- Location: the border between Chile and Argentina
The majestic Andes attract many tourists from different countries. Mountain landscapes and ice caps of the highest rocks can be well seen on the Bermejo pass in Argentina .
What is Bermejo?
The name Bermejo belongs to the pass in the Main Cordillera of the Southern Andes. Through it is the most important road of America - the Pan-American Highway. The road crosses the pass under the earth through the tunnel of "Christ the Redeemer", in which two elements of the road are connected: Argentine №7 and Chilean №60.
Territorially, the Bermejo Pass divides the two river valleys: Hunkal and Las Cuevas. Since the conquest of South America, the Bermejo Pass has been used as the shortest route from Buenos Aires on the Atlantic coast to the Pacific port of Valparaiso in the territory of modern Chile.
The pass has several variants of names. "Bermejo" is used by the inhabitants of Argentina. This geographical object is named after a medieval Spanish artist. But the inhabitants of Chile call it Paso de la Cumbre or Paso Iglesia (Paso Iglesia). The official option used by many countries is the name of the "Uspulyat Pass", but it is considered incorrect.
What is interesting about the Bermejo Pass?
The Bermejo Pass is located between two high-mountainous peaks: Aconcagua 6962 m in height from the north and Tupunghato with a height of 6570 m from the south. The height of the pass is much less - 3810 m above sea level.
A little east of the pass is the village of Las Cuevas, which was previously the border point between Argentina and Chile. Currently, only a few people live here. Near the village in 1904 was installed a statue of Christ the Redeemer .
Under the pass, a tunnel was dug, through which, from 1910 to 1984, the jagged Transandinskaya Railway passed. This route could quickly get from Mendoza to the capital of Chile - Santiago. Later the road became automotive with a reverse movement, since it had only one lane. Currently, the tunnel under the Bermejo pass is pedestrian and is used mainly for tourist excursions .
How to get to the pass?
If you are traveling on your own, you can reach the pass on the coordinates 32 ° 49'30 "S and 70 ° 04'14 "W. from Santiago from Chile or from Mendoza from Argentina. This section of the road is of good quality, you will not need special equipment. You can also visit the Bermejo Pass as a tourist group. The ticket can be purchased from any border city, both from Argentina and Chile.
The cost of traveling through the tunnel from Argentina is 3 pesos, back - 22 pesos (slightly less than $ 1) per person. You can stay overnight in the village of Puente Del Inca just outside the tunnel. Traveling on the pass in the dark is not recommended.