Over the Andes to Mendoza

Not wanting to hang around longer in Valparaiso, my last remaining option to get further north was to ride over Paso Uspallata (aka Paso Bermejo, Paso Cumbre) between Santiago in Chile and Mendoza in Argentina. The road to the pass carries a lot of traffic between the two countries so was never going to be my first choice. At least nearly all vehicles travel through the Cristo Redentor tunnel (Paso Internacional Los Libertadores) at 3200 m, leaving the last 600 m up to Paso Uspallata largely free of traffic. Added bonus: seeing Cerro Anconcagua up close!

The ride up and over the 3832 m pass took me 3 days and turned out to be a highlight of the trip so far - despite the traffic. The scenery was spectacular and it was fascinating to observe the route of the old Transandino railway line, which used to form part of a rail link between Buenos Aires and Santiago, but was abandoned after an avalanche in 1984. If the train was still running, it would surely be one of the world's great railway journeys. 

I'm now enjoying the relaxed, leafy city of Mendoza and waiting for my bus ride to Salta on Tuesday. 

Heading up to the pass, with a whole afternoon of climbing ahead of me. 

Laguna del Inca, high up in the mountains. 

I struggled to get to the entrance of Tunel del Cristo Redentor before nightfall and ended up needing my lights for the first time on this trip. I camped in the ruins of the old Chilean customs building, destroyed by an avalanche in 1984. 

The ominous-looking entrance of Tunel del Cristo Redentor. But I was taking the high road, up and over the top...

Nothing like a few early-morning curvas to work up an appetite. 

In front of the Christ the Redeemer statue on Paso Uspallata at 3832 m. It marks the border between Chile and Argentina. 

The way down on the Argentinian side. 

Passing by Anconcagua, 6961 m. 

Puente del Inca, created by a build-up of minerals over thousands of years. 

An station converted to a museum on the old Transandino railway line. Autumn has arrived up here. 

Riding the Pan-American. Hard to top it. 

Looking back up the valley of the Rio Mendoza. 

Further down the valley, an old rail bridge on the abandoned line spans the river. 

Early morning of the third day, still 1800 m asl and freezing cold. Rio Mendoza with the Andes in the background.

Made it to Mendoza!