Chile and Argentina, as we can see on the map, have a very large common border. To be precise, this photo was taken a few meters abroad Chile, on the side of Argentina.
The Bermejo Pass (or Paso de la Cumbre, or Paso de Uspallata) is located at an altitude of about 3810 meters above sea level. Here you can see the serpentine, along which cars climb to the pass from Chile side.
And here the road is already descending from the pass on the Argentine side. The surrounding Andes are beautiful, aren't they?
This pass was used by people for many years, because the road was the shortest route through the Andes between the port of Valparaiso and Buenos Aires. Now the border in these places is mainly crossed not by the pass, along which a rather steep and narrow serpentine road passes, but by the Paso Internacional Los Libertadores (also is known as Cristo Redentor) tunnel underground — it is through it that the Pan-American highway passes. Well, the new path may be shorter and more convenient, but isn’t it more interesting to drive the old one instead, to see from the top of the pass the views accessible to people of old times?
On both sides of the border you can see the names of countries lined with stones on the ground. There, in the distance, we have Chile...
And here we have Argentina. And that’s all, and no border official for you! Come out, take a walk, take pictures. Of course, we will have to pass border control, but much further in Argentina.
And here is a souvenir shop, it looks a bit strange against the backdrop of such a magnificent landscape, but what can we do)
By the way, the Bermejo pass also has another attraction — the statue of Christ the Redeemer of the Andes, established in 1904, which appeared here in honor of the peaceful adjustment of the conflict due to a dispute about the border between the two countries. But let it be a little surprise: it’s better to see it with your own eyes and feel the atmosphere of this place. So, if you move from Chile to Argentina (or vice versa), for example, on the way to the highest peak of South America — Mount Aconcagua, be sure to take the time and drive through the pass, you will not regret it.
The pass is available in the warm season, when the road is clear of snow.
It's better to watch the photos in high resolution.
First photo of the post:
OLYMPUS E-M1 Mark II
Exposure time: 1/100 sec
Aperture: F 8
Sensitivity: ISO 64
Focal length: 31 mm
35 mm equivalent: 62 mm
You can also see my photos in my blog LJ and in my profile on NatGeo
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