Santiago de Chile to Mendoza - Over the Andes

After a wonderful week on Easter Island, it's time to move on to my next destination in Cordoba, back in Argentina.  I arrived back to Santiago de Chile quite late on Monday night and after a night in a BEAUTIFUL hostel  (Hostel de Rio Amazones) - I wish I'd found it on the way out!! I was up and out with my rucksack on and off to the bus depot for a 9.30 bus.

The bus stations have been great - I’ve just had a lovely brunch of scrambled egg,  avocado, toast , fresh fruit and fresh juice and tea! They remind me of the days I used to travel by National Express but the food wasn't half as good in the stations.



3,756 miles from Easter Island to Santiago, a 5 hrs flight. Next it  is Santiago to Mendoza, the wine area of Argentina, 226 miles , 8 hrs over the Andes. It includes the highest tunnel in the world at 3,832 metres.  From there I have decided to stay with the bus for another 387 (11hrs)  miles through the night to Cordoba where Ill arrive about 7 am on Wednesday morning.

I had a great seat, front right hand side and the coach was so comfortable! The front seats were defiantly the best choice for the Andes; a great view, if a bit vertiginous at times🤣😂🤣 , loads of leg room and and far more comfortable that a plane or a car.

The views as you would imagine was breathtaking!!












 







The pass is called Los Corocles (Snail pass) and has over 20 hairpin bends















And oneof the highest road tunnels - it was disconcerting as there were cars driving outside the tunnel as well!





 



A cyclists account of crossing the Andes by this route

https://www.rsf.org.uk/south-america-routes-archive/chile-snails-across-the-andes.html


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