Paso de San Francisco Border Crossing

The Paso de San Francisco cuts through volcanic moonscape at 4,748 meters, making it one of South America’s highest vehicle crossings. This route follows ancient trading paths through the Puna de Atacama, past the massive Ojos del Salado volcano and countless volcanic peaks that pierce the thin air. The road climbs relentlessly from Copiapó through mining country, crossing the Río Salado valley before the final push to the frontier post at Paso San Francisco.

This is serious high-altitude driving requiring acclimatized vehicles and drivers—altitude sickness is real here. Stock 4WD with good tires handles the gravel and washboard sections, but carry extra fuel, water, and emergency gear. The pass is typically open April through November, weather permitting. Border formalities can take hours, and the nearest fuel on the Argentine side is in Fiambalá, 200km away. You’re rewarded with otherworldly volcanic landscapes and the satisfaction of conquering one of the continent’s most challenging border crossings.