Chile
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Walking / horse crossing only. We asked the gauchos and border cops if we could make it but the river is huge unable to be crossed by car. There is 20km of 'no roads' on the Argentinian side. Still, Makes a nice 50km drive from Villa O'Higgins and we saw heaps of possible wild camps along the way. Very scenic and with the copec in Villa petrol is not a problem.
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We have been told by the friendly guarder that there is no chance to drive through this 9km without tracks. We have a Landrover with snorkel High clearance winch and other stuff...
It s only doable in winter time when upetream river is Frozen
Last véhicule succeeds 5 months ago..
Friendly guards at the border post. The trail to Argentina is mostly in good condition and pretty straightforward (and fun) with a bicycle, especially if you're running bikepacking bags rather than panniers. Bring a GPX for the route as it'll make life much easier. Cycled it in around 3 hours.
Report Check-InWe just came for visit (watting ferry To P.Natales on Saturday). Nice views and incredible how bicis and walking people use this remote way. Our admiration.
Check info&season if you’re interested to pass to Argentina.
Passed with a bicycle. The path for pedestrians and bikes is NOT the same as for cars. It's much dryer, as it doesn't go into the Mayer (hence passable even when vehicles can't) , but also much more of an adventure as it's barely marked. It goes via the Pasarela Carrera. Get GPX traces online and a step-by-step guide with photos by googling "paso rio mayer filetype:pdf". Even with this, start early in the morning and expect to have to make your own trail :)
Officials were friendly and offered coffee. They have satellite internet to validate the exit, but no signal for tourists.
Report Check-InAs of today the pass is still not driveable due to high water. We have a 4x4 Tacoma on 33" (taller than stock) tires with a snorkel. We were told that it is too deep still by the Caribineros, and from the look of the river by their station, I believe it.
Report Check-InThere is 20km of road missing on the Argentinian side but it is doable in a 4x4. We went to the Carabineros and asked for the current conditions and river levels but right now, they're too high (as of 28.11.).
Check in with them or the guards right at the border, they'll happily provide details on current conditions. One of the Carabineros in Villa O'Higgins lives right at the pass and showed us some current drone footage and very detailed infos and pictures. Apparently it becomes passable starting around mid-january until mid-september when the weather gets colder and the river carry less glacial water.
Note that it is advisable to travel with at least two cars and recovery gear as, according to the Carabinero, some of the terrain is very muddy and ever changing.
Good luck and enjoy this little adventure if you get the chance.
It’s possible to cross this border by car into Argentina during the beginning of the low season (Autumn) if the river levels are low enough. Unmodified but reliable 4x4 trucks do this border crossing somewhat regularly. Make sure to check with the border officials about the river and 4x4 road conditions before venturing out. We were told we wouldn’t have issues crossing with our truck (Toyota 4Runner) and making thru to the Aduanas office in Argentina during the Fall months but that it’s always a good idea to cross with at least two vehicles in case one needed assistance.
Report Check-InWalking / horse crossing only. We asked the gauchos and border cops if we could make it but the river is huge unable to be crossed by car. There is 20km of 'no roads' on the Argentinian side. Still, Makes a nice 50km drive from Villa O'Higgins and we saw heaps of possible wild camps along the way. Very scenic and with the copec in Villa petrol is not a problem.
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