2 questions, please: 1. What city would you use as a base for a 3 day visit to the Lake District- would it be Bariloche? 2. How do we get to that area from Buenos Aires--and then up to Santiago--via commerical airline (which one(s))? Many thanks

Check LAN, Aerolineas Argentinas, Sky Airlines. LAN covers Santiago / Bariloche and Buenos Aires. (www.lan.com)

The base will depend on which side (Argentina or Chile) would you like to visit? If Argentinian side, Bariloche would be perfect, if Chilean side then you might stay in Pucon.

Pennez:

I also recommend Pucon, although Bariloche is special. But in Pucon, you can drive to nearly all of the major lakes within the district.

If you choose Pucon, you will also have a chance to choose one of Chile's finest lodgings..The Antumalal. We happily discovered it about ten years ago and have since sent several friends..all agreed with the wonderful location on the Lake Villarica..and the beautiful setting. Truly one of the Top Ten on our always-changing list...Antumalal has been on since 1996.

Stu T.

http://www.antumalal.com/

You can fly from Bue to Bariloche, preferably LAN, then I suggest from Bariloche to Chile in the Chilean Lake District you can do the Cross the Andes combination in catamaran and bus, it is a fascinating trip, then from there to Santiago you can fly again.

Graziella:

You are so right...that lake crossing is magnificent....bus to boat to bus to boat, etc...we did it when the volcanos were covered with snow and the lakes were a deep emerald green and/or a deep midnight blue...great photo ops...also, I suggest you stay overnight in the little remote village of Peulla..decent lodging available.

Stu T.