BORDER CROSSINGS CENTRAL PACIFIC COASTLINE

Portillo de Piuquenes International Pass, better known as Portillo Pass, is a scenic route that takes you from Chile to Argentina among a stunning landscape of high valleys, jagged peaks and towering rocky walls through the Andes mountain range. From Chile, you ascend through a zig-zagging road from the valley of the Yeso river, while in the Argentinian side the descent is less abrupt, towards Palomares Valley in Mendoza district.

The historic Portillo Pass was one used by General San Martin 200 years ago to cross the Andes with the patriotic troops.

It operates temporarily each year from November 1st to April 30th, as a passage authorized only for tourism and sports. The climate is cold and dry, with extreme temperatures in summer