Puerto Blest and Los Cántaros

Puerto Blest sits at the far western end of Lake Nahuel Huapi's Blest arm, reachable only by boat or on foot, and the crossing from Puerto Pañuelo is as much the point as the destination. The boat passes forested shores and steep mountain walls before docking at the small port, where the itinerary includes about two hours at Puerto Blest and a forest hike to the Cascada de los Cántaros, a stepped waterfall that tumbles through moss and ferns in the temperate rainforest. The departure listed here runs about eight hours from a morning pickup in a group limited to fifteen travellers, and covers the boat and park entry. The surroundings are lush and wet, unlike the drier steppe east of the city, thanks to the high rainfall that falls on the Andean side. Birdlife is rich, and on a quiet morning the only sounds are water and wind in the trees. It is a good choice for visitors who want a quieter, wilder side of the lake district.

The crossing and the forest are the trip. After the boat leaves Puerto Pañuelo, the lake narrows into the Blest arm, with Cerro López and the Tronador massif off to one side on clear days. The Valdivian-style forest at Puerto Blest is dense with coihue, cypress, tree ferns and bamboo, a green so intense it surprises visitors who have only seen the drier hills around the city.

The trail to the Cántaros waterfall climbs a series of wooden stairs and viewing points through the forest, ending at a cascade that drops in several steps. It is a modest walk, but the stairs make it more tiring than it looks, so wear shoes with grip.

Plan for weather. This side of the range is wetter, so bring a rain jacket even on a sunny morning, and pack a layer for the boat deck. The trip is non-refundable and fixed once booked, according to the terms on the booking page, so choose your date with a good forecast and a flexible plan. Food is not a major feature of the day, so bring snacks, and note that small shops or a cafe near the port may be limited. Download maps and tickets before you leave the city.

Choosing between this and Isla Victoria is a matter of taste. Isla Victoria and the arrayán forest are gentler and shorter, with more variety and an easy walk. Puerto Blest is longer, more remote and more dramatic, with a waterfall and a rainforest feel, and the small group size gives a calmer experience. Both start from Puerto Pañuelo, so if you have two days, do one each. In November, spring runoff makes the waterfalls fuller, and the crowds are thin, which makes it one of the best months for this excursion.