Crossing the Andes (January 29 to February 08)

During this stretch we were crossing two times the Andes, starting and ending each time at the Pacific coast in Peru (Putu and Chañaral) and it was incredible magic!

We started in Putu, passed quickly the urban and crowded region around Santiago de Chile on the highway, and arrived in the city "Los Andes" on 819 masl. From here the "Paso Internacional Los Libertadores" is starting, which is crossing the Andes to Argentina.

Following the road for some time, we took a small side road on approximately 2300 masl, all gravel, to a valley surrounded by up to 6000 masl high mountains. It was impressive seeing and feeling it, being so small in this fantastic landscape.

Once there was a railroad "Ferrocarril Trasandino Los Andes-Mendoza" passing this valley, build from 1887 to 1910 and in use until 1980. Now, the decay since then can be seen everywhere, when walking around.

We stayed here for two nights, getting a little bit adjusted to the height, before going back to the main road, where several switchbacks are leading to a height of 3200 masl.

The pass is a main border crossing between Chile and Argentina and therefore heavy traffic is present with trucks slowing down to 20 km/h because of slope and risk of overheating the engines.

Finally, on 3200 masl a tunnel is crossing the border, or a small gravel road "Paso de la Cumbre", climbing up to 3832 masl is available, which we took.

The colors of the mountains are surreal and stunning. On the pass height (Cristo Redentor de los Andes), we tried to climb to 4000 masl, but we had to stop before being short of breath.

Nevertheless, it was a fantastic panorama, even seeing Aconcagua, South America’s highest mountain (6962 masl).

Going down on the Argentinian side, more and more spectacular colors and sceneries showed up, sometimes not knowing anymore how to take into all these impressions.

Driving from "Uspallata" to "Las Flores" we were passing "Cerro Alcazar" with more stunning mountain formations and colors. However, as it was extremely hot with no shadow at all, therefore we just stayed for a short break having a snack.

We were already heading for our next destination "Las Flores" (1806 masl), the starting point of "Paso de Agua Negra" (4780 masl), supposed to be highest pass passable by cars between Argentina and Chile. On the Chilean side the village "Vicuña" (620 masl) is the endpoint. In between there is 212 km quietness and literally breathtaking views.

Taking this road one has to give notice to the police for how long the journey is expected to last. Otherwise, the border police is going to search for you after sunset.

We took two and a half days on the road, both for getting adjusted to the height and enjoying countless stops looking at the impressive panorama.

Finally, we came down to the Vicuña valley, staying at a river for three days to let in the impressions of these fantastic two Andes crossings within a week.

After being well rested, we drove to Chañaral at the Pacific coast, a place where a lot of locals are coming for summer holidays these days in February.

Additionally, due to Chilean laws one could take a piece of land, start settling if no one else is claiming, building summer houses from primitive to quite established condition, also selling food to the visitors, and after some years a new village arises.