Paso Internacional Pichachén is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.063m (6,768ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Argentina and Chile.
Set high in the Andes mountains, the pass links the Biobío Region of Chile and the Neuquén Province of southwestern Argentina.
The road to the summit, also known as Cajon del Pichachen or Boquete de Antuco, is totally unpaved. It’s called Ruta CH-5 (in Chile) and Ruta Provincial 6 (in Argentina). The road is very curvy and challenging.
The road typically shuts down in winter due to inadequate upkeep. This area is characterized by dry air and significant temperature fluctuations between day and night. While direct sunlight warms the daytime, nights are exceptionally cold.
The pass is 180 km (111 miles) long running west-east from Canteras (in Chile) to El Cholar (in Argentina).