Paso Agua Negra — Argentina-Chile High Andes Border Crossing

Paso Agua Negra sits at roughly 4,779 meters above sea level on the spine of the Andes, linking Vicuña in Chile’s Coquimbo Region with Rivadavia in Argentina’s San Juan Province. The approach from both sides is a dramatic climb through eroded volcanic ridges, snowfields, and raw high-desert terrain that looks like it was airlifted off the moon. The Chilean side winds up through the Elqui Valley before the road turns to broken gravel and switchbacks above the treeline. On the Argentine side, the descent into the quebradas of San Juan is equally savage — think loose rock, exposure, and altitude that hits unacclimatized drivers hard.

The crossing is seasonal — typically open November through April, weather dependent. Check with DIFROL Chile and Argentine border authorities before committing; it snows hard and closes without warning. No services exist at the summit. Fuel up completely in Vicuña or Rivadavia before attempting. AMS is a real threat — don’t race up from sea level.

4,779m — one of the highest Andes crossings open to traffic.