Paso San Francisco — Fiambalá to Copiapó High AndesCrossing.
Distance
470 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
3,900 m
Paso San Francisco — Fiambalá to Copiapó High Andes Crossing.
One of the great high-Andes crossings. From the oasis town of Fiambala, the newly paved RN60 climbs past volcanic peaks over 6,000m — the Ruta de los Seismiles — to the 4,726m San Francisco pass, then drops through the Maricunga salt flat to Copiapo in Chile. A long, committing, high-altitude day: fuel and acclimatise before you go.
Quick facts
SurfacePaved
Distance470 km
Days1
Total climb3,900 m
DifficultyExpert
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The route.
FiambaláStart · Last real town and reliable fuel before the crossing. Top off, carry water, and start early — the pass is 200km and 4,700m away.
Termas de FiambaláScenic Point · Fourteen tiered volcanic hot pools 15km from town at 1,920m. Worth a soak on the way out or the way back.
Las Grutas — Vegas de San FranciscoScenic Point · Gendarmería refuge at 4,020m in the high wetlands. Last shelter before the border — watch for vicuñas and sudden weather.
Paso San Francisco (4,726m)Mountain Pass · The Argentina–Chile border high point, ringed by six-thousander volcanoes including Ojos del Salado. Thin air — ride smooth and slow.
Salar de MaricungaScenic Point · A white salt flat at 3,760m on the Chilean descent, flamingos on the lagoons. Ruta 31-CH runs straight and fast from here.
CopiapóEnd · Drop into the Atacama mining city. Full services, fuel and hotels — recovery after a huge day at altitude.
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