Volcano Puyehue & Bariloche TravelIf you have any questions please contact us
The Chilean Volcano Puyehue, 93 kms north west of Bariloche, erupted on the 4th May at 12.30pm (Argentina time). Ash from the eruption started falling on Bariloche the same afternoon at 4.30pm. A total of 2cm of sand like ash fell in the centre that day. There were 3 more days of a finer powder like ash as the volcanic activity subsided the week after the initial eruption.
The volcano has continued to emit a cloud of ash constantly since the initial and this ash depending on wind direction can hang over Bariloche - see image below
There has been an extensive and ongoing clean up operation in the centre of Bariloche and it is mostly clear of ash. There will be some ash blowing around on dry windy days; on calm or wet days this is not a problem.
Public Transport and Banks have remained open throughout. Commercial activity in the centre including restaurants also remained open for business. Lake excursions are operating as normal.
Bus travel from Buenos Aires was suspended for only 3 days after the eruption but has since been operating at its usual level and remains the best option for arriving in Bariloche. Via Bariloche is the best company offering 3 different services all including meals:
Semi-cama, AR$ 518 one way, 
Cama, AR$ 601 one way, 
Tutto Leto (Full Bed & WiFi) AR$ 684 one way.
Flights:
On the 14th January 2012 both LAN and Aerolineas started up a limited scheduled flight service to Bariloche with one flight each a day. From the 24th Jan there have been up to 6 flights a day. Check http://www.aa2000.com.ar for flights scheduled to land. In the first week after the flights resumed there was only one day when they could not land due to the ash. Any flights still interupted by the ash will be diverted to Esquel (Aerolineas) or Neuquen (LAN).
Contact your airline for updates.
LAN.com Call them for up to date info. http://www.lan.com Any flights diverted due to the ash will land at Neuquen with a 6 hour bus transfer to Bariloche.
Aerolineas.com Call them for up to date info. www.aerolineas.com.ar/ Any flights diverted due to the ash will land at Esquel with a 4 hour bus transfer to Bariloche.
This site shows updates of departures and arrivals of airports in argentina: http://www.aa2000.com.ar/
The Samore Pass (route from Osorno,Chile to Bariloche) is open.
From Puerto Varas (Chile) on the Cruce del Lago, this route was not effected by the ash, although more expensive (u$s 230), it is a beautiful way to arrive in Bariloche.
Note: On a few days of high winds and dry conditions the road to the north 'Ruta 40' & the Samore pass have been closed for a day as driving conditions were too dangerous due to reduced visibility from the wind blow ash.
The drinking water supply was not effected at any time during or after the eruption and remains fit to drink.
The ash is NON toxic.
Click image to enlarge:
The Catedral
Centro Civico
source: www.bariloche.com.ar / www.bariloche.org
source: http://www2.sernageomin.cl
source: http://puff.images.alaska.edu
source: http://www.inta.gov.ar/bariloche/actual/erupcionpuyehue/info.htm
