Back
SKI RESORTS
Chile
ANDES MOUNTAINS - CHILE
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: 14° – 18° and in winter: -7°- 20º.
Hua Hum International Pass is a mountain pass in the Andes between Chile and Argentina. It connects Chilean territory with San Martin de los Andes in Argentina, across a pleasant navigation through Lake Pirehueico, surrounded by native forest and mountain ranges. From the town of Panguipulli, you travel to the village of Neltume and across the Huilo Huilo Reserve, to take the Hua Hum ferry in Port Fuy. With the Choshuenco Volcano at the background, the voyage across lake Pirihueico is short and amusing, taking 1.5 hours to join both margins of the lake. From Port Pirihueico and towards San Martin de los Andes you travel along a rubble road full of bends that passes through the area known as Pampa de Trompul. After driving for 45 kilometers, you will arrive in San Martín de los Andes.
The pass is open year-round.
The ferry has different timetables according to season and weather.
This international pass connects the Chilean towns of Victoria and Lonquimay with the Argentinian towns of Las Lajas and Zapala. You can drive to this pass on international route CH-181 Curacautín-Paso Pino Hachado; driving through Victoria, Curacautín and Lonquimay, through spectacular natural protected areas surrounded by volcanoes and Araucaria forests. After crossing the border, you will be in the arid region that characterizes the north of the Argentine province of Neuquén. Drive to the city of Las Lajas on route RN 22, and from there to Zapala. San Martín de los Andes is 250 kilometers further along national routes RN40 and RN234. *This pass is open year-round, but it is sometimes closed in winter due to weather conditions. In summer, the pass is open from 8am to 8pm, and in winter from 8am to 7pm.
