Mendoza to Santiago

Mendoza to Santiago

We were very lucky to have been able to camp in the centre of Mendoza next to the train station. From here we explored the city using the comprehensive bus and tram network. 

After a couple of days we decided to start heading towards the Cristo Redentor pass over the central Andes and into Santiago.  Dave being Dave decided to take the ‘back road’ RP 52 to Uspallata instead of the RN 7 main road.  Francine just loved the twisty steep dirt track with precipitous drop offs (on her side, of course!) to the valleys below.  But it was well worth it as we summited the final rise at Cruz de Paramillo to be greeted by a panoramic view of the snow covered Andes.

We camped at the summit and the next day dropped down to Uspallata, where we re-provisioned before heading north along the foot of the Andes to El Leoncito national park.  We visited the observatory to view the night sky through their telescopes and hiked through the beautiful scenery.  From here we went a bit further north to the “Cerro de los Siete Colores” coloured rocks and camped in amongst the pretty Neapolitan coloured rock formations.  We then turned around to go back towards Uspallata, visiting the “Pampa del Leoncito” dry lake on the way.

Back in Uspallata, we went south a little to the Potrerillos lake for a couple of days – waiting for a clear day to make the pass over the Andes.  Whilst there we bumped into an Argentinian couple, who had repaired (restitched) BB’s rear rubbish bag a week earlier in Mendoza.  They were also camping and invited us to join them for their very tasty asado – much meat and wine was consumed.

Meanwhile, a German couple, Rolf and Christine, whom we met in Uspallata, a couple of days ago, were having problems.   Their fuel pump died and they were stranded roadside (we knew the feeling after our starter motor woes).  We wanted to go and help, but we were also conscious that winter was upon us and the high pass to Santiago would close if it snowed.  And so, we decided we couldn’t help and instead crossed the Andes.  Just as well as the pass closed days later.

The pass or ‘paso’ to give it its correct name, climbs to 3,211m and then a tunnel takes you through to Chile.  However, another dirt road takes you even higher to the original pass (before the tunnel was built).  Francine said “I really want to go up another twisty and narrow road up a mountain side, but please can we have some icy cold winds at the top too?” and so we climbed up to the old summit (3832m) and visited the statue of Christ the Redeemer.

We crossed the border the next day.  Big Bertha was subjected to a thorough search and much to our dismay; our two bottles of just opened Mendoza wines were confiscated. We are used to giving up our fresh fruit, veg, cheese, seeds, pulses, honey, dried fruit, nuts, eggs, fresh meat, salami… but this was a new one for us!  We headed towards Santiago over the next couple of days and were very lucky to find street parking – right in the centre.  We stayed there for six days before delivering Big Bertha to MAN for safekeeping, while we visited the UK for a family wedding.