Crossing the Andes 2

Trip Start Feb 10, 2008
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Trip End Aug 14, 2008


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Thursday, April 17, 2008

We were up early to get the 8:30 bus from Mendoza to Santiago, a 7 hour journey. At the bus station we bought water, sandwiches etc. as this was not a catered trip but still a luxury bus with leather seats. Front seats on the bus
Front seats on the bus
 We had booked our favourite seats, numbers 1 and 2, upstairs at the front so that we had the best view of the scenery (and unfortunately some scary driving too). Starting out towards the Andes
Starting out towards the Andes
 As the bus left Mendoza we passed through beautiful countryside and in the distance could see the snow-capped Andes lit by the morning sun. Getting closer to the Andes
Getting closer to the Andes
 Mount Aconcagua
Mount Aconcagua
 We travelled through the mountains, passing close to Mount Aconcagua; at 6,959metres it is the highest peak in  the Americas. Our Bus at the border
Our Bus at the border
Entering Chile
Entering Chile

The scenery was fantastic with rivers, snow, tunnels and amazing switchback roads to drop down from the high point where we crossed the border into lush valleys on the Chilean side. 
16 hairpin switchbacks
16 hairpin switchbacks
Staring the descent into Chile
Staring the descent into Chile

The bus trip cost about $20 each and was better than any organised tour we could have done. Definitely one of the highlights of our trip.
The photos can paint a better picture than my words so that is all for now.
The next blog will be from Peru as we flew straight out of Santiago the next day to Lima.
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