Paso Internacional Cristo Redentor

At 3,200 meters, this international border crossing between Chile and Argentina follows the route of San Martín’s liberation army through the Cordillera de los Andes. The Chilean side climbs through 29 switchbacks past the abandoned Portillo ski resort before reaching the tunnel entrance, but the real adventure lies in the side tracks that branch off toward abandoned sulfur mines and high-altitude lakes. The route passes through some of the most dramatic Andean scenery in Chile, with the Aconcagua massif dominating the eastern horizon.

This is a moderate route requiring high-clearance vehicles for the mining spur roads, though the main highway is paved. Best tackled April through November when snow doesn’t block the pass, but even then expect sudden weather changes above treeline. Carry chains, extra fuel, and cold-weather gear — this isn’t a place to get stranded. The payoff is standing at one of South America’s most historic crossings with views that stretch from the Pacific drainage to the Argentine pampas.