the guide
Photos: Pablo Barría · Source: Canal 26, 12 Jan 2026 · Diario Río Negro, 15 Oct 2024Verified: 10 Oct 2026
Palena River between forested hills, with low clouds
Sport fishing

Palena River

Described as one of the best places in the world for trout. You can fish from the bank or from boats without motors.

Country
Chile
Area
Between Los Lagos and Aysén
License
Sernapesca, online · between $7,000 and $52,000 CLP
Season
Los Lagos 2026: general opening on 13 November; check with Sernapesca
Read the guide
Photo: Pablo Barría · Source: Chile Travel (20 Sep 2023, mod. 6 Jan 2026)Verified: 10 Oct 2026
Turquoise river between forested hills, in Puelo
Sport fishing

Puelo River

Known for Chinook salmon, especially in February and March, with fish of up to 23 kg. Some operators include a guide and transfers; anglers usually bring their own gear.

Country
Chile
Area
Los Lagos Region
Best time
February and March
License
Sernapesca, online
Read the guide
Photo: Juan Alvarado · Source: Chile Travel (20 Sep 2023, mod. 6 Jan 2026)Verified: 10 Oct 2026
Turquoise river between forested hills, with a snowy volcano behind
Sport fishing

Pescado River

It flows into Lake Llanquihue and is known for fly fishing. Its mouth is a preferential zone for sport fishing.

Country
Chile
Area
Los Lagos Region, 21 km east of Puerto Varas on Route 225
Species
Rainbow trout, coho salmon and Atlantic salmon
License
Sernapesca, online
Read the guide
Photo: Amanda Hortiz, Unsplash · Source: Municipality of Puerto Varas (undated) · Diario de Osorno (10 Sep 2026)Verified: 10 Oct 2026
Frozen river on the Tierra del Fuego steppe
Sport fishing

Grande and Menéndez rivers, Tierra del Fuego

Known around the world for sea-run brown trout, with fish of up to 15 kg. The source does not publish season dates.

Country
Argentina
Area
Río Grande basin
Permit
Ask the municipality
Read the guide
Photo: Pablo Barría · Source: Argentina.travel (no publication date)Verified: 10 Oct 2026
Snow

Ski resorts

2026 season, verified on 9 Oct 2026. It is the end of the season and several resorts have already closed. Before you travel, check each resort's own site.

Argentina

Base of Cerro Catedral with skiers and a gondolaOpen until 12 Oct

Cerro Catedral

Bariloche · Río Negro

  • Season extended to 12 October, every day from 9 am to 4 pm.
  • It keeps its snow with 40 snow cannons and a 130,000 m³ reservoir.
  • For safety, going up on your own is prohibited.
Source: official site, checked 9 Oct 2026 · Diario Río Negro
Chairlift and snowy runs at La Hoya, EsquelClosed on 4 Oct

La Hoya

Esquel · Chubut

  • Extended the season to 4 October 2026.
  • About 13 km from Esquel. Elevation 1,430 to 2,075 m, 17.6 km of runs.
  • Designed for beginners and intermediates.
Source: NoticiasNQN, 3 Sep 2026
Hut and snowy runs at Cerro Castor, UshuaiaCheck closing date

Cerro Castor

Ushuaia · Tierra del Fuego

  • Opened on 4 July, a week later than planned because of little snow. It uses artificial snow.
  • It is the southernmost ski resort in the world. It is on Route 3, km 26.
  • We found no 2026 closing date: check its site.
Source: Diario Uno, 29 Jul 2026 · official site, checked 9 Oct 2026
Chapelco gondola cabins over the forestCheck closing date

Chapelco

San Martín de los Andes · Neuquén

  • Runs open since 8 July.
  • New 10-person gondola from the base up to 1,600 m, in about 5 minutes.
  • Helmets are mandatory. We found no 2026 closing date.
Source: NoticiasNQN, 6 Jul 2026
Skiers on a run at Cerro BayoCheck closing date

Cerro Bayo

Villa La Angostura · Neuquén

  • Beginner area open since 13 June.
  • New quad chairlift and more artificial snow capacity.
  • We found no 2026 closing date.
Source: NoticiasNQN, 6 Jul 2026
Chairlift with a lake view at CaviahueCheck closing date

Caviahue

Caviahue · Neuquén

  • Beginner area since 4 July and the full resort since 8 July.
  • New quad chairlift and six snow cannons.
  • We found no 2026 closing date.
Source: NoticiasNQN, 6 Jul 2026
Skiers with a lake view at Batea MahuidaCheck closing date

Batea Mahuida

Villa Pehuenia · Neuquén

  • Opened on 1 July. It is run by the Mapuche Puel community.
  • Family resort. We found no 2026 closing date.
Source: NoticiasNQN, 6 Jul 2026
Two skiers looking at the valley at Lago HermosoCheck closing date

Lago Hermoso Ski

Seven Lakes Road · Neuquén

  • Opened on 1 July, with artificial snow in the beginner area.
  • Limited spots and personal attention.
Source: NoticiasNQN, 6 Jul 2026
Skiers under the snowy rock spires at Cerro Perito MorenoNo data

Cerro Perito Moreno

El Bolsón · Río Negro

  • The July article listed it as "to be confirmed". We found no information on the 2026 season.
Source: El Enviador, 5 Jul 2026

Chile

Valle Nevado's red-brick hotel at sunsetOpen until at least 18 Oct

Valle Nevado

Santiago Andes · Metropolitan Region

  • The resort confirmed it is extending the season until at least 18 October 2026.
  • Opened on 19 June. It sits at 3,025 m and has accumulated more than 5.15 m of snow.
  • It is in central Chile, not Patagonia. This is not a final date: check before you go.
Source: Brasilturis, 24 Aug 2026 · Hoje em Dia, 26 Aug 2026
Snowy Lonquimay volcano and a chairlift at CorralcoCheck closing date

Corralco

Malalcahuello National Reserve · La Araucanía

  • Open since 23 June. 32 runs over about 1,800 hectares.
  • Almost 4 meters of accumulated snow in mid-August.
  • Its season usually runs until November, but we found no 2026 closing date.
  • About 90 minutes from Temuco, on the slopes of Lonquimay volcano.
Source: official site, checked 9 Oct 2026 · Nevasport Chile, 14 Aug 2026 · Forbes Chile, 2 Aug 2026 · Calendario Chile
Lifts and runs at Nevados de ChillánClosed on 20 Sep

Nevados de Chillán

Las Trancas · Ñuble

  • The lifts started on 18 July.
  • Last day of operation: 20 September 2026.
  • It has Tres Marías, the longest run on the continent according to the guide we consulted.
Source: official site, checked 9 Oct 2026 · Calendario Chile
Hotels and ski run at AntillancaNo data

Antillanca

Puyehue National Park · Los Lagos

  • Small resort at 1,516 m, with views of lakes and volcanoes.
  • We found no dates or status for the 2026 season.
Source: Calendario Chile

For now we left out the central Chile resorts (La Parva, El Colorado, Portillo) and those without verified data: Volcán Osorno, Pucón, Cerro Mirador (Punta Arenas) and El Fraile (Coyhaique). If you want us to add one, let us know.

Radio

Radio

Music to travel by

Deep house and vocal house to keep you company on the road, as you cross the Andes or enjoy a coffee by the lake.

Ready to playExtreme Deep House RadioDeep house · Vocal house · Nu disco

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