Sheila writes

Crossing the Andes by bus from Santiago (Chile) into Mendoza (Argentina) was a fantastic trip. At first we were hardly climbing at all, just driving through vineyards in the foothills in Chile. Then we could see the snow-capped peaks ahead, incluidng the highest mountian outside of the Himalayas: Aconcagua, at around 6900m high. Then the real climb began, winding up through the mountains towards the famous pass of La Cumbre which is the highest point on the old road between Argentina and Chile at around 3800m. We were on the new road however, with its 29 tight hairpin bends zig zagging up an almost vertical hillside! Absolutely amazing, particularly because there were so many big lorries gingerly wending there way down in the opposite direction!

The new road doesn't go all the way up to La Cumbre (the old road is impassible due to snow and roackfalls in the winter) so sadly we didn't see the famous statue of Cristo Redentor at the top, celebrating friendship between Argentina and Chile. Instead, there is a new Christo Redemptor tunnel (the Paso Liberadores) which takes you 3km through the mountain below.

Travelling on into Argentina we gobbled our lunch of mandarins and chicken sandwiches before passing through customs- they are so strict about not letting fruit, vegetable and animal products across borders that there are big fines if you “smuggle” anything through! Beyond the fronteir the road wends its way downhill following the Mendoza River valley east. The mountain landscapes are fantstic – with rocks all colours of the rainbow – especially bright red and ochre sandstones, with craggy summits eroding into massive scree slopes. Downstream, near to the town of Uspallata in Argentina, the river has eroded the biggest river terraces I've ever seen – up to 100m thick – and a massive braided riverbed.

What fascinated me was the route of the now defunct TransAndean railway which more or less follows the road – but is now completely in ruins from erosion and numerous rockfalls.