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Although there are so many amazing places to visit in Argentina, I would really like to cross the Andes to Chile, via Santiago and thence to Vina del Mar. It's around 1500kms and this time I would probably take camping gear.
Adri could meet me in Santiago, we could spend a few days together, do some shopping (it's all the rage at the moment), she would fly back with the booty and I would ride back on a different route.
It's just an idea at the moment...
Go for it.
I was going to do something similar by push bike. That's how I ended up here. 
I am a biker would love to do that ride see Argentina properly
I am a biker would love to do that ride see Argentina properly
Please tell us more!
I have done that drive from Mendoza city to Santiago a few times. Many times half way up to Penitentes or Uspallata which is a common tourist day trip. Several times on the bus. The drive is so-so scenery. Pretty arid. Impressive “caracoles” road at times, especially on the Chile side. The worst part is the incredible number of tractor trailers with 10s of cars stuck following behind, and the many immature drivers fighting to pass. Plus the long queue waits though border and customs control of both countries.
Several other passes to consider within days drive of Mendoza. The Paso de Agua Negra is a nice full day north through San Juan province. I have seen international motorcycle tourists here. More remote with little traffic, yet still with the treacherous feeling of winding gravel dirt roads . I have only driven to the border and turned around to camp again on San Juan side. Several trips to those SJ provincial Valle Fértil , Jachal and Callingasta (Barreal) areas. I can’t say what you find on the Chile side, though I imagine a drive to the Pacific winds it’s way down to Viña del Mar. The other option is south from Mendoza city via the famous Ruta 40 drive to the small wine vineyard city of San Rafael, and then town of Malargüe (for a goat asado festival maybe). I wish I knew the paso Pehuenche from Malargüe, but from the Talca Chile side I have driven 1-2 days of scenic wine country and the Pacific town of Pichilemu before getting to Santiago.
I have done that drive from Mendoza city to Santiago a few times. Many times half way up to Penitentes or Uspallata which is a common tourist day trip. Several times on the bus. The drive is so-so scenery. Pretty arid. Impressive “caracoles” road at times, especially on the Chile side. The worst part is the incredible number of tractor trailers with 10s of cars stuck following behind, and the many immature drivers fighting to pass. Plus the long queue waits though border and customs control of both countries.
Several other passes to consider within days drive of Mendoza. The Paso de Agua Negra is a nice full day north through San Juan province. I have seen international motorcycle tourists here. More remote with little traffic, yet still with the treacherous feeling of winding gravel dirt roads . I have only driven to the border and turned around to camp again on San Juan side. Several trips to those Valle Valle Fértil , Jachal and Callingasta (Barreal) areas. I can’t say what you find on the Chile side, though I imagine a drive to the Pacific winds it’s way down to Vina del Mar. The other option is south from Mendoza city via the famous Ruta 40 drive to the small wine vineyard city of San Rafael, and then town of Malargüe (for a goat asado festival maybe). I wish I knew the paso Pehuenche from Malargüe, but from the Talca Chile side I have driven 1-2 days of scenic wine country and the Pacific town of Pichilemu before getting to Santiago.
That's a great summary, mate and I'll keep all of that in mind!
Here's a video of an Uruguayan motorcyclist riding up to Christ the Redeemer, but of course, one can always go through the tunnel if you don't like heights. I don't! 
That's a great summary, mate and I'll keep all of that in mind!
Here's a video of an Uruguayan motorcyclist riding up to Christ the Redeemer, but of course, one can always go through the tunnel if you don't like heights. I don't!
Yes I have driven up to the Christ statue as a side detour that I only learned about after previous trips. I thought only open in Summer, and I did not realize it as a true alternative pass.
I took the bus from Mendoza to Vina Del Mar and back again some 35 years ago.
Sadly, and I have no idea how or when it happened, but I’ve lost all my photographs of the journey and all photos taken in Mendoza.
Clearly doing it on 2 wheels would be another experience altogether.
aficionado , you say that the first half of the drive has only so-so scenery?
aficionado , you say that the first half of the drive has only so-so scenery?
It’s been a few years. I do recall I never liked the scenery very much. It is arid and brown. Once up higher the rock formations are impressive, along with the ice and snow depending on the season.
That's a great summary, mate and I'll keep all of that in mind!
Here's a video of an Uruguayan motorcyclist riding up to Christ the Redeemer, but of course, one can always go through the tunnel if you don't like heights. I don't!
There can't be that many if any petrol stations up there.
(Or many KitKat vendors, either -)
There can't be that many if any petrol stations up there.
Not on the dirt road, no, so you have to make sure you have a full tank.
Not on the dirt road, no, so you have to make sure you have a full tank.
Uspallata is the last town and last service station. Then 90km of nothing but increased elevation to the Las Cuervas dirt road. With or without the dirt road switchback detour, there is no service until well after the high elevation aduana in Chile.
We drove up to Uspallata when we visited Mendoza. We flew to Mendoza and hired a car, but we had to go back at the border as our car didn't have the papers to cross the national frontier. I remember it going from green to bare, but I am sure there is more to come as the Andes crossing begins.
