High mountain excursion in Mendoza in a small group <\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nAmidst high-altitude landscapes and mountain winds, from the small town of Las Cuevas<\/strong>, one of the most astonishing stretches of the high mountains begins: the ascent to Christ the Redeemer of the Andes, a monument steeped in history and symbolism, located more than 3,800 meters above sea level.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe climb begins at a signposted turnoff from National Route 7, just before reaching the international tunnel. The gravel road, with many hairpin bends, ascends for about 9 km through landscapes of bare rock, eternal snow (depending on the season), and a profound silence interrupted only by the wind. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThis route is only open during the off-season of snow, as it is often covered in snow and impassable in winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the top of the hill, at 3,832 meters above sea level, stands the statue of Christ the Redeemer of the Andes, inaugurated in 1904 as a symbol of peace between Argentina and Chile, following a long history of border tensions that, at that time, were resolved through diplomacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 7-meter-high monument, mounted on a stone base, was carried piece by piece on muleback. Today, from this vantage point, there are panoramic views. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before the construction of the Christ the Redeemer Tunnel (inaugurated in 1980<\/strong>), the climb to the monument was the official border crossing between Argentina and Chile. The original road, known as the Camino del Bermejo or the Camino del Inca (due to its proximity to ancient Andean trails), was used by travelers, muleteers, and armies since colonial times. <\/p>\n\n\n\nFor much of the 20th century, this road was the only passable vehicle route in the summer, albeit with difficulty. Therefore, crossing the mountain range was an adventure that depended on the weather and the condition of the road. With the arrival of the modern tunnel, the pass became more accessible and faster, and the old road to El Cristo was reserved for tourist visits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the Chilean side, the original road leading to Christ the Redeemer descended into the Aconcagua River valley, connecting with the Juncal sector and then with Route CH-60, which descends toward Los Caracoles. Currently, access is only available from the Argentine side, that is, by ascending from Las Cuevas and returning along the same route. On the Chilean side: The old road that descended toward Chile is no longer operational for normal traffic. The area is no longer maintained as a public road, but some access is possible by all-terrain vehicles or motorcycles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We descended and returned to our cabins in Uspallata to finish our high mountain tour of Mendoza, which had begun in Mendoza City<\/a><\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>High mountain video tour <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n