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The Scenic Mendoza to Santiago Bus Ride

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I may have entered Argentina by plane, but my departure via the scenic bus ride from Mendoza to Santiago (Chile) was worth the extra transit time.

In Mendoza, I bought my bus ticket from Andesmar a few days in advance for just $36.

By comparison, flights cost several hundred dollars, and you miss some of the most beautiful landscapes outside of Patagonia.

Breathtaking scenery on the bus from Mendoza to Santiago
Breathtaking scenery on the ride from Mendoza to the Argentina-Chile border

The bus ride from Mendoza to Santiago lasted about seven hours, including the time it took to pass through Argentina and Chilean Immigration.

The highway passes by Puenta del Inca, but this natural geologic bridge can't be viewed from the bus. My photo in this article was taken a few days earlier on a separate tour.

Another point of interest you can see from the bus if only for a few seconds, is Aconcagua, South America's tallest mountain at 22,837 feet (6,960 meters).

I lucked out in that it was a beautiful, clear day. Thanks to the GPS on my iPhone, I snapped a photo of the cloud-shrouded peak as we passed it by.

A small complex of blue-roofed buildings offers space for corporate retreats far from the nearest city.
A small complex of blue-roofed buildings offers space for corporate retreats far from the nearest city.
The landscape looks more like Mars than Earth on the bus ride from Mendoza, Argentina, to Santiago, Chile.
At times, the landscape looks more like Mars than Earth. An old railway line can be seen running alongside the road.
A ski resort nestled in a valley awaits the winter snow.
A ski resort nestled in a valley awaits the winter snow.
The Puente del Inca is a natural geologic bridge once used by the Incas to cross the river.
The Puente del Inca is a natural geologic bridge once used by the Incas to cross the river. In modern times, a spa was built under it to take advantage of the natural hot springs.
At 22,837 feet (6,960 meters), Aconcagua is South America's tallest mountain and the tallest peak in both the Western and Southern hemispheres.
At 22,837 feet (6,960 meters), Aconcagua is South America's tallest mountain and the tallest peak in both the Western and Southern hemispheres.
An avalanche warning sign on the road through the Argentina-Chile border.
An avalanche warning sign on the road through the Argentina-Chile border.
Looking backward at the mountain road, some sections are covered by a cement roof to protect against avalanches.
Looking backward at the mountain road, some sections are covered by a cement roof to protect against avalanches.
Our bus outside the Chilean immigration office, which has the distinct appearance of a ski chalet.
Our bus parked outside the Chilean immigration office, which has the distinct appearance of a ski chalet.
A hairpin turn on the bus ride from Mendoza to Santiago.
One of many hairpin turns on the steep descent from the border crossing.
A long series of hairpin turns lead down the mountain in Chile.
A long series of hairpin turns lead down the mountain.
A closer look at those turns!
A closer look at those turns!
The remainder of the bus ride to Santiago isn't nearly as exciting. As the highway leads you to lower altitudes, the landscapes are mostly dry and scrubby. In this photo, you can see a red train crossing the mountain's lower section.
The remainder of the bus ride to Santiago isn't nearly as exciting. As the highway leads you to lower altitudes, the landscapes are mostly dry and scrubby. In this photo, you can see a red train crossing the mountain's lower section.

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About Dave Lee

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He's been to 68 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Read the full story of how he became a travel blogger.