Over the Andes

Traveling up the mountains

 ....28 switchbacks up, dodging trucks in a double decker bus (see right for proof!) before we're even close to the border of Argentina and Chile, but so stunning!

Mt Aconcagua, highest mountain in the Americas

As an alternative to flying between Santiago and Mendoza, there are a number of bus companies who offer services across the Andes. We chose Andesmar who have really nice buses and if you book early enough, have seats on the second level at the very front for uninterrupted views as you go hurtling between snow-capped, jagged mountains.

Little church dwarfed!

There are some picturesque mountain towns along the way and unsurprisingly, very stunning views at just about every turn, including Mount Aconcagua, the highest mountain in South America at 6962 meters.

An Andean village

Customs and immigration between the countries can be pretty long and tedious (and the thin air can also be challenging), with all bags unloaded and searched. No food items etc can be brought though and from my understanding, officials seem to look for new electrical items being brought from Chile across to Argentina to avoid tax (unconfirmed but this is what I've heard) however, it was an unforgettable journey and takes the term 'armchair adventurer' to another level!

If you would like more info on the trip, please feel free to email me at info@travelapasionado.com.au